Michael,

I can't speak for Tamar, but since you copied me on this message, I'll reply to a few points.

>The only impetus for going to this effort is the evidence that MANY people would CONSIDER signing.

I think you already have that with over 350 names at this point, and growing.

>There may be some individuals who could hope to appreciably influence MS through their own private conversations...

Yes, there are those who are doing that through private conversations and private emails. Each person should use the methods he believes will be most effective for his involvement.

>... but to the rest of us the only hope of getting through lies in acting collectively with as many signatures as possible attached to a single coherent message.

Frankly, I like the grassroots feel of what is developing over there on the wiki. It is demonstrating the breadth of VFP's usage all over the world, and is very refreshing.

>...But how do we present this to the rest of the VFP community? Shall we construct a second list of those who said "When there's a real letter, I'll read it and consider whether I'm willing to put my name to it." on UT? Should we then make reference to the existence of such a list, how many people who are on it, and how many of them are MVPs, but without listing their names?

I'd suggest that you present to the rest of the VFP community just what is developing on the wiki and not try to force some method of including those who do not sign the wiki document. You really do not need those names to make your point, and many of them may actually sign a final document. That probably becomes less likely, however, the more you pressure them.

>I'm not trying to twist your arm, Tamar, I just think that this division is not helpful.

Michael, if there really is a division, it's being magnified by your focus on it and confrontational manner of asking specific people or groups of people, in effect, "Why in the world could you possibly have a valid reason not to sign this?" This is counterproductive.

I have specific reasons that I will not yet sign the wiki page, and they have nothing to do with fear of reprisal from Microsoft. I will not discuss those reasons publicly. I have no idea the reasons others have not signed, but I doubt very seriously that fear of Microsoft is even remotely connected to it.

I have said that I may consider signing it after it is written. I suggest that you keep discussions about lack of participation private instead of issuing public challenges.

And, thanks for providing enthusiastic leadership to this grassroots effort. Take what happens on the wiki and run with it -- just please don't keep pointing to the ones who have not signed. They're all running in their own way (and it's in the same direction, but a different path).