It's easy to say i'll switch to PHP and run on Linux or start using J2EE for my Web applications out of spte for Microsoft, but that world is a COMPLETELY different culture and community and paradigm.

PHP isn't much of a hurdle. IMHO an experienced VFP developer can take PHP data access scripts and see what is happening almost immediately.

I've already left the MS camp once ;-) and hesitate to do so again. IMHO MS has done us all a HUGE favor by keeping this thing going long after the prophets predicted doom. Now we just need to see what Linq offers. It seems unfortunate that the latest announcement came before many/most of the improvements were publicly delivered. That's why I think the NET compiler has value. Apart from allowing VFP firms to defend themselves from competitors trashing the product, it allows time to check NET out as it continues to evolve. I don't share your concerns about the compiler's local data engine: apparently it already has one that breaks the 2Gb and 254-field barriers as well, if that's useful.