Do you understand the idea of Java -- having a common runtime layer to run your program on any OS? But the Java is limited to Java. Cygwin on the other hand brings the whole Posix environmet to windows. But then the Cygwin administration tool is limited to windows.
The answer from Gentoo Prefix: Take it and run it anywhere. Compile your binaries yourself with Emerge administration tool -- for any OS. There is still one missing link. While Gentoo prefix already runs on enterprise versions of windows by use of Interix, it is not available for the common user. Let's start a contest to bring Gentoo Prefix to the masses! Be the first human ever who sucessfully runs a fullblown Gentoo Prefix on Cygwin! I have done the initial research to prove that this is possible. You find the basic instructions here: http://en.gentoo-wiki.com/wiki/Prefix/Cygwin. Now the race is open be the first one, who really does it. There are still some quests to be resolved by you. Your mission: Sucessfully run "emerge -e system" on Cygwin! Intersted to take part in the conetst? Then send an answer to this posting. Hope to find some people to join in and have fun. Al