John,

I have your book from PRIMA, and to tell that's the only book I treasure too much. And in fact I am using it as my reference whenever I have training sessions for VFP developers in our company.

You obviously deserve the MVP Title, no question about it. BTW, my message is not pointing to anybody else, I just let the quilty be hanged by their conscience.

After all, we are all aboard one ship and no matter what happened we will be affected.

>>.I like you unbiased input although MS-centric still, but at least you validate the issue well enough. I wish other MVPs will do the same.


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>Well...... How about I tackle the issue head-on with you, since it is most likely me to which you are referring. What exactly did I say that was so biased. It just so happens that I respect a companies right to bring good products to the market place. Do I think MS has made the correct decsions regarding VFP. No, I do not. But, that was not the point of my orignal post. In fact, ask folks on the VFP team how many issues I bring to the table with regard to how some things are implemented - or just don't work.
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>You see, my post was with regard to HOW THINGS ARE. Not, HOW I WISH THINGS WOULD BE. To me, folks should accept the facts and determine what course of action he/she should take. I have my opinion, and others have thiers. Mine is not to sit around and complain about what MS has or has not done with VFP. Why? BECAUSE I CANNOT CHANGE THE PAST. Therefore, it is unproductive to complain.
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>On another front, Rod and I have the only book from a major publisher coming out on Visual FoxPro 6.0. Just so you and everyone else here knows, Rod and I agreed with the publisher to not take an advance on the book. Why? Because we still believe in the product and have spent hours working and convincing the publisher to go forward on a 6.0 update.
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>Bash me if you must for my views regarding MS. However, just know that when it comes to supporting this product, I - and Rod, have put our money where our mouth is by getting a 6.0 book out on our own time. Fair enough to say that we will make our money based on books that we can sell ourselves. The point being that we are taking the risk. We are doing the promotion. We are doing the selling. Also, I spent considerable time getting a TechEd session that only 25 people attended. Robert thought it was important to be there. Tech Ed is another sore spot with me. Folks like to bitch about the fact that VFP does not have a big presence at TechEd. The thing is, most Fox developers don't go to TechEd, yet, they like to bitch about the fact that sessions are not given. Tell me what sense it makes to bitch about the lack of sessions when you would nto be there in the first place. The only other product that comes close is VB - with its VBITS and NT conferences. Advisor also as VB conferences. I
>think the VFP Advisor Devcon is one of the biggest by far. And, becuase of the size of our community, the majority of folks that would go to a conference - go to Devcon.
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>When it comes to promoting the product and finding new and innovative ways the product - VFP that is - can be used, I as well as Rod - have done our part as as Hentzenwerke Publishing as Whil is also putting a set of 6.0 books out.
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>I guess that is the difference. I concentrate on the positives about what the product can do. Sure, I still want a laundry list of other features. I don't think anybody is ever truly satisified with his/her development tool. The bottom line is that there is a lot VFP can do. I think I showed that at Devcon. I just can't sit around and whine about what is wrong with VFP's place in the World. I think I covered my feelings on that in my original post.
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>With respect to my feelings at MS. Do I benefit from standards and have I benefited from the Windows Platform. Heck yes. I can do things now that where not possible 1 or 2 years ago.
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>Most people are extremely hypocritical with regard to their feelings about MS. On one hand, they are grateful for dozens and dozens of innovations. On the other hand, they loath MS because of what I would agree with is poor marketing of VFP.
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>But again, I ask what are you going to do? Complain - or get things done?
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>Oh yes, one more thing. Regarding my MVP status. My role is to help support the product by giving timely and accurate - and let me say this again - ACCURATE answers and solutions. It does not mean I have to sensor my fellings about things one way of the other. Like Arnon, I don't get a call from Bill G. on a weekly basis.
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>Regards....