Hi Mark,

You wrote:

> I'd like to learn more about programming in FB^3.  I started
> writing a simulation game a few months back but haven't done
> much programing since.  In the meantime, FB^3 has evolved
> considerably.
>
> Does anyone have suggestions about the best way to approach
> learning more about FB^3?  I'm a pretty good programmer but
> am more used to low-level programming (in FBII I stuck to
> the mini-runtime).  Thanks.

I've now spent about 3 months, say 3/4 time, with FB^3 and
"the Book".  I'm rolling my own, as I did with FBII, but I can see
some distinct advantages to the Program Generator, even though
I understand it will have a major face-lift with Objects in the not
too distant future.  I've even had some adventures with the
debugger, which is vastly improved over what we had with FBII.
I'm still pretty much of a stranger with it, but I've discovered that
you can actually "Build" your program and use Debugger, so that
some of my previous reservations about IT may have now been
resolved.  We'll see about that.

I think the code for "the Book" and the various "Shells", once I
get those put togther will provide excellent (though not necessarily
authoritative) examples and starting points;  As will all of the
Demos, most of which you may find among the examples right now.

Though I still have quite a bit to do, I will be putting up beta 0.7
sometime tomorrow, Keller willing.  It will not have "the Book"'s code
in it yet.  The Interface is pretty well done, couple of minor "bugs"
that MAY turn out to be "FB^3" problems.  Until then, I think you
would be best served directing your attentions to the PG, but any
one wanting a copy of "the Book"'s Code at this point, may contact
me directly.

HTH,

Joe Wilkins
General Editor of "FB^3 - the Book"