Hi Hilmar,

So the whole economic infrastructure makes it difficult to purchase VFP and other software. OK, another question if you don't mind: Do you think the price makes a big difference in whether or not someone is going to purchase or copy VFP?

>>One more question <bg>. How do most developers obtain VFP? Seems to me that at $240 per client job, VFP must be proportionately very, very expensive. Please bear in mind this is personal curiosity only....are illegal or grey market copies used a lot?
>
>The situation in Bolivia, I believe, can be extrapolated to most developing countries. Perhaps 3 years ago, the BSA (Business Software Alliance; www.bsa.org) started to push for legal software, investigate companies, place appropriate ads, etc. Before that, even large companies had most of their software pirated.
>
>The transition is not complete yet; like any transition, it requires time, and lots of education is still required. For instance, people tend to think that everything that can be downloaded from the Internet is free software. Prime example: the trial version of WinZip, which many people use. This lack of knowledge is surprising, because the users get a relevant message each and every time they start WinZip.
>
>And yes, indeed, the cost of Visual FoxPro, Microsoft Office, or other popular programs can easily be several times a monthly salary, in a developing country.
>
>Hilmar.