Conference abbott::visual_basic

I'm a tech writer in the advanced compilers and environments group. I've
been using Turbo Pascal (V2-3-4-5-6-7-BP7) in my spare time to write apps
for charitable organizations since 1984, and about two years ago I bought
Delphi with the intention of moving to that platform. 

So, a month ago I finally got around to installing VB4 Pro, which I had
bought last summer. I'm impressed, for several reasons. First, that MS
would so unashamedly copy all the best features of Delphi. Second, it's
nice that I can develop at home on the 16-bit platform, move my sources
to a 32-bit platform and compile there (#IF WIN32 is handy). Third, it
will be nice when the CD with VB5 for Alpha is in my hands. Fourth, since
Borland (and Borland Pascal and Delphi) are slipping away to the land of
once-was, it's nice that I can move from my structured Pascal thinking to
another language without having to learn C.

Here's what I know about VB5: 

        It's "released" but you can't buy it yet
        You'll have to convert VB4 projects before you can work them in VB5
        (and that conversion is one-way)
        VB5 is 32-bit only
        VB5 for Alpha is in Beta test, and when it's released it will be
        available to purchasers of VB5 Intel "by fulfillment" which I
        *assume* means, send in the card and you get the CD

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