Dear Tim Boykett,

you asked:

Is there any good reason to use X-gap?

at the moment: no. However the next version will contain a QUOTPIC
like interface. This will make it much easier to play around with
finitely presented groups, especially because it contains some
functions which are not available as one line commands in GAP. This
version should be available within two month.

Is there some configuration stuff that I should do to make it
nice: at the moment it is horribly slow and not pleasantto use, or
even usable at all!!

What version of X-Windows do you use? There is a problem with some of
the older X-Window/OpenWindow versions, the text cursor keeps blinking
and it is next to imposible to even open a menu. Because you write
"even usable at all" I assume you are suffering from the same kind of
problem.

I have tried XGAP under X11R5 on a Sun Sparc using a Sun 4 as display
without any problem.

best wishes
Frank

PS: If you don't have a possibility to link XGAP against X11R5, please
write to "Gap-Trouble@Math.RWTH-Aachen.DE".