Don't forget Oracle - there are usually plenty of jobs for that and you can now download it for free (to learn). It will run on a reasonable-spec PC with no problems.

I don't know which end of Devon you are in (there's no web-link for you above), but there has been a job going in Bristol for a good VFP programmer for ages (I keep getting called about it, which doesn't imply that I'm a good programmer, but as I'm in Perthshire they must be having a hard time filling the position!) - are you close enough to commute? Have you subscribed to monster.co.uk?

If you can bear it (!) you might contact Truro council - I think they use VFP.

As far as new customers go, I now write demo programs for prospective customers and then contact them, giving them the internet address of the demonstration program, and let them play with it if they want, for as long as they want. I've also been gently moving my customers towards a subscription service for their software/support to try to create a constant stream of income, rather than the usual lump and bump of large jobs and then bugger-all for 3 months. Most seem to like this.


>Advice please...
>
>After having done well for the last 8 years living in the UK countryside, working remotely for clients in-and-around big towns and cities, it appears as though my VFP 'career' is at the crossroads. Contracting is in the doldrums here in the UK (is it the same elsewhere?), and if something interesting does come-up, the client will rarely consider remote working. There are permanent positions out there, but most involve family relocation - something we wish to avoid - we've left the city and have no desire to return.
>
>I think I have been spoiled with VFP - not having to learn any other front end, back-end, report writer, etc. in order to develop top-notch database apps. I've recently added web-applications (HTML, Foxweb, ASP, etc.) to my skillset, but I'm finding most VFP vacancies additionally require one or more of Access, SQL Server, VB, etc.. I am not averse to learning new stuff, but the big question is, what? If I am going to 'invest' in numerous (unpaid) hours, I want to minimise the risk and ensure that my new skills will be in demand.
>
>I have contacted many companies I have known use Foxpro in recent years, and I am annoyed (but not surprised) at the number who have 'moved on' to SQL Server, not because VFP cannot handle their requirements, but because they were advised to (by whom? I wonder...) or were worried that VFP was 'on its way out' and no longer supported as it used to be. It annoys me because 9 times out of 10 VFP is still (IMO) the best tool for the job. I often think that if we had to pay runtime royalties for VFP, MSFT might show more interested in it, hence give it a higher profile, hence more companies would stick with it (or even discover it!). If only VFP received even a small amount of the 'push' that MSFT gives Office, .NET, XP, etc. I live in hope...
>
>Some companies I have spoken to have even moved to Access, because "it fits in with our corporate strategy"!! As Marvin Gaye said "Makes you wanna holler..." (Inner City Blues)
>
>I would also prefer working directly for end-users, rather than for software development companies whose clients are the end-users. Apart from human-networking, has anyone any ideas how to find these companies?
>("Good morning, I understand you use Access. Ever heard of Visual Foxpro? No? I am surprised. Here, let me show you what it can do... ") ;-)
>
>I guess the next logical step is to learn SQL Server, but which version to start with? MySql, the version of MSDE that comes with VFP 7, or the 'real' SQL Server (standard or personal edition?). What would be the best way to start learning - take an existing VFP app. using local views and convert to using remote views?
>
>Some components of .NET seem appealing (eg. web forms and asp.net).
>
>Which way to turn? I would be interested to hear how other Fox folk have dealt with these issues.
>
>Thanks for listening,
>
>Alan Harris-Reid