Nancy,

Yes, I was one of those unfortunate ones that got an international version. In fact my box was shipped without the 2 MSDN CD disks. All I had was the VFP 6.0 disk. No manuals and no menu help. I was extremely disappointed. And as always, people on the UT helped out, and told me to go back an arrange the MSDN disks that had been left out.

I agree with you. It is great for users to have access to the MSDN library, and it is great be able to use any Help file that one has access to. But spare a thought for the new user of VFP:

Example: Yesterday I installed a copy of VFP 6.0 (only my second installation in about 2 years) onto a new computer. (During the installation, there was no mention about Help files). After the installation, there was no menu help at all (all greyed out). Now imagine what effect this has on a new user.

I myself have only been using VFP 5.0 up till now, and although I have had VFP 6.0 for almost 2 years, have hardly used it at all. (Partly because I was put off by having to install all of MSDN just to get VFP help). Since I remembered that there were help file problems when I first installed VFP 6.0 many months back, I was able to go to UT and do a search. (I found loads of posts from people that had encountered similar ‘help installation’ problems. Proof that I was not alone) I found many replies saying that one needs the Foxhelp.chm file. After doing a search I found it on MSDN disk 2, and copied it across. Help was there, but there was no help index of commands. I read some more UT posts. Then I found a reply that said one needs Foxhelp.chm and Foxhelp.chi. I found the Foxhelp.chi on MSDN disk 1, and copied it across. Finally I had something I could call VFP Help.

My point? Who needs all of this unnecessary hassle? Why could they not have made help part of the standard installation. The Foxhelp.chm (6.9Meg) file and the Foxhelp.chi (0.48Meg) could easily have fitted onto the VFP 6.0 CD disk.

Don’t get me wrong. I am a huge fan and supporter of Foxpro, and have been since version 2.0 back in the days of DOS. In fact I am one of those that only use Foxpro (I know, I should be learning other technologies) That is why I did not like being forced to install all of the MSDN baggage from 2 CD disks, just to get VFP help, because I only use Foxpro.


Unfortunately I am one of those that does not get the Beta’s, so I would not know if it had help or not.

The great news is that as you were replying to my post, Tamor has posted and said that installed help will be there in VFP 7.0. This is great news for myself, all Foxpro users, and all potential new users.

Thanks for your replies and interest, which I always appreciate. I am really looking forward to getting my hands on VFP 7.0.


Regards