compare those values i just sent you with these.  this is the kinda difference
the -O option makes with gcc.  (gcc -O copyvalue.c)

same setup, just used the -O option.

Sun:


Start simple copy: 
 long: 0.080 seconds
  int: 0.082 seconds
short: 0.091 seconds
 char: 0.121 seconds
Start subroutine calls: 
 long: 0.361 seconds
  int: 0.361 seconds
short: 0.361 seconds
 char: 0.362 seconds

Linux:

Start simple copy:
 long: 1.320 seconds
  int: 1.320 seconds
short: 1.326 seconds
 char: 1.319 seconds
Start subroutine calls:
 long: 8.019 seconds
  int: 8.537 seconds
short: 6.514 seconds
 char: 6.494 seconds

here it takes _longer_ for long & int!!!

-wonko