I’ve been here on UT for only two months and with that short period of time, I’ve seen a lot of topics from members expressing their disappointment after attending Tech-Ed or Visual Studio presentation/promotion whether in America, Asia, Australia and other parts of the world, because VFP was not treated fairly or equally especially when it comes to packaging among others, and I also felt the same so to speak.

IMO, in order for VFP applications to stay competitive and salable in the market, it is a must for VFP as a development tool to gain equal support and attention from MS because MS is the *owner* and *producer* of the product, and clients are taking the words from them, and words from us, as consultants, are just secondary (although not all the time). Robert Green’s effort together with VFP team is not enough and always comes short. Same here in South East Asia, we have attended a lot of VS presentations, and VFP is just a shadow in the box, and considering the fact that many developers and potential clients are attending these so called presentations.

Visual Studio presentation is just like promoting a movie starring superstars with supposedly equal billing say: VB, VC++, VJ++, INTERDEV..blah..blah. stop here.. then add.. with special participation of vfp, *lower case* letter huh, but that’s how I look at it. Question is, are the followers of VFP feels happy on the billing??? Obviously not. Same thing with VS presentations, no matter how good VFP is (it can be the best), MS attention and support should be equal when it comes to packaging, in order for us, as diehard loyalists and followers of VFP, happy, thus closing more VFP project deals. Otherwise, better include MR. BEAN in the package and I’ll be more than happier. Kidding aside, if MS will do the equal packaging they are actualizing their promises and commitment, then topics like this (argumentation) will immediately stop, and certainly, VFP will soar high (sales/users as gate receipts). Unfortunately, we do not see it happening as of to-date during VS presentations, and still hoping for a must change ASAP.

According to a reliable source, the ratio of user/developer is 3 close to 4 VB is to 1 VFP; ratio of success against failure is: 5 is to 2 for VB/ACCESS as against 10 is to 1 for VFP (maybe because of the big disparity on Knowledge Base support where VFP has the advantage ofcourse). The way I see it in reaction: No matter how VFP outperforms VB when it comes to database development, MS will push VB (which have the popularity and PR) more than VFP because of the number of USERS.

Just a question ( not whining ), is it right then that users of VFP are the ones pushing the product more than what MS is doing ??? That’s what’s happening now. And why is it that VFP beta copy is very (if not only) limited to DevCon attendees but not Visual INTERDEV???.

VFP Web site??? To some extent, I would agree with Josh Weiss, that if you are a VFP user, that’s the only time you are interested to visit the URL, therefore, VFP web site, with all the white papers that appease/pacify us, is not satisfactory (although good) indication of full support. We need MS to do the shouting about VFP during actual promotion or campaign of VS. Campaign materials for VFP helps (although limited again), but not good enough.

C’mon VFPers, don’t just be satisfied with VFP to survive, but rather let’s ask MS to help us promoting the product during VS presentations believing that it is fit enough to compete in the arena of software development.

C’mon MICROSOFT, we are not asking for too much, just put equal billing and attention on all VS products. It’s plain and simple.

Please comment... :-)