A thread on the Serf-list (Serf is Dan Gelder's attempt at superseding
Hypercard) that began a discussion of REALBasic, proceded to slam BASIC in
general as a functional programming language.  I replied in BASIC's defense,
and suggested that aside from the language police in university computing
science departments, BASIC has long been known as a fully functional,
easy-to-use programming language.  I then suggested FutureBasic^3 as a fine
example, and provided the url to both the FB homepage and the demo.  Here is
one response, quoting only part of what I wrote (the part flagged by '>'):

----->

John Vokey  said:


>What utter nonsense.  BASIC is and always has been a perfectly fine
>programming language.

You would be the one and only programmer (you are a programmer, aren't
you?) I have ever known to say so.

>At any rate, for a truly superb BASIC for the Mac, check out
>FutureBasic^3 at http://www.stazsoftware.com/  or download a free demo:
>http://www.stazsoftware.com/fb_demo.html

You're joking, right? I happen to be familiar with FutureBasic. It isn't
even good enough to qualify as an also-ran. Read some of the posts on the
Basic language internet mailing lists. Seldom have I ever seen such
vitriol aimed at one product, and from my own experience with it,
deservedly so.

Frankly, holding up FutureBasic as an example only serves to impugn your
credibility.


David Kachel 
theMac Workshop

<-----

Ignoring the ad hominem comments, is FB really under attack on Basic
language internet mailing lists?  If so, Staz et al. may wish to launch a
rearguard action.
-- 
Regarding Micro$loth: "Neither shall the Evil Empire dwell with thee" (Job)

John R. Vokey, Ph.D.
Chair
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
University of Lethbridge