New PowerBasic Gazette

[Rolf Brandt]

You all probably got the PowerBasice Gazette 121 by Jim Baily.

What is your idea? Are things moving? Ist something in the bush? Or are they just trying to keep folks calm?

Rolf

[David Kenny]

I was disappointed. Nothing new there and, in my opinion, not very professional.  They have a database of all their customers and the products they have purchased (that would include versions of course). Their emails should be tailored for the customer they are being sent to.  All of us who have the latest versions should not be getting this version of the Gazette. But this time, if you take all the sales fluff out, there is not much content left.

Of course, much of this has not changed.  Way back, they still only sent one email out to everyone.  I've always thought it was silly to extoll the virtues of the latest versions to people who already have them. It's as if they are unaware that you know anything about their products.

[Brice Manuel]

Is anybody willing to share it?

[David Kenny]

Cut and pasted from an HTML email.  Not very pretty in this post, but here it is:

http://www.powerbasic.com/images/palmN.gif   

PowerBASIC Gazette
Number 121
www.powerbasic.com



May 26th,
2014


From: Jim Bailey, V.P. Sales and Marketing
            PowerBASIC, Inc.

To: PowerCODER

PowerBASIC Gazette #121

Subject: The BASIC Language’s 50th Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary BASIC! PowerBASIC is celebrating the BASIC language’s 50th anniversary, of which PowerBASIC â€" in one form or another (BASIC/Z, TurboBASIC) - has been a part of for over 30 years.

It is truly amazing that a programming language has been able to keep up with the rapid changes in computing for all this time.  Think about it, what compiler can you say can compile code from 50 years ago, and run that executable on Windows 8 64 bit, with only minimal changes? What compiler has faster than C string handling, and floating point precision equal to Fortran? What compiler can get you off and running from the start with close to “naturally spoken” code? PowerBASIC.

Our Console Compiler (current version 6) is very powerful and highly sought by many in the scientific and academic communities, manufacturing and industrial sectors, and classroom and hobbyist groups. Speed coupled with powerful TCP routines create indispensable tools in creating CGI (Computer Gateway Interface) apps for intricate custom web pages.

Full access to the Windows API give all the function of a $1,000 compiler without the price tag; without the bloat.  There are no run-time libraries or re-distributables that need to be packaged in with installers.

Listen, Microsoft has done it countless times before: MS BASIC made obsolete by QBasic made obsolete by PDS made obsolete by Visual Basic made obsolete by .NET. Why do programmers put up with this? How do they keep up financially with entire programs and applications going obsolete and need to be re-coded every 3 to 5 years?

Well, many of you have turned to PowerBASIC for just this reason. And this is yet another promise we give you. Backwards compatibility.

Many BASIC compilers, however, missed the ship when it came to the principals we at PowerBASIC adhere strictly to: Smaller, Faster. Period.

So, in summation, thank you Bob Zale for creating PowerBASIC, for taking BASIC to another level.  Your contribution to BASIC and the entire programming community has kept the entire language viable and powerful for 50 years! Under direction of Tom Hanlin, with Bob’s principals, the BASIC language will continue to celebrate more Power-Anniversaries.

We have had a surprising amount of new programmers to PowerBASIC.  It always makes me chuckle when after asking a few questions, new programmers realize the simplicity of PowerBASIC. I therefore would like to re-visit some beginner programmer topics to help all get started.

Sample programs in the “samples” directory of your installation
http://www.powerbasic.com/support/quickstart/pbwin001.html
http://www.powerbasic.com/support/quickstart/pbwin000.html
http://www.powerbasic.com/support/quickstart/pbwin003.html
http://www.powerbasic.com/support/quickstart/default.asp
http://www.powerbasic.com/support/downloads/
and of course, many in our programming circle offer great help here: http://www.powerbasic.com/support/pbforums/
All of our current compilers have been extensively tested from version Win 98 to Win 8 64bit.


PowerBASIC Forums

Be sure to visit us soon on the web! Lots of options to help you find the exact programming information you need! The PowerBASIC Forums now sport over 500,000 contributions from good programmers just like you. They ask questions, they get answers, so can you. Just click...

http://www.powerbasic.com/support/pbforums

We'd love to hear your questions... your answers... maybe even see a little of your latest code. So would others, and they'll respond!

Lots more to follow on the web site... and the next Gazette!



THE POWER Changes Everything

Just in case you're one of the few... who hasn't yet upgraded to the latest compilers -- Stay with me for a minute?

Now is the time to move. Full product purchases are just $199 and $169. Pretty refreshing compared to some of the $2,000-$5,000 prices from the competition! If you qualify for an upgrade, you can still take advantage of special pricing. Upgrade PB/WIN 9 to PowerBASIC 10.0 for just $99 -- upgrade PB/CC 5 to PB/CC 6.0 for just $89! There is no reason to wait... today is the day to upgrade.

Of course, PB/CC is our Console Compiler -- creates programs with a text mode user interface. Easy to use. Easy to port from DOS. It's the perfect solution for CGI Internet applications. Any time you want pure performance and nothing more! PowerBASIC 10 for Windows gives you the "look and feel" of a graphical user interface (GUI), the essence of Windows. Frankly, they've both taken a big leap forward.

Transparent Unicode

You know, a good compiler offers you ANSI strings. This has been the standard for many years. A better compiler lets you choose between ANSI and UNICODE in each program. But only one of them per program. If you want Unicode, you can't keep binary bytes in a string. It simply won't work. If you want ANSI, you can't have Unicode without exhaustive conversions. Not so good.

A great compiler, like PowerBASIC, supports all of them in the same program. And it's totally transparent. With PowerBASIC 10.0 for Windows (or PowerBASIC Console Compiler 6.0), you can have it all. One variable with ANSI. Another with UNICODE. Mix and match any way you choose with PowerStrings. All the messy details, and even the needed translations, are handled automatically by the compiler.

You can finally display a Euro symbol. Unicode text in a GUI or a Console. Read and write a Unicode file. Even print Unicode text on a Windows printer!

Static Link Libraries

Compile all your general purpose code into static units. Then, when it's needed, just $LINK it into your EXE or DLL and you're on your way. It's pre-compiled, so it's perfect for team programming. What will it do for third-party tools? Plenty. It links right into your EXE, so there's no need to drag a DLL around. Just $LINK and go. Lots more tools are sure to follow. And, if that's not enough, you'll get a librarian, too. Combine any number of units to a single library, and just use one single $LINK. PowerBASIC just discards those which aren't necessary. SLL's can contain Subs, Functions, and Object Classes. How easy can it get?

Automatic Dead Code Removal

Fight the war on BloatWare. Now, you can include big libraries of useful code -- PowerBASIC cleans it up for you. Any Sub/Function not used is automatically ignored when compiled. In fact, even Classes are pared down by similar Method and Property removal.

Order Now?     GOTO https://www.powerbasic.com/shop/

There's more. Lots, lots more. A IDE based on Tabs, with syntax display as you type! Transparent Unicode. Print Preview. Thread Objects. A built in Resource Compiler. A StringBuilder Class. PowerArray class encapsulates SafeArray structures. A DEC$ function formats decimal numbers. Graphic Windows with scroll bars and scroll keys, user drag to resize, clip areas, and wrap by whole word. ENUM blocks, PREFIX blocks, ASMDATA blocks. THREADSAFE option for functions and methods. TEXT windows, Text Split, and the new FASTPROC procedures. There's more, but it's easy to see this is a very important upgrade.

You can order right now...

PB/WIN 10.0 is priced at $199, while PB Console Compiler is $169. Upgrades from versions 9 and 5 are just $99 and $89 respectively.

Need more info?

We have a page created just for you. It's "Why should I upgrade?"

GOTO http://www.powerbasic.com/products/whyupcc.asp
GOTO http://www.powerbasic.com/products/whyupwin10.asp

Need even more info?

The complete documentation for both PB/CC 6 and PB/WIN 10 can be found right on the PowerBASIC Web Site! To see the 100% complete documentation:

          GOTO www.powerbasic.com -- Then [click] HELP DESK

You'll find everything you need to know to make an informed decision. You can order right now by replying to this email. You can call us today at (888)659-8000 or (941)473-7300, or fax us at (941)681-3100.

You can visit https://www.powerbasic.com/shop/ to place an e/order on our secure web site, or even mail an order to our offices. But no matter what method you choose, do it today and do it with confidence. Every product PowerBASIC ships for physical delivery is offered with a money-back guarantee for a full 30 days from the transaction date.


Regards,

Jim Bailey

VP Sales and Marketing
PowerBASIC Inc.


PowerBASIC Price List

PB/CC Console Compiler 6.0 - Full Product
$169.00
PB/CC Console Compiler 6.0 - Upgrade from ver 5
$89.00
PB/CC Console Compiler 6.0 - Upgrade from prior versions
$119.00


PowerBASIC for Windows 10.0 (GUI) - Full Product
$199.00
PowerBASIC for Windows 10.0 - Upgrade from ver 9
$99.00
PowerBASIC for Windows 10.0 - Upgrade from prior versions   
$129.00


Classic Console Compiler 5.0 - Full Product
$89.00
Classic Console Compiler 5.0 - Upgrade from ver 4
$49.00


Classic PB for Windows 9.0 (GUI) - Full Product
$99.00
Classic PB for Windows 9.0 - Upgrade from ver 8
$49.00


PowerBASIC for DOS 3.5 - Full Product
$99.00
PowerBASIC for DOS 3.5 - Upgrade from prior versions
$49.00




PowerTree BTree Manager for DOS and Windows
$99.00


PowerBASIC Forms Visual Designer ver 2.0
$99.00
PowerBASIC Classic Forms 1.5 for Classic PowerBASIC
$49.00



Order online at www.powerbasic.com/shop/ or just send an email with all pertinent information to: sales@powerbasic.com

We'll take it from there!


PowerBASIC products are now be delivered by electronic mail. No waiting for a package to arrive... No high shipping costs... For just $6 per order, no matter how many products, we'll deliver directly to your computer.


Send your subscription request to email@powerbasic.com and please include your name and all email addresses you'd like to add, as well as your Zip or Postal Code. If you know someone else who would enjoy this newsletter please forward a copy to them so they can subscribe.

All contents Copyright (c) 2014 PowerBASIC Inc All Rights Reserved. PowerBASIC, PB/CC, PowerBASIC Forms, and PowerTREE are trademarks of PowerBASIC Inc. Other names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

PowerBASIC Gazette - Electronic Edition
Volume 1 - Issue 121
PowerBASIC, Inc.
(888) 659-8000 Sales
1400 Bayshore Drive
(941) 473-7300 Voice
Englewood, FL 34223   
(941) 681-3100 Fax

Visit us on the Net at www.powerbasic.com    Email Sales at sales@powerbasic.com

This newsletter is only sent to email addresses in our subscription list. If you have received this newsletter by mistake or no longer wish to receive it, please forward this newsletter, with "unsubscribe" in the message to support@powerbasic.com with your name and zip/postal code.

[Brice Manuel]

Thank you.

Think about it, what compiler can you say can compile code from 50 years ago, and run that executable on Windows 8 64 bit, with only minimal changes?

This is incorrect.  PB does not make a compiler that will produce an executable that can run on Windows 8 64 bit.  EXEs created by PB compilers can only run under WoW64 (32-bit emulation) on Windows 8 64.  Using Jim's logic, PB is capable of producing executables that can run on OSX and Linux.

Full access to the Windows API give all the function of a $1,000 compiler without the price tag; without the bloat.

I am just a hillbilly and not a teacher like Jim, but shouldn't it be "gives" and not "give"?

Thread Objects.

WoW64 has a known bug with threads in 32-bit programs that has been there since XP 64 was released and is still in the latest version of 8.1 Update 1 64.  Microsoft is unwilling/unable to fix the bug, because they would need to move WoW64 from user mode to kernel mode which they will not do for performance reasons.  Luckily the bug in WoW64 is one that will not affect the vast majority of people using threads in their program.  It probably only affects 0.2% or less of programmers.

[Marc Giao]

Probably just me but Jim doesn't inspire much confident and as a teacher his command of English rather lacking. Still don't understand what Bob was thinking...

Marc

[Rolf Brandt]

I just saw this thread on the PB forum. It seems they finally are getting organized. Gives me some hope.
http://www.powerbasic.com/support/pbforums/showthread.php?p=451650#post451650

Rolf

[Haakon Birkeland]

Unfortunately pretty much the same yada-yada we've seen for a long time.

It's new to me that the mail system where an out-dated(?!) home made system. There are so many well working systems to use these days, running a proprietary system for mail don't initially make sense to me.

As an excuse for abducted operations though, it's excellent.

[James Klutho]

I think Jim's brother Scott is the teacher.  Scott appears as confident as Jim from reading his Clayton State University bio page.

https://plus.google.com/100486011577298577075#100486011577298577075/posts

[Brice Manuel]

I just saw this thread on the PB forum. It seems they finally are getting organized. Gives me some hope.
http://www.powerbasic.com/support/pbforums/showthread.php?p=451650#post451650

Setting up an alternate email address and proudly proclaiming you will only check it once a week is certifiably insane for a business that depends on the internet for sales.  Given the date it was posted it has to be a joke, as any rational person would have fired Jim otherwise.  It is almost like he is intentionally trying to sabotage what is left of the company.

Unfortunately pretty much the same yada-yada we've seen for a long time.

Two years, and still no reliable order process based on recent posts and the only word when there is one is "we are working on things" which gets VERY old after two years.

As an excuse for abducted operations though, it's excellent.

A competent tech could have had it replaced and working properly and stress tested all within the same day.  In the real world, this is often something that is done overnight, so when the business opens in the morning everything is ready to go.  However, some businesses may stay closed one day just for training employees on the new system.

[Knuth Konrad]

It's new to me that the mail system where an out-dated(?!) home made system. There are so many well working systems to use these days, running a proprietary system for mail don't initially make sense to me.

Well, lemme guess: their CRM is/was a proprietary system written PB/DOS, with customer addresses stored in random files. Hence no out-of-the box (mail) system could have used those data. And rather than rewriting the CRM, they tacked a home grown maling solution onto it. Perhaps even as a live (stress) test when PB introduced its batch of built-in TCP commands.

Don't laugh, I've seen things like this happening.

[Haakon Birkeland]

I'm always thinking that if I own the system (i.e. made it), exporting data to necessary formats from it would/should be a breeze.

[Brice Manuel]

It seems this stuff is never ending:

http://www.powerbasic.com/support/pbforums/showthread.php?t=54999


I guess as long as you have mods who will help cover up the theft and fraud by inevitably locking threads and users who will spout off at the mouth that the forums are not the place to be trying to contact PB (even though they are the official support forums, run by PB, hosted on PB's servers and PB has ultimate control over all actions on the forums as Bob so heavily demonstrated with his Short-Man-Disease moderation in the past) and should instead use the phone numbers and email addresses, none of which work or are answered, these shenanigans will continue.

At this point, for anybody who is being ripped off, the moderators and the loudmouths in the community share in the blame and guilt because of their actions trying to cover up things and silence anybody who dares to complain about being ripped off.  The only things more disgusting than PB Inc. at this point are the mods and the loudmouths over there.

[Richard Kelly]

I probably erred in asking a question at:

http://www.powerbasic.com/support/pbforums/showthread.php?t=55005

Reaching for my flame retardant suit...

Rick

[Richard Kelly]

As expected, Mattias derailed the thread and I never got my original question answered...sigh...

Rick