Kevin,

people who buy Quickbooks aren't buying it for the technology.

My point exactly. The majority of the economy seems to fall into that category.

Decision makers for Companies, organizations, IS shops are buying for a number of things, including the technology. For some it's a minor factor - for others it's a larger factor. I've seen plenty of it.

Likewise. But it is a major leap from there to conclude that the "mom and pop" opportunity is irrelevant because it behaves differently.

I'm currently working with a headhunter who for months wasn't able to find a strong Fox programmer who was available. Is it sound business for a company to invest new dollars in a technology where many have moved on???

I'll answer your rhetorical question with my own: have you asked the banks why they stuck with Cobol?

Sure, there are many Cobol apps still around. And in 2014 and beyond there will be Fox apps. In 1992 I wrote a DOS-based application in C++ that's still running in 280 health care clinics - it's still running today and still being maintained by someone. But I think you'd agree that's hardly the standard by which to judge forward movement.

Why not? "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is coming back into fashion.