Michael..

The issue you have brought up, at least as I see it, is marketing. Microsoft including VFP in its electronic newsletters, etc to me, does not count as marketing. I suppose the point is debateable.

For a long time, Msft at times has neglected to include VFP in these sorts of outlets. I for one don't see the big deal. As for the connection you make between not doing these sorts fo things - exluding VFP at times and the need to take VFP off the market, I don't see that at all...

As for Msft's self-imposed PR ban, I don't see that either. VFP is marketed and has the PR it needs to have. Again, VFP is a product that does not need to be marketed. The folks that use or are likely to use the product are already reached. Spending more money equates to the law of diminishing returns kicking in.

As for Msft investing in the product, they do and they do improve the language. This community, unlike other developer communities, is lead by the developer community. If resources are to be made available, while the effort may initate from the Msft, the work product will be produced by the development community. If for one like this. The difference that developers can make is immediately seen.