Quote Originally Posted by dwks View Post
I don't know why you keep saying this. My definition of "portable" means that it works on at least two different systems, say Windows and Mac. MSVC can generate code for only one platform: Windows. At least as far as I know.
My definition of portable is that it can create code that will compile across all C++ compilers without hacks and ifdefs.

Depends on your definition of "free". http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html

(I would likely have said "free" as well, BTW.)
I really care little about GNU and open source. Sure, it's great, but it's not a requirement for a software to be free. As long as the software works, does its purpose, and I can get help when I need it, it's enough for me.
If it costs nothing, then it's free.