Good news for flexlib users

N7BCP

MICROSOFT open sources .Net http://www.macrumors.com/2014/11/12/microsoft-net-open-source-os-x/

N7CXI

... and in case you don't read the entire article, one of the things that's relevant to this group is that MS has released "Visual Studio Community 2013" for free to hobbyists, R&D, EDU and businesses with less than $1MM USD in revenues. The "Community" version is functionally equivalent to the "Pro" version, and contains the bits that were missing in previous free releases - a resource compiler, for example.

I find it a bit distressing that I'm tempted to praise MS for these actions. Giving them outright praise is something I've rarely done in what -  30+ years? ;-)

73,
Jim N7CXI

Ken - NM9P

Thanks for the post!

I just downloaded this last night and started working my way through the book "Beginning Visual C# 2010" which was recommended on another thread.  SO far I have done the first two "projects" and am convinced that I can learn yet another programming language!  It doesn't look that hard... so far!

Ken - NM9P

N7CXI

And a competitor is born. What have I done? ;-)

Good for you, Ken. Programming in C# is the most direct way into the mainstream these days.

If you haven't already done so, at some point I'd also recommend learning the number systems and bases used in programming, which is a prerequisite for a complete understanding of bit masking and other lower-level functions.  It will also open a doorway to understanding things like the difference between 32 and 64-bit pointers, and why you should care about them.

... and once you've learned C# and have an understanding of relevant number systems, you'll already have learned 80-90% of "C", which is itself a gateway to C++ .

But even if you don't go any farther than C#, you'll be able to create useful and/or entertaining applications for Windows and even Linux - using Mono, for example.

Just remember to eat, sleep and exercise regularly. :-)

73,
Jim N7CXI

Ken - NM9P

If you are talking about 8-bit, hex, and all that, I learned that in college. I was a math and physics major before entering the ministry. But I have gotten a little rusty in my programming skills.... It is a long way from IBM 360 Fortran and GW-basic!