George --

Although you and John have disagreed, your 'debates' have sharpened the issues, and have really helped me think through my plans. I agree that most of what has been said in these discussions -- when it comes to predicting the future -- is in the category of 'opinion'. That's why I thought up the plan I did; I believe it will prepare me well no matter what the outcome. If VFP succeeds, so will I. If VFP does not succeed, I will anyway.

Pete


>Pete,
>
>I think you've made a very wise decision in placing this out on the UT and in the conclusions you've drawn.
>
>John Petersen has brought up a number of points regarding the future of VFP. I'm not going to enter into a debate with John. He's a man of strong opinions and convictions and so am I. For that reason I'm not going to enter into a debate with him or anyone else about what I'm about to write. A lsck of response on my part, therefore, shouldn't be construed as anything other than: that's your opinion and I stand by mine. Afterall, opinions are like noses: Everyone has one. I respect John's, especially in the techinical area. However, in this one, which isn't purely techincal, I tend to disagree.
>
>What I'm going to do here is present a series of questions and answers about how I feel about what the future holds. As I've said before, this isn't a psychic hot line and what's rended here is purely opinion.
>
>Q: Will Microsoft kill VFP?
>
>A: I really don't know and my opinion is neither does anyone else have and factual evidence to indicate one way or another.
>
>Q: Should Micrsoft kill VFP?
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>A: Quite frankly. I don't know and really neither does anyone else outside of Microsoft's accountants. Prior to becoming a programmer, I spent over 15 years in business management. When I went to college, an MBA wasb't a big deal. Mostly, you earned your creditials through "the school of hard knocks". One axiom that applies is that, "You don't kill a cash cow."
>
>IOW, if the product makes money, you don't do away with it. In an earlier post, I made reference to Coca-Cola and "New Coke". What they did was kill the "cash cow". Ultimately, it was the consumers who forced "Coke Classic" back on the market.
>
>If, in this scenario, it is ultimately the "consumer" who decides, then the question must be: "Who are the consumers?"
>
>Q: OK, then: "Who are the consumers?"
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>A: The consumers aren't the users or the IT managers. The consumers are the people that buy the product. If current VFP developers don't upgrade and we can't attract new developers to take their place, then the future of the product is in doubt.
>
>Q: Sounds like you're "shilling" for Microsoft by recommending upgrading or buying the next version.
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>A: Nope!, If anything, I'm "shilling" for the product. I'm "shilling" for the developers that think VFP has a place in the .NET world.
>
>Q: If that's the case, what had Microsoft done to help?
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>A: The Ballmer video has largely been put down as "fluff". Maybe it is, but it does give the developer, or if you will, the consumer, something to point to as evidence to the skeptics of the contuinuing viability of the product.
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>Q: Should developers "feel good" about any increased visibility of the product?
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>A; Sure. Again, regardless of the overall impact of this, it gives them another thing to point to. Both in terms of Microsoft's long term commitment to the product, and evidence to their end-users that the solutions that are to be provided are viable.
>
>Q: It would seem that the developers, given the above statements, are basically the ones who will determine its future. Correct?
>
>A: Absolutely. This is, afterall, a capitalistic society. If the product doesn't make money. If it doesn't prove useful to its consumers, then it'll die. Maybe not a quick and painless death, but a death nevertheless. Fundamentally, it's up to those of us who use the product to make our livings to choose life or death. If we choose to continue to use the product to deliver on-time, easy to use, and under-budget solutions, it'll live. We're being given all the tools we need to do so. Otherwise, should we fail to continue to support the product because it can't do so...That's the bottom line.