>Do you really want me to explain the differnce between VFP and SQL Server? I didn't feel like wasting my time earlier, but I will if you need it.

You're right. It would be a waste of your time.

>
>Like I said, why the integration at all? It just adds a hook to VFP developers that I thought we could pull out after we left VS.

It would be transparent to the developer.

>
>It doesn't make MS as much money if thats what you mean. It also makes the learning process easier, to learn one set of syntax and you don't even need to know what COM or ADO are.

I can do it today without ADO. I also have a wrapper class for CR. The Foxteam could do the same and hide all the COM stuff.

>Does MS want you to build apps like that? No, thats why they've got VS.NET, the complete tool for distributed programming. Guess what, VFP7 isn't in it. Why shoudl VFP7 compete with that? What does MS offer as a simple all in one tool to build either share ware or desktop apps? Access? Either that or something that isn't MS. VFp can fill a very nice void as long as you make it contained, and flexible enough to be exposed.

With integrated CR it would be contained and more flexible than what the Fox team would do.

>I think it cheapens the procuct. You show a VFP app that uses SQL Server and Crystal Reports.... hell, that could be done with some VBScript. That came free with my Web Browser!

Sure you can.. but you can't create robust desktop apps like you mention above.

>Since the VFP report writer wouldn't be enhance, it means the users should learn how to use CR (its a different syntax and methodology than the rest of the VFP) and how to deploy it. And as for "Just another tool", see my comments below.

You can do alot in CR without ever adding formulas. If you need to learn a syntax, you can use Basic, which will go along way to help you learn VB.

>
>Are you talking about the VFP Team? I was talking about SeaGate's job. I don't know how teh VFP team will be able to sell VFP at a low price (I recall Robert trying to get $VFP7 + $VS.NET = $VS6) by including ISExpress, CS, and every other third party under the sun. If we keep doing that, all we have is 4 thrid party products and a command window.

FYI, CR is no longer owned by Seagate Software. The company name is now Crystal Decisions. Their job is to provide a powerful, yet easy to use report writer that can be used in different environments.

>
>SeaGate's job is to get me and my customers to like their product. The Report writer is simple enough for me and my users right now. If anything, we could add 3 enhancments to it, and it woudl hold over most Report Writer problems for quite a while:
>
>1. Create DYnamic properties like in grids.

You can do that now.

>2. Add support for multiple detail bands

You can do that now.

>3. Better support for graphics

What exactly to you want to do? The current graphics support is pretty good.

>
>Is that asking too much? I don't know, but I'm guessing its not extreme. Will having a native VFP report writer give us more flexibility in the future? I think so, say they move VFP to all OO, woudl it be more benificial to have a consitant elegant reportwriter included, or is everything done through CR gonna be akward since it Seagate won't go out of their way to cater for VFP?

Of course not, but it's all OOP in CR now.

>If they are tightly integrated, will choosing another Report Writer in teh future break backwards compatiability or deprecciate your VFP investment?

You can add CR without removing the current report writer. And, having Crystal skills will make you more employable in the future.

>
>Using CR is great, go for it, but I don't understand the tight integration, thats all my point here is.

I thought you attended my CR presentation at Whilfest and saw just a peak at what can be done.

>
>>I'm curious. Has your views on this changed since VFP was pulled out of VS?
>
>Which views in particular?

Should CR be part of VFP or not.

>
>On a related note, when we discuss the future of VFP, I notice alot of the active debators are the MVPs or long time users that would rather keep doing what they're doing now, but sometimes you need to think about users that have never used the product before. After all, if I wanted to sell a product and make money, I would sure try and get that money from more people that currently use the product.

I absolutley think about this. If you are new to VFP, having a world class report writer that has lots of support and will enhance your marketability is a good thing.