Crappy is not the word for MSFT's marketing of VFP. It SUCKS! At one of the DevCon's several years ago I asked Robert Green about the marketing of VFP and he said that they were going improve it. All that happened was a 1 page ad in a VB magazine. Big improvement. NOT!

I know it has been said many times, but if MSFT is not going to advertise VFP then we need to. I think with the trouble that VB is going to go through with the next upgrade could be a prime opening for the red furred fox to make its move.


>David...
>
>>People have been saying that VFP has been dying since it was released.
>
>The same can be said of human beings. You begin the process of dying as soon as you are born...< vbg >... Hardly a profound statement there...
>
>
>>You can create your own reality on your views of the facts.
>
>Again, a statement of fact. We create our own realities. The question is whether your reality is generally accepted. An insane person has his own reality. Yet, it is a reality that is not accepted in general. A philosophical question does exist in that maybe the insane or sane, and the sane are really insane.
>
>Whose reality is the real reality? A question that will never can never be answered conclusively...
>
><
>My view is many companies and government agencies are going to keep using VFP for the next five years or until it is not cost efficient to do so. Then they will find another tool to get the job done.
>>
>
>Yet another statement of fact. Most companies will ring out the last bit of utility they can from software. The irony of course is that in most cases, it really ends up costing them money. This is the case because most businesses fail to attribute all of the operations and maint. costs associated with thier software.
>
>Most businesses would continue to stay in DOS if they could. The question is were do you want to be. Do you want to take charge of and direct your own career. Or, do you want to be dragged by what your clients do.
>
>For the next 5 years, you can have work with your clients that use VFP. My question - and point is what are you going to do to prepare for what happens after that. I am 35. I figure I will work another 30-35 years. My concern is not the next 5 years. My concern is the 30 years after the next 5.
>
>
>>
>As a developer, I agree with you that we need to constantly look at the options.
><
>
>This is true wisdom!!
>
><<
>Microsoft is still upgrading VFP with VFP7 being released next year and VFP8 on the drawing board.
><<
>
>Incremental upgrades at best. Hardley strategic. And for sure, nothing to help turn the tide around with respect to how VFP is marketed.
>
>
><<
>Yes, MSFT wants SQL Server everywhere and are spending tons of money on .NET. I have been saying that the Internet and SQL Server are bigger in demand than VFP.
><<
>
>Very true...
>
>
><<
>Does that mean I can’t find a VFP job and make a very good salary? No. I just changed jobs in May and had three jobs to pick from and I choose the closest one.
><<
>
>That is fine. What happens when you don't have the luxury of that "closest one"? Will you be prepared?
>
>
>>I don't agree that VFP's lot in life has been determined except in your mind.
>
>Again, we make our own realities. It is a matter of whether one is generally accepted as being reflective of what is happening around us. I will leave that question to you...
>
>
><
>I think with the .NET and next version of VFP will be an interesting time as how MSFT can pull it all together. I think VFP will be in a good position. At least better than it is now.
>>
>
>I am not sure I would hang my hat on this. You have this couched as much as it can be couched. FWIW, the words "interesting" and "good" are not synonyms. And, if VFP can be said to be in a crappy position now, not so crappy is indeed better. I ask you, are you willing to settle for not so crappy? Again, I leave this to you...
>
>
>< JVP >