Re: Source code for MACL

[rodney@huntsai.boeing.com (Rodney Daughtrey)]

	From: bcsaic!uw-beaver!evax.arl.utexas.edu!lindahl (Charlie Lindahl)
	To: info-macl@cambridge.apple.com
	Subject: RE: Source code for ACL
	
	>I think Blake has raised a good point and a valid question.  Maybe the
	>community voice should be heard on this issue.
	
	>Having lots of sample/reference code available has always been one of
	>the reasons why lisp machines have been very productive environments.
	>Customizability of the environment would be greatly increased,
	>especially when this stuff is implemented in CLOS (MACL 2.0)!
	
	>If there are concerns that the amount of code would be excessive for
	>many users, why not at least make the code available separately, in
	>disk only and paper only versions (again, like MacApp).
	
	>George Williams
	
	I strongly second George's point about providing source code (as much as
	possible, particularly the low-level stuff) for ACL. Having come from a LISP
	machine environment, having source code served at least two benefits: 
	
	1) The low-level bit-hackers could see and understand how things work, and
	2) The user community could fix problems they encounter, or suggest or 
	   implement more efficient ways of doing things. Furthermore, extensions
	   to the existing product could be done by third-party developers, and hence
	   encourage and stimulate state-of-the-art improvements.

and 3) MACL would have an additional selling point for prospective
buyers/programmers...

	
	ACL developers (or managers or APDA): please consider including source
	code in MACL 2.0! And keep up the good work! 
	
	Charlie S. Lindahl

Here's another pleading cry for source code.  I too have played "guess
the source code based on object behavior", and it can get pretty
ridiculous.  Anyone from Apple care to comment (either officially or
unofficially) on the chances of including the source now or in the
future?


Rodney Daughtrey           E-mail: rodney@huntsai.boeing.com
Huntsville AI Center               {major site}!uw-beaver!bcsaic!huntsai!rodney
Boeing Computer Services   Voice:  (205)-461-2352  Fax: (205)-461-2933