I agree with Richard's summary below and have contemplated putting 
together such a critter as a project when I retire. Been teaching math 
and computer science for loooong time now, and will retire at the end 
of June. Sooo, maybe by the Fall, I'll have something tangible to 
share. Will let you all know.
- Stu


On Jun 5, 2005, at 9:28 AM, Richard Goodman wrote:

> Here's my two cents.
>
> I am primarily a lurker on the list. I program in classic (OS 8.6 with 
> FB^3) as a recreation and have no need for, nor interest in prgramming 
> in OS-X/Carbon. Most of the posts on the list are related getting code 
> to function in OS-X. There is very little information on fundamental 
> coding problems and theory as there used to be in the "old days". I am 
> contemplating acquiring a new, OS-X Mac as an accessory computer but I 
> will continue to program in the classic environment.
>
> From time to time I encounter programming problems and almost always 
> obtain answers from this posters on this list. These problems are 
> fundamental and have nothing to do with Panther, Tiger or any other 
> OS-X cats.
>
> When I was a beginner (I got started with M-BASIC on a CP/M computer), 
> I, too found it difficult getting started. I acquired several 
> excellent beginner's manuals and was able to teach myself to program. 
> When I purchased FB I, I was able to get help from the FB and Ariel 
> lists and from an occasional phone call to Zedcor. With FB II there 
> was not only a reference manual but a Handbook that covered a great 
> deal of stuff about programming for the Mac, especially the GUI. There 
> isn't really anything like that at present.
>
> Some of the posters on this thread mentioned PG as a possible 
> solution. I disagree. PG is great, but I think it actually detracts 
> from the beginner's goal of learning to program in FB. PG is to 
> learning FB, as a pocket calculator is to learning mathematics.
>
> I have long felt (and have mentioned this on the list from time to 
> time) that what is needed for newbies is a thorough beginner's manual 
> or handbook. Joe Lewis Wilkin's "The Book" was an attempt toward that 
> end but I don't even know if it is still on the current CD. The book 
> "Switching to FutureBasic" that came with my FB^3, release 7 is pretty 
> good as far as it goes. If this were expanded into a true beginner's 
> manual it might work.
>
> By true beginner's manual, I mean a manual for beginner's with no 
> programming experience. That means such a manual would have to cover 
> basic theory such as the concepts of conditionals, loops, etc. and how 
> these are implemented in FB. Such a manual would be expensive to 
> produce and might require several volumes. I think it would be worth 
> it as I don't think FB can survive without attracting newbies.
>
> Well, that turned out to be three cents worth. Sorry.
> -- 
> Richard le bon homme
>
> --
>
>