Guestbook

This guestbook was hosted by Bravenet, a provider of free web services. As it was free, there were popups and ads, which was really annoying. Recently, in 2016, I lost my login data for this service and realized I still had this old solution online. I decided to stop using an external provider. You can view the entries from the old guestbook below but it is no longer possible to write to me this way. Just send me email and I'll add your text here if you wish. Input comment, criticize the page, request features, tell me what you think, say hello, you are welcome. I am especially interested why, where and how you use(d) Modula-2. But please be patient if I do not answer within a few days. It may take some time but I am happy about every entry. Thank you!

[ top ] Entries 2023

[40]
Chris wrote (25/09/2023)
"There is a Z80 ZX Spectrum version. I tried the Tape on 48k Spectrum and the example "ROUTE" works after the file "VILLAGES" was repaired, Modula-2 forum thread on Spectrum Computing. The software compiler M2: https://worldofspectrum.net/item/0012459/ or https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/12459/ZX-Spectrum/Mira_Modula-2.
Better install it on From tape to Disk, Microdrive or use the RAMdrive since else its a burden to keep rewinding that tape per SUBmodule. How do you Bliep to day ?? i hope for a sound modula.
cheers. Chris"

[ top ] Entries 2015

[39]
Nemo wrote (20/11/2015)
"With regards to FAQ No. 11. The problem with ProgramArgs resides in the standard. A thread to this effect may be found here:
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/comp.lang.modula2/LH22EDvgfvE/mvugw04N3QwJ."
[38]
Rob van Albada / Netherlands wrote (07/10/2015)
"I am programming in StonyBrook Modula-2, DOS32 (under Windows 8.1). Will my DOS32-programmes still run when I will install Windows-10, 32 bit? I am a bit afraid to do the update after my terrible experience with Windows-XP, which did NOT run StonyBrook M2 at all.
Cheers, Rob."
[37]
smc / California wrote (03/15/2015)
"I liked Modula-2 but only really used it in college. On my PC I used M2SDS - I really liked the editor.
I was on a college project team responsible for building an environment for students to build operating systems. We found some source for a Modula-2 68000 cross compiler and our compiler guy modified it to allow for some extended features and for embedded ASM.
The source machine was a VAX 11/785 running Ultrix. The target was a AT&T Unix PC with no OS (the students were going to build one, after all).
It was a fun project and Modula-2 was the first time I started thinking about separating design from implementation. Cool stuff."

[ top ] Entries 2014

[36]
James Anderson Merritt / Santa Cruz CA wrote (05/19/2014)
"I noticed that your most recent News entry mentioned the Popular Mechanics article from the 1980s: "Modula-2 is Worth It." I have followed your Modula-2 news page for a long time, but never guessed that you would ever link to one of my articles; yet, there it was! Thanks! It's nice to know that Google Books affords those of us who toiled in the vineyards some small measure of immortality.
At the time I wrote the article, I was, in my work as a software engineer and writer about software, a daily user of Volition Systems Modula-2; I knew it very well and had met several of the company's principals. I was later chosen to be the build auditor when VSM2 was purchased by Softech Microsystems. The version of M2 released by the latter company was targeted at the UCSD p-machine. However the version I wrote about in the PM article used a significantly reworked and extended version of the pre-Softech p-machine, which VM called the "M-machine." They played some low-level games to make the M-machine compatible with Apple II/III Pascal. I used their product primarily on the Apple III and the IBM PC; it was a slick system for the day, and was, hands down, the most productive software development environment I had ever used, up to then (and, in truth, for many years afterward).
I also wanted to add that I have found the Free Modula-2 pages to be an invaluable resource, which I have checked regularly for years, in order to find invariably interesting and frequently useful information, news, and links. Thanks for this wonderful service, and for doing more than your part to keep a deserving programming language alive and relevant in the 21st century."

[ top ] Entries 2013

[35]
Dave Appleton wrote via Email (07/13/2013)
"From 1987 through to 1996 I was one of the lead software designers of a piece of test equipment called the BoardWizard which had all the software including test language parsers and interpreters written in Modula-2.
We started with Dave Moore's FTL Modula-2 which was pretty good but many of the data transfer routines were really slow (minutes to transfer data) but was became tolerably fast when I wrote some of the bit wrangling code in assembler.
Later we evaluated and started using TopSpeed Modula-2 and I simply modified the assembler routines and kept on going until one day, on a hunch, I brought back the old M2 code and found that it blew my ASM code out of the water. When I disassembled it, I was stunned at the amazingly optimised code that the TopSpeed compiler was creating. Never got anything that good from MS C or Borland Pascal.
When we used FTL Modula-2 we used to report bugs every other day. With TopSpeed it was once or twice in the entire life of the product."

[ top ] Entries 2012

[34]
Julian Restrepo / Canada wrote (09/24/2012)
"Over the years I visited your website and found interesting notes about Modula-2 and several of its implementations. Good work.
It seems there is another compiler missing from the list for the Atari. I purchased a Modula-2 compiler from TDI Software Inc. during the 80s and it included all the normal libraries plus the ones supporting the GEM calls. The company was located in Dallas, Texas, USA but I was not able to contact them when I wanted to buy a compiler for Windows.
It seems that now there is only one commercially available compiler left, the XDS, but it seems to be phasing out as the Stony Brook did. I know that the market may be minimal, but without support from a vendor (or open source status) very few companies are willing to select Modula-2 as their development language. I suppose the language is becoming just a hobbie in the minds of all of us still trying to enjoy its beauty. But I really hope it stays alive for many years to come.
Thanks for your webpage."
[33]
Brian Knoblauch / USA wrote (01/26/2012)
"Nice to see someone keeping Modula-2 resources available and updated! I love the language, but unfortunately don't get to use it anymore. I used to do a lot of home/hobby development with it, but my time for programming is effectively zero any more. Corporate programming keeps me in the Java/.Net space almost all the time (although I've been able to slip in some Scala & Clojure periodically). I need to find a way to make Modula-2 fit again somehow! Sure wish there was a Modula-2 for the JVM!"
[32]
Julian Miglio / Italy wrote (01/15/2012)
"The Embedded Graphic Environment Manager library is not longer mantained by Iceberg Software (the company has been closed years ago). Now the library is maintaned by me and it has been completely reviewed and now it could be certified for the development of high integrity applications. The site is: http://www.egem.altervista.org/

[ top ] Entries 2009

[31]
BK wrote (04/26/2009)
"Hi, some of your entries are out of date, here are two ...
- your site says that v 8.0 of p1 is or was planned to support Cocoa, which may once have been so, but 8.0 has been available for quite some time and there is no support, in fact the current version is 8.3 and it still doesn't support Cocoa, nor does it produce Intel executables directly. The p1 website does not even mention Cocoa, it does mention Intel support as a goal for version 9.0, but not Cocoa. I don't think that p1 have any interest in Cocoa at all. I emailed them about it several times, but they never replied. I called them and verified the email address, asked the question again and the lady on the phone couldn't tell me, promised to follow up on it, but I never heard anything back. I also know some other people who have asked them about Cocoa support and they did not get any reply either. I think you should remove this statement from your site, its factually wrong.
- the m2tom3 translator by Aachen university is no longer available anywhere, nobody at Aachen university seems to know anything about it, nobody in the Modula-3 community knows anything about it either. The author's email address is invalid and it seems impossible to find an alternative contact address. For all practical purposes, this software is unavailable and it should be removed or put under "disappeared"."

[ top ] Entries 2008

[30]
john o goyo / Canada wrote (02/01/2008)
"I learned about M2 years ago and I was glad to be able to use it commercially once. My interest is now as a hobbyist. Please consider adding the p1 compiler to the Mac/PPC list. Although is it commercial, possibly the only one left, they do offer a free demo version.
Your site has been useful on more than one occasion and I enjoy visiting it regularly."

[ top ] Entries 2007

[29]
Chris Burrows / Adelaide, South Australia wrote (10/25/2007)
"Thank you very much for creating and maintaining a site with all this great info on Modula-2! You asked for more information on the MacLogimo compiler for the Apple Mac. The following is an extract from the user guide:
============================
History & Acknowledgements
A long time ago at the Institut für Informatik, ETH Zürich, Leo Geissmann wrote a multi-pass Modula-2 compiler for the PDP 11 and Hermann Seiler later wrote a 68000 code generator.
In the Spring of 1985, ETH Zürich released a Modula-2 system in the public domain. It included a compiler, a linker, library modules, and a loader. It was the first native code Modula-2 compiler for the Macintosh. This implementation was a combination and translation of the compilers written by Geissmann and Seiler.
Soon after the public domain release, MacLogimo appeared. It was written by Peter Fink and Franz Kroenseder at ETH. It included a rather complete Macintosh Toolbox library for its time.
In 1986, Tim Myers (while working for Dr. Robert Burton at Signetics) bootstrapped MacLogimo to work on the Macintosh Plus and named it MacLogimo Plus. Dr. Burton graciously allowed MacLogimo Plus to be released into the public domain.
The logistics of distributing a large development system for free proved to be difficult and Project Modula was formed to promote the widespread use of Modula-2 by distributing MacLogimo Plus by mail and through computer information services. Project Modula charges a nominal materials and handling fee of $20 when MacLogimo Plus is ordered by mail. The source code for MacLogimo Plus is also available from Project Modula on condition that it will not be commercially exploited and your derivative sources will be made available under similar terms. Please write for details.
Portions of this document were derived from the original GUIDE.TXT file from ETH."
[28]
Andreas Fischlin / Switzerland wrote (10/05/2007)
"Please fix the URL pointing to the Macintosh PPC and 68K MacMETH/RAMSES Modula-2 Language system. There is a dead link (MacMETH Modula-2 for Macintosh) at http://freepages.modula2.org/compi.html which should be replaced by this link: http://www.sysecol.ethz.ch/SimSoftware/RAMSES/
Thanks for your help and cooperation and a good site on Modula-2.
Best wishes,
Andreas Fischlin"
[27]
Les May / England wrote (09/07/2007)
"You may wish to add PSPad to your list of Modula 2 aware editors which do syntax highlighting. Customisation is done by means of a syntax file which can be loaded into PSpad if you want to modify it. This is useful if you want to highlight reserved words, system procedures, comments, types and boolean values by means of different colours. It makes a nice combination with the XDS IDE as each is 'aware' of when a file has been modified and asks if you want to reload it."
[26]
Les May / England wrote (09/04/2007)
"Some time ago I posted a comment about using the FST compiler on a Windows 2000 machine. I have just installed the FST and IDE package on a Windows XP machine. It performs MUCH better than on the Windows 2000 machine.
Under Windows 2000 it was barely usable as it took so long to switch modes before a compile could start. Now it is a very nice IDE and compiler package and is effectively instantaneous in response."
[25]
Jan Verhoeven / Tilburg, Netherlands wrote (06/02/2007)
"Great site. If I ever need something for Modula-2, I first visit the FreePages. If looking for Modula-2 sources don't hesitate to take a look at http://fruttenboel.verhoeven272.nl/modula-2 or at http://fruttenboel.verhoeven272.nl/mocka. I even have a section dedicated to CGI programming with Modula-2."

[ top ] Entries 2006

[24]
Vo Viet Anh / Vietnam wrote (08/13/2006)
"I love MODULA-2 One can say I was growing up with MODULA-2 because the first "serious" programming textbook I ever read was a "introducing to structured programming" (in German) with examples all in MODULA-2! Look back on it, I can say I was very lucky in the first place because it teaches me how to discipline programming and how a clear and expressive code should be and without a doubt it had leave a lasting influence on my own programming style and so on my professional career. After that I, of course had learned many another programming languages among them C, C++, Delphi, FORTRAN, BASIC, Prolog etc. and did a lot projects in these languages too, but none of them can compare to MODULA-2 in it expressive power und mathematical beauty. Although I cannot do much in MODULA-2 nowadays, (the working environment dictates it) but MODULA-2 is still in my heart und I always remember its clarity, elegance and expressive power. Whenever I come to teaching a beginner of programming or someone asks for advice, I always try to introduce him or her to MODULA-2 instead of Pascal or C (never appropriate for a first learner of course). I constantly wish the worldwide coming of MODUAL-2 in universities and school classes and with the rise of multi-core and multi-processors systems, I think this day will not be long.
Nevertheless, speaks in technological aspect we must agree too that the more recent industry language variants silently incorporate the majority advantage of MODULA-2 in their concepts, most notably Java, Delphi and C#. However, what I am missing very much of these languages is the co-routine concept of MODULA-2. With co-routine is it very easy and much more elegant to program for multi-tasking and multi-threading. Although one can say, multi-threading and multi-tasking are concepts respectively functions of the underlying OS, but to implement it effectively an explicit language construction proves as very helpful. Many would argue that big languages like C# is able to simulate some aspects of MODULA-2 though the attribute construction but it is even the problem of such language: they are too big, too complex to learn and most of their language constructions do not have any direct relation to the understanding and mastery of computer programming.
Thank you for maintain a so interesting website about MODULA-2 and I wish the language will further contributes much to the world of programming. Thank you Prof. Wirth for the wonderful language and the so many merit contribution to the world of computing!"
[23]
Les May / England wrote (04/30/2006)
"Thank you for providing the FST compiler/IDE installation package. FST can give problems on Win2000 but works fine if it is installed into a separate DOS partition. I also use the XDS compiler but FST is simpler to use as it does not require a new project to be created when experimenting with Modula-2.I am a biologist by training and inclination but I appreciate the clarity of Modula-2 code, the simplicity of the language and the elegance of modularity."
[22]
Muhammad Faheem Sarani / Karachi, Pakistan wrote (01/17/2006)
"I got interest in learning Modula-2 when I read about its features. Your website proves indespensible resource for me. Keep the good work."

[ top ] Entries 2005

[21]
Dr. Margula Ladislav / Vienna, Austria wrote (11/01/2005)
"Being interested in supporting you to keep your M2 project alive."
[20]
Tamas wrote (09/20/2005)
"Great site! In '93, when I started university studies M2 was (what a great luck) the official language of University in Novi Sad. It _is_ the best PP (Plain Procedural) language ever. Small, efficient and powerful. Today, I'm on Java but i would like to utilize M2 in ARM+Linux programming on embedded systems. Any resource except XDS-C? Please feel free to contact me!"

[ top ] Entries 2004

[19]
Saurin wrote (04/20/2004)
"Nice site and well presented with some good info..."
[18]
Terry Ross / Winnemucca, NV (USA) [temporarily] wrote (04/05/2004)
"Thanks for the work. Quite a nice resource. I used to use TDI Modula-2 on my Atari STs and TTs extensively, but I gave it up for many years. I'm currently using XDS on Linux and having loads of fun, though it took a while to find ISO docs."
[17]
Jose / Spain wrote (01/21/2004)
"To tell you the truth, I hate this language, but it's the official language in my University, so I cannot do anything. There isn't almost any docs in Spanish, and our teachers are only interested in selling M-2 books (written by them). For this reason, we MUST THANK YOU for this great site, you help us very very much. Thanx and greetings from Spain."

[ top ] Entries 2003

[16]
Jim / Virginia wrote (10/23/2003)
"Very nice site, and nice to see that Modula-2 is still viable. Been using it as "language of choice" for 20+ years (since the day it came out). Am doing personal CGI and X10 light controller programming. Keep it up!"
[15]
Roberto Aragón / Spain wrote (09/17/03):
"Modula-2 forever! Those of us that can see the beauty of a language, despite of its age, would like Modula-2. Yes, It's a good pleasure to find so enthusiastic people like Crale. There is no better site for Modula-2 than this and full of contents, not only death links like others.
Thank you very much."
[14]
Martin / Uruguay wrote (05/03/03):
"Great Modula 2 page!!!! thanks, you have helped me a lot. Gracias en serio, no saben los lios que he tenido para encontrar un buen compilador de modula 2."
[13]
Paul Perkins / USA, New York wrote (04/05/03):
"I'm an 'old school' programmer. The first time I used Modula 2 I fell in love with it. When C came out and started to replace it I totally lost interest in programing, just to much 'spaghetti code' to deal with. I don't see how people can write programs that have no structure to them, the debugging process is a nightmare. Modula 2 is structured, powerful and just plainly the best language I have ever used. I recently got back into using computers with the Internet and all, I've been teaching myself how to build webpages and such and all the time I've been thinking how much easier it would be to do if I had access to a Modula 2 compiler to write code in. I didn't think that anybody still used it as everybody I talked to that is in college now had never even heard of it. I don't know why but I was bored today and I typed in Modula 2 as a search in Yahoo. I was elated to find that it is still in use and this site is one of the best I have seen so far. It has given me back the 'programing bug' I had before. Now I can finally show all these 'young whipper snappers' that laugh at me when I talk about Modula 2 what a REAL program looks like and how a program is supposed to be written. Many thanks to you and keep up the good work ..."
[12]
Andresius / Spain wrote (03/04/03):
"Very good site. I wanted a Modula-2 compiler plus a Windows IDE..... and I have found them here together."
[11]
Tom Breeden / USA, Virginia wrote (02/23/03):
"I am using Stony Brook for laboratory I/O and also for programming to the OBJAPI (COM based) of the Groupwise Mail/Calendar/Document management system."
[10]
Robert Ball / USA, Georgia wrote (02/04/03):
"Interesting site, i book marked you and will be back when I have more time."
[09]
Grumete wrote (01/26/03):
"Great place!. Althoug it looks like Modula-2 is out of mood, there is many people using it yet. Many thanks for the site.
I only miss some advice to debug applications under DOS with either the FST or the GPM compilers.
Keep up the good work!"

[ top ] Entries 2002

[08]
Wade wrote (12/20/02):
"Wonderful site. M2 was my favorite programming language in my DOS days and CPM before that. Would love to have a nice M2 compiler with a nice IDE that could produce Windows-ware without too much pain. (Something similar to Delphi or VB?)"
[07]
C Fostre wrote (11/27/02):
"Nice site , thanks."
[06]
Genny Robic / Montreal, Canada wrote (07/22/02):
"Yes, Thank You. Found a lot of useful information! Will use it again for sure."
[05]
John Craig / USA, Utah wrote (08/21/02):
"Used to work for a company which had a very large app all done in Modula-2 (a major library automation system). Over the years other languages got used to implement web front-ends and now the main client code is being switched over to C++, but they gave me the boot last fall so I don't have to deal with that messiness.
I do a lot of work in Java now but I have an opportunity to do some work in Modula-2, and I'm going to jump at it.
Nice site. Keep up the good work!"
[04]
Parviz / Germany wrote (08/09/02):
"Your web site was very helpful for me. Thanks a lot."
[03]
Ken King / USA, Alabama wrote (07/22/02):
"Was very please to find your website.In the late 80's and early 90's I founded a small control's company in the wood products industry. Modula-2 was and is my language of choice. I have programmed in "C","Delphi" and "Java" and still had rather use Modula-2 for real-time control applications. At any rate, just glad to see other folks interested in Modula-2 too."
[02]
Ulrich / Switzerland wrote (06/09/02):
"Great idea. I don't understand why there is a problem in having CGIs written in Modula-2. CGIs are inherently PL independent."
[01]
Lagger / Russia wrote (05/21/02):
"It's just great. At last somebody else interested in so fine a language. Moreover, trying to not let it down. I'm sincerely moved. You and your site pushed me to take up with progamming again. It was 10 long years of waiting. Good luck!"