Hi Ceilti, > I was told that OS X came bundled with GCC, but mine didn't, and > after browsing through these pages perhaps this is only true of iMacs > with G5 cpu? Xcode (which includes GCC) is bundled on your OS X CDs, but not pre-installed on your machine. If you need to, you can download Xcode from Apple's website (http://www.apple.com/). www.apple.com Developer Software Downloads: Mac OS X Development Tools Download Xcode 2.2 > 1. - I am thinking about exchanging my G4 for a G5 if this is the > only way to get GCC. I guess I'm talking about a compiled version of > GCC. I am unsure of my abilities to compile it myself. I use Xcode (which includes GCC) on G3, G4 and G5 machines. > 2. - Will GCC work OK on my G4? if so is there compiling help > available to me? (both for compiling GCC and for using it for > compiling the above games? GCC will work OK on your G4. I recommend using Apple's pre-compiled GCC, since it has been instrumented with some Apple-isms. I strongly dissuade from trying to roll your own GCC on OS X -- not that it can't be done, but I'm sure there are a lot of sharp corners with which to hurt oneself. > 3. - and unrelatedly, I have been away from the world for about a > year and am very shocked that Apple is going to leave Motorola and > change to Intel. Considering this, would it be smarter not to get a > G5 right now, but wait and invest in a newer cpu machine after this > coming transition? That is a decision you'll have to make. If you are patient, you can use your G4 for now (perfectly good machine), and hop on the new Intel-based Macintosh platforms when they become available. If you are impatient (or have copious discretionary income) you can buy a G5 for now, and an Intel-based Macintosh later. > Two of my older brothers for years have wanted me learn C and C++ and see this > period as an opportunity for me to start. That is why they recommended > returning to Angband, and getting GCC, but I'm afraid I may have made a wrong > decision in my choice of machine. I compile my own Angband, ZAngband and ToME on OS X. All compile without serious problems. BTW: I recommend ToME (http://www.t-o-m-e.net/), 2.3.3 in particular to get started, 3.0.0a2 later on. I'm guessing that 3.0.0a2 hasn't been OS X-ified yet. Happy new year, --Eljay