>>VFP is a weak solution for WAN's. Companies want ENTERPRISE level data more and more, not LAN departmental data. Also, in major corporations, security and data integrity are of the up-most importance. When a client workstation power failure could possibly corrupt an index during production, i.e. Fox, you have a problem. And if a server fails, will Fox pick up AUTOMATICALLY with a transaction as SQL Server will on a reboot? Not from what I have read...
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>>Even small to medium sized companies can not afford to have the best system in place to protect their data. In the long run, SQL Server will provide all the database needs of MS products. If it's Gates vision, then you, as a small part of MS overall customer base, have no choice...
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>Your points about VFP indexes is well made, Jack, but there is a LOT of programming that doesn't involve companies that need Enterprise-level networks. We're doing one where files are updated by modem and remote users use PC-Anywhere. Not fast, but they've found it reliable. Many of my other clients are based at a single site. WinNT network and DBFs work perfectly for them.
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>And finally, we run up against the cost/benefits problem that was discussed in a thread earlier this week. Not everyone can afford SQL-Server, and a large percentage of the world doesn't have cheap hardware available.

Thank you Barbara for brining in the cost factor of VFP into the picture. I believe this is one of the major reasons that MS (Besides Mr Bills love of VB) that MS doesn't market VFP more. MS, as already mentioned, is in the biz to make $$. And they don't make it when a single developer can purchase one copy of VFP and create a very large and very good application complete with database and the client doesn't have to buy anything....no runtime licenses, no yearly maintenance fees......blah, blah, blah.......that SQL-Server bring in.

MS is never going to give the leverage and marketing to VFP. I agree with another statement in this thread.....it's only here to appease the Fox community. Were it not for the loud voices of the many worldwide developers that have used Fox, it would have been gone long ago.

Steve