Trolltech released Qt 3.0.5, a maintenance release of their popular multi-platform API. This release keeps full binary and source compatibility with previous versions.
Qt 3.0.5 Released
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Plug-ins are not binary compatible with earlier versions (even 3.0.4) according to the changes document. It says that all plug-ins have to be recompiled in order to work with 3.0.5, but the source compatibility is still there.
http://www.trolltech.com/developer/changes/3.0.5.html
Looks like a mandatory upgrade for many applications, even taking into account the plug-in changes.
#m
Is it that hard to make binary compatiblity?
The Windows version (at least the free variant) is unfortunately still at 2.3, and I don’t see any mention of a planned 3.x release for Windows. Does anyone know more about that than I do?
The commercial version of Qt for Windows keeps up with the main Unix line of development, so it is also at 3.0.5.
From my experience talking with the Qt folks, they see more “evaluation” of their product on Windows vs. a desire to make GPL/free programs.
They also need to make money 😉
#m
I mailed trolltech and asked about why there is no 3.x Qt NonCommercial (win32). The reply I got was that it the NonCommercial release was not in line with their business plan, and that ther will be no more Qt NonCommercial.
I think they are wrong. A lot of students and the like are experimenting with diffrent toolkits and such, and many of them (most) are still using Windows. Now they will probably use Borland or Microsofts stuff instead. Yes Borland and Microsofts stuff also cost money, but magically people tend to get a hold of copies anyway (from school contracts with for example borland, or *shrugs* piracy), and learn for example Borland stuff, and then when they get employed they want to use/know how to use that.
Trolltech will lose sales (to companies) by not offering NonCommmercial qt for windows. Students will not pay top dollar for Qt and if it is’nt free as in beer it will dissapear from their radar.
*nix using students have GPL Qt, but many still use windows, as I said.