2. AFAIK, neither WinDev nor WebDev produce asp pages. If asp is a solid requirement (such as compatibility with ASP.net or existing apps) then neither product will help. However, if it is a solid requirement that you produce web sites easily and quickly, and you want to use the same language to produce your web site as well as your PC apps (vs. learning two languages - or three languages if you ever want to do Pocket PC), then WinDev/WebDev (and WinDev PocketPC) can help.
You can go to www.windevus.com and download an old demo of WinDev 7.5, or wait for the new WD 8 demo (maybe later this year).
Art

FWIW, I didn't find where "Whats new" said anything about ASP, just .net assemblies and the ability to import VB and Access programs for automatic conversion. If you point me to that section and I'll see what I can find out for you.
Most of us Clarion users that also use WinDev or switched completely to WinDev use it because of the advanced features of WinDev compared to Clarion. Pretty much all those things that you hear are "coming in Clarion 7" are already in WinDev NOW. WinDev 7.5 Gold (with all those "advanced features" C7 will have NEXT year - maybe) came out LAST YEAR, and then 4 updates in a year period before WD 8 Gold came out July of this year. We don't have to wait for C7 EA to come out and endure months of beta testing before being declared stable enough to call Gold. Clarion needed a beta for a .1 release for how many months before being called stable? And PCSoft is working on enhancements TODAY that will further push WinDev's technological lead even as C7 tries to catch up.
WD in the box contains literally all of the third party products that Clarion has (and some say "needs" to be productive). Coming from one source rather than many means you have but one point of responsibility - PCSoft. With each release of WinDev the "third party" tools are syncronized with the core product, no need for a 3rd party EA shakedown period, nor any problems with 3rd parties that do not release newer builds as the core product is upgraded. And no potential problems where one 3rd party conflicts with another.
WinDev users do not need ASP, we have WebDev to create our web sites... which by the way, can use ASP pages. The Forum software on www.WinDevUS.com is ASP - we are writing the new WinDevUS site in WebDev and all we did was make a page and put the ASP code inside it - works just fine. Also, since WebDev uses the W-Language at its core (like WinDev), we do not have to learn ASP (in addition to Clarion) just to maintain and enhance our web sites. While on the subject of using only one language instead of many, if you ever decide to use Pocket PC's or have PC's access AS/400's, PCSoft has products for those two platforms that will further leverage your investment in learning WinDev.
However if you absolutely need ASP (like I said, we don't need it) then you might as well stay with Clarion/ASP or pay for RADventures ASP.net solution.
There is no tool that is everything for everybody, we users recognize there are some limitations to the product (a built in filtered browse locator like in Clarion would be nice - but I can program that if I really want one). But I for one recognize PCSoft is making a darn fine effort to provide us workable tools.
If you do take the time and read through the archives (link at bottom of this page) you will find many folks that agree (quote "It doesn't get much better than this!" from a brand new WinDev user with a VB / Clarion background). There are many more ex-Clarion users here than ex-WinDev users there. To use your words "So that tells me a lot".
PCSoft products = PC (standalone + C/S, Palm devices), Internet, Pocket PC and AS/400 access, all with one language, all with the same familiar user interface. Know one, pretty much know all.
Much like "Atlas Van Lines" is not a competitor to "Two Men and a Truck", PCSoft is not a competitor to Clarion. PCSoft is a competitor with Microsoft and VS.net. IMHO, of course.
Please don't hesitate to ask questions if you have them. We don't (without provocation) bite or flame you when people calmly and logically discuss other products here (unlike the usual "tar and feathering" mentality of the other place where you asked a question - Ian was right, you got off light...).
Art

Thanks for all the feedback it is much appreciated.
One other question. We use Sybase SQL Anywhere database. We have clients that use notebooks in the field disconnected from the network. They are running a personal server version of Syabase SQL Anywhere on each of the notebooks. When they connect to the network we synchronize the data. Do we have to purchase a license from PCSoft for each notebook for their SQL accelator? If so that kills it right their because they are very pricey.
Thanks
Brian

Art,
Thanks that makes sense. While your on a roll does WinDev 8 / 9 have anything comerable to Clarion ClarioNet?

Art

Art,
No Softvelocity does not sell ClarioNet template anymore. The developer Michael Brooks has taken over sales at http://www.clarionet.com/

Brian,
I looked at clarionet and was impressed, that library alone would be a reason to start using Clarion. I was left with the question why you and others are considering a switch to Windev?
About Webdev etc. Forget it, it is non-existent for at least another 6 - 12 months in the English version. The English version of the current Webdev was cancelled without any explanation whatsoever some months ago.
hth,
Martin

Hi Art,
Thanks for the response. sSome interesting ideas.
With ClarioNet ONLY screen / windows changes are sent to the Client. No data is transfered. Thus extremely low bandwidth requirement, 5 bytes in some cases is all that is transfered. So the program speed is like it is installed locally.