Hi everyone,

I've received numerous questions and emails from people wondering about
Dev-Cpp.  Apparently, the steps on the course webpage are leaving some of
you still confused, so I will do my best to clear things up.

Obtaining Dev-Cpp
The latest version is 4.9.8.0 (also known as 5 beta).  This is the best
one to use.   Make sure you download and install the one that comes with
MingW and the gcc compiler, or else you will not be able to compile.  If
you feel so inclined, you can also download the 4.9.8.5 update, but this
really isn't necessary.  Install to the default directory to avoid
problems later!

Available: via SourceForge:
http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/dev-cpp/devcpp4980.exe

Update (4.9.5.8): http://bloodshed.net/dev/devcpp4985.zip (extract the
archive to your main Dev-C++ directory, it should overwrite the file
devcpp.exe and the languages files in the Lang directory)

Setting up OpenGL and GLUT in Dev-Cpp
OpenGL comes built in to Dev-Cpp, so you don't need to do anything
special to "get" openGL.  However, to install GLUT, you need to do an
installation.  For this purpose, I have developed a DevPak, containing
glut.h, libglut32.a, and the glut DLL.  The DevPak will install
everything to the right place, so just double click it, and you'll be
set.  
  The DevPak itself is
small (less than 400KB) so it should fit in your email inbox without a
problem.

Creating an OpenGL project
Here is where I have had the most questions.  Follow the following
instructions, and you will not have a problem.

1) Create a New Project from the file menu in DevCpp.  If you see an
option to create an OpenGL project, DO NOT CHOOSE IT.  Rather, choose the
Empty Project option.  I repeat, DO NOT create a project from the OpenGL
template (if you have one), because it creates all kinds of windows
specific junk that will cause you problems.

2)  Under Project->Project Options, there is a Parameters tab.  Under
this tab, in the Linker text box, put the following IN THIS ORDER...  
-lopengl32 -lglu32 -lglut32  Remember, make sure they are in order, with
openGL linked before GLU and GLUT!

3)  If applicable (ie. if compiling C++), make sure you use the line
"using namespace std; " or the simplest things may cause you the biggest
problems.  GCC is picky about this.

4) Compile by hitting Ctrl-F9 (or go through the menus).  Rebuild
everything (ie. make clean && make) by hitting Ctrl-F11.  If you get an
error that it couldn't find some program or something, click the tab at
the bottom of the screen that says Compile Log, and see what it couldn't
do.  If it died trying to find/do make, you'll need to make the following
adjustment:  Tools->Compiler Options -> Programs ... here, make sure that
the entry next to make: says mingw32-make.exe


Finally, if you are getting some wierd linker errors when you try to
compile, make sure your libraries are linked correctly (step 2).  This is
the most common question, and most common error.  Double check, triple
check, quadruple check your linker options.  And remember, if all else
fails, searching on Google is your best friend.

Breanne