>snip<

John,

If I may I'd like to toss in a couple of additional thoughts on this "MVP thing", if for no other reason than to give another MVP POV.

I was, at one time, an MVP. I was grandfathered in in the very first batch of Solution Providors and those were indeed heady days. I was fortunate to have attended the very first Database Summit and have dinner You Know Where with You Know Who. *g*

I got the "loot" that you mentioned and now I purchase it myself because I think it's still the best deal in town.

I am no longer an MVP for the simple reason that a very tough personal situation essentially knocked me off the figurative wagon. I spent 3-4 years on a whole series of non-technical issues as I worked through these issues very publicly and I suppose I probably made a lot of folks very upset. I don't like that fact but, as you like to point out, it is indeed a fact.

I also let my technical "edge" slip a LOT and, quote frankly, I currently no more deserve something like an MVP award than the man in the moon. Still, having worked through all those issues I'm really excited about refocusing my skill set on VFP and starting to contribute again to the community and earning that coveted position again.

I often hesitate to answer a question for the simple reason that I feel and think that if I don't have something "cold" I simply won't answer it. Let someone else get the credit.

Still, when I went through my little private trouble there was one individual who made sure that I was ok. He called every day and spent many many hours with me on the phone at the same time he was in the financial shark tank. I will not name him and embarass him and take God's blessings from him but I can honestly say I love the man wjo helped me when I was down. A true friend. That, and about 200 other people who helped and that will go a LONG way to explain why I'm a real buger-butt when people start to diss the FoxPro community. I won't stand for it one minute. I may be ornry and a creep but I count my Fox buddies as among God's very best.

I may think you are a little abrupt but I'll stand by your side and the side of anyone else who might have something important (to them) to say. Even my good buddy Jeff Winchell who can be totally exasperating at time.

Like I'm not.... *bg*

So, give 'em aitch-eee-double-hockey-sticks but please try and remember that others aren't as tough inside as you might be. That's all really.

This community thing is very very personal to me and if I've seen like a jerk in my attempts to defend it I'll apologize to anyone right now.

The sum of souls here is a remarkable thing.

Best,

DD