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From: Lao Xiao Hai <laoxhai@ix.netcom.com>
Subject: Re: The greatest feature of the language is ....
Date: 2000/10/10
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Pat Rogers wrote:

> I've received a number of adverts from Bertrand Meyer's company
> offering courses in .NET and associated technology.  Apparently he's
> gotten Eiffel into the mainstream of Microsoft's plans (not as their
> primary language of course, but as one of many available).  Anybody
> know more about how this works, and how Ada could fit in?

Excellent question, Pat.   I discussed this with an ACT attendee at the
last TOOLS USA conference.  As you know, Bertrand is a friend of
mine and I am active in TOOLS conferences.

Bertrand met Bill Gates at one of the .NET meetings.   Gates knew almost
nothing about Eiffel.   After Bertrand described it to him, he was
impressed
and it did not take long for Eiffel to become part of the .NET initiative.

At the same time, Microsoft haters in the Eiffel camp decried this
turn-of-events
and some are upset about it.   They see it as Bertrand "selling out" to
Microsoft.
You cannot please everyone.

This is a real opportunity for ACT or one of the other Ada compiler
publishers.
The .NET initiative is not the same as Microsoft Bob or some other failed
efforts
of earlier years.   I think it is important to have Ada a part of this.
The desktop
market is not going away and we need a higher level of visibility there.

Richard