Scott

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>Hi Steve,
>
>Thanks for the post. It forced me to take a closer look at Visual ProMatrix (VPM) and the associated add-ons and enhancement products that you mentioned.
>
>These seem to be the high-end of the VFP framework community? At least, if you purchased just 3 products: VPM, XCase2vpm and prosysplus with the associated training, we're talking around $3400.00 invested! That's a huge investment, not to mention a lot to swallow!
>
>Reading through the news group postings, it appears there are two levels of users: beginners and advanced. This tells that the learning curve on these products could be immense. Is that true?
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>Just trying to get a handle on what's involved to get up to speed in order to develop a very complex and robust commercial application.
>
>An issue that I haven't really addressed in particular is look and feel. I'm looking to create an application that looks like a .NET web application (C#/Asp.net). That means Outlook bars, page tabs and those sweet looking buttons. Does VPM support things like Outlook bars, and Internet-looking page frames, etc.?
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>Anyway, I'll be spending a lot of time on all the framework news groups and here on the UT reading what questions users are asking and how the various framework owners are responding (and IF they are responding; unanswered questions are a sign of reduced support or unqualified support).
>
>Regardless, your post has been one of the best so far and I appreciate that VERY, VERY much!
>
>Thanks Steve!
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>>Hi Scott,
>>
>>I am a long time user of Visual ProMatrix, and a ProMatrix Life MVP. I looked at several frameworks at one time, and owned a copy of MaxFrame. Drew's code was very good, but the version at that time, was too rudimentary for me.
>>
>>I am also a user of xCase, which is a great data design tool. I wouldn’t consider creating a data model without it.
>>
>>VREP is a report engine which uses the VFP engine, similar to FoxFire, but IMO, more powerful. It natively reads the ProMatrix data dictionary, as well as the Data Dictionary aspects of the DBC in its native or extended formats.
>>
>>As for being flexible, if you are going to use a framework for the obvious advantages such as speed of development, reliability of the code base, etc., you have to expect to give up some flexibility. If absolute flexibility is essential, write your own framework. Of course, that could entail a year of development time, which for many of us, can be better spent developing applications.
>>
>>All that being true, VPM is as flexible as it needs to be. The ProSysPlus libraries (www.prosysplus.com) entails major enhancements VPM, and a separate product, xCaseToVpm, imports the xCase meta data into the VPM data dictionary.
>>
>>You said that you have the demo, try it out. Visit the public news groups, and chat with us. We welcome visitors.
>>
>>If you have any specific questions about VPM, fell free to ask. I don’t get over here to often, but read all the news group messages every day.
>>
>>
>>>Hi Doron,
>>>
>>>Yes, I have the Visual ProMatrix demo which I've just reviewed quickly. I'll take a closer look over the next 6 to 7 weeks.
>>>
>>>I've never heard of VisualRep? I can assume that this is your product? How does it compare with FoxFire? Also, does it replace VFP's report manager or enhance it? I'm using VFP 9 SP1.
>>>
>>>I've been interested in xCase for a LONG time. We will probably use that product for this project as the database is going to be fairly large and a bit complex. I see that you indicate that there is a special version to enhance Visual ProMatrix. Good deal!
>>>
>>>Thanks for your considerable input and valuable information. I appreciate it!