>>>>>most VFP developers who could have benefited from a framework just would not invest in something that could have made them much more successful
>>>
>>...
>>>I found a tool from Eldos for .NET applications using PGP. It's awesome. An absolute life saver for anyone working with PGP in .NET.
>>>
>>I have worked with their SecureBlackbox for activeX in vfp - needed a few changes to work in vfp the same way vb could operate, but they implemtented the things I mentioned very quickly. All in all still money saved on programming time ;-)
>
>Thomas
>I wish I had known about the ActiveX for vfp.
>I struggled with PGP in a VFP app on my own. It took weeks to get done.
>That was in the pre-Google days, so things were harder to find.
>With the .NET app using their tool it took a few hours.

Bill,

still is a good example for efficiency of bought tools: it is in most cases cheaper (when time spent on the issue is factored in $/H) to buy, even if you have to look for workable tool, compare results, short test of basic functionality, more complicated deployment AND a day or two to fix minor issues with the bought tool. IMO the assumption to buy something totally plug-compatable for the amount of $ billed between a few H and 3 days of programming time is unrealistic. Still the total effort is less if you buy tools - but the expectation of "I spent money for it, it has to configure itself" is too prominent IMO. It rankles me as well if I have to spend more $ in time to "fix" the tool then it had cost - but that is the only way to build your contacts in the companies to rely on in case of real trouble. I must have spend more than 3 weeks alone to get a handle on a certain very sporadic vfp error - but I guess such effort helped getting budget to fix other errors I found and also might have given my wishes for new functionality more attention.

But I must confess, in recent years I moved even more into the group arguing to use tools/libraries if possible only if source code is included - which sadly eliminates more of the "paid tools" group. This mental reorientation *also* causes stomach aches when deciding to add another nice tool to your roster which does NOT offer source - *not* depending on size of vendor, as lately Apple, Google, MS and other heavyweights have shown how easy customers can end holding the short end when depending on their products.