>I had heard warnings regarding the beta versions of VisualStudio.NET against installing it on a development workstation due apparently to instabilities that could make it necessary to reinstall the OS. In other words, if you wanted to use VS.NET, put it on a different PC than the one you earn your living on.
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>Is this still a wise move now that the beta phase is over and the real thing has been released? Is it a safe product? Can I install it on my VFP7 development workstation?
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>Thanks in advance

Stan;

Call me chicken, paranoid or not trusting but I use one tool on a hard disk. My approach is one that I am comfortable with and may be a matter of my previous electronics engineering – Aero Space back ground.

I use removable hard disks for my computers and each computer has a purpose such as Server, Client and Development. Each hard disk is optimized for its intended purpose. I do not like the concept of having all my work on one machine. Yes, I back up everything! Each client has a dedicated hard disk. I have a bookcase with a storage system for the removable trays and each one is labeled with the operation system, tool and client. Operating Systems and tools go on one disk and files on another. I have not lost any sleep over this approach and if something happens it is easy enough to fix it.

One hard disk is used to test installations by using a “clean machine”. I reformat a hard disk, install the operating system and then install the application I am going to deliver. I have never gone to a customer site and had to say, “It worked at my office”! Is it the client’s fault if it does install and work correctly? Would you like to have the possibility of “add on” business and a positive client reference?

The above solution is what I am comfortable with and I do not expect anyone else to use it.

Tom