This general issue has been discussed here before and I know I'm not alone in my feelings, but I don't want to appear like I don't appreciate the work the "gurus" have done in many areas in this community. As I said to Cathy, I had wanted to see a tougher and more public stand from the "gurus", but never did. What happened goes beyond you, Cathy, Tamar, the other "gurus" and beyond the VFP team to a higher level in M$. I didn't put up a web site for VFP even though I own VFPROCKS and I didn't cajole you or others - at least not directly in a specific way - to create an open letter or something of that sort, so I guess I didn't do enough, either. I did talk to YAG in person, as you probably did. Ultimately, M$ screwed this community and this product.

>Just as Cathy said in her response, you are way off the mark. Many, if not all, the people present in those meetings (at least the ones I was present at), were criticizing Microsoft's decisions on many issues. We, as MVPs were never 'defenders' of Microsoft ore "lap dogs" as you put it. I take offense to that comment. We were, and are, members of the community. I have been doing Fox since the Foxbase and Compuserve days. I come from the VFP community and am proud to be a part of it. Just because Micorsoft recognized a volunteer that helps the community and gives that individual an MVP Award for one year does not mean that individual becomes a Microsoft shill. Before Microsoft in those meetings, we are always defenders (and representatives if you will) of the community.
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>We always did the criticism that was warranted in front of the Fox Team. In meetings and sometimes in private to individual members. Just as Cathy said, I remember more than once talking to Ken or YAG or any other member and telling them the way we saw things in the community. Of course, as also Kathy said, I do not have access or contact to MS upper management (and don't think any of us does). I did get to the microphone once, in front of 1200 MVPs in the general meeting once, some years ago, and asked a question about VFP to a big honcho. The question was answered politely but evading it as you can imagine. What do you want one of us to do? Call BillG or walk into his office with demands? We always did the outmost to get our voices heard.