For Java there is (currently) a free 'RAD' called Forte (Community Edition) which seems pretty good but it uses a bit of resource. This can be run on Win32 or *nix etc etc. If you find java slow try looking for a jit compiler for you installation. Another 'tool' I've been playing with is the mysql/php on a web server. Not overly brilliant in the Maths dept but seems to run on most platforms. I'll be publishing an extendable GNU e-shop (before xmas I hope) built on mysql/php but using odbc to make it a bit more system independent. Haven't found any problems with it yet Tom

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