5 comments about DarkBASIC 3D Games Creator.

1. DarkBASIC is only good for people very new to programming and interested in games. To make a commercial-quality game in this language would be lunacy, BASIC just isn't quite flexible enough to do that with ease, and the DarkBASIC renderer looks very, very ugly. However, BASIC remains very easy to learn and DarkBASIC has some commands that are fun to toy with.
   
   If you're trying to get into serious game development, learn C++ and either learn how to use libraries like OpenGL or DirectX, or start modding a popular engine like the Unreal engine or Source. And make sure you've learned a good deal of physics and math.



2. With this software you can create a 2-D or 3-D game.
   Follow the tutorial you can download from www.thegamecreators.com (producers of the software) and you will create a real game in about 2 weeks of nights.
   [...]
   This box is the FULL package [...] The software is not as fully supported as the professional version, but for a hobbiest, it is perfect.



3. First of all, this is great! I would reccomend it for anyone who wants to learn who to make 'real' games(not using generators). If you are wanting to go pro though, save your money for DarkBasic Pro version.
   
   Anyways, I wanted to clear up about the thing someboby said that you have to mold levels in DarkBasic 'Classic'(not Professional) tile by tile. That is true if you do it strictly through programming, but if you download one of the matrix editors made with DarkBasic you can make levels much easier. Just go to the DarkBasic site(http://www.thegamecreators.com/), find the DarkBasic area, click on Showcase, on the left hand side of the screen, then click on Applications. Now, mixed with a few other things, you will see 5 or 6 level editors for you too download and use free of charge.
   
   I will again say, DarkBasic is great! This is by far the easiest and cheapest(even DarkBasic Professional) 'real' game making language. Even if you have no idea how to program, the useful tutorials and online forum/codebase will explain everything to you, and in a few days you will have a good, but basic, game too enjoy!
   
   Oh, and one more thing. If you are new to programming get the regular, or classic, version of DarkBasic before you get the Pro version, it has alot better tutorials and such for the beginner. See for yourself and download the 30 day trial versions at http://www.thegamecreators.com/
   
   Enjoy!



4. We may never know if we like this product as the Amazon box was empty when it arrived. We have had no help from amazon, compusa, nor the maker of this software after numerous emails and phone calls. This was my son's Christmas present and he's still waiting... at this rate we'll end up with the opinion that we shouldn't order software online...



5. The four stars are for what the product is. The one missing is for what the product isn't.
   
   DarkBASIC is a BASIC dialect designed to facilitate video game making. The language is very English-like, which makes it easy to understand. From my experience, DarkBASIC is fast, powerful, and easy.
   
   However, it is VERY important to note that, in this product, you are paying for an editor, not a compiler. This means that the programs you will write will be saved in .DBA format and will be useless outside the editor. You cannot save to executable files.
   
   Also, current buyers might want to note that this program uses DirectX 8.1, a thoroughly outdated version of Microsoft's DirectX line. Thus, the graphics and sound quality you produce will not be as pristine as those from, say, DirectX 9.0 or 10.0.
   
   One particular that nearly tricked me was the name that Amazon has given this product. For those of you who don't know, The Game Makers (the company which makes DarkBASIC) manufacture another software product called The 3D Gamemaker. This is a drag-and-drop game creation environment that requires little to no programming. However, this product is not The 3D Gamemaker and will make you write code.
   
   Fundamentally, this is an educational tool. If you want a simple and fun way to learn to program, this product is an excellent choice. However, if you are interested in creating standalone games, you need to either pay a bit more for a compiler or find a different language.

No comments about Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional with MSDN Premium.

No comments about Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional with MSDN Professional.

3 comments about Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Standard Upgrade.

1. I think integrated support for linq and intellisense for javascript are enough to make this worth the price. Only problems I had involved 3rd party controls, but I think all of those issues have been resolved by the vendors now. Includes easy transition from ASP.NET 2 to 3.5 websites.



2. As always, VS 2008 does not disappoint. The UI is smooth and clearly laid out. Watch out for the "uses" libraries added to the default new ASPX form - they differ from 2005's and can break some older code.



3. I like the changes from VS2005, there is much improvement. The addition of AJAX and LINQ support is great.

5 comments about Microsoft SQL Server Developer Edition 2005 CD/DVD.

1. If you're anyone who needs to back up a remote 2000/2005 sql svr database, this is the cheapest way to do it. While the free express edition management studio express is great, it doesn't have a built-in import/export feature that you get with the management tool in this dev edition. If you don't need the Tasks->Import/Export functionality, or features not found in the free sql svr express/managment studio express, then this product really won't help you.
   
   The tool let's you import 2000 databases into sqlsvr2005 or express, but you can't export to 2000. The Sql Svr management tool is the perfect way to administer your sql svr express databases too.
   
   Basically, the import->export feature is the reason to buy this.



2. Cost of MS SQLServer 2k5 Software: $50
   Cost of tech support to install MS SQLServer 2k5 on my new MS Vista laptop: $99.
   
   Success after 1 month: None.



3. SQL Server 2005 is pretty much the Microsoft standard for server based relational databases. I bought this product in conjunction with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 standard edition, and they are a good pair. If you are planning on doing any Windows Forms based programming, or web programming that requires relational databases then I recommend this product for testing on your own servers during development work.
   
   MySQL and similar are often used for third party web hosts; if you can do SQL with this server software, then you can probably do it with MySQL. This software, however, is for more enterprise level software and web design, and if you are a beginner, then sticking to MySQL is probably your best option.
   
   If you are new completely to relational databases, using Microsoft Access or similar can help you get familiar with the table, key, and relationship structure. Server side databases often times aren't as visual and can hamper learning for beginners.



4. Excellent seller. Very quick service. Would definitely recommend this seller to another buyer!!



5. SQL Server 2005 Developer edition is a great way to launch a prototype website. Amazon deliveers quickly, so if an eval version expires, Amazon can save you days of frustration.

5 comments about Microsoft Access 2007 Version Upgrade.

1. This has helped me immensely. I have everything in one database and easy to find my info to answer questions. This has saved me so much time and energy. I was even able to prepare a quick report and my boss congratulated me on my effeciency, etc.
   
   Easy to use and learn how to use.



2. This is another great upgrade from microsoft. Installed over old Access (2002) with no problem. If you need a tutorial the best I have found is Thomson Course Technology New Perspectives Microsoft Office 2007 Comprehensive a truly great tutorial.



3. After an upgrade to a new computer using Vista, an upgrade to Access 2007 appeared to be indicated to write another major database. So far, I have not come across any truly "must have" features that were missing from previous versions of Access. However, with planned obsolescence built into every software product, it does not really matter whether we want to take the time to learn the new layouts - we might as well learn it sooner rather than later so we can actually have a few years to use the product with confidence, before we are being forced to buy (and learn)the next version.....



4. Microsoft has made quite a few changes under the hood in this version of Access. Access databases developed in previous versions don't always move forward to this version problem-free. We've had to change some existing Access/VB code to get all features working in some existing databases. While the menus and look & feel match the rest of Office 2007, they do represent a departure from previous version of Access, and take some getting used to!



5. I wasn't sure about buying access by itself, especially because this is an upgrade. It works with any office suite, MS Works and some other Microsoft software.

No comments about Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Standard.

5 comments about Microsoft Access 2007.

1. I upgraded from Access 2000, and noticed that I could no longer paste a Microsoft Word picture into an OLE Object field in my database. I searched Help for everything I could think of, but to no avail. So I took my computer to a repair shop and it cost me $50 to find out that I had to convert my datafiles to 2007 format. I think that Microsoft should have warned me to convert when I opened my datafiles for the first time.



2. I am extremely disappointed with MS Access. About 18 years ago I used Borland's data base program called Reflex. It was heads and shoulders
   above the Microsoft product. I had thought that things were supposed
   to get better not worse.



3. I started using Access 2 in 1992. Before that I used DBASE, RBASE and Paradox. I didn't like Access and thought that RBASE was the best of the 4. However, as things go, Microsoft won and the others are dead, either entirely or mostly. So, I decided to stick with Access and have for the past 15 years.
   
   Access is a good tool for many things and 2007 is a definate upgrade to 2002. However, getting used to it is a little bit of a challenge.
   
   I've used access as a stand alone product or as a front-end to a DBMS like SQL Server so I could get a significant performance boost out of it.
   
   I use it to manipulate data for data quality issues and for data exploration and dup checking. And, it works great.
   
   I've also created some pretty complex and cost effective application with it over the years with lots of positive results.



4. This is an excellent program with a steep learning curve. You have to follow its rules exactly. Familiarity with the new ribbon interface is a must.
   
   I found the book "Access, The Missing Manual" to be a big help.



5. This product is overpriced for its use. It is rarely used in the school world. This product to most is hard to use and requires better HELP programs in the software.

1 comments about Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional.

1. OK, I downloaded the 90 day trial from Microsoft originally. There are some advantages to this software that I love. I love the split panel for web development, code formatting on HTML (I think this might have been a feature in 2005, but I can't remember). All around, this is a really good release of visual studio. However, there is one thing I would like to say. This is a professional development product. Do not buy this if you are trying to learn C# of VB, just get the express product. However, if you are looking to purchase this, something tells me that you have drank the Kool-Aid.

No comments about Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional Upgrade.