Yes, this may come as a shock, but it is true, I resigned my position as Technical Editor of FoxPro Advisor Magazine.

Now for the why...

It has to do with commitment to change. I could not say it any better than the folks that commented here with respect to how they perceive FoxPro Advisor. The following descriptors apply:

Old, Stale, Tired, and Technologically Irrelevant

My series of comments on the Visual Basic articles in FPA summed up my disdain for the magazine.

When Advisor approached me, they gave the appearance of being committed to shaking things up in FPA. As time has gone by, it is clear that the status quo is what is of real interest. I told Advisor that unless they were serious about change, I was not interested in working for the magazine.

Perhaps Advisor’s real goal was to put a muzzle on me. Well, if you know anything about me, you know that would be a total EIF (Exercise in Futility).

FPA’s number one mission needs to be in building a bridge between yesterday and tomorrow for the Visual FoxPro Developer. How VFP fits into component-based development, Win2K, Visual Studio 7, etc. Even the most die-hard traditional VFP developer in the world that picks up FPA wants to learn something new in the pages.

Again, it is clear that Advisor is not really committed to embracing change. For starters, they kept a significant part of the old regime in place. If you are serious about making changes, you start at the top. After 8+ years, I felt it was time for a change in management. Yes, there were some changes. However, those changes did not go far enough IMO. There are too many differences of opinion to reconcile between the old/current editorial staff and myself. Instead of digging in for a protracted battle, I decided to punt.

In the last 6 months, I have had time to re-evaluate my career goals. For some time now, I have contemplated the study of law and how it relates to the world of technology. Well, the time has come for me to act on that dream. In the spring of 2001, I will be attending the Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware in the part-time evening program. In the grand scheme of things, while I would have liked to make a contribution to the community by helping to make FPA a better magazine, I realized it was a fight I could not win. Moreover, it was a fight not worth fighting. I have had my fair share of battles. It is time for somebody else to take up the cause.

With that in mind, the May NO conference in all likelihood will be the last VFP show for me as a speaker. The balance of the year will be devoted to my consulting practice, family, and law school preparation.

I will still to continue to hang out on the UT!! :)

To those of you that gave me words of support, thank you very much.