SPair catches the essence of the problem.
I think I can state things a little more simply:
1) The UI/IDE is hard to learn. Like most power tools, it takes time to learn to use it.
2) Not enough programmers like to read code. Smalltalk is a language for readers, not just writers.
3) Elitest culture. I have found that many experienced Smalltalkers don't tolerate things done "the wrong way" and don't give new people enough time to learn "the right way."
4) High software/hardware cost prevented a large enough mass of programmer talent from growing. My favorite C compiler cost $30 and worked great and I could do anything the big boys could. Of course I learned C!
Hopefully, it is not too late to correct these problems. Smalltalk is fast and powerful, and the other posts about poor performance are uninformed.
txb.
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SPair catches the essence of the problem. I think I can state things a little more simply: 1) The UI/IDE is hard to learn. Like most power tools, it takes time to learn to use it. 2) Not enough programmers like to read code. Smalltalk is a language for readers, not just writers. 3) Elitest culture. I have found that many experienced Smalltalkers don't tolerate things done "the wrong way" and don't give new people enough time to learn "the right way." 4) High software/hardware cost prevented a large enough mass of programmer talent from growing. My favorite C compiler cost $30 and worked great and I could do anything the big boys could. Of course I learned C! Hopefully, it is not too late to correct these problems. Smalltalk is fast and powerful, and the other posts about poor performance are uninformed. txb.