troy@plod.cbme.unsw.oz.au (Troy Rollo) (05/09/91)
From the comp.windows.ms.programmer frequently asked questions: > 1. Use the Microsoft Windows SDK (Software Development Kit). This is > > but it is possible to use it with other compilers, such as Zortech > C++ (but not including most Borland compilers). If you plan to use > > Of these, Borland C++ and Turbo Pascal for Windows include their > own Windows libraries, and do not require you to purchase a Windows > SDK (although you will need to buy the SDK documentation, which is > available separately). Applications written using Borland C++ will > not run in Windows 3.0 Real Mode, nor do they permit the use of > huge pointers. *FLAME ON* While Microsoft US allows the documentation to be purchased separately, the dickless wonders at Microsoft Australia have decided that *NOBODY* in Australia shall be allowed to have the documentation for the SDK unless they buy the entire SDK, at A$850 a copy! This leaves anybody. programming for MS Windows with Borland C++ with a large, lead weight hanging from their balls. (Although this is admittedly much better than programming with the unbelievably inferior Microsoft C compilers, which are like programming with your balls cut off!) It seems that Microsoft Australia's executives are so damned gutless about competition that they've decided to effectively deny access to those who choose Borland's products to the documentation which is essential to work with windows. On the other hand, people with network licenses fot the full SDK *can* order the documentation seperately, so we know that Microsoft Oz have the books sitting there. this is a DELIBERATE ploy to stiffle fair competition by Borland, and represents an admisssion that Microsoft's products are so far inferior that thaey cannot hope to compete against even a more expensive product (from memory, Borland C is a few hundred dollars more, but don't take that as gospel). This is not the first time I have had cause to flame Microsoft. As far as I am concerned, in future I will avoid Microsoft products wherever possible, a policy which I have had great pleasure in implementing while shopping for books today, turning down a Microsoft product I would otherwise have bought. Quite plainly Microsoft Australia is in need of a quick kick in the arse, then of being hung upside down by the balls for a few weeks, clobbered about the head with a baseball bat and fed to a pack of rotweillers after lunch. *FLAME OFF* Hmmmm... I'm mellowing with age..... I have contacted the Trade Practices Commission. They are not certain if there has been a breach of the Trade Practices Act, however they did say that the entire computer suppliers industry in Australia is to be thoroughly investigated. Apparently the volume of complaints is so large they're just going to go over it with a fine toothed comb to try to get everything out of the way at once. The comment I was given was "The computer wholesale industry in Australia is about the most unethical industry in the country" ___________________________________________________________ troy@mr_plod.cbme.unsw.oz.au
troy@plod.cbme.unsw.oz.au (Troy Rollo) (05/09/91)
troy> far inferior that thaey cannot hope to compete against even a more troy> expensive product (from memory, Borland C is a few hundred dollars more, troy> but don't take that as gospel). Oops, thinking a little more clearly, once you by Microsoft C 5.1 *AND* the Microsoft SDK seperately, Mircosoft C is also a significantly more expensive way to go than Borland C++. Not bad for an inferior product is it? ___________________________________________________________ troy@mr_plod.cbme.unsw.oz.au
rhys@cs.uq.oz.au (Rhys Weatherley) (05/09/91)
In <1434@usage.csd.unsw.oz.au> troy@plod.cbme.unsw.oz.au (Troy Rollo) writes: >While Microsoft US allows the documentation to be purchased separately, >the dickless wonders at Microsoft Australia have decided that *NOBODY* >in Australia shall be allowed to have the documentation for the SDK >unless they buy the entire SDK, at A$850 a copy! I obtained the "Guide to Programming" and the "Programmer's Reference" from the Queensland University's book shop!! These are published by Microsoft Press, so I suggest you go to your local computer book store before flaming Microsoft Australia. MA may be a bit hesitant to sell them directly to you, but that's no reason why you can't get them elsewhere. Maybe I've been mislead into believing that these are part of the SDK documentation!! If so, then they are darn close enough to be SDK as far as I'm concerned. Total cost was a little over A$100 for both books but well worth it I feel (and much better that A$850). Rhys. +=====================+==================================+ || Rhys Weatherley | The University of Queensland, || || rhys@cs.uq.oz.au | Australia. G'day!! || +=====================+==================================+
bgeer@javelin.sim.es.com (Bob Geer) (05/09/91)
troy@plod.cbme.unsw.oz.au (Troy Rollo) writes: >*FLAME ON* >While Microsoft US allows the documentation to be purchased separately, >the dickless wonders at Microsoft Australia have decided that *NOBODY* >in Australia shall be allowed to have the documentation for the SDK >unless they buy the entire SDK, at A$850 a copy! >*FLAME OFF* Pardon my naivete', but is there some reason you cannot mailorder these books from a US or other mailorder house? I'm not familiar with international mailorder restrictions/procedures/limitations. Many mailorder ads & catalogs list both US & Canadian prices, so *that* border seems open. Unless, of course, the Australian edition is written in a different language. (just kidding :-) -- <> Bob `Bear' Geer <> bgeer%javelin@bambam.dsd.es.com <> <> cola-zombie <> speaking only for myself, one of my many tricks <> <> Salt Lake City, <> "We must strive to be more than we are, Lal." <> <> Ootah <> -- Cmdr. Data, learning schmaltz <>
gillham@andrews.edu (Andrew Gillham) (05/12/91)
Well, I buy it for you here and ship it. ;-) (how many copies did you say you needed? 300?) Seriously, how much would purchasing it from the US increase the price? The 3 books cost me US$93.00 so with shipping maybe US$150.00? (what's the currency exchange rate? SDK is US$350) Rough estimate, A$360. -Andrew -- =========================================================================== Andrew Gillham "High Ideals are weighed down by Andrews University the Anchors of Reality" (gillham@andrews.edu) - myself