Allan,

>Doug,
>
>>Allan,
>>
>>>>>No mention of FoxPro at
>>>>>
>>>>>http://msdn.microsoft.com/products/
>>>>
>>>>I'd say "great catch" but IT STINKS!!!!!
>>>
>>>I agree, IT STINKS, but of course there will be some here to label those of us who agree with that statement as whiners and/or complainers. I think that speaks volumes of where VFP stands in the pecking order. Not complaining - just being a realist.
>>
>>I'm curious. What are you going to do about this? IOW, in your mind, how does a 'realist' react to this position?
>>
>>The reason I ask is that I also think that I am being a realist in that the product is still 'out there', there is already a 'next version' in the works, VFP has now officially by Microsoft been suggested as a better choice (I think there's more of this to come but let's wait & see) - but do you remember people saying that not even that would happen? And all those who not much more than two weeks ago who said that that would never happen are suddenly complaining about something else!
>>
>>I do believe that I and several others were roundly snickered at when we asserted that this very thing would happen. Who was right? We were. The product is moving forward. I don't say that to embarass you or anyone else but to remind you of what has already been said before. Which group, the 'half full' or 'half empty' were more accurate factually? I'd say the 'half full' group given today's announcement, wouldn't you?
>>
>>I just think to myself, "Hey, wait a minute! Sure we all know that every product has some sort of 'shelf life' INCLUDING VISUAL FOXPRO!, and I'm more than willing to admit that more can be done but why can't others at least admit that what has been done is indeed a positive step?"
>>
>>Does that make sense?
>>
>>Do you think that what has happened is a positive step?
>>
>>I agree that more needs to be done but do you believe that what has happend is a positive step? I dare say that if you cannot bring yourself to admit even this publicly that your issue is one of attitude, not reality.
>>
>>I apologize if I sound like I'm being harsh. I am not sitting here all mad or anything. I admit to being a little frustrated that there seems to be no give whatsoever in your position and that strikes me as strident, to say the least, and stridency seems, well, unrealistic. IOW, it just seems to me that a healthy and positive response to this is to assess it and move on as best as one is able. Have you thought about calling someone or writing a letter perhaps?
>>
>>Again, is what has happend so far a positive step and what are you going to do in response?
>>
>>I am, as I've said before working very hard each day to create what I hope will be an application of such impact as to get enough public notice so as to help influsnec those very decision makers you seem so determined to believe have some sort of product death-wish - or at least it appears that way....
>>
>>I just don'r see evil motives here. Business decisions? Sure but no evil motives...
>>
>>Someday Visual FoxPro will die! Just not today. <g>
>
>I've learned to not take anything you say personally. Actually, I've learned not to take anything said in this or any other forum personally that isn't said directly to my face. One thing I always try to do on this forum when replying to a 'touchy' issue (I may not succeed every time) is ask myself this question after I have drafted the first attempt at a response... Would I say the same thing if the person was standing in front of me? Often times, that has caused me to change the tone of my response. Because of course, that does make a difference in the real world - why should replies in this forum be any different? (I'll have you know that I was referred to as a 'goon' over the public airwaves during my junior hockey days 20 some odd years ago <g>)

That's good to hear because I've meant nothing personal at all. I just get puzzled at what some of the folks have said. If the future is as bleak as they seem to think why not just go and do what they think is a better path.

I mean, when I discovered I could cut more lumber with a Skil saw I didn't spend all my time worrying about the demise of hand saws. <g>

>
>I'm not going to question that you are a 'realist'. You just don't seem to let it bother you that MS is content to let VFP whither on the vine. I say - Good for you!!! Go ahead and develop your killer VFP app and make millions. That would be a good thing for all of us. I certainly will continue to try my best to do good things with VFP - but occasionally I get very weary of having to continually defend VFP as the development tool in a situation where it is a perfect fit.

I guess I just don't see VFP withering as much and or as fast as you seem to think.

I must be fortunate to not have to defend VFP - though I have been in a project 'slimed' by the Gartner Group. Not fun..<g>

>
>So, Doug, as I mentioned in the marketing thread, when some pointy-headed consultant hired by a company considering your product gives it the thumbs-down not because of the usefullness of your software, but because he thinks VFP hasn't been around for years (perhaps because he hasn't heard it mentioned anywhere) - maybe, just maybe, you'll be a realist and you'll also be a little bit pissed.

We're fortunate in that we don't deal with the likes of people like that. We have some 1600 people already using our application and, quite candidly, they could care less what development tool we use as long as they can do their work.

>
>Of course I'm happy about VFP7 - I've been working with the Beta for some time now and think it is a terrific product. Why do you think myself or anyone else who not been content with the 'apparent' lack of meaningfull marketing of the imminent release of VFP7 have voiced our opinions. Is it because VFP is a lesser product than VB or Access - if it was then we probably wouldn't care so much.

?? I don't think that you think VFP is 'lessor' at all. I also think that those who see the 'half full' side here very much are of the opinion that VFP is a great product. That's what confuses me. If the product is so good why (apparently) 'give up' so easily? You may think me stubborn to the point of willful myopia but I see it more as a difference between the proverbial ham & eggs. The chicken was involved and the pig was committed. <g> I intend to see this product succeed. If it soedn't then I'l move on but I'm for darned sure not giving up now.

>
>VFP is a damned good tool - still my favorite. However, because of the "way things are" - I have spent the last year immersing myself in VB. I like VB, but still prefer VFP. But if VB (and Csharp, etc. ,etc., yada-yada-yada) is the wave of the future - I will be at least semi-ready. And guess what, I won't have to spend any time whatsoever explaining why I developed the app using VB.Net...

I think that learning VB is a great 'path' and I most certainly wish you well in your endeavors. Please don't confuse me taking a different approach as somehow picking on you or ortherwise insinuating what some seem to think I am insinuating. I just think that this product has a brighter future than some others seem to have.

That's really all I'd think.

I may have missed it but I must have missed your answer. Do you think that what happened today is a positive series of events for FoxPro?

Thanks again.