No, the F&F beta started a few weeks ago (two or three) and is still happening. The general beta has started, in theory, but they've given access to so few people it's almost as if it hasn't.
Reference counting? Except for some basic types, like the string, you have to manually manage memory.
And the other point you are trying to make, I still don't get it. You imply that the guy is doing it wrong for using Delphi where speed is important, and you come here and say that Delphi is, indeed, a fast language.
What if speed is not what the language is intended for? If the language is intended for other purpose, and speed comes as a bonus, I don't know how that could be a bad thing.
He probably never used Delphi and thinks it's slow.
I've worked with Delphi for many years, and its not far from the speed you can achieve with C++. Delphi is one hell of an underrated language for native programming.
Also, Delphi's standard library, the VCL, is great, and you can learn so much reading the source code, which comes with the IDE. Or does it? Delphi 7 was the last version I used.
This only works if you know the future. After you've heard the rumors, and the news have been reported, you're already too late. Buy solid companies over time and keep them, that's what works.
Ok, this probably is a really stupid question, but here it goes anyway: in case of an emergency, someone who plays x-plane (or flight simulator) has any chance of flying a real aircraft?
The author also seems to forget about dividends. If the market doesn't move at all in a period of time, it doesn't mean the companies I've invested in won't pay any dividends.
It is important to buy companies based on their fundamentals.
Taxes are ridiculous around here.