Yup. That's true. And this is what they are providing. Maybe not with the results we could expect, but... :)


>http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/?sort=PN&alpha=foxpro and http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifepolicy.
>
>(Thanks to Sergey for the links)
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>According to the chart, VFP9 is in mainstream product support until 1/12/2010:
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>Paid support (per-incident, per hour, and others)
>Security update support
>Non-security hotfix support
>No-charge incident support
>Warranty claims
>Design changes and feature requests
>Product-specific information that is available by using the online Microsoft Knowledge Base
>Product-specific information that is available by using the Support site at Microsoft Help and Support to find answers to technical questions
>
>Note A hotfix is a modification to the commercially available Microsoft product software code to address specific critical problems.
>
>
>>Hi, Tracy.
>>
>>This is mostly what happens. But anyway, there is quite a few customers that are still using support. I know because I'm suscribed to the internal VFP discussion list where many support incidents are discussed and anyone within Microsoft can provide extended help.
>>
>>Extended support also means (an I'm far from an expert, so don't take this literally) that if a customer with a Premier Support contract raises an issue which is critical, a hotfix can be produced. In that case, I might guess that some old team member could be enrolled to provide help at least, but the support staff also has a good deal of technical talent that can provide many solutions (including hotfixes for many products) on their own.
>>
>>Regards,
>>
>>>That's what I meant. Are you saying that support until 2015 only means someone answering the phone and guiding you through the product as it is, not fixing bugs? Who uses support? To me, supporting a product means having people available to answer the phones and provide 1st level support to the customer, a quality assurance department and developers at a minimum. What does MSFT consider 'support until 2015?' Phone support only?
>>>
>>>
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>>>>The Fox team never included people in tech support. That's always been a different group. So, developers are needed.
>>>>
>>>>>Now that's support until 2015... I can't imagine any other company stating they would continue support but no enhancements but not have a single developer assigned to that task.