>There are also native code compilers like Supercede (http://www.supercede.com/) from Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen (wonder what Bill thinks about this?)


From the Supercede site;

SEATTLE — January 19, 1999 — SuperCede, Inc. and Instantiations, Inc. today announce Instantiations' acquisition and subsequent exclusive ownership of SuperCede's highly-acclaimed Java technology. Instantiations will use the acquired technology in concert with its new JOVE Super Optimizing Deployment Environment to provide Java developers with unprecedented levels of performance, scalability and deployability for their large Java systems.

Although SuperCede plans to leave the Java development tool business, the company will provide phone and email product technical support for the next 90 days to current customers. The SuperCede 2.03 maintenance release will still be available for free download to registered users during this time.

As a result of the acquisition Vulcan Ventures, Inc., the investment organization of Paul G. Allen and principal owner of SuperCede, will take an undisclosed equity position in Instantiations. Instantiations plans to employ SuperCede's Java technology within the context of its technology-based professional services business strategy.