MFELDMAN@GWUVM.BITNET (Mike Feldman) (11/25/87)
A couple of weeks ago I read a posting about a $5 compiler from an outfit called Public Brand Software. I got curious, so I ordered it. I'd never dealt with them before and didn't have their catalog. I ordered the compiler by phone on Friday Nov. 20 - $5 for the disk + $5 shipping. Disk arrived today, Wed. Nov. 25 by UPS. Nice fast service - the shipping cost also included a little 5-disk plastic case. It turns out that PBS is a packager/shipper of public-domain and shareware disks for IBM and compatible PCs. Their catalog shows a lot of the usual PC stuff. The M2 compiler is infact the Fitted Software Tools compiler, from FST in Duluth, GA. I have not had a chance to test it yet, only read the documentation. It's distributed in .ARC form, together with the archive program commonly used in the PC world. FST's shareware fee is $35, which entitles registered users to the latest version and the source code for library and runtime support. The compiler is said to conform to Wirth 3/e. Online .DOC files appear to be pretty good. Seems to me I've seen postings to this list about the FST compiler, but deleted them at the time because I wasn't interested then. What is the experience of list readers out there with this product? It looks to be decently complete and well-documented, and, with a proper text, may be sduitable for students. $35. ain't bad if it works, and shareware isn't a bad distribution mechanism in universities because the professor or bookstore doesn't have to collect money. Any thoughts out there in NetWorkLand? Michael Feldman Professor, Dept. of EE&CS The George Washington University Washington, DC 20052 MFELDMAN@GWUVM.BITNET