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>The next statement couldn't be further from the truth. MS invests millions just to maintain markets. For them to give up market share for anything goes against the grain of the way they do everything. They have to do this and competitive pressures will force the issue even more in the future. This is standard business life-cycle stuff here and I'm surprised JVP doesn't know this.

>>>Christof, I am not sure what you are trying to say here. I will say that MS does not, nor will it invest in a market that is not growing, or is not perceived to have any potential to grow. FWIW, MS does invest money in VFP. MS however, will not invest money to the degree that would constitute an attempt to grow the market. For you, I, and every other developer, there is an upside. For MS the corporate entity, and more important, for MS stockholders, which I am one, it is not a good business decision.


MS has given up on markets in the past and they will in the future. Where is MS Fortran? How about their Assembler? What about Bob? Cinemania? They just sold off their Sidewalk service. The list does continue. If they perceive a market as not making money, they will give up on it.