>Tried to find a manual for VFP 7.0 in MS Press and not only could I not find one, but the search did not even come up with the Programmer's Guide for version 6.0, a book I know exists because I have it.
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>I believe the directive from Bill is, hide VFP and all products other than .NET from all but the most determined programmers. Eventually they can stop development because "there is no interest". Cheez! I wonder if those of us that have invested a lot in learning this wonderful tool would have a case for suing MS for afecting our livelihood.
>
>What do the lawyers here say?
>
>Alex

Hi Alejandro,

I can confirm that there is a sudden dearth of VFP-related books, having recently scoured the shelves at Wordsworth in Harvard Square. A few years ago, they had a whole VFP section. Now there's not a single title to be found.

I'm no lawyer, but I think the strongest argument one could make is that Microsoft appears to have pursued a systematic pattern of deceptive pseudo-promotion of VFP aimed at destroying all significant competition in the mid-range DBMS marketplace. It could also be argued that this behavior has done substantial, quantifiable financial harm to Microsoft's customers who have been deceived over the years by these practices. But I would expect that the issue of punitive damages, broader anti-trust ramifications, and negative PR value might weigh more heavily in the outcome of any such lawsuit.

Mike