Delphi XE on Windows 8

I was moving my Delphi XE installation from a Windows 7 laptop to a Windows 8 desktop when I discovered that the RSS Feed Utility I wrote woudln't compile under Windows 8.  Eventually, I traced it to a function I copied and pasted from somewhere which allowed me to download a file from a URL.  I had thought the error was from importing an Active X component which I noted two years ago.  Looks like Delphi-zine is no longer around.  I hope that isn't a sign that Delphi is fading.  So, the web references I used were saved as PDF so I would have them in the future.
 
A year ago, I added the function to download from a URL as we had to host the RSS feed on a different server and I could no longer use FTP.  A Google search "delphi download file from url" led to this from StackOverflow.com.  I used the second answer that used an API call.  I had to figure out how to use that API call (needed to make sure the WinINet unit was included in my uses clause).  I also had to PChar() the URL which was stored in a string variable.

Now, as I was trying to figure this out, I thought the problem was Delphi XE didn't work well with Windows 8, so I was installing RAD Studio XE3.  When I tried to compile the fixed Delphi XE project with Delphi XE3, it gave me compile errors on the Active X control.  That I couldn't figure out (yet).  One step forward, two steps back.  Sigh.

Spring-like day in December!

It was above freezing last night!  Quite a refreshing break from winter weather as the solstice approaches and I look forward to lengthening daylight again.  The system map (2:00 PM) says it all.  The jetstream is arcing nicely over Saskatoon (wish it was even further north).  One more day of above freezing tomorrow and then above average temperatures stay.

GFA Missionary Package Arrived Yesterday

I received my Gospel for Asia missionary package yesterday.  I am sponsoring a women missionary who is from Odisha and grew up as a Hindu.  She is working in the Bihar region of India.  My younger son really likes watching Veil of Tears.  He watched some of it again today.  I have to say, I'm very impressed with Gospel for Asia because they really do put Jesus First.