I've posted a list of recommendations for a VB7-COM product in many places through the years (64bit, easier unicode support, a Double-Long type variable, new Block/EndBlock keywords to reduce variable scope, ability to wrap OCX dependencies into the EXE along with manifest, and a few others). But I'd actually be happy with just a re-release of the VB6-IDE. Heck, they can put an "as is, no support" disclaimer on it if they like. Not only do they discontinue the product, but they've done everything in their power to kill backwards compatible licensing, declaring that a copy of .NET does not satisfy the VB6-IDE licensing requirements. It's as if publishers quit publishing the Harry Potter books (adamantly refusing to print more copies), but declared that they'd aggressively sue anyone who tried to make their own copies. I'm not talking about open-sourcing it, supporting it, or even providing any warranty of suitability for anything. Just give my clients copies of it. I have several projects I've opened sourced in VB6 code and charge for consulting, adaptation, and customization. My clients would like the VB6-IDE so they can go forward with their own development teams, but they have to pay $2000+ for occasional copies of the VB6-IDE that appear on eBay. It's disrespectful, it's shameful, and it should be illegal. Heck, in my opinion, Microsoft would have been MUCH better off if they'd incorporated the VB6-IDE into their Windows OS (harking back to the days of their BASIC-OS). Imagine how addicted the world would be if they had a smart, easy-to-use programming language at their fingertips in Windows. They'd have half the world using it, and also clamoring for their OS to be ported onto every new platform (Tablets, Phones, etc) so that people could quickly write their own little VB6 style applications. Personally, I think that strategy could still work toward recovering their lost ground in the handheld markets if they would quit disrespecting the very people who have hung with them through thick and thin.
I've posted a list of recommendations for a VB7-COM product in many places through the years (64bit, easier unicode support, a Double-Long type variable, new Block/EndBlock keywords to reduce variable scope, ability to wrap OCX dependencies into the EXE along with manifest, and a few others). But I'd actually be happy with just a re-release of the VB6-IDE. Heck, they can put an "as is, no support" disclaimer on it if they like. Not only do they discontinue the product, but they've done everything in their power to kill backwards compatible licensing, declaring that a copy of .NET does not satisfy the VB6-IDE licensing requirements. It's as if publishers quit publishing the Harry Potter books (adamantly refusing to print more copies), but declared that they'd aggressively sue anyone who tried to make their own copies. I'm not talking about open-sourcing it, supporting it, or even providing any warranty of suitability for anything. Just give my clients copies of it. I have several projects I've opened sourced in VB6 code and charge for consulting, adaptation, and customization. My clients would like the VB6-IDE so they can go forward with their own development teams, but they have to pay $2000+ for occasional copies of the VB6-IDE that appear on eBay. It's disrespectful, it's shameful, and it should be illegal. Heck, in my opinion, Microsoft would have been MUCH better off if they'd incorporated the VB6-IDE into their Windows OS (harking back to the days of their BASIC-OS). Imagine how addicted the world would be if they had a smart, easy-to-use programming language at their fingertips in Windows. They'd have half the world using it, and also clamoring for their OS to be ported onto every new platform (Tablets, Phones, etc) so that people could quickly write their own little VB6 style applications. Personally, I think that strategy could still work toward recovering their lost ground in the handheld markets if they would quit disrespecting the very people who have hung with them through thick and thin.
ReplyDeletetrue ! :)
ReplyDeleteVB6 programming is still popular !
ReplyDelete