Steve,

>> I use VFP, VB, VC++, VBScript, VBA, JScript, Oracle Designer, Forte,
>> Uniface, Natural, and Assembly depending on the project.

> Wow. There's your problem, right there. It's not VFP features and
> marketing issue, it's a Daniel Rouleau features and marketing issue.
>
> Let me carefully explain :-)
>
> Most, if not all the really successful developers I've met would likely
> list 3 to 5 items max. I would list probably 2 or 3. I would guess that we
> would have a tough time finding many VFP developers who make over $100k a
> year every year and who posesses a 2+ man-year full order book ahead of
> them who would list more than 5 items. Not to say they don't exist, just
> that it's very rare and, on balance, a wonky and undesireable way to be in
> strategic terms.
>
> For example, I would never for a second consider writing VBScript or
> JScript. I know these pretty well, but I never would do work in these
> areas even if I were paid easy money to do so.
>
> Here's why:
>
> A hyper-productive developer is 10-20 times more productive than an
> average developer.
>
> A good developer is 5-10 times more productive than an average developer.
>
> Therefore, it makes abundant sense to focus on what you do really well,
> and to network away the stuff you do less well. So if you're a really
> excellent VFP developer, then it doesn't matter if you're an "ok" JScript
> developer. Don't touch the JScript. Farm out the JScript work to a
> hyperproductibe JScript developer. This way the maximum value is delivered
> with the least amount of sub-optimal screwing around. Leverage those 10
> and 20 times multpliers.
>
> That's the best way to be a really successful developer. Don't do JScript,
> but rather know and feed someone reliable who does excellent JScript (or
> Forte or Assembler or whatever). With this mindset, eventually you'll find
> yourself doing excellent projects, with excellent people, making exellent
> income.

With all due respect, I never said anything about being difficult for me to
find a contract. I have a background and skills that are very uncommon in
the programming community and I am typically assigned to project where
solutions require heuristic to solve NP-complete problems and to projects
where quality is the first, second, and third priorities. I don't normally
touch run of mill database application because I am simply not interesred in
those types of problems.

Furthermore, I stated a few times on this forum that I switched to the
IT field because I like to solve problems. If money was a primary
objective, I would not left my actuarial position and I would be easily
making anywhere within the $200K-$400K range by now. Or I would have
chosen to be a doctor's or investment fund manager and be making as much
or more. I make enough as a consultant that I will be able to retire by the
time I'm 45 if I chose to. This won't happen because I enjoy solving
problems too much and I am likely to continue working until they bury me.

On the other hand, what you said makes sense. I will research whether your
production multipliers are accurate and will farm out a lot more work if
they proved to be true. BTW, any suggested reading about this subject or
how to find a good subcontractor is greatly appreciated. My goal is to
spend a higher proportion of my time doing the things I like best. If it
leads to more money in my pocket, so be it; if not, I'm still a winner.

Thanks for your input.

Daniel