Goodbye

[Scampy]

LOL I'm still getting notifications on this thread...

The only programming of PICs I do these days it to flash firmware for 16F886's to repair faulty telescope control boards and save the members on a forum the cost of a new control board that is based around an SM32 Arm Cortex processor. I'm quite surprised to see the forum is still alive and kicking given the alternatives on the market.

These days if it's not Arduino based products its SM32 or similar... A few years back I used a Wemos min D1 based on the ESP-8266EX to produce a wi-fi enabled thermostat to control the heating element in a DIY reptile egg incubator. It was simple enough using existing library's and allowed me to check the temperatures from my phone or PC based web browser. Technology has left PicBasic Pro so far behind. I wonder what would it would be like if PicBasic Pro became something else, but allowed basic to be used with these sorts of products. I still struggle (I'm 61 next week) with the C+ style, where BASIC seems more logical and familiar to me, so if programs for Arduino or ESP-8266 based boards could be written in basic and then compiled in the format these boards used then maybe PicBasic PRO would not have been where it is now, and this forum would be as active as it was 10 or 15 years ago ??

I'm with Art in some respects. Probably all that has been posted on this forum is basically historical, for use as reference. Maybe it's not even that and it wouldn't be too much of a loss if the data was deleted as it's not really relevant given how home electronics has progressed. Then maybe it should be just mothballed as some form of tribute to the days where it was difficult to keep up with the replies to a post from the Gur's when us newbies were struggling.

[Ioannis]

PBP will not evolve anymore as Charles posted elsewhere. People who developed this fine compiler have passed away or retired or are very close to retirement. So obviously not new version is expected anymore.

There are other basic compilers now on the market that support the newest PIC and seem they will be supported, at least in the near future.

Times they are changing (B. Dylan).

Ioannis

[mpgmike]

When I decided to break into microcontroller programming, PICAXE seemed like the simplest choice. That got me started. I quickly realized it was too limiting; chip selection was fixed, and the PICAXE limited even the functionality of the chips. Next step was PBP.

That carried me for several years. I stepped up to learning C and using MPLABX. There is always more to learn. I believe PBP is a great place for hobbyists to start learning. Many find PBP sufficient for their needs. Some use it as a stepping stone.

Scampy, you moved on. That's great! You now have access to more powerful tools. That still shouldn't detract from the value of PBP and the incredible resource this site offers. I personally almost never use PBP anymore, but continue to hang out here and contribute when I can because I personally see value, and a community of good people willing to help others in their challenges. That "people thing" is not found on many other sites.

[Ioannis]

That "people thing" is not found on many other sites.

Mike is right. With a really couple of exceptions many many years ago, this forum is one of the best regarding the quality and attitude of the members.

And all are very grateful to have Lester supporting and keep it working despite no income from any source.

I wonder if there is a way to have it off-line on a disk for example, for the case it will cease operation for any reason.

Ioannis

[Ioannis]

Scampy and Mike, I am really happy for you and everyone that makes the bold move to other tools. I am too reluctant to dare that and still use the PBP.

Ioannis

[lester]

I wonder if there is a way to have it off-line on a disk for example, for the case it will cease operation for any reason.

Yes, its possible

Because of GDPR i would need to remove all user identification
- email address-IP address etc

But its possible to run the whole system as a virtual machine under virtual box or xen or similar

Though i will keep the forum online if it is within my power.
I dont think i can devote time to this in March
But in April. I could certainly do something.

[Ioannis]

I naively thought web archive would have the forum archived but obviously that could not be done.

Ioannis