Distressing news about LabView for FIRST

[dmlawrence]

Email thread with NI customer service:

I am a participant in the FIRST Robotics Competition. National Instruments
is a sponsor of this competition, and as such, has made a version of Labview available to all participants (http://usfirst.org/community/frc/content.aspx?id=10934). Unfortunately, the version they offer is for Windows only. As I Mac user, I was looking forward to Labview's support for the Mac. Is there any way I can obtain a Mac version of Labview for use with FIRST?

Thank you,
David Lawrence

Hi David,

We are currently not offering LabVIEW with Mac for the FIRST
competitions. Can you dual boot your machine to work with Window's
Programs?

Thank You,

Technical Representative
Geoffrey Allan

I cannot dual-boot my computer without incurring significant additional cost, in addition to the inconvenience that the process entails.

Please see this related topic from last year's competition:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...56&postcount=9

Is there any way to make a Mac version available? If you cannot do this, is there someone else I can contact?

Thanks,
David

The Mac Version will not be available for the competition this year. Only the LV 8.5.1 for Windows.

Thank You,

Technical Representative
Geoffrey Allan

I am very disappointed that LabView will not be available for the Mac. The program already exists in a Mac version - there is no technical reason that would prevent it from being distributed. I am sad to say that this reminds me of the advertised "Mac compatibility" in 2007, which actually amounted to nothing more than running Windows on a Mac.

It is my belief that the lack of a Mac version will discourage innovation and is contrary to the philosophy of FIRST - For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology...

Comments are welcome.

David