> No one here speaks much of Java; not certain I care to develop with it either,
> but its successful presence on the web may have changed the way Microsoft and
> Apple are thinking in how they plan to tear down barriers between platforms.
> While in Redding, on business, a Windows tech introduced me to the idea when
> Windows 2000 will be a mix of Java-code and HTML, and when introduced, that
> Microsoft would no longer be supporting DOS. Seeing Windows 98 display PC
> directories primarily on web browser pages got me listening to what the guy
> was saying. And the implications. If System 7-8 is going to be left behind
> in three years, (assume MacOSX appears within 18 months, who's using System 6
> these days?) why spend all the time and money developing for an OS that will
> be obsolete, especially if Microsoft is moving away from DOS toward Java.
This is something I am very interested in. By developing in C++ we
make cross-platform OpenCard more difficult to create. By
developing in Java cross-platform OpenCard is immediate, not to
mention web OpenCard. Java tends to be slower than C++ though,
this is mainly due to Java being partially compiled and then
interpreted. I am told however, that it is possible to completely
compile Java for specific platforms (still starting with the same
code though) thus increasing execution time.
> So, I'm really beginning to wonder whether it's possible that it makes more
> sense to make QTi's interactive layer Java-based rather than HyperCard or even
> AppleScript when considering planning for the future. I noticed Apple
> recently released QuickTime for Java; need to learn more what that's for. For
> now, I'm still using HyperCard. I guess if I ever want to port something to
> Windows, I need to talk to Broderbund or Red Orb or one of those guys...
> they're the ones who ported Myst and Riven to Windows, respectively.
Java is not programming for the rest of us. It is far more difficult to
learn than xTalk. For this reason, I think it would be better to stick
with xTalk.
Adrian Sutton.
