Hi Lim Teck Soon

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>>1) If budget is not an issue, I would use Visual ProMatrix and all the add-ons they recommend: xCase, xCase2VPM, VisualRep and ProSysPlus libraries. The pricetag for REQUIRED training and licenses is a BIG one!
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>VPM+VisualRep is at the top of my list. There is only one hesitation, should I get the Enterprise version? For my first project, my customer is running a Novell 6.5 and I don't think they are going to install MySql there, at least not in a near future. So, it look like my first project can't be a client-server application.

I tried VPM long ago. They taught me the dangers of proprietary technology. If I'm not mistaken the Enterprise edition approaches data in a more n-tier style.

No matter which framework you buy, you should make a n-tier application so you can easily switch from VFP data to any other backend, mySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, etc.

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>>2) If you want to learn a lot about VFP coding and how things work, I think Visual MaxFrame is the framework of choice. The author, Drew Speedie, was one of the top VFP gurus.
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>This is the most interesting recommendation! Do you mean VMP gives the best/full source code? Since the author Drew Speedie is no more around to help, I really wonder how this framework is going to move on in the future. As I have mentioned in the beginning, I really concern about future of framework since I probably will stick to one for a long time. Anyway, from the Wiki's chart, it seems VMP is the greatest and VPME scores very poorly. What I mean by "scores" is the overall #Checks

MaxFrame is also a good example of OOP. I strictly use the n-tier approach, so all that I see is OOP. Drew did not go purely OOP opting for the best combination of procedural and OOP techniques.

I'd also like to remind you that there are FoxBase programs still in use in businesses today. MaxFrame has been owned by different companies during its existence. Just as rumours of FoxPro's demise did not stop you from using FoxPro, don't be concerned about MaxFrame's future. All major frameworks are so mature they don't and indeed cannot change in major ways without breaking existing applications. You get full source code and incredible documentation.

I'm still using it and doing new projects with it, because it doesn't matter what happens at least until FoxPro 10 comes out.

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>>5) And lastly, if you want to learn a lot about Object Oriented design and implementation, I would use the MereMortals framework (which is the only one I have production experience with).
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>I think MM only supports up to VFP8, right? I am using VFP9+Sp1 and if I am not wrong there will be Sp2 in the future (before VFP10).
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Bear in mind that Scott Malinowski is reviewing other frameworks because he's dropping one. Ask him which one, and rule that one out.