(snip)
>
>You insist on implying that if large numbers of people sign an open letter MS will be persuaded to spend money marketing VFP *this time around*. The way I see it, it's MS product and it's MS money and no matter how much we rant and rave no money-spending decision will ever come out of this.
>
>Again, if RG's comments are any indication the only issue before us that we *might* be able to influence is the decision to include or separate VFP from VS. The marketing issue is critical, but I don't see how an open letter helps things there.
>
>I have no problem in you and other people that have added their names in pursuing the noble effort, just don't get upset when people don't go along. Your implication that we need an excuse for not agreeing with you and that my opinion is a "weaker subchoice" tells me that you are riding a very high horse at this time.

JCF,

I think you have me wrong on a number of counts. I don't think Microsoft needs to spend a cent to remedy this problem. Let's hope we can influence more than just the question of what box to bury us in. This isn't a "noble" effort, although it may be a valiant one. I'm not pretending to be on some altruistic mission. I just happen to resent Microsoft's persistent, blatant stupidity that is endangering my livelihood for no good reason. A apologize if I misled you with a poor choice of words in saying a "weaker subchoice". I honestly didn't mean that in a disparaging way. I only meant to say that it was never my intention that people who say Yes should feel that they are signing on to the greater commitment of "I support this idea, and I'd be glad to participate in the writing if enough other people showed an interest." I added that simply as my own personal comment that accompanied my vote. People started adding their names to the list at that point, not choosing to supply their own distinct comments. Notice that I did not say, "and I think this effort is likely to succeed", because I truly don't know if I believe that it will. So please, if you would feel more comfortable making some different qualification, be my guest, although it would appear that you have already demonstrated your willingness to participate in a discussion about it. Unless you really wouldn't even consider signing some such letter, I think your name belongs somewhere under Yes. Otherwise it belongs under No, again with any qualification you'd care to add. I don't see any good reason to not state your position in this poll if you have any interest in the future of Visual FoxPro, unless you're either a Microsoft employee, or a very shy person.

Mike