...unless Microsoft are giving them away. I noticed the other day that Microsoft's Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition compiler is now available for free download. 'I'll have that' I thought. I've got Borland C++ BuilderX installed on this PC, but this doesn't seem to come with Windows API help (sorry, talking in geekspeak here, programmers stuff...). In any case, it seemed worthwhile getting the download, which I did yesterday. A dodgy connection meant that it took the best part of an hour to get, but all went well until I tried to register it.

Now why do MS need you to register something they are giving away free? If there was a God, perhaps he'd know, but there isn't, so only Bill Gates does... Anyway, register or it stops working after 30 days. Now, to register, you first need a Windows Live ID, so I had to sign up for one of them (and also a free Hotmail account, though I thought I had one already...), This then results in a convoluted process involving two e-mails to confirm I've given them a valid e-mail address, and the opportunity to set a Windows Live password. So far so good, until I actually try to register the compiler. I start the dialog, enter my ID and get a screen which looks as if it is waiting for something to download (circling green dots). 'Internet playing up again?' I think, but no, that is fine. Leave it waiting for 15 minutes just to be sure, but no go. Repeat process three times, same thing happens. Try again later, same thing. Give up for day...

Feeling less p*****d off today, and internet seems to be in a better mood, so I try again. Same result. I look at FAQs, and think about posting to the Visual C++ Express forum, but I don't think I can do that until I've registered... Why is it getting hung up? Suddenly inspiration strikes - this is Microsoft, and we know they don't like third-party software. Change my default web browser from Google Chrome to IE and the whole thing works - eventually, after more confirmation e-mails. I have now got a free, registered C++ IDE from Microsoft.

Only problem is, I now have little confidence the thing will work. I sure as hell wouldn't pay money for something that gave me that much trouble with installation. Except that the way MS operate, if I actually want to use the latest features of their OS, I'll have to - they wouldn't give something away for free if it wasn't out of date, would they?.

If I was a conspiracy theorist, I'd suspect that the whole thing is the result of a piece of malicious code inserted by a Linux fan, but instead I'll put it down to the usual MS marketing technique of saying 'we don't need to care about our customers, we have a monopoly'. Or perhaps they will blame Google Chrome. I don't care. All I wanted to do was a little programming, but this sort of obstructionist incompetence makes me wonder whether I should take up knitting instead.

Computers are supposed to make things easier .

Everything from MS requires a passport account and registration. It's always been that way (or similar before there was passport) and is just the way it is. Nothing in my passport account is accurate (unless you happen to want to go to Wrigley Field when you visit me) so it is nothing more than an annoyance. Also, everything from MS requires the use of IE, or at least a browser capable of running ActiveX controls. Once again, a minor annoyance.

The free versions of MS compilers (C++, C#, VB.net, etc.) will compile anything that the retail versions will. The only significant difference is that the included tool set is minimum with the free versions.

quote:

Originally posted by AndyJWest:
Computers are supposed to make things easier .

You're kidding right?

--Outlaw.

Why must it be an MS product? There are many capable open source compilers out there, especially for C/C++.

quote:

Originally posted by FlixFlix:
Why must it be an MS product? There are many capable open source compilers out there, especially for C/C++.

Absolutely. Only trouble is, what I'm going to be working on needs to work with Windows, and MS seem not to provide full documentation for the API to third parties, or if they do, I can't find it. In any case, It is usually worthwhile learning the 'industry standard' stuff, even if it is inferior. It does give you access to a useful-looking forum too, which as we know here is often the best place for finding solutions to the awkward stuff. It seemed a good idea at the time to give it a try.

If it wasn't for my interest in PC gaming, I'd probably use Linux, and do most of my programming in Java. Problem solved.