>Our VFP user group is mainly focused on educating the members, but I think it >would also be valuable to use the group to promote the use of VFP in our >metropolitan area. I have tossed around the idea of having "fun" competitions >with the VB user groups to build an app in X hours or something equivalent. Or >have a VFP show and tell for the IT managers and developers.

That would be neat. It would even be more amazing if the VB folks took you up on that offer!! I have debated this issue with many a VB developer - and while some will agree that VFP has advantages - VB is still thier tool - and could really care less if it takes a bit longer. That notwithstanding - VB is still MS's strategic enterprise development tool. Also, depending on the app, eventhough VFP could build it faster - what if ActiveX controls were involved? Yes, you may be able to build something faster in VFP - but you may not be able to deliver it - because the ActiveX controls may not work correctly.

What I am saying is that any test you would come up with - would most likely be biased toward VFP - which I don't think is all that fair.

My suggestion is to promote ways to use both tools - not in choosing one tool over the other. In short - VB folks are not likely to go to a VFP user group meeting to see a contest of who can build an app faster. After all - it's not just a matter of what tool you use - it also depends on the developer.