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This page gives access to the European FB^3 FAQs.

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Last Updated
Jan. 21st, 2000
FAQsheet #1 :: BASIC FAQs
[Q]: What is FB^3?
[A]: Well it's not your grandma's BASIC! FutureBASIC II was already a neat, fast compiled, structured BASIC that could stand up with pride in the face of C or Pascal, not only as far as speed, compactness but also a great programming tool for getting the job done fast.
Even though FBII has always been 32 bit clean and runs on anything from a Mac 128 to a G4, folks have been crying out for a version that generated PPC, or fat, code. [Personal note: I find FBII apps so blisteringly fast on G3s that I'd like to look for an option to slow the damn thing down! - ]
Other folks were crying out for a way to easily convert the header files that Apple send out in order to give you access to new functionalities, new Managers and an easy way to get at shared libraries... [Note: This *is* a hassle; having hand converted headers from C to FB, I'd have loved a way to just dump the headers in the bag and then code - ].
So, to cut a long story short, FB^3 is all that FBII was, but more so. And a bunch of other stuff too! See the quote from Andy at the end of the next question for more details.

[Q]: What does the ^3 mean?
[A]: The first version of FutureBASIC - correct spelling - was just that, no number or anything. Previously it had been known as ZBasic, but the name was changed when Staz Software took over the product.
Staz Software brought out FutureBasic II, or FBII, as it came to be known. The logical next version was FBIII - and in the FBII community it was referred to as this for quite a while. Staz and Andy Gariepy, the programmer behind FB, decided at some time to call it FutureBASIC^3 - pronounced "Cube"... Why? My guess is that it is so powerful and far ahead of FBII that a simple arithmetic increase wouldn't do it justice - hence FB to the power of three, or FB Cube.
As to the power of FB^3... a quote from Andy Gariepy in the beta testers mailing list - August 22nd 1999:
"I tried to keep FB^3 as compatible as possible with FBII while extending the language for PPC, Objects, Cpu's and OS'es... some of FBII syntax had to be changed to gain multiple cpu, objects and real record structures...
The future of FutureBasic is no longer CPU or OS dependant...
I hope to see FB^3 turn into the cross-platform development system of the future..."

[Q]: Where can I get FB^3?
[A]: FB^3 will be made available on a private subscription basis to members of the FBII mailing list for US $99. This subscription will expire at the end of the year 2000. It should include at least one update of the CD.
In January 2000, FB^3 should be made available to a larger public, still on a subscription basis. At the moment the subscription price is not known.

[Q]: Where can I get the FB^3 manuals?
[A]: The manuals will be available on the CDs in electronic form. There are plans to have 'print on demand' versions available at extra cost.
At the moment price, conditions and availability are not known.

[Q]: Will FB^3 be available in localised versions at release?
[A]: The FB-Euro coordinators are working on this. The Japanese distributor is also trying to get a localised version ready. Staz's objective is that one CD can be distributed world-wide with all the localised versions on it. This would also allow programmers to more easily create localised versions of their apps!
I quote Staz, from a private mail - August 30th, 1999:
"Keiji has suggested that I make a folder full of different language resources. One file would contain French menus and STR#s, another would contain German, etc. You will be able to choose from the preferences which one you would like to use. In this way, everyone will be served. I like this idea.
"The docs are part of the issue, but the program elements are important too. We will have to coordinate both to make this a success. If I move forward with this plan, I will be able to extract the necessary resources from your globalized versions of the applications and build the required language resource files. When I make a change (like adding a menu option) I'll add the English version and you can each translate the appropriate item in the resource file."

[Q]: Where can I get support for FB^3?
[A]: Your FB^3 subscription will cover unlimited tech support while your subscription is valid. URLs and telephone numbers will be posted when they are known.
Outside of official support, it is 99% certain that the FBII mailing list will change its charter to cover FB^3, so if you aren't already subscribed... get in there. [Note: as of now, it has! see futurebasic.org for the new Charter]
In Europe we will be making available first- and second-level support for non english-speaking programmers:
- front line support will be through a native language mailing list, and a dedicated web site;
- second level support will be through direct mail to the FB distributors in Europe;
- if we get stuck on a problem then we'll take things to a higher level by reposting to the US FBII/FB^3 list, and contacting Staz Software directly.

[Q]: Is foreign-language FB^3 support only available to European residents?
[A]: No way. We call it Euro-FB because we are all based here, but once we get lists and web resources together in French, German and hopefully Italian, anyone speaking those languages, wherever they live in the world, is free to participate and consult the web pages.  

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