Jim,

>SNIP>
>>I don't have a problem with you voicing the concern that there are some bugs that probably should be fixed. I agree; I'd like the Fox team to fix bugs in VFP7 too. But you really don't have a leg to stand on with this "You have forty billion, you can do what I want" crap. Just some advice.
>
>That's fine Mike. We agree on the crux of the matter. How one tries to "justify" it is irrelevant given that situation.
>My ranting about the $40+ billions is only aimed at defusing any arguments about "cost/benefit" that many like to advocate.

Did you take a large drink of Knucklehead Lager today? <g>

The very reason MSFT has that money in the bank is that they have figured out when to stop developing for the past.

IOW, they have, by all accounts, the very best understanding of the value of a dollar when compared to other companies. IOW, they have the dough and the others do not. Perhaps Wal-Mart does a better job but I don't know beans from buttermilk about their cash reserves.

Like it or not MSFT is one well run outfit. The presence of the $$ only proves this and asking MSFT to change their culture to something they obviously do not do would more than likely use up a lot of that $$.