the linux numbers and the netbsd numbers and chris torek's comment leave 
me convinced that I know what's happening but don't know why. Chris's 
comment re cleaning registers is interesting -- anyone able to confirm 
this? I am not so sure that linux virtues account for all the performance 
improvement :-) since netbsd shows similar numbers. 

So what's going on? I don't think the 'we just have a better os' really 
cuts it as an explanation :=)

ron

Ron Minnich                |"If you leave out all the killings, D.C. has as
rminnich@sarnoff.com       | low a crime rate as many cities" -- 
(609)-734-3120             |  D.C. Mayor Marion Barry
ftp://ftp.sarnoff.com/pub/mnfs/www/docs/cluster.html