>When I arrived at my current job I found the box for v5 which came with three or four good-sized manuals. My purchase of v7 seems to throw me "online" documentation which is horrible for learning purposes (not to mention a printing nightmare). has anyone received v7 manuals? What do you have to do to get them? This growing prevalence of PDF/online documentation with software in general is driving me nuts! Sort of like buying office furniture these days. It can cost hundreds of dollars yet you're left being the one who has to spend hours putting it together!

Some people, clearly like yourself, like printed manuals. Unfortunately they were no longer standard issue starting with VFP6, although I believe you could special-order them from MS for an additional fee. With VFP7 I believe printed manuals are not available at all.

VFP6 and 7 do not rely on on-line documentation, although that is certainly available via MSDN. Each comes with a standard Windows help file. It has the advantages of electronic format, i.e. searchable, includes hyperlinks, etc. I find typing HELP < command/function > in the Command Window gets me the answer faster than reaching for and flipping through a printed manual. YMMV.

It costs less money and trees to distribute help electronically. I'd like to think that, all other things being equal, the Fox Team could spend the money saved on improving the product.

I'd suggest that most people actually prefer electronic tech documentation. My understanding is that many buyers of Hentzenwerke VFP titles purchase them on-line, download them in .CHM format, then leave the printed copy in its shipping package gathering dust after it finally arrives.

IAC it's the way the world is going, and you'd be well advised to adapt ;-)