I agree with you 100%. MS conventions and app-style is not only sexy, but as you've mentioned it drastically cuts the learning curve for new users of an application. My all time favorite is Outlook, that is UI design at it's best if you ask me... so much information, presented in an ultra-efficient, Intuitive, easy to use, customizable way. I think the two greatest improvements to UI design in VFP will turn out to be the advent of dockable forms and the anchor property... stunning MDI applications with side-panels have and will ultimately result (and I breathed a huge sigh of relief that I would no longer have to co-opt toolbar classes to add this look and feel to the applications I develop).