Both, last I checked. Plus it requires a very specific version of the gcc runtime to be installed (4.5 I think), that doesn't come bundled with the installer.

You can't really criticize a language for not being supported by a vendors proprietary compiler framework, especially when it targets native. Also, what is wrong with llvm + the rustc?

No, it's a valid complaint: Rust shouldn't require MinGW. The biggest problem here is that Rust doesn't include its own linker, and the moment it cannot use link.exe.

It may be a valid complaint in the sense that not supporting MIPS is a valid complaint. Rust, because of the decisions made in its design, is going to attract developers of low level systems, server-client architectures, etc. If you are developing the type of systems that Rust excels at, wouldn't you also be the type of developer that has no problem developing on and targeting Linux, BSD, MacOS, etc? Or am I missing something? Obviously Servo would be a good use-case, but apart from browsers, nobody targets Windows native software anymore.

Games too. Rust is starting to find a niche in game development, and Windows still rules the roost there.

(we actually do support MIPS)

So, nobody server-client architectures on Windows?

Have you been inside of one of the many .NET shops around the globe?

I don't think anyone was criticizing it so much as saying it presented an obstacle for him.