menn actually asked if I wanted 2 write something about QB,FB,and C.
I actually did think about this,but since menn will be thrilled,I decided 2 do it.

Now,we have 2 conflicting languages.

BASIC

BASIC has been around 4 awhile. It's how I started.
It makes a complete novice able 2 do cool things.
There are 2 good choices.

QBasic is an OLD thing 4 DOS.It can run on the oldest of computers.
I suggest it when first starting. It's what I did.

FreeBasic originally was really compatible with QB and most progs could be compiled
with it. It is Freeware and doesn't have the crappy array limits like QB does.
However,it has become more C like. I can handle that,but some don't like it.

C

C is a popular language. People believe it's faster than other languages(and it IS).
However,it's also VERY hard 2 learn. I tried it years back,but could NOT get the hang
of anything. I got depressed until I found QBasic. After nearly 2 years of programming
with QB and FB,I challenged C once again(because of Ben Dellhiem).
I actually did OK cause then I had DSL internet. This allowed me 2 find
some help on the functions. It is certainly NOT something I suggest a beginner try.
You already must know about variables and loops from another language if you wanna do
something cool. Also,"printf" is a pain compared 2 "print".

There is the lie that C is platform independant. The C compilers DO have different rules.
I've tried like 10 of them. What compiles in 1 compiler won't work in another
even if they both run on the same OS. So you can 4get about compiling something on
a different OS !

So,if it wasn't 4 C being faster and more popular,I wouldn't mess with it.

Remember,as far as what I prefer 2 use is based on what I want 2 do.
I do huge numbers so C is cool cause of it's speed.

If you're doing drawings or ASCII art,QBasic will do fine.
FreeBasic is just a ripoff of both languages. QB is the easy thing and
C is the fast and hard thing. If you try mixing them,you make BIG sacrifices. 

It's like salt and sugar. You can mix them up and people wouldn't know UNTIL THEY TASTE IT!