Igor,

Can you send me a private e-mail to Michel@Le-Software-Man.com

Michel.

================= Original message follows ====================

>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.