Hi Bonnie..

Unfortunately, the public perception on this deal, which I guess had to reflect reality, was that hostility and ill-will existed between Ken and I. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. As I said to Jim Nelson, if you strip away the garbage, the essense of this thread reflects the strength and vitality of the community. I have always said and felt that if it were not for the community, Fox would have been DOA years ago. i.e., the community gave the product a shot at technical excellence and survival.

It is very important this issue move beyond Ken and I. The real issue is the impact the community has on the next release. Example: when I talked with Ken, he told me about the ? he asked the folks at LA Fox regarding when the next version of Fox should be released. This presents an unprecedented opportunity. Fox is literally becoming the people's product. In today's environment, developers often complain about how companies don't listen, how they have become disenfranchised. I don't think those comments apply in this scenario. Of course, with the opportunity comes the responsibility. That is what I focus on. I focus first on what is good, from both a strategic and tactical standpoint for the product. When I say something, I think in those terms, not whether an individual or a group of people will neccessarily like what I say. This is the position I occupy in the community. Are there times when I could take a softer approach? Yes. Of course hindsight is 20/20. However, if I do say so myself, I think I am not nearly as abrasive as I used to be.

While some may by swayed by public opinion, I won't be. For the most part, I have received positive comments and a measure of respect on this issue. It is far easier to go with the crowd and be a yes-person than to take the path less-traveled. Going forward, I will continually try to work on the words and appraoch I use. I have always relied on a candid approach so as not to run the risk of muting the point I am trying to make. People do need to get past the personal issues. When I craft a statement, it is not done with the intent of pissing people off. Rather, I am trying to convey a point that I think has value. And, as a member of the community, it is my right to do so. I take it as a mandate and a responsibility. And given the position I occupy, I think it is a valuable service.

Lastly, thank you for your kind words...



>John & Ken,
>
>< sniff >< sniff > ... that brought tears to my eyes ... nice to see you guys kiss and make up. < g > There are those that know and love you both.
>
>Seriously, though, this thread brought out a couple of good points and was well worth wading through the rants and tirades ... mostly cuz I get a kick out of the "banter"! < g >
>
>
>~~Bonnie
>
>
>>Ken...
>>
>>As always, the chaff gets separated from the wheat.....
>>
>>History has shown the you and I agree about 99.9999% of the time. Whether it is a technical or business issue, we are usually in synch. In my opinion, this has been a productive excercise. I have certainly learned a lot from it. I suspect the folks watching and participating have learned a lot as well.
>>
>>I would like to take this opportunity to first thank you for your comments regarding me on a personal and professional level below. They are greatly appreciated. In an earlier message, I commented on how I was being viewed: either fairly or unfairly as an iconoclast. Ken, there are very few people in this community who can lay claim to being an icon. You are one of them. To receive comments such as below from somebody like you, I take that as a great honor.
>>
>>I would also like to say that in the heat of the moment and debate, it is fair to say that in this thread, it would be more than fair to say that I over-reached at times. When it is all said and done, substantively, we agree on the things that count. If at any time, things seemed like they got personal, I submit that nothing personal was meant, and; I am sorry if it was taken as such..
>>
>>As Spock said to Kirk: I have always been and shall be forever your friend....I am yours and I will serve you. As a trusted advisor and counselor, I stand here, like many, to help you get the job done. Of course, in keeping with my credo of not being a yes-man butt munch < g > - when the time comes to disagree, I will do so in an objective manner. And for sure, I will not be the only one. However, those discussions will be in the province of a private forum.
>>
>>Like you, I don't expect anything like this to happen again. It must have been the result of a weird allignment of the planets and stars; a truly cosmic thing.
>>
>>As for the strategic direction of the product, there is no question that an integrated browse/read is long overdue! < vbg >.
>>
>>Time to move on! Let's get to work!
>>
>>
>>
>>>I agree with all your summary comments this recent post John. Actually, it isn't as much of what you said I was trying to re-state and clarify, but how you said it. It is obvious that I should have talked with you offline then proceeded afterwards online here on the UT to avoid the confusion. There was no need for lengthy debates on nit picking words, phrases, comments, etc., and that was mainly my fault.
>>>
>>>People that read this thread should know that John is one of the most knowledge people about VFP there is, and beyond that he knows the FoxPro community very well. I think a few comments made by each of us led to debating points. We actually agreed upon most things and discussions lengthy as we were caught up in specific phrasing and construct. Actually, I don't expect it to happen again because it was mainly an odd series of circumstances that lead to some of the messages posted and most of these types of clarifications should and will be done offline so that only accurate statements are posted online. John has always been a great supporter of FoxPro and I expect he will continue to be, especially as he and I discuss things offline and are in sync so that good useful information is posted and discussed.
>>>
>>>The result of this thread is overall probably very good since many issues as well as detailed information and opinions were discussed. Everyone should know that John has been a long time friend of FoxPro, the Fox team, and me personally. He and I don't take debates personal, and it is more constructive for he and I (and others) to discuss issues offline so that more useful postings are made online. People should know that John is a very smart guy and a supporter of FoxPro, even though he can be a tiger when it comes to debating specific points on issues and ideas.