Hallo Daniel,

 DM> Can someone list the places - preferably Fidonet BBSes - to get
 DM> the freeware OS.2 PM C/C++ compilers GNU/GCC or whatever it is
 DM> named...

Some earlier version of EMX/GCC is located on the "HOBBES OS/2
archived CDROM June 95".

Header files / APIs for PM programming are included, but you need
additional docs / books.

A C++ PM class library is *not* included as far as I know...

 DM> Or if you don't know any, then, are there any ftp sites?

"hobbes" (don't know the right address) or ftp.uni-stuttgart.de
(Eberhard Mattes, programmer of EMX is located at Uni Stuttgart).

 DM> Are there any other compilers under $200 worth trying...

If you are a student and if you can get VisualAge C++ for student price ...

 DM> What is this I hear about IBMs new Visual C++ 3.0 compiler?
 DM> How much?

In Germany, normal retail price is about 800-900 Deutsche Marks.
Students can get it below 200 DM.

But be aware of the hardware requirements ...

 DM>  Is there an academic pricing for this new compiler?

Yes (here at least).

 DM> The weird thing is, I program in DOS and Windows 16bit and Win32s
 DM> programs, but  I run OS/2 on my desktop.  Wouldn't be great for me to
 DM> learn how to program in  the native environment I use?

Indeed. And it's much more comfortable programming for a 32bit system than for 16bit.

 DM> heard that Charles Petzold has a book  for the Presentation Manager,
 DM> are there any other GOOD books for learning OS/2  PM C Programming? 

I mainly use the online docs of VA C++ ...

greetings, Thomas

--- FleetStreet 1.12.1 #111