Eljay, >What difference does it make whether the compiler is a gcc-for-mingw that targets Linux, or gcc-for-cygwin that targets Linux? >>As I understand it, gcc-for-mingw cannot target Linux, since Linux does not have a Win32 API. I don't think this is relevant. gcc is just a compiler. You can choose the input. I wouldn't try to compile the Win32 API for a Linux target. - Sheryl