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Topic: Taking stock (Read 115 times) |
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Richard Russell
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Taking stock
« Thread started on: Mar 16th, 2018, 2:10pm » |
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With the release of the iOS edition of BBC BASIC I think I can reasonably claim 'job done' as far as my own contributions are concerned. All the popular general-purpose computing platforms, both desktop and mobile, are now supported.
It is almost certain that at some point it will be necessary to update the non-Windows editions to 64-bits (and possibly even the Windows edition, eventually) but given the likely timescales it's probable that it won't be me that does that.
The major hurdles to overcome in order to achieve those future updates are the creation of 64-bit x86 and ARM assemblers (for Linux/Mac OS and Android respectively). I am hoping that these will be contributed by users - I lend no credence to claims that such a task is beyond their abilities.
Now I intend to take a 'back seat'. I will, of course, fix any reported bugs, if I am able. I will also from time to time try to post updates to the Facebook group. But you may see little evidence of me here or at the other forum, which I'm sure will be appreciated.
Richard.
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hitsware
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Re: Taking stock
« Reply #1 on: Mar 16th, 2018, 5:33pm » |
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I think I remember a similar message ~ 5 years ago.
Just before you launched into the SDL version(s)..... 
Mega Regards,
Michael Miller
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePhUBBGyVmI
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Richard Russell
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Re: Taking stock
« Reply #2 on: Mar 16th, 2018, 6:42pm » |
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on Mar 16th, 2018, 5:33pm, hitsware wrote:| I think I remember a similar message ~ 5 years ago. Just before you launched into the SDL version |
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Undoubtedly my discovery of SDL opened up opportunities that I never thought would present themselves, but things are very different now from what they were then. Now I've finally implemented BBC BASIC on all the popular platforms so there really is nowhere else to go, but more importantly then I wasn't suffering from cognitive decline - at least not that I was aware of.
We'll have to see how things progress before I know whether or not I'll be able to contribute to future 64-bit releases (another MRI brain scan is due on 27th of this month, but it's the PET scan that I hope to have later which will really have diagnostic value as it can show up the formation of beta-amyloid plaques).
Richard.
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michael
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Re: Taking stock
« Reply #3 on: Mar 17th, 2018, 04:17am » |
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Quote:you may see little evidence of me here or at the other forum, which I'm sure will be appreciated.
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On the positive side of things, I am sure you will have more projects, even if they are just casual. No one sticks with something for so long and with such dedication, and then just decides to take a back seat.
There is always something.
I hope your scans bring some positive outlook.
Best wishes
Michael
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I like reinventing the wheel, but for now I will work on tools for D3D
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Richard Russell
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Re: Taking stock
« Reply #4 on: Mar 17th, 2018, 10:27am » |
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on Mar 17th, 2018, 04:17am, michael wrote:| I am sure you will have more projects, even if they are just casual. No one sticks with something for so long and with such dedication, and then just decides to take a back seat. |
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I prefer to spend my time on pursuits such as gardening during the warmer months, although despite it being well into spring the outside temperature here is 0.2°C and it was snowing an hour or so ago! You may have noticed that my software productivity is much greater in the winter.
Of course I will maintain an active interest in BBC BASIC, but I find that Facebook and Twitter are more effective means of promotion than this forum or the discussion group. Frankly, I think I reach a younger, more enthusiastic, audience through social media; you may be an exception but the bulk of forum members are I think - how shall I put it? - getting on a bit!
I also get far more enjoyment and satisfaction from writing BBC BASIC demo programs than I do from developing the interpreter and libraries etc. My increasing tendency to make silly mistakes is also less important in that case. So I'm not at all unhappy to be no longer in a race-against-time to complete the set of supported platforms before my abilities decline too much.
But I would be so much happier if I saw any sign of an upturn in the number of people actually using BBC BASIC. The Android and iOS versions attract 'likes' and 'follows' but very few 'users' as far as I can tell. 
Richard.
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roy
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Re: Taking stock
« Reply #5 on: Mar 17th, 2018, 6:54pm » |
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Hope things go OK for you Richard
Best Regards Roy
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hitsware
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Re: Taking stock
« Reply #6 on: Mar 18th, 2018, 2:03pm » |
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> But I would be so much happier
> if I saw any sign of an upturn in
> the number of people actually
> using BBC BASIC.
Yes. BASIC is certainly not the trendiest
of computer pursuits.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePhUBBGyVmI
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