>>
>>While I agree that Windows standards are important, I think it should be up to the developer to know and decide when to break the rules. I am a large proponent of Windows standard UI guidelines, and I spend a lot of time explaining their value to clients. But like with music- the rules should be strictly adhered to until their spirit is thoroughly mastered and understood- only then should a musician break them. Broken rules in music (and software UI) are often where the genious comes in.
>>
>>A development tool that takes the choice out of our hands is doing a disservice.
>
>I agree here. VFP should allow us to change the background color of a button. My arguement is, "should we change that".

A funny anecdote:

I have a user who is the sole user of one particular screen in an application. The form has 5 pages filled with fields, each serving a distinct category of functionality. Some of the fields from page to page serve similar function, and if you are not careful, you can get confused as to what page you are on. The user asked if there was anything I could do to make it obvious at first glance what page she was on. I tried several things like big labels on top, various icon-type images in the upper left corner, and so on. After getting the veto on all of these, I suggested with tongue in cheek that I could change the background color of each page to a distinct color. Her eyes lit up and she said YESSS. Somewhat reluctant, I brought her over to my form designer and showed her the range of colors available. To make a long story short, I now have a full screen 5 page form in production, and each page is a different color of the rainbow. She thinks I am some sort of computer wizard (who else could perform such wonderful magic?), and is the happiest user I have. I have heard her co-workers express jealousy several times when she drags them in to brag about the form that she gets to spend all day in. I have had to explain several times to them that this form was special because of its unusual size, and therefore it got special treatment. I have declined requests to make every form in the entire application a different bright color.

All the while, the two other developers that have seen the form have shrieked in disgust, saying things like "were you drunk?", and jokingly questioning my sexuality.

I am well aware of the standards, and place a lot of worth in their merit.

But the moral of the story: Sometimes, ya gotta do what ya gotta do.