>>IMHO we can't afford to scoff and write stuff off without even looking. The world changes fast. In 1997 lots of people still said things like the above about Linux- look in the archives.
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>Yup
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>>Of my big clients who were most impressed by use of VB four years ago, *not one* is particularly impressed today. They perceive risk, forced hardware updates, service packs that tie up expensive staff and general bloat. Who knows what dotNET will bring.
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>Yup, Yup
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>>IMHO if people want to learn a new language, it might be wise to consider something that definitely does linux and/or removes any chance of vendor capture and abuse. Certainly we of all people should understand that lesson.
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>Yes
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>>My advice (if anybody is interested) is STAY PRODUCTIVE. If you have a living in VFP, don't abandon it now to pursue new tools in an environment of uncertainty and risk. You can afford to wait and see- anybody moving to dotNET has a BIG learning curve no matter where they come from and you can be up there with the best of them next year when it is clearer whether it is a good idea to shift.
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>Good advice
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>>If I had to name a cool dev tool now, I'd still say VFP, but I'd put Delphi up there above VB as well. Despite a previous *dreadful* experience I'd take another look at Java as well. IMHO, of course.
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>Yes. Any language for future Linux app dev is high on my list.

I don't know about putting too much stock in Delphi. I'm sure it's a great product and all but where does it stand in the web development arena?

In terms of LINUX, I would think that PHP and MYSQL would be the way to go (if not Java technologies) but Delphi? I'm just not seeing where the market is with this product.

I think going into non-Windows platform technologies is an excellent idea but I don't see learning Delphi as a means to that end.