TweetFollow Us on Twitter

May 93 Letters
Volume Number:9
Issue Number:5
Column Tag:Dialogue Box

Dialogue Box

By Neil Ticktin, Editor-in-Chief

Not a C Fanatic!

[The following letter is in response to a letter in the April, 1993 issue of MacTech Magazine. In that letter, the reader accused Dave Mark (our Getting Started author) of being a C fanatic. In addition, he “defies us to show THINK C code that performs some powerful actional that THINK Pascal code cannot.” But most importantly, the reader felt that if “support is what you want, you should be using and programming MS-DOS.” - Ed.]

Ahhh, once again I find myself painted as a C fanatic. I'm not, I promise!! My point is a simple one. Look at the number of C/C++ books at your favorite bookstore. Compare that to the number of Pascal books. Compare the number of copies of THINK C sold per year to that of THINK Pascal. C and C++ are far more popular these days. I'm not trying to give Pascal the bum rush. I like Pascal.

Personally, I prefer C, but I give Pascal full credit as a perfectly capable programming language. Let's put it this way. If Pascal were by far the more popular language, I'd be writing a Pascal column right now. But the majority has spoken..."

- Dave Mark

MacTech Regular

Contributing Author

[We’ve said this before and we will say it again. Although C is the most popular language on the Macintosh, it is not the only one. Many articles in MacTech Magazine are in C simply because if the language is the most popular among readers, it is also the most popular among authors. We will continue to publish articles in all different types of languages. As the reader, you should read articles for their concept, not their language. If you do this, you’ll be a better programmer (because you’ll understand concepts better), but you’ll also be able to look at a much wider array of examples. - Ed.]

Bring Back the Matching Program!

I very much would like to see the employee article publishing "matching" program reinstated by Apple. It's the program where Apple pays Apple employees extra for publishing articles outside of Apple, specifically for the technical journals, such as MacTech Magazine. Developers could always use the extra input, and everyone would gain.

- William Modesitt

Maui Software

[William, we too would like to see this program reinstated. For some time, Apple has looked to cut costs and this was one of the places that the ax fell. If you are truly interested in getting this policy reinstated, write to Developer Services and tell them. You can do this whether or not you are a developer. You can reach them online on AppleLink at DEVSUPPORT. You can write to their internet address “devsupport@applelink.apple.com”. This Internet address can also be used from America Online and CompuServe. If you want to call them, their phone number is 408/974-4897.

We do encourage you to do this. We put high priority on articles from Apple. Apple just hasn’t put high priority on getting them to you! - Ed.]

Can we Get it Cheaper?

I have read every MacTutor from Volume 2. I happy to say that have enjoyed reading and exploring them very much. I still remember first summer 1986. During my holiday, I read all issues of beginning of that year laying in the sun. Reading MacTutor gave me a lot and I really began to feel I’m almost a professional programmer. With that courage your magazine gave me I began to make little programs with Pascal.

That was six years ago. Nowadays, I’m very interested in OOP have began to learn C. I am continuing as subscriber of your magazine and source code disks, but I have a question. Is there any cheaper way to send international orders? I don't need them very fast but I really do need them.

- Jyrki Uimonen

[Jyrki , believe it or not, we are sending the magazine in the cheapest possible way. We are always looking for alternatives and we will pass along the savings to you. For example, a few months ago, we found a better way to get to Canadians. The end result was that we dropped their subscription price by about $20. We’ll continue to look for something similar for our overseas readers. - Ed.]

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Combo Quest (Games)
Combo Quest 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Combo Quest is an epic, time tap role-playing adventure. In this unique masterpiece, you are a knight on a heroic quest to retrieve... | Read more »
Hero Emblems (Games)
Hero Emblems 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: ** 25% OFF for a limited time to celebrate the release ** ** Note for iPhone 6 user: If it doesn't run fullscreen on your device... | Read more »
Puzzle Blitz (Games)
Puzzle Blitz 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Puzzle Blitz is a frantic puzzle solving race against the clock! Solve as many puzzles as you can, before time runs out! You have... | Read more »
Sky Patrol (Games)
Sky Patrol 1.0.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0.1 (iTunes) Description: 'Strategic Twist On The Classic Shooter Genre' - Indie Game Mag... | Read more »
The Princess Bride - The Official Game...
The Princess Bride - The Official Game 1.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $3.99, Version: 1.1 (iTunes) Description: An epic game based on the beloved classic movie? Inconceivable! Play the world of The Princess Bride... | Read more »
Frozen Synapse (Games)
Frozen Synapse 1.0 Device: iOS iPhone Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Frozen Synapse is a multi-award-winning tactical game. (Full cross-play with desktop and tablet versions) 9/10 Edge 9/10 Eurogamer... | Read more »
Space Marshals (Games)
Space Marshals 1.0.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $4.99, Version: 1.0.1 (iTunes) Description: ### IMPORTANT ### Please note that iPhone 4 is not supported. Space Marshals is a Sci-fi Wild West adventure taking place... | Read more »
Battle Slimes (Games)
Battle Slimes 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: BATTLE SLIMES is a fun local multiplayer game. Control speedy & bouncy slime blobs as you compete with friends and family.... | Read more »
Spectrum - 3D Avenue (Games)
Spectrum - 3D Avenue 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: "Spectrum is a pretty cool take on twitchy/reaction-based gameplay with enough complexity and style to stand out from the... | Read more »
Drop Wizard (Games)
Drop Wizard 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Bring back the joy of arcade games! Drop Wizard is an action arcade game where you play as Teo, a wizard on a quest to save his... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

Our MacBook Price Trackers will show you the...
Our Apple award-winning MacBook Price Trackers are continually updated with the latest information on prices, bundles, and availability for 16″ and 14″ MacBook Pros along with 13″ and 15″ MacBook... Read more
Amazon is offering a 10% discount on Apple’s...
Don’t pay full price! Amazon has 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) on sale today for 10% off Apple’s MSRP. Shipping is free. These are the lowest prices currently available for 16... Read more
13-inch M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off...
Amazon has new 13″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off MSRP right now, starting at $849. Sale prices apply to most colors and configurations. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a... Read more
15-inch M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off...
Amazon has new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off Apple’s MSRP, starting at $1049. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: – 15″ M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $1049, $... Read more
Amazon is offering a $50 discount on Apple’s...
Amazon has Apple’s 11th-generation A16 iPads in stock on sale for $50 (or a little more) off MSRP this week. Shipping is free: – 11″ 11th-generation 128GB WiFi iPads: $299 $50 off MSRP – 11″ 11th-... Read more
Clearance 13-inch M1 MacBook Airs available f...
Walmart has clearance, but new, Apple 13″ M1 MacBook Airs (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) available online for $649, $360 off original MSRP, in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold colors. These are new MacBooks for... Read more
iPad minis on sale for $100 off Apple’s MSRP...
Amazon is offering $100 discounts (up to 20% off) on Apple’s newest 2024 WiFi iPad minis, each with free shipping. These are the lowest prices available for new minis among the Apple retailers we... Read more
AirPods Max headphones on sale for $479, $70...
Amazon has AirPods Max with USB-C on sale for $479.99 in all colors. Shipping is free. Their price is $70 off Apple’s MSRP, and it’s the lowest price available today for AirPods Max. Keep an eye on... Read more
14-inch M4 Pro/M4 Max MacBook Pros on sale th...
Don’t pay full price! Get a new 14″ MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro or M4 Max CPU for up to $320 off Apple’s MSRP this weekend at these retailers…they are the lowest prices available for these MacBook... Read more
Get a 15-inch M4 MacBook Air for $150 off App...
A couple of Apple retailers are offering $150 discounts on new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs this weekend. Prices at these retailers start at $1049: (1): Amazon has new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off... Read more

Jobs Board

All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.