Not hoping to to insult anyone here but, we are too busy making $$$ using VFP as our primary development tool to read all the messages griping about Microsoft's marketing of VFP. We feel like UT is a valuable resource for developers and would like to see gripe&whineMS.com using some other resources.

We chose VFP as main development tool when we moved our app from a Mini system to Windows because of the direction MS was taking it, we saw it as a positive not a negative for VFP. We looked at Progress, Oracle etc. and liked VFP best. Previously we had to buy expensive development systems ( $8500 to $25,000 ) and spent countless hours writing our own development tools. We had to pay license fees for each system we installed and user fees. We paid $350 royalty for server and $150 Royalty for each work station/terminal at a client site. We also had to pay annual Royalty payments on each system and updates. We bought Visual Studio for a meager amount and even got a rebate ( WOW ). We were overwhelmed at the tools included that allowed us to go to work right away.

We boast to our clients that VFP is at the core of our system, of course we sell our clients on our REPUTATION rather than our choice of development tool. Several of our clients are Fortune 200 companies and yes we face the dreaded IS guys everyday who think they know it all, we have had no client turn us away for using VFP. We also emphasize that we will utilize the appropriate tool for their project.

One of our clients attended a conference for IS directors and bragged about the capabilities of VFP as they were utilized when we developed their app. VFP was only part of the solution we supplied. One of the IS directors who attended the same conference called us first thing when he returned to work, VFP did not scare him off. To us, this is how VFP garners its much-deserved reputation.

MS charges no runtime or Royalty fees for end users that run apps developed with VFP. Many development systems costing many times more, require much more training, have harder learning curve, and have runtime fees. Some of these systems advertise their Development tools in IS magazines, so the MIS folks think they are better. Can you imagine if MS came out with big advertising blitz and promotion ad for VFP and all they ask for was a measly $15 runtime fee, and you think folks gripe now.

We don't object to a group advertising their association and stating that VFP is tool of choice for their development, we even might participate as expressed via e-mail to one of the folks who started this whole discussion. We just don't agree that we should advertise a product we do not own and we don't want to do it just to try and bully MS.

This is a great resource, many developers ( especially us ) appreciate it. Many thanks to all those who have helped us in time of need. Please be cautious and think about what you are doing before you jump out and try to use the power of a group, such as the folks who participate in UT.

I better go do something I can bill somebody for !!!