Is anyone @ M$ bringing .NET strenths to VFP?

A better question might be "How many developers are really taking advantage of VFPs strenghts?"

Should the criterea for hiring a mechanic be how new his tool box is?

The truth is a lot of developers - regardless of tool - are not really learning how to solve problems. And the fish biting the NOT hook may be, in reality, more insecure about their skill sets than they are letting on. If one does not have a grasp of their current situation - why not move to something where it seems ignorance will not be noticed.

VFP is a good tool to learn problem solving. Just moving to NOT will not enhance you problem solving skills. When someone hires us for really technical (not help desk) work they can judge by the light in our eyes weather or not we are a player or a cheerleader.

When they see the light - it does not matter what the tool is - or how many facts about this or that tool that we can list. What matters is the confidence we have in ourselves.

Band wagoneering and cheerleading are an indication that we are not first string material - and were willing to do anything just to get into the show.

Many of us get gig that require us to work with development tools that are beyond our experience. Why - because the person that hired us saw that glint of confidence and compitence.

Of course - if we cannot be technical - and we need to get in the show - and would feel better about ourselves if we could parrot someone we think is famous or be on a firstname basis with a book-writting marquee geek - we become cheerleaders - or IT managers - or help desk managers.

As the oracle said "Know thyself" -

As the Benet Gesserit say "Fear is the mind killer".

Just keep your nose to the wheel and learn as much about everything you do - work on your confidence and everything else will follow!

THat will be .02$, (EURO's please!:-)