USCode wrote:IMHO, based on the potential to gain additional users, the order should be:
1. Windows
2. Mac OS X
3. Linux
Mac OS X users are used to paying for software and that is the platform for the most potential growth but based on the *existing* user base I understand how Fred would want to work on the Linux version first.
I think you are in some misconception here.... It used to be that MacOS users are used to buy the software while on MacOS Classic. And even then people would look elsewhere for options. While in the same time for half of Mac use in history there was no Internet available. (I worked on 6502, 68000, PowerPC and now Intel apples). Internet appeared during switch from 68000 to PPC. Even at that time there was a lot of free software for Mac.
Nowadays it is different OSX is basically unix simillar to Linux not anymore Pascal core as in MacOS classic (personally I see it as a nicer unix shell and couple of quite good graphical libraries and built in applications that work fine and are included based on quite good hardware). For others that are not deeply in computers - Mac may look different. But again there are some Linux Windows Managers that closely resemble Mac approach and are not Apple - thus I doubt really original Apple idea. Further more Darwin is also not really original either. Most of the current software comes from unix or is adopted from unix world to work with new MacOSX subsystem. So plenty of software is available for free or like in PureBasic which I would rather call supportware. It will not be long until this wide Mac myth changes.
I do not mind paying for PureBasic. I believe this is product that is promissing for the next phase of need, as majority of industry is still fascinated with virtual machines which is nice but somewhat wrong path for all different needs. And I will donate more to this project in the future because I believe it is right track to go, not because I am Mac user that is used to pay for software.
I see major PB's major value as x-platform development system, even if implementation is slightly different, I do not see any harm in that. Every platform needs specifics to make applications user friendly.
MacOSX user used to buying software - it is a myth that fades.
Linux has intrisic problem with being client machine. Linux PB IMHO largest value will be writing servers as Linux is wonderful server platform. Yet of course with new Linux distributions geared towards client use PB will gain momentum as client development on Linux. I will support that line too as other Linux development options albeit plenty really lack some lighter approach to development teh PB offers.
Sorry for longish post. But I felt contributing my 2c to the discussion.
(I am not Mac freak, I use all OS - Win/Lin/Mac)