So are you compiling the JDK just as a curiosity or do you not like to install binaries?

A bit of both: as a curiosity, I'm seeing whether I can get by without installing any binaries. Of course, this still leaves me vulnerable to trojans in the compiler binary on the distro I build the install CD on, but I think anyone who can slip such a trojan into GCC probably deserves to 0\/\/n all my boxes for sheer coolness factor.

Besides, shouldn't you be working on Pearl and not trying to compile Java VM's ?

In the office, yes. At home I can be as frivolously tinfoil-hatted about JVM trojans as I like...

Peter