Dean,

>>>>I'd think in your case you'd be better off sticking with VFP.
>>>
>>>I think you're right.
>
>
>>Hey.. Want to start an argument over this???
>
>What's there to argue about?:)

Nothing - which makes for the perfect argument.. <g> (just kidding of course)

>As I see it now, the only good thing about MSDE is that its free. I guess that's better then nothing.

I dunno.. I think you can get a fairly good sense of how SQL works and for a lot of folks that's a good thing. Remember, Oracle still owns the lion's share of 'big iron data engines', and I think rightly so. Microsoft understands that they need to get people aware of SQL and I think that's also the right approach. Kind of like the old Apple + school Apple II arrangements where schools would get free Apple II's and that helped boost Apple sales. IOM if MSFT's ever going to gain on Oracle they will have to have a better product and better marketing. It's going to be a slugfest (again IMO) but I see that as the future. I think we VFP developers should take the time to get proficient in SQL as soon as possible.