Doug,

>>Doug,
>>
>>
>>What, in your opinion, is a suitable alternative at this point and time?
>
>
>I do not even want to go there! I strongly hope I won't need to. Oracle's Developer 2000 is kludgy, ornery, and one cannot see the code. The learning curve is straight up verticle. I guess tools can be made too visual.

Well, that' skind of why I asked. <g> I suppose if MSFT suddenly announced the end of VFP I still think we'd have a few years of transition time.

Now, let me quickly remind everyone that the folks at MSFT have announced they are already working on VFP8, which should continue the great work they are doing now.

In my own case, and since it's only fair I also answer the same question I asked you <g>, I'd most likely immediately start learning the following products.

1) SQL Server - Why> Money, leveraging current knowledge.

2) Oracle - Not for the interface <g> but for the $$ & leverage of knowledge.

3) VB - Why not? Strength in numbers. OK product but lacking local data management strengths of VFP.

4) Delphi/Kylix - Investment in the future on the desktop.

Essentially leverage 16+ years of desktop data management.