>Thanks for that, Randy.
>
>I stand by my own conviction that no amount of money can make any kind of "community" as evolved with FoxPro.
>
>To me, the fact that Microsoft recognized its effect was smart, but to set out to duplicate it was just plain silly. No one was "bought" to make the VFP community what it became. Money can do many things, but I hope it never reaches the point that one can buy community spirit.

There's some "internal consistency error" in organizing a spontaneous thing. No matter how much money and social engineering you throw into the mix, it still can't be.

Fox as a focal point has attracted the right people from the outset, and these people (including those who joined in later) keep the product alive, and likewise the product keeps the community alive. This sort of positive feedback goes a long way because it is a grassroot thing.

Growing grassroots from the top may be feasible, but one can't shake off the phony feel of it.