Most of my Game Dev work is now done using JEDI-SDL. I have found it an API level that suits me really well.

I dont have Linux at home (or rather I have the CDs just not an installation). In Two months or so I should get a bonus and hopefully enough to buy a new PC or two at home for my kids - Then my ond P3 600 can become a linux machine and let me really get the Cross Compilation working.

I will do the book as a FreePascal/Lazarus using JEDI-SDL book. Concentrating on 2D with someone else contributing some 3D stuff.