Posts: 691
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Quote:If we could get this on Slashdot somehow, we'd have no trouble getting signers...
You could do an ask slashdot, something a bit more general, along the lines of "What ancient languages/compilers are people still using and should the copyright holders release them as unsupported freeware" and then mention that you are using QuickBASIC.
I personally don't see how the situation would be any different, Oracle (and other site maintainers) already have the full collection of compilers for download. I doubt Microsoft is going to go out of its way to prevent this, and I doubt that they will do anything drastic like release the source code for the compilers. At the very best you'll be able to download the same software, from the same places, while feeling slightly less guilty. ;-) [/quote]
esus saves.... Passes to Moses, shoots, he scores!
Posts: 780
Threads: 49
Joined: Dec 2001
I respectfully disagree.
I think its a big change. For me, I will be using something legal. That makes a difference. Microsoft is showing care. That makes a difference. Bring the community as one. Thats a difference.
You guys know anyone on slashdot?
Quote:This petition to Microsoft is hereby established for the specific purpose of requesting Microsoft to release its older BASIC line of compilers and interpreters (such asQuickBASIC 4.5/ 7.1 and Visual BASIC for DOS) as freeware products.
Signers of this petition are active BASIC language developers, and have expressed full support is this request to Microsoft. By making the software freeware and allowing distribution, Microsoft will be encouraging more developers, and feeding the online BASIC programming community with a new, but dying hope. As Borland has done with their older collection of compilers and interpreters, Microsoft could launch a "museum" of their older line of products.
The support for the community by Microsoft will be appreciated by the signers of this petition, and we ask Microsoft to acknowledge the desire of many hobbyist programmers, and even beginner programmers, who use older compilers like QuickBASIC for fun and a challenge or as a stepping stone to further language. QuickBASIC is known in the community to be a great stepping stone to other Microsoft products such as the Visual BASIC line of products. The fact that it is 17 years old and runs on a platform that has lost support a long time ago doesn't stop these programmers from using it.
Signers of this petition would also like to thank Microsoft for other great products like Visual BASIC, Visual C++, and computer games, such as Age Of Mythology. We hope that you will fulfil our request.
Admins: Put this on the news please. I am disappointed that only 20 replies are on this, 4 from me.
Posts: 6,419
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Lurkers! Lurkers! I am very disappointed as well...
Let's make this. If Microsoft gives a shit about some 1,000s of users this will be a great success.
Posts: 3,522
Threads: 189
Joined: Dec 2003
Fixed some spelling errors, and did some minor changes:
Quote:This petition to Microsoft is hereby established for the specific purpose of requesting Microsoft to release its older BASIC line of compilers and interpreters (such as QuickBASIC 4.5/ 7.1 and Visual BASIC for DOS) as freeware products.
Signers of this petition are active BASIC language developers, and have expressed full support in this request to You. By making the software freeware and allowing distribution, like Borland has done with their older collection of compilers and interpreters, You will be encouraging more developers, and feeding the online BASIC programming community with new hope.
The support for the community by You will be appreciated by the signers of this petition, and we ask You to acknowledge the desire of many hobbyist programmers, and even beginner programmers, who use older compilers like QuickBASIC for fun and a challenge or as a stepping stone to further language. QuickBASIC is known in the community to be a great stepping stone to other Microsoft products such as the Visual BASIC line of products. The fact that it is 17 years old and runs on a platform that has lost support a long time ago doesn't stop these programmers from using it.
Signers of this petition would also like to thank Microsoft for other great products like Visual Basic, Visual C++. We hope that you will fulfil our request.
Visual Basic, not Visual BASIC
Changed Microsoft to You
Moved "like Borland has done with their older collection of compilers and interpreters" and removed the part about their library.
Changed some punctuation.
And added a space anf fixed spelling errors.
Where can we sign it?
Posts: 137
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Drat, I tried signing it and now my signature is stuck in the middle of my screen...
Anyway, you have my support.
Jonathan Simspon
onathan Simpson
Posts: 780
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Joined: Dec 2001
It's done.
I've finished it, it's online at http://www.petitiononline.com/qbasicp/petition.html.
I had to do it here.
Sign it.
I used petitiononline because it's huge and even has press coverage...I'm sure the chances of getting found are slightly larger...
Posts: 3,616
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Broken link...can't tell ya whether it's 404, 405, or 40*, because there's this stupid spyware that makes me go to PerfectNav.com every time there's an error. :evil:
f only life let you press CTRL-Z.
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Freebasic is like QB, except it doesn't suck.
Posts: 1,752
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Posts: 3,616
Threads: 287
Joined: Jan 2003
Signed. 
Some of those comments are a little...anti-Microsoft though. Don't know how if that'll go down to well.
f only life let you press CTRL-Z.
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Freebasic is like QB, except it doesn't suck.
Posts: 1,080
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Joined: Feb 2002
Signed. Why can't I view the list? It only says:
Quote:Name Comments Which of the BASIC line of products do you use?
11 Total Signatures
View Signatures : 11
Also Just a thought: what if MS decides to start an enormous lawsuit
against all those on the list, for illegal use of copyrighted products?
/post]
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