The Dink Network

I think the title sums up my post well, but seriously, is that the only only improvement?

I'm asking this because there are many different Dink .EXEs and I'm trying to figure out the differences and benefits of each one. Surely this feature is in 1.8?

As a programmer, I would love to learn more 'professional' languages rather than ones like PureBasic. Don't get me wrong, I love what I'm using now. I was thinking, if I manage to learn C++ then I could unite the various Dinks once again and yeah blah blah blah ambition blah blah failure blah blah too young blah but still, it would be nice to get this sorted out.

I think your best bet is the Dink 1.08 executable or FreeDink (link) - the other projects don't appear to be supported anymore.

I could unite the various Dinks once again

That's exactly what Dink 1.08 does.

i have seen various features that i don't think are in 1.08

Like which ones?

one .exe can fade up/down halfway, i think...

Ah, I get the fade effect you mean. Like, doing a "dark room" effect and stuff.

Most stuff HAS been implemented into 1.08. If you want to improve 1.08 more, by all means do so, 1.08 is the best place to start from.
EDIT: or FreeDink, which is also cross-platform.

And if you manage to compile it, please do tell me how you did so.