Future of powerbasic

[Brice Manuel]

Without all the time spent on DDT (that just covers a small percentage of the core API) we could have got a 64-bit version probably before the passing of Bob Zale.

Given that he was over a decade late in producing a true 32-bit compiler (PB 9), it is hard to imagine Bob producing a competitive 64-bit compiler had he lived another ten years (which would have brought him to the average male life-span in the USA). 

The 32-bit compiler we have now does not even properly take advantage of advanced 32-bit processors.  32-bit processors are now dead and have not been a standard in several years.  PB was far behind industry standards on 32-bit processor architecture when 32-bit processors died.  Heck, PB was always 10-15 years behind industry standards for everything. 

Bob intentionally kept PB from progressing.  Had Bob dropped the ridiculous idea that new versions of PB had to be compatible with archaic legacy versions of Windows, the compilers could have progressed and remained competitive with current industry standards. 

I do realize that there is a user base who needs to support these legacy systems, but PowerBASIC 8 does not magically stop working just because PB version 9 comes out.  PB 8 should have been marketed for use on pre-XP versions of Windows and PB 9 should have been marketed for XP and above, with PB 10 following the lead of PB 9.  PB 9 and 10 could have focused on current standards instead of trying to live in the past and support Windows '95 which came out in the fall of '94.  Those needing to support pre-XP systems could have chugged along with PB 8.

A programming language can't progress when each new version jumps back to the fall of '94.

It is true Bob was only one man.  I spent years watching what one man named Fred did with PureBasic and how it was always advancing, adapting and supporting current standards.  Eventually, Fred added Timo and PureBasic got even better.  I have watched PowerBASIC remain stagnant while PureBasic has grown by leaps and bounds in the same time frame and added support for Windows, Linux and OS X, along with 64-bit.  And for those needing to support legacy versions of Windows for some things, all of the old versions of PureBasic are accessible to registered users.  PureBasic is the most mature indie BASIC out there and Fred has done it all with one price for life and not nickel-and-diming the community over upgrades, visual designers, a console version, a 2d engine and a 3d engine.  One license covers it all.  No P. T. Barnum marketing schemes, false promises or vaporware.  Just a language that stays current and competitive, produced by an author who chooses not to live in the past.  So one man can do it, as it was just one man at PureBasic for many years.

[Edwin Knoppert]

I wasn't speaking about ddt vs sdk
There is only the coincidence  that when ddt came out also during that time a few programmers left and also that some idea's where no longer discussed (which may be more of a feeling than specifics)
Roughly said you can say that during the old forums there where more interesting topics than after.

I also find ddt a mis programmed part in PB but that's not really the issue for me regarding this matter.

[Brice Manuel]

There is only the coincidence  that when ddt came out also during that time a few programmers left

There were several exoduses over the years of varying sizes.

[Edwin Knoppert]

There were several exoduses over the years of varying sizes.

Anyone not leaving in those days was a ...
And now you're stuck in the void...

haha

[Patrice Terrier]

We know there is considerable concern on the Forum about PowerBASIC...when the next release will be...the lack of customer service for the past couple of months...and of course, questions about the future.

With the loss of Bob Zale, there have certainly been huge challenges, and on top of that, we lost a couple of key staff members. A new management team is now on board. Their task is to focus on the technical and customer service issues we've seen throughout the Forum.

All we can do is apologize for the lapse. Please be considerate when posting and know that our customers were important to Bob, and are important to us. We are working diligently to move PowerBASIC forward.

PowerBASIC is restructuring and will make these changes as quickly as possible.

We are striving to maintain PowerBASIC's character and reputation in tandem with preparing to launch new and innovative products.

Sales@PowerBASIC.com

Vivian Zale

...

[Patrice Terrier]

Didn't say anything of substance.

...

[Theo Gottwald]

Saying is never the problem. The problem is what happens substantial.

[Brice Manuel]

Didn't say anything of substance.

... but it says a lot to us! The company is currently not operational and totally overburdened in its present state. In other words, a classic case of mismanagement. No more staff, the widow also sick and the temporary support staff is completely incompetent, congratulations! 

Sadly, due to Jim's accident, it seems that PB is back in the same position it was a year ago when Bob died.  They appear to be starting over, yet again.

They will never be able to recover that which has been lost in this past year of mismanagement.  There comes a time when you have to be smart enough to know when to give up.

[James Klutho]

The compiler market is a tough one to make a buck.  Most development languages appear to be at no cost.  What are the top commercial compilers for large (non-indie) development?  On the C/C++ side, is it just Microsoft?  Intel?  Most compilers appear to have folded and are no longer supported and can be downloaded for free (Borland, Watcom etc.).  Even Microsoft has their Express versions that are free.  Mingw C/C++,TinyC and Pelle C appear great for the hobby programmer.

Other languages like Java, Python,PHP are all free.

The Basic language has FreeBasic (no cost), and others at nominal cost (PureBasic, IBasic)- with Powerbasic actually being near the top end at $200 US (which in my opinion has been worth the price).

Is the money to be made in development in the tool and control market?  Sure does not seem to be in the compilers themselves.  What are people's thoughts?

[Christian Damhus]

Hello,

well this is my first post. I usually prefer to read the comments in this great forum.

Maybe the change is also a chance to put PB in a new direction? Maybe a new leader (or head) or a new team will find new ways and strategies for PB? Maybe somebody will buy the firm? There are many GUI-Tools out there. Maybe someone who has developed a great GUI-Tool will buy PB and merged the products and continue the development. That would be something like PB+.

I don't know if you get my point. My English is a bit rusty.

Best wishes from the Münsterland

Chris

[Brice Manuel]

However it will not be possible without sufficient investment capital.

Unfortunately, PowerBASIC probably has more sentimental value than financial value at this point.

[Patrice Terrier]

Indeed there is a lot of affect with PB, from its community...

However the future is not with the old groupies, but with new customers, and the pragmatics would probably not put a cent on it.

...

[Brice Manuel]

I have been told that Jim Bailey's account at PB is now showing:

Last Activity: Oct 4th, 2013 04:00 PM

[Patrice Terrier]

Yes, that was the time Vivian's message has been posted...

[Brice Manuel]

The only realistic way to attract new customers, is a complete redesign of the old product range. A modern high performance compiler looks different. A brand new advanced IDE, 32 and 64 bit compliance, a redesigned Forms tool, a critical proofreading of the actual codes before the modernised release, extended intelligence and some unique features for the experts to be competitive. The performance benchmark for this is exclusively the market.
Not an easy task, and certainly not cheap.

Anything out of Team PB at this point, should be considered gravy.

On another note, did James ever receive his CDs?