Chuck.... you bring up an interesting issue.... i.e., a user
VAX compiler.  Since, for the sake of discussion, the VAX
is basically a closed ended system, now, with no new
machines being made,   I would think it would be prudent
logic to bring together a VAX only subset of gcc or anything
else that is BSDish or distributable,  so that a finalized and
optimized compiler would be available.  Make it lean, mean,
VAX only, and usable for anything not tied to the latest sorts
of gnuisms.  I would love to see something like that.  All of
the testing I have done, over the past couple years, does one
thing.... indicate anything after 1.4.x is a great leap backwards
on slow non-scsi vaxen.  It is reaching a point to where the
VAXen are just not going to keep up.  If that is so, lets pick
an optimum suite for the older hardware, and freeze it into
a Classic VAX or somethingorother system, and not let it
slow down with feeping creaturitis into oblivion.  It really is
becoming laughable.

As a starting point, I would like to see a compilable and usable
pcc port.  Since all of the antique unix is now BSD licensed,
it should be compatible.... and usable.  It is getting to the point
where I want to see some actual numbers and comparisons, 
rather than lots of what ifs....time to dig into Tahoe and Reno,
again...

As I see it, the issues are:

1.  What level of NetBSD to use as a Classic VAX starting point
     (I tend to think anything before elf and anything before rc.d).

2.  What compilers are potentially usable, and available to work with
     (I tend to pcc, or an earlier gcc maybe as early as 1.42 or so, if
      it is workable on the VAX).

3.  To what hardware do we limit the Classic VAX (anything qbus and
      earlier would be my expectation).

4.  Is there any real interest in trying something like this?
     (Who knows.... I just am getting this slowing feeling rather
      that that"lovin' feelin'" on the VAX [as the old Righteous Bros.
      song used to go...]).



Am I nuts?  Yeah, mebbie, but.... ancient VAX is S l o w i n g,
S  l  o  w  i  n  g..... down.....(:+}}... why should it need to.  It
should not be heresy to say, "pick the best we can for it, and
leave it at that.....

Thanks

Bob Keys

(running, ducking, donning Inet Flak Jacket...(:+}}...)