The Open Software Foundation hopes to scotch rumours that its ambitious ArchitectureNeutral Distribution Format project may not be technically possible by releasing a few details about the Format – which is intended to enable shrink-wrapped software to be offered that will run on any Unix system, regardless of processor it uses. The Foundation has received 24 summaries of proposals in answer to its Request For Technology, the majority of which have come from non-members, according to Foundation spokeswoman Liz Cobbs. Detailed submissions will have to be received by October 16. Following a review of these by Foundation members at the end of the year, a shortlist of hopefuls will be drawn up early in 1990. There are currently three different approaches to the problem. The first involves a straight encryption or coding of the software to make it machineindependent. The second is to provide an intermediate compiler format – some kind of halfway house in which programs are compiled down to an intermediate code that has to be written for each processor. And the third is to develop tagged executable code – almost at machine/assembler level, in which extra information is tagged onto existing executable code. As yet, the Foundation is not prepared to talk about any timescale for product or laboratory development or release. On the distributed computing front, submissions for the Request For Technology are due in by October 6, following which a review by members will take place in November. A technical decision will be made early next year. The Open Software Foundation has already grown to 180 employees, and the figure is set to rise to 220 by the end of the year. Some 70% of these are engaged in research and development. Latest tally of members is 158.
