Quote: "- It would not be financially viable for TGC to update DarkBASIC to the very latest Windows API"
No, I'm saying that if its worth it for TGC to update it, then they will.
Quote: "- The very latest version of Windows is targeted at people who like an easy point-and-click interface.
I don't know about point-and-click, but that about describes DarkBASIC, but then you go on to say:
- TGC may focus on actual point-and-click products like AppGameKit and FPSC.
If anything, that's good news to me. I mean, simplifying the development is what modern computer technology is all about."
You're paraphrasing a bit, but that's ok.
I'm saying Windows has a very strong influence on how people want to use their computers. This influence will determine a lot of the products that are made and offered. This may lessen the demand of the use of language based application/game designers such as somethingBASIC and increase the desire for a point and click only interface.
Quote: "How you put it makes it sound like TGC is in the right and Microsoft is in the wrong (or a grey area)."
I wasn't making an ethical or best business practice argument - nobody's in the right or wrong but companies have to function by getting an income; making money.
Quote: "After all, in the spirit of making everything easier, why do you alienate the people who don't have money? Why make it harder for free software developers, small businesses, and kids to develop software? I'm a kid. I may not be in school right now, but I'm a kid. I'm a kid with a bad temper."
No one's alienating anyone. Business is business. TGC is a company. Now perhaps advertisements (for others) generate enough income that they don't have to sell anything but a company cannot be maintained without earnings. Small businesses want to make money too. You don't think that if a small business could use public domain software (free) to create something sellable (not free) that they would? And then they would sell it. Open source is great for learning and sharing, but you can't sustain a business by giving away your product unless that leads to an income.
Linux is pretty much based on open source software. But do you know lots of big banks and companies use linux stuff to cut their own costs - eliminate all kinds of overhead? There's no magical world of free software where there is no cost. The overhead that the banks or the companies cut, isn't reflected in a reduction in prices, it just goes into profits. And if the profits are interfered with, then that cost is passed back on to the customer. So in reality, free software, costs someone somewhere something.
Quote: "Do you understand? TGC needs to support free software developers by making a few free software products that will ease our worries and our money troubles."
Part of what I was saying is they only have to do that if it is in their own best interest. The time and the money to develop those products has to come from somewhere.
This discussion is interesting but I'll stop here as this thread has gotten away from the original posters question.
Enjoy your day.