Michael,

>>>>Where did you get the idea that MSDN magazine doesn't pay its writers?
>>>
>>>You mean enough to cover a part of the purchase price of SQL Server, right?
>>
>>I believe MSDE is still a free download (it may be called SQL Serve Personal or Dev, or something).
>
>So much for my little attempt at levity. The point is that (correct me if I'm wrong) an article might yield a few hundred bucks, but it would probably take me a solid month to go from my present state of ignorance to creating this hypothetical work. I don't expect the payoff to be worth the effort, especially since this stuff is not exactly on the tip of my tongue. Learning the ins and outs of SQL Server would be a valuable skill, but it doesn't happen to be high on the list of things I'm personally inclined to dive into at this moment.

You have completely missed the point it seems.

If you are unwilling to take the time to learn about SQL - even when you can get a free copy for the time it takes to download, you are not demonstrating the kind of professional attitude that is the platform that gives you the credibility to carry any weight in your other endeavors. How many people do you think will even give you the time of day with respect to your letter-writing campaign when they know you're unwilling to even go to bat for yourself??

Cripes, I usually spend several thousand dollars a year buying books, software, hardware and so forth - and I'm currently a W2! Why?? Bevause I need to be responsible for my skill set and the world's not going to give me the time of day if I don't. I think right now I have about six feet of books I need to read. That's if they're all stacked up. <g>

If you can support yourself with your VFP skills you obviously have the ability to progress. I'd really encourage you to so do. Pay the price.

>
>I presume there are plenty of folks for whom this kind of writing would be a piece of cake, probably yourself included. My suggestion is that a qualified candidate be encouraged to step forward and produce the article. Microsoft's willingness to supply a little of the requested PR would be an inducement that costs them nothing. Offering some significant compensation to the author would surely help. If Microsoft takes those kinds of actions, I have every confidence that the FoxPro community will willingly supply the rest of whatever it takes to get the job done.


Why does it always seem to be someone else's responsibility with you?

*sigh*

What a waste...