>> There are many more qualified candidates than myself to author such articles,
>
>There are more qualified candidates than myself to write articles as well, but they still seem to publish my drivel in various places. Make it technically accurate and let the editors sort it out.
>
>>However, I can't in good conscience encourage someone to undertake this kind of writing at their own expense, while Microsoft persists in conspicuously omitting appropriate mention of VFP at every turn. Those omissions undercut the whole effort, suggesting that one's time would be better spent looking into VFP alternatives.
><snip>
>
>It simply will never be enough, will it, Michael? You complain that your conspiracy theory is proven by the lack of VFP articles in MSDN magazine, and when I call your bluff, you say you couldn't encourage someone to write an article for that same magazine. I don't know why I waste my time reading these threads.
>
>> I appreciate your suggestion and offer to help get some articles published, but I'd rather you exerted all of your influence on the editors of MSDN to elevate VFP from the MUCH, MUCH MORE category to an explicit mention by name.
>
>If there aren't any VFP articles, this will never happen. Start typing.

Mike,

There's something slightly absurd about commanding me to write an article to promote Microsoft's product, at my own expense, on a topic about which I assure you I am eminently unqualified. If someone wants to pay me to learn about SQL Server and VFP's related features, and then to write the article, I'm all ears. Otherwise, please understand that I am self-employed, and I have neither the time nor the inclination to spend my energy this way.

I said I can't in good conscience encourage someone to undertake this kind of writing at their own expense, while Microsoft persists in conspicuously omitting appropriate mention of VFP at every turn. You dropped that very important qualification. My point is that these omissions are so damaging as to make all other marketing efforts a waste of time. I'm not eager to enter a marathon race with ten pound weights strapped to my ankles.

Someone else may judge it to be worth their time, and I went out of my way to offer what guidance I could to suggest some specific topics that seem strategically appropriate. Does that sound like a bluff?

Maybe you're right that the articles would help to inspire MS to give VFP a fair billing. Conversely, giving VFP a tiny bit of PR would inspire the VFP community to write still more articles. It seems to me that this has been a bit one-sided to date. Surely there are alreasy some articles and web pages already ripe, indeed long overdue, for references in Microsoft's PR vehicles.

I'm not a conspiracy theorist, because I really don't give a damn why Microsoft has this screwy attitude about VFP. Conspiracy or not, Microsoft could easily change its behavior, and that is the only thing this is about. The question is not what can I or anyone else do for Microsoft, it's what will Microsoft do for itself and its own customers.

Mike