Hi Michel.

By the way, I would like to work in United Kingdom and I am a VFP developer for 2+ years and additionally I have 5+ years of Clipper experience. Moreover I have a lot of experience in programming for healthcare.

Sincerely, Igor Gelin, System Developer.

>Jack,
>
>Finding GOOD VFP programmers is even more difficult here in the UK.
>I would like to complement what you say below, and what Rick said,
>by adding that we here have found the best strategy to get the
>programmers of the right calibre was for us to get good programmers
>in other languages (including programmers with mainframe experience
>who often have a greater understanding of business models and
>the need for rigorousness, thorough testing, and that the most important
>thing about an app is now how clever it looks, but that it works today,
>tomorrow, and tomorrow's tomorrow!) and then train them in VFP.
>
>This strategy has paid many dividends for us, right down to the
>fact that in most cases you end up with programmers who cannot
>believe there is a development environment as good as VFP !
>
>Michel.
>
>=================== Original message follows ==================
>
>>>Now I won't argue with you that it may be harder to find people
>>>to do VFP work. Unfortunately, that's true. But for a company that
>>>knows how to work with VFP and do it right you'll need a fraction
>>>of the body resources you need with other tools at least for coding.
>>>
>>>The key is the right people. Doesn't matter what tool you use if
>>>you have people who don't know what they're doing the application
>>>is unlikely to work well, not perform and almost certainly not
>>>scale. VFP, VB, SQL, C++ it doesn't matter - people are the most
>>>important thing. Sure your high school kid can create ASP pages
>>>with a little coaching, but do you really want him to???
>>>
>>>
>>>Use what works for you and what is the best choice for the job.
>>>Discounting VFP outright just because of lack of 'bodies' is a
>>>sad excuse IMHO...
>>>
>>>+++ Rick ---
>>>
>>
>>I could not agree with you more, Rick. I have complained about finding VFP people in the past. However, even when I entertained the thought of switching to VB, I could not find a candidate who really knew database programming and had realistic salary expectations from a shop my size. It's all about finding the right people, regardless of development platform...
>>
>>To date, I have been successful in training an Excel/VBA guy in VFP. I have also found an excellent Access programmer who now has an appreciation for VFP. And I have also come back around to appreciate the product that turned a hobby into a profession that has paid the bills for more than 5 years now...
>>
>>Jack Mendenhall
>>Director, Information Systems
>>Reinsurance Management, Inc.