Re: [AD] Proposal to drop DOS port from Allegro 4

["Clayton Weaver" <vgdesigner@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Someone said that they have had nothing but problems with Dev-C++. I've been 
using it under Windows 95 and I've had no problems with it (as long as the 
source code is typed appropriately. Also after hearing everyones arguements 
about keeping it I realize that it may be a good thing.

I was only basing my information off of what Matthew (the moderator of 
Allegro.CC and others said). For example, Matthew said this:

I don't even use DOS at all. I don't know anyone personally that does. I 
think you'd be hard pressed to find a non-programmer (ie, computer geek) 
that does because he wants to. The silly thing about wanting to keep DOS 
support as functional as the rest of the library is that you are very 
potentially limiting what the library can do.

But Zaphos - I think you're point is a good one. Perhaps a lot of people 
want to keep DOS support, simply because that is what sort of tools they are 
familar with. But the fact of the matter is - if you want to target the 
majority of pc owners, your game should run on Win32. Those continuing to 
compile only for DOS will find that most people do not play their games.

Korval had this to say in his last paragraph:

In conclusion, DOS developers: stick to Allegro 4. Why is it completely 
unacceptable for DOS users to stick with Allegro 4? You haven't upgraded 
your OS from DOS for 7 years even though better alternatives have been 
avaliable. Is not upgrading your game library from Allegro any more 
different? You have made the conscious choice to use an antiquated OS. 
Therefore, you must suffer the consequences of having to use antiquated 
library (or, at least, libraries that aren't actively adding new features). 
And, until a DOS developer can come up with a counter argument for the 
strong argument of, "DOS developers can still use Allegro 4," then I say 
that the Drop DOS movement wins by default, simply because, "DOS developers 
can still use Allegro 4."

Matthew also said:

I'll say it again.  Why not support DOS? Because it can hinder adding new 
features to other ports. There is no way DOS port could advance as far as a 
Win32 or Linux port - so the DOS user should stick with Allegro 4.0 (A very 
good lib in itself.)

I can't seem to find it right now, but someone else put something about 
Microsoft dropping so their program could grow and it would only be a matter 
of time before the people behind Allegro realized this too and dropped it 
without us saying anything, but we might as well do it sooner than later.

These are just the points of views for dropping it, but their are a lot of 
interesting and good points for keeping it. Go to the Allegro.CC forums to 
read the threads (3 I believe) that have something about dropping the DOS 
port in them.

--Clayton Weaver

Destined Entertainment
"Where entertainment and destiny come together."
http://www.geocities.com/destined_entertainment/index.html


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