I was talking of the original iTunes. Of course, the win version was made with Win developers. But the concept and code behind it is still from the original Mac version.
I wouldn't be surprised if they actually use Enterprised Objects Framework for that.
For those wanting to know, EOF is basically a subset of Mac OS X's Cocoa API.
Apple has writtent other software for Windows too. Through Claris and now FileMaker, the FileMaker and FileMaker Pro databases are available on Windows.
Also, before Apple canned it, they (as Apple and before that, NeXT Software) have written plenty Windows Apps, like WebObjects, Enterprise Objects Framework and all the devs tools that have now become XCode (aka, Project Builder and Interface Builder).
Don't be fooled. Those who wrote iTunes are those same folks that worked at NeXT before that.
Yes: the OS is fundamentally 32-bits, but the kernel and key parts (math libs etc) are 64-bits under a G5, making it faster. This design decision allows running 32-bit apps seamlessly alongside 64-bit apps.
Ie, does it allow applications to address more than 32 bits (4GB) of RAM? What's sizeof(void *)?
Heres the rundown, from an Apple response in SCITECH:
Hi all,
There seems to be a bit of confusion on this topic. The short answer is The PowerPC G5 processor is fully 64-bit Mac OS X supports many, but not all, services using 64-bit integers. Currently, sizeof(void *) == 4
I realize that some people take a rigid position that 64-bit computing = 64-bit OS = sizeof(void *) == 8. Which may be understandable given their problem space, but reality - especially when dealing with mass-market personal computers, not speciality workstations - is a bit more complicated, and different people benefit from Mac OS X's level of 64-bit support in different ways.
A more official explanation is below. Please let me know if there's any confusion about this. Sincerely, Ernest Prabhakar Product Manager, UNIX & Open Source Apple
Mac OS X Jaguar (10.2.7 and later) features a redesigned kernel and updated system software math libraries specifically for the 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor. The updated kernel delivers the most substantial benefits of 64-bit computing by breaking through the 4GB physical memory barrier enabling the kernel to use all the RAM that can be added to the new Power Mac G5 (currently 8GB).
The key functions of the system math and vector libraries have been hand tuned to make maximum advantage of new and faster math functions that the 64-bit G5 is capable of. This is a great because unmodified applications that use the system math functions will get an automatic speed up when run on the G5. For example, the square root function is implemented as a software algorithm when run on a G3 or G4 but on a G5 when a square root calculation is requested the math library uses the super-fast hardware instruction that the G5 has.
This approach brings the maximum benefit of 64-bit processing to the desktop personal computer market and does so with full native-speed compatibility with existing 32-bit applications. Because the PowerPC instruction set was designed initially with 64-bit instructions in mind, this transition is a smooth and simple one for our developers and customers.
Apple has also supplied a new compiler, GCC version 3.3 which generates optimal code for the new G5 machine model. Importantly, this compiler produces code that executes efficiently on G5, G4 and G3 systems so a single Mac OS X application runs on each of our support processor architectures. This allows developers to build and qualify a single version of their applications for the 32-bit and 64-bit Mac systems.
Mac OS X Panther takes the same approach to the G5 as Jaguar but will be able to optimized additional math functions based on feedback from the developer community. References Optimizing for the Power Mac G5
): Technical Note TN2086: Tuning for the G5: A Practical Guide
Technical Note TN2087: PowerPC G5 Performance Primer
Technical Note TN2090: Driver Tuning on Panther or G5 (Of interest only if you have written a device driver)
Power Mac G5 Performance White Paper (PDF) http://www.apple.com/powermac/pdf/PowerMacG 5_Perf_ WP_071503.pdf
I got my dual G5 on the 7th of september. I have partitioned it and have installed both Jaguar (10.2.7 G5) and Panther 7B74 on it (for those asking, I was at the developer conference, hence my seedings of Panther).
Using Code Warrior to build 730 megs worth of sources (no, really), the complete build cycle (after a total cleanup of objects) took 9 minutes on Panther, and 13 minutes in Jaguar.
And that's with a tool that's not multi-threaded. Kudos Apple.
(Oh, and BTW, this same source code set takes roughly 45 minutes on a dual G4 450!!)
Before the reset buttons on Macs, Apple II machines (the//c, the ][e, ][+ and//) had a reset button seated on a hefty spring, and would only take effect if you held down the Apple button (nowadays known as the Command key).
Although some Macs have had bad placement for the reset button (some Performas and the Mac II line come to mind), most Macs have had their reset buttons on the side of the machine, where it's not as easy to reach by mistake (and quite frankly, hard to locate at times).
Some of the Macs, also, had reset buttons that were inside the case, and could only be accessible with an externally-mounted, optional button that reached inside of the case for the reset button. Such was the case for the Mac Plus, SE (and SE/30) and the Mac II line (II, II x, II fx).
The worst placement for the reset button was on the PowerMac 601 (pizza box "G1" if you wish), where the front-mounted reset (and power) switch was at the same height of the (then much) thick keyboard. Pushing the keyboard against the machine could switch it off. Outright stupid it was.
Huh. Then how would they slow down once they got to Mars? Would they have much more powerfull thrusters for landing?
At mid point, they turn around and use the same ion propulsion system to slow down, very gradually. Combined with aero breaking and glider wing + balloon landing.
As anonymous coward wrote, the 6 month figure was using ion propulsion with aero breaking solely, but this wouldn't be a comfy ride for humans.
Sure the Ion drive is a really neat addition, but it's soooo slooooow. It's going to take them 15 MONTHS to get there!
Actually, Ion propulsion is faster. It just has much less tork, if I may use the analogy.
Unlike rocket propulsion, Ion propulsion has a constant push. Although is exerts a smaller force, it can accelerate for as long as there is fuel, and it uses very little of it.
That's how they'll be able to send people on mars in a matter of months (last figures I had was 9 months) instead of more than a year (it was reported to be somewhere around 16-18 months using rocket propulsion).
For a moon mission, though, speed isn't necessarily important, so they can afford the longer trip time to same money and augment the payload (instead of carrying all that fuel).
...about Linux is that every time you want to download a new program, you require downloading X, Y and Z other components to get the frickin' thing working.
I'm a fairly tecky person, with 15 years of experience developer on Macs. I use X11 for some apps I use from the 'nix community, including OpenOffice.
Ever installed MacBoch? It's a bitch to just get launched. You need extra scripts, info.TXT files and loads of crap just to boot anything--IF you can get it to boot.
I had to re-install my main OS recently, due to a somewhat annoying pre-release OS I was using. I still can't get OpenOffice to re-install properly, less with Apple's X11. I'll need to download XFree86 for Darwin (DarwinX) and use an extra launcher called XOroborox if I want to at least have Mac OS X -styled windows.
OpenOSX folks have gotten it right. They might be a somewhat expensive Linux/Free Software distributor, but they've found ways to package things simply.
My mother always bugs me to convert PowerPoint she keeps getting from colleges so she can view them on her Mac. Will I installer her OpenOffice? Heck no. Too much of a hassle. I convinced her to get Apple's keynote presentation software, wich can read/write PowerPoint files.
I really wich is was simpler for those who'd ratter get going ratter than go on a scavenger hunt every time you want to install something.
There ARE exceptions, though. I was quite surprised when 2 days ago I downloaded TuxPaint for Mac OS X. It worked right out of the "box". Not even requiring X11. Right on. This baby is gonna find it's way to my kids' computer tonight.
My big problem is that the type of code I deal with often involves very subtle bugs. To fix the bugs I must go though the code in many many steps. PB doesn't retain your watch variables between calls to the debugger. That means when I restart the code to re-examine a process I have to retype in all my variables or else put printf's in the code. Compare this to Visual Studio which has amazingly simple and easy to use watch panes - four of them in fact. It is easy to "drill down" into structs and classes. And most importantly they retain their variables each time I restart the debugger.
How about NOT having to leave your debugging session when you make simple changes?
Check out XCode's features, notably the Fix And Continue and ZeroLink.
It makes fixing silly things a snappy process, and you don't need to restart your test suite to get back to the same point. Just fix WHILE you debug, recompile the fixed code and resume execution where you left off, foregoing any application re-initialization (such as connecting back to a server).
Yeah, I'm going to go with a no on this one. Everyone said the same thing when ATMs came around, "Oh no, they're going to replace actual tellers!" But it didn't, banks still hire quite frequently for bank tellers.
That's specific to your area.
I live in the province of Québec. For some reason, it's often said that we're early adopters of such technologies. In the case of ATMs, I fully believe that.
Back in 1996, I went touring in France. There were hardly any ATMs in sight, wich was an issue because at that time, we already had ATMs at most street corners in Montréal and was therefore not conditioned to carry cash around.
Same year, I was down in San Jose (California), and around (spent a day in San Francisco on that particular trip). I was amazed how "few" ATMs could be found.
I was in San Francisco again just 3 weeks ago, and still, I thought there were few ATMs, comparatively to Montréal, but there were considerably more. Yet, very few store actually accepted payment by bank cards.
In Montréal, a store that doesn't have bank card payments risks not making it past their first quarter. People hardly ever carry cash. Everything is paid in plastic.
My bank is opened from 11AM til 3PM monday through wednesday. On thursdays, it closes at 6PM. On fridays, they're gone by 4:01PM. Closed on weekends. And this pattern is generalized throughout the province. There's hardly any service at any bank nowadays.
When it is said that technology renders itself obsolete by the time it ships (god this is so true: I ordered myself a G5 and I'll have it in september!), then you can bet that in no time, technology will make US obsolete.
Make plenty of cash reserve. Because by the time you retire (if you have to chance to retire before you get retired), there wont be much source of revenues possible for humans.
This form of cross-linguistic techno-bable-speak is actually mostly found in the province of Québec, a mostly-french area surrounded by english.
If you go on AIM/iChat chat lines such as MacBidouille (same as the french web site) where the population is mostly from France and other european french-speaking countries (Belgium to name one), you don't see as much.
As a resident of the province of Québec, I sometimes get lost by their own techno-bable-speak, which differs significantly from the above example.
The screenshot font, color and layout do NOT match that of anywhere else on the Apple site
Sorry bob. I was on the Apple web site last night and caught this before even it appeared on the rumor sites. I even have a screen snapshot of the entire window.
This is genuine material. The entire page spoke of the current G4 line, but the small quick spec list next to a G4 machine photo actually listed the new G5 specs.
Now, is it a genuine mistake? I would tend to believe so, as Jobs is really pissy about keeping his secret punches for the keynote.
Mind you, his big secret may be the new 15.4 inch rumored laptop. There was even talk of a dual G5 17" laptop, but I give little credence to that.
This has the added fun of the acceleration mashing you into the rear wall
Actually, no.
The inertia of catapulting a heavy object like a satellite into orbit keeps the payload from suffering too much G forces at launch, as it gradually accelerates.
If you doubt this, then you need to read up on Dr. Gerry Bull's work. And interesting first read is here for conventional cannons, and here about his space mission.
His canons, the biggest of the sort, were meant as a mean to launch satellites into orbit. The great length of the canon, mounted on shock absorbing mounts like most canons today, means the projectile could reach orbit with a gentle-enough push so that even electronic equipment could be fired into space, directly at controlled orbits.
Having lost funding from the Canadian gvmt, Bull turned to the states which, after a few promising test shots, decided to pursue other means shooting at things. Bull very much wanted to finish his project and be the first to sent something in space at 1/10000th the cost of traditional rockets. So he turned to Irak for funding, and he sold them a few of those canons, including a huge one that was aimes at Israel, as it was found during the Gulf war (1991/2) and quickly dismantled.
Israel, though the USA, had bought a couple of Bull's canons, and was none too pleased to learn that friendly neighbour Irak has a bigger one. To this day, it's still a closely guarded secret, but it's been said in documentaries that those who gun shot Bull in his Brussel appt., were actually Israeli Mossad agents.
Slashdot Mirror
I was talking of the original iTunes. Of course, the win version was made with Win developers. But the concept and code behind it is still from the original Mac version.
I wouldn't be surprised if they actually use Enterprised Objects Framework for that.
For those wanting to know, EOF is basically a subset of Mac OS X's Cocoa API.
Apple has writtent other software for Windows too. Through Claris and now FileMaker, the FileMaker and FileMaker Pro databases are available on Windows.
Also, before Apple canned it, they (as Apple and before that, NeXT Software) have written plenty Windows Apps, like WebObjects, Enterprise Objects Framework and all the devs tools that have now become XCode (aka, Project Builder and Interface Builder).
Don't be fooled. Those who wrote iTunes are those same folks that worked at NeXT before that.
Hey, a Jetta costs $15,000 vs the $80,000 of a Porsche 911, yet they can perform roughly the same function...
Yeah. Except the babe in the second car is worth $65,000 more.
Does Panther make the G5 a truly 64-bit platform?
Yes: the OS is fundamentally 32-bits, but the kernel and key parts (math libs etc) are 64-bits under a G5, making it faster. This design decision allows running 32-bit apps seamlessly alongside 64-bit apps.
Ie, does it allow applications to address more than 32 bits (4GB) of RAM? What's sizeof(void *)?
Heres the rundown, from an Apple response in SCITECH:
Hi all,
There seems to be a bit of confusion on this topic. The short answer is
The PowerPC G5 processor is fully 64-bit Mac OS X supports many, but not all, services using 64-bit integers.
Currently, sizeof(void *) == 4
I realize that some people take a rigid position that 64-bit computing = 64-bit OS = sizeof(void *) == 8. Which may be understandable given their problem space, but reality - especially when dealing with mass-market personal computers, not speciality workstations - is a bit more complicated, and different people benefit from Mac OS X's level of 64-bit support in different ways.
A more official explanation is below. Please let me know if there's any confusion about this.
Sincerely,
Ernest Prabhakar
Product Manager, UNIX & Open Source
Apple
Mac OS X Jaguar (10.2.7 and later) features a redesigned kernel and updated system software math libraries specifically for the 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor. The updated kernel delivers the most substantial benefits of 64-bit computing by breaking through the 4GB physical memory barrier enabling the kernel to use all the RAM that can be added to the new Power Mac G5 (currently 8GB).
The key functions of the system math and vector libraries have been hand tuned to make maximum advantage of new and faster math functions that the 64-bit G5 is capable of. This is a great because unmodified applications that use the system math functions will get an automatic speed up when run on the G5. For example, the square root function is implemented as a software algorithm when run on a G3 or G4 but on a G5 when a square root calculation is requested the math library uses the super-fast hardware instruction that the G5 has.
This approach brings the maximum benefit of 64-bit processing to the desktop personal computer market and does so with full native-speed compatibility with existing 32-bit applications. Because the PowerPC instruction set was designed initially with 64-bit instructions in mind, this transition is a smooth and simple one for our developers and customers.
Apple has also supplied a new compiler, GCC version 3.3 which generates optimal code for the new G5 machine model. Importantly, this compiler produces code that executes efficiently on G5, G4 and G3 systems so a single Mac OS X application runs on each of our support processor architectures. This allows developers to build and qualify a single version of their applications for the 32-bit and 64-bit Mac systems.
Mac OS X Panther takes the same approach to the G5 as Jaguar but will be able to optimized additional math functions based on feedback from the developer community.
References
Optimizing for the Power Mac G5
):
Technical Note TN2086: Tuning for the G5: A Practical Guide
Technical Note TN2087: PowerPC G5 Performance Primer
Technical Note TN2090: Driver Tuning on Panther or G5 (Of interest only if you have written a device driver)
Power Mac G5 Performance White Paper (PDF)
http://www.apple.com/powermac/pdf/PowerMacG 5_Perf_ WP_071503.pdf
Default Sizes
sizeof (char) == 1
sizeof (short) == 2
sizeof (int) == 4
sizeof (long) == 4
sizeof (long long) == 8
sizeof (void *) == 4
sizeof (void (*)(void)) == 4
sizeof (float) == 4
sizeof (double) == 8
sizeof (long double) == 8* [may change in the future]
sizeof (size_t) == 4
sizeof (off_t) == 8
G5-Related Flags for GCC
-mcpu=970
This allows the compiler to use instructions only available on the G5 (also known as
I got my dual G5 on the 7th of september. I have partitioned it and have installed both Jaguar (10.2.7 G5) and Panther 7B74 on it (for those asking, I was at the developer conference, hence my seedings of Panther).
Using Code Warrior to build 730 megs worth of sources (no, really), the complete build cycle (after a total cleanup of objects) took 9 minutes on Panther, and 13 minutes in Jaguar.
And that's with a tool that's not multi-threaded. Kudos Apple.
(Oh, and BTW, this same source code set takes roughly 45 minutes on a dual G4 450!!)
Now there's a compromise!
If Star Wars Kid can't get a character/cameo in episode 3, then maybe Lucas can get him a Jedi on SWG!
One thing for sure, not that many people can afford Sony's humanoid robot.
It was said that the price was comparable to a good sports car.
With addresses like URI:, I'll spend more time on the phone trying to help my mother get where she needs to.
Before the reset buttons on Macs, Apple II machines (the //c, the ][e, ][+ and //) had a reset button seated on a hefty spring, and would only take effect if you held down the Apple button (nowadays known as the Command key).
Although some Macs have had bad placement for the reset button (some Performas and the Mac II line come to mind), most Macs have had their reset buttons on the side of the machine, where it's not as easy to reach by mistake (and quite frankly, hard to locate at times).
Some of the Macs, also, had reset buttons that were inside the case, and could only be accessible with an externally-mounted, optional button that reached inside of the case for the reset button. Such was the case for the Mac Plus, SE (and SE/30) and the Mac II line (II, II x, II fx).
The worst placement for the reset button was on the PowerMac 601 (pizza box "G1" if you wish), where the front-mounted reset (and power) switch was at the same height of the (then much) thick keyboard. Pushing the keyboard against the machine could switch it off. Outright stupid it was.
Exactly.
I'd accept a one-way ticket to Mars anytime, albeit only to prove that humans CAN reach the red planet alive.
For as long as I have a suit to walk outside and a long beach chair to watch the sunset.
Oh, and I'm bringing along my dual G5.
Huh. Then how would they slow down once they got to Mars? Would they have much more powerfull thrusters for landing?
At mid point, they turn around and use the same ion propulsion system to slow down, very gradually. Combined with aero breaking and glider wing + balloon landing.
As anonymous coward wrote, the 6 month figure was using ion propulsion with aero breaking solely, but this wouldn't be a comfy ride for humans.
Right on. NASA really DO need the competition, given things like this.
Sure the Ion drive is a really neat addition, but it's soooo slooooow. It's going to take them 15 MONTHS to get there!
Actually, Ion propulsion is faster. It just has much less tork, if I may use the analogy.
Unlike rocket propulsion, Ion propulsion has a constant push. Although is exerts a smaller force, it can accelerate for as long as there is fuel, and it uses very little of it.
That's how they'll be able to send people on mars in a matter of months (last figures I had was 9 months) instead of more than a year (it was reported to be somewhere around 16-18 months using rocket propulsion).
For a moon mission, though, speed isn't necessarily important, so they can afford the longer trip time to same money and augment the payload (instead of carrying all that fuel).
Maybe I'm just pessimistic, but does anyone want to take a stab at how long it takes for this to turn into a problem?
Well, Longhorn is currently scheduled for 2006, so my guess is ~3 years.
For those not following, a complete description is available.
Let me rephrase that second-to-last line:
I really wish it was simpler for those who'd ratter get going ratter than go on a scavenger hunt every time you want to install something.
Sorry about the babble speech. I got trigger-happy on the submit page.
...about Linux is that every time you want to download a new program, you require downloading X, Y and Z other components to get the frickin' thing working.
.TXT files and loads of crap just to boot anything--IF you can get it to boot.
I'm a fairly tecky person, with 15 years of experience developer on Macs. I use X11 for some apps I use from the 'nix community, including OpenOffice.
Ever installed MacBoch? It's a bitch to just get launched. You need extra scripts, info
I had to re-install my main OS recently, due to a somewhat annoying pre-release OS I was using. I still can't get OpenOffice to re-install properly, less with Apple's X11. I'll need to download XFree86 for Darwin (DarwinX) and use an extra launcher called XOroborox if I want to at least have Mac OS X -styled windows.
OpenOSX folks have gotten it right. They might be a somewhat expensive Linux/Free Software distributor, but they've found ways to package things simply.
My mother always bugs me to convert PowerPoint she keeps getting from colleges so she can view them on her Mac. Will I installer her OpenOffice? Heck no. Too much of a hassle. I convinced her to get Apple's keynote presentation software, wich can read/write PowerPoint files.
I really wich is was simpler for those who'd ratter get going ratter than go on a scavenger hunt every time you want to install something.
There ARE exceptions, though. I was quite surprised when 2 days ago I downloaded TuxPaint for Mac OS X. It worked right out of the "box". Not even requiring X11. Right on. This baby is gonna find it's way to my kids' computer tonight.
My big problem is that the type of code I deal with often involves very subtle bugs. To fix the bugs I must go though the code in many many steps. PB doesn't retain your watch variables between calls to the debugger. That means when I restart the code to re-examine a process I have to retype in all my variables or else put printf's in the code. Compare this to Visual Studio which has amazingly simple and easy to use watch panes - four of them in fact. It is easy to "drill down" into structs and classes. And most importantly they retain their variables each time I restart the debugger.
How about NOT having to leave your debugging session when you make simple changes?
Check out XCode's features, notably the Fix And Continue and ZeroLink.
It makes fixing silly things a snappy process, and you don't need to restart your test suite to get back to the same point. Just fix WHILE you debug, recompile the fixed code and resume execution where you left off, foregoing any application re-initialization (such as connecting back to a server).
Shouldn't a robot be described as some mechanical device that's autonomous or otherwise self-guided?
These "robots" all seem to be remote-controlled, making them expensive RC toys you'll find in 5 years at Radio Scrap.
Yeah, I'm going to go with a no on this one. Everyone said the same thing when ATMs came around, "Oh no, they're going to replace actual tellers!" But it didn't, banks still hire quite frequently for bank tellers.
That's specific to your area.
I live in the province of Québec. For some reason, it's often said that we're early adopters of such technologies. In the case of ATMs, I fully believe that.
Back in 1996, I went touring in France. There were hardly any ATMs in sight, wich was an issue because at that time, we already had ATMs at most street corners in Montréal and was therefore not conditioned to carry cash around.
Same year, I was down in San Jose (California), and around (spent a day in San Francisco on that particular trip). I was amazed how "few" ATMs could be found.
I was in San Francisco again just 3 weeks ago, and still, I thought there were few ATMs, comparatively to Montréal, but there were considerably more. Yet, very few store actually accepted payment by bank cards.
In Montréal, a store that doesn't have bank card payments risks not making it past their first quarter. People hardly ever carry cash. Everything is paid in plastic.
My bank is opened from 11AM til 3PM monday through wednesday. On thursdays, it closes at 6PM. On fridays, they're gone by 4:01PM. Closed on weekends. And this pattern is generalized throughout the province. There's hardly any service at any bank nowadays.
When it is said that technology renders itself obsolete by the time it ships (god this is so true: I ordered myself a G5 and I'll have it in september!), then you can bet that in no time, technology will make US obsolete.
Make plenty of cash reserve. Because by the time you retire (if you have to chance to retire before you get retired), there wont be much source of revenues possible for humans.
We need them replicators fast.
Actually, I would have chosen ++c++;
This form of cross-linguistic techno-bable-speak is actually mostly found in the province of Québec, a mostly-french area surrounded by english.
If you go on AIM/iChat chat lines such as MacBidouille (same as the french web site) where the population is mostly from France and other european french-speaking countries (Belgium to name one), you don't see as much.
As a resident of the province of Québec, I sometimes get lost by their own techno-bable-speak, which differs significantly from the above example.
You still can.
The screenshot font, color and layout do NOT match that of anywhere else on the Apple site
Sorry bob. I was on the Apple web site last night and caught this before even it appeared on the rumor sites. I even have a screen snapshot of the entire window.
This is genuine material. The entire page spoke of the current G4 line, but the small quick spec list next to a G4 machine photo actually listed the new G5 specs.
Now, is it a genuine mistake? I would tend to believe so, as Jobs is really pissy about keeping his secret punches for the keynote.
Mind you, his big secret may be the new 15.4 inch rumored laptop. There was even talk of a dual G5 17" laptop, but I give little credence to that.
This has the added fun of the acceleration mashing you into the rear wall
Actually, no.
The inertia of catapulting a heavy object like a satellite into orbit keeps the payload from suffering too much G forces at launch, as it gradually accelerates.
If you doubt this, then you need to read up on Dr. Gerry Bull's work. And interesting first read is here for conventional cannons, and here about his space mission.
His canons, the biggest of the sort, were meant as a mean to launch satellites into orbit. The great length of the canon, mounted on shock absorbing mounts like most canons today, means the projectile could reach orbit with a gentle-enough push so that even electronic equipment could be fired into space, directly at controlled orbits.
Having lost funding from the Canadian gvmt, Bull turned to the states which, after a few promising test shots, decided to pursue other means shooting at things. Bull very much wanted to finish his project and be the first to sent something in space at 1/10000th the cost of traditional rockets. So he turned to Irak for funding, and he sold them a few of those canons, including a huge one that was aimes at Israel, as it was found during the Gulf war (1991/2) and quickly dismantled.
Israel, though the USA, had bought a couple of Bull's canons, and was none too pleased to learn that friendly neighbour Irak has a bigger one. To this day, it's still a closely guarded secret, but it's been said in documentaries that those who gun shot Bull in his Brussel appt., were actually Israeli Mossad agents.