I wouldn't call it a battle. More like a little skirmish these days. Personally, I fell into the perfect gig for the time.

A company with several VFP apps, all in maintenance mode. But it's taking longer then they expected to finished the replacements. So I've been here for 2 years. And I would expect at least 1 1/2 yrs more. The pay is very nice given the lack of other opportunities.

So I have a window to spend my free time learning. Within my group, there's one who's fairly skilled in dotnet now, and one who's at the same level as me. So it's a great environment to learn also.

At least for now, the dotnet market is very hot. I hope I can catch this wave, as I've totally missed too many in the last 10 years.

>Good morning Perry;
>
>How goes the battle?
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>When there is no work for an individual they have a career decision to make. For software developers it could mean changing development tools or changing professions.
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>I have always believed in awareness of the job market and what it offers today. Past performance means nothing. If a person is comfortable and earning a good income it is hard to take time to become proficient in another software language. You can build up to it step by step.
>
>I had a “rude awaking” when electronics manufacturing left Silicon Valley, for Austin Texas and China. I had to change professions and became a programmer. The name of the game is survival! When I was hired for my first programming job I asked a friend, "Now what field should I train for"? We all have to stay on our toes. :)
>
>Tom
>
>
>>To me some are overlooking and refuse to acknowledge the facts. Jobs are fewer and rates are down. Unless VFP is listed because the opportunity is there because the app is being rewritten in another tool.
>>
>>More and more, I'm seeing that those are the only type of jobs where VFP shows up. Even though many here will argue the point, I started hearing this about the sametime JVP was talking about his VB experience. Recruiters started telling me all their VFP jobs were to rewrite the app.
>>
>>> 1. Stick with VFP and accepts its niche status, and rates will go up (like cobol progammers)
>>>
>>>
>>>General trend of rates for VFP developers in this country is downward...