Re: Licences

[Martin Dowie <martin.dowie@btopenworld.com>]

Steve Whalen wrote:
> No longer having a reliable +
> free + up to date + easy to install Ada compiler makes "Ada
> proselytizing" much harder (I don't consider having to compile your own
> compiler and libraries from CVS as being "easy to install").

I would have thought that this was an ideal opportunity for an Aonix or 
an RRS to step in with a personal $0-zero support version of their compiler.

Aonix do have one but the restrictions it imposes are so large that you 
can't develop anything of any note on it.

RRS do ship a low-cost compiler but when you can get a free 
C/Delphi/C++/Java compiler, it is hard to justify even that small amount 
- and a lot of student simply can't even afford <$100 - especially when 
there is a new iPodWhatever every 6 months! ;-)

Surely, a $0 compiler, that could be used outside of the GPL, would open 
the Ada world up to many more people and that in turn would create 
demand for paid-for products and/or support?

Cheers

-- Martin