Re: Linux to MacOSX port effort.

[Marc-Antoine Parent]

> This is normal.  Is it not?  Swarm uses a patched libobjc and I can't 
> see
> that that is going to change.

Fine.

> You flatter me.  All I did was ask a lot of questions.

Still, fitting the answers into code takes time (I went through that for 
Mozart.)

> > Most of the other libraries (hd5 etc.) can be found in the fink
> > packaging system ( http://fink.sourceforge.net/ ). Since a lot of 
> > people
> > have it, I suggest we all go that route.
>
> I am not keen on Fink except as a temporary expedient.  It is very
> non-standard and it managed to stuff my system big time on one occasion.
> I would think that it was in the interest of all those who would like to
> use MacOS X for serious scientific computing, that we get those 
> libraries
> to build in proper OS X style as Frameworks.  I don't think this is too
> hard.

Arhem... Though I understand the feeling behind this, and approve in 
theory (Frameworks beat packages any day) the fact is that making all 
unix libraries into proper Darwinian frameworks is really difficult 
unless you are a configure guru. (Which maybe you are, but my point is 
not all of us, even with with unix experience, relish wading into 
configure.)
Also, it also means convincing all maintainers of these libraries to 
integrate your changes; and also, what is more, convincing all 
maintainers of anything that uses those libraries to change their 
configuration! Do you realize the political weight of this proposition? 
Fink may be a "lesser" solution, but it's one that is feasible in a much 
shorter time frame.
The fact of the matter is, even if all my libraries were turned into 
frameworks, I'd still keep fink around to ease the porting of the next 
unix utility I happen to need. I like being able to port small unix 
libraries in hours instead of days. Maybe just me...

Now I think we should try to have some sort of consensus on this issue 
before we all plunge in. I've stated my point; I'm willing to hear more 
from you, and others who'd like to pinch in.

> > A few simple build notes: (I'm not done either, but just to avoid 
> > people
> > losing time over the same hurdles)...........
>
> Many thanks for that.  We will need somewhere to consolidate all this 
> good
> stuff to increase our leverage.

I'll have more time to help from next week on. Seriously. I'm even 
willing to spend time coordinating as well, if you want and if 
Alessandro is too busy.

Marc-Antoine


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