Switching compilers for C++ for glut.h
As a student programmer, I am used to using VC8. However I understand that has issues with trying to get pure executables and allowing platform-dependent code, etc. Recently I was trained to work with Unix, g++, and OpenGL. Apparently g++ isn't so dependent on specific platforms and files and stuff, and glut.h comes with it.
My problem is this: Everywhere I looked to download g++ from, the site would expect me to download it onto Linux/Unix. I want to be able to download it onto a computer with Windows XP.
Is there a way to get that all to work out right? Or is g++ Linux/Unix dependent? If so, what would be a good compiler to get for such purposes instead of g++?
Thanks.