Hi Basiji,
"My fear is that Apple abandons the Windows API, essentially removing any incentive for new developers for at least a year."
Actually, I don't think that Yellow Box for Windows is under any threat, as it is one of the key factors to encourage developers to "Think different" and use the Yellow Box object oriented frameworks rather than continue with the MacOS Toolbox, now re-invented as the Carbon APIs. It will cost Apple little to maintain it as a deployment option and gives them a great edge. As you know, none of the other cross-platform offerings is anything like as rich (apart from Java but that's really a new platform and building a complex app is not easy).
Its also worth remembering that Apple is now home to two groups of people who wanted to change the world - Next and Apple crews. My clear understanding from fairly constant close contact over the last 18 months is that the new Apple has all that old zeal, but with lots more realism, a willingness to make hard decisions, and a confidence born of solid engineering expertise. Its a sight to see!
I'm not a programmer but my partner, with wide experience of Mac, Windows and Java development environment, and no previous NeXT contact, reckons Yellow Box is by far the best application development environment he's used, and a no-brainer for starting a new project now. Is that your experience too?
Gerry |
