Hi Tim,

Thanks for the reply. I didn't think you were an Oakleaf employee, just that you seem to answer most of the questions in this area. Kind of the Sergey of MM.net!

I also like that I can do things my way and still use most of the framework. I had that problem in a FP Dos framework that I used and made sure I picked the right framework for VFP mostly with that in mind. I am sold on the use of Business Objects so that part will work out well. The way you can just set a few properties to bind data makes dotnet seem almost as good as VFP! The fact that he also supports a number of third party controls is something I like. I watched the available video from the website and was really impressed with his way of doing localization. I can't imagine trying to get end users to update resource files. <g>

I am pretty sure at this point that you will be hearing more questions form me in the near future.

Thanks,
Bill

>Hi Bill,
>
>I will just add a couple of things and thoughts to what Guy mentioned. Before using MM I was a foxpro programmer also and I used a framework from another vendor. When I was looking for a framework to support my move to Visual Studio and Dot Net technologies I was paticularly interested in a framework that supported both desktop apps and web apps. I also wanted a framework that didn't lock me into a big diversion from standard dot net usage and coding. Since for me applications all have specific needs and each time I find myself trying to do something unique with the application I also did not want to be trapped trying to do things only the framework way and a way the designer felt was how applications should be built. I believed that Mere Mortals offered this to me. The framework is very extensible and very versatile. It does not require me to only do things some specific way. The MM framework extends existing controls and third party controls and does not create their own specific controls that I had to learn how to use. I am free to use what I want. The data access layer allows me to retrieve data either in the framework designed entities, entity lists, or in just regular datasets if I want to. The UI does not have to be designed around the business layer only able to get data a specific way. Although there are some advantages to using the UI portion of the framework.
>
>Lastly, the framework gives me the option to use security, and or localization. If they are not needed, you simply don't enable them. For me these were the biggest deciding factors. That may be different for you. I looked at others and there are some good frameworks out there.
>
>As to Kevin and OakLeaf. There are darn few most excellent programmers out there and several are on the UT. Kevin is one of them and if you have ever had a chance to take any classed from him you would probably quickly come to that conclusion.
>
>As far as my connection with OakLeaf or Kevin there really isn't any. I am just a user of the product for several years now and I still really like the product. Kevin was very gracious in including me as a MM MVP which I appreciate greatly. If I can be of any help to you or anyone else regarding MM, I am glad to do that.
>Take care and feel free to ask any questions you want. The opinion expressed above is mine as to why I hooked my wagon to MM and not necesarily Kevin or anyone elses opinion.
>Tim
>
>>Hi Tim,
>>
>>Since you seem to be the de facto face of mm.net, I was hoping I could ask you a few questions as I am looking to attach myself to a framework?
>>
>>Does Kevin have somewhere he posts news for mm.net? I looked on the mm.net web site and on his mvp blog but didn't find any mm.net news. I was interested in finding his plans for the near future of the product, Silverlight integration, etc. I love UT and have been a paying member (not currently) since around 1996 but asking questions about a specific product here seems a little strange. I guess I'll get used to it.
>>
>>I pretty much have decided I need a dotnet framework. I have used Drew's Maxframe since it began and found it to be perfect for my needs for the last 15 years or so. I'm not getting calls for any new VFP projects, just maintenance so I need to get up to speed and prepare for the future. I have been studying c# and Dotnet for about 6 - 12 months and think I need to pick a framework and use it for a job to really get my feet wet.
>>
>>The only other framework that I am still considering is using CSLA and purchasing Codesmith for the grunt work. I also have been doing a number of DotNetNuke sites and as I get more into programing modules, the Codesmith will help there also.
>>
>>I guess that is enough to get started, I hope I'm not infringing on your time too much because I have a bunch more.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Bill Mason