Allan,

>>
>>No doubt that there should be some marketing efforts. Let's see what the folks at MSFT do in the next month or so. IOW, let's at least give them a chance to show us what they think is best before we start criticizing them. That's what has been bothering me - a sort of pre-emptive panic. <g>
>
>I made a few comments in this thread last week and I haven't noticed any 'panic' in any of what I've read - just a sense of disappointment (and perhaps a bit of anger) that VFP gets little or no respect - largely because it is virtually ignored by the MS marketing machine. I'll be the first one the tip my hat to MS if they made a sincere effort to market 7.0 - I just don't have any confidence that it will happen.
>
>Have a look at the VFP home page http://msdn.microsoft.com/vfoxpro/default.asp - you 'll see an advertisement to attend Tech-Ed 2001 and get .Net Beta 2 - what an incredible offer! No mention, at least on the VFP home page - of the soon to be released VFP 7. Need any more be said?

Well, look..

Here's how I see this.

1) The product will continue.

2) The product will not continue.

With or without the marketing.

I dare say that the folks at Microsoft knows our thoughts and feelings here, don't you think? ANd, just to make sure you know, I'd like to see more monies spent on real marketing. <g>

Now, do you see any other choices? If you do, I'd very much like to know what they are.

Ok.. If you can accept that then the next question that (in both cases) I'd like to have you answer if you dould is this:

What are you going to do to respond to this?

All I'm really interested in is the simple answer to that question. I'd like to know.

Not to pick on you but here's what I'm seeing. I see a few folks, who ostensibly are currently making a pretty good living with FoxPro. I see these same folks concerned enough about what they perceive as a fading future for FoxPro so staing here on the UT. I see them persistently and consistently responding to folks like myself, who believe other than they do, responding with their perception that VFP's future is fading.

I can accept that they think this way but what I do not understand (and why I'm curious about your answer) is why in the world are they doing this?

I have a couple possible answers which I'm trying to determine if they are reasonable or realistic. If I thought VFP was fading the very first thing I'd do is just go learn the product I had determined was going to succeed FoxPro, not tell everyone else. That would take away my competitive advantage by giving away my advantage, right?

So.. What's the rationale for spending so much bandwith trying to convince people of their position as opposed to just acting on it?

1) These folks need me to validate their view so they can feel better about themselves. Ain't going to happen as they should carry their own emotional water.

2) They are being noble and are trying to help. Ok.. Some folks are motivated by noble reasons and I appreciate it. Now, having said their piece what are they doing about it? I'd like to know so I can do the same.

I personally believe the product will continue. As such I plan to continue to develop in FoxPro.

Is it any more difficult than that do you think?

I'm really very much interested in your answer as I must confess to being a little confused as to why those who obviously feel so strongly just don't go do what they think is the next best step. Why spend so much time trying to convince me?? It's kind of like the athiest who seems to resent the fact that I believe in God and spends so much time and energy over it. Why bother? Do they really need to use me to make themselves feel that way about themselves or do they really not believe what they say they do and are just trying to convince me to validate their position?? If they really believe their position, just act on it.

Makes no sense, if you see my point.