>I don't know why MS just does not strap those really neat VFP features to it's other back end products. At least then, NET and ASP developers could take advantage. VFP's speedy native (client) data engine in combination with XML messaging seems to offer a lot of advantages. A "big tent" paradigm.
Well, based on this recent article, it seems it is. At least, some of its functionalities seems to be targeted into MS's mind now.
http://www.redmondmag.com/columns/article.asp?EditorialsID=1166