> Are there any drawbacks to RADs vs Frameworks?

They aren't mutually exclusive. The RAD tools, like Visual FoxExpress and Visual ProMatrix simply have an interface to the framework that helps you build applications with them. With both of them, you can use the RAD tool or standard VFP. The RAD tools just make it easier to get up and running with the framework because they give you some guidance in terms of the order in which you should create things.

> What about learning curves and maintenance?

All of the frameworks have a learning curve, but it's nothing compared to the VFP learning curve and learning object orientation. You're much better starting out with something created by someone that's already gone through the learning curve than trying to create something yourself while you're still at the beginning of it.

As far as maintenance goes all of the framework vendors provide free updates, many of them put out bug lists with fixes, etc.