For years I have been developing buisiness apps - starting with dBase III+ and Clipper Summer'87. Many of you have have been at it much longer.

To stay in the business requires a constant ride on the learning curve, learning Microsoft technologies in particular. No problem, until now.

While Microsoft is doing everything they can to build development communities which uses their development tools and, thus promotes other Microsoft products, they are now busy at work developing business apps for small and medium sized businesses. And guess what folks - they have $billions behind it.

In my opinion, this is pure cannibalism. They are going after the market that many of us depend on for our livelihoods. Check out the link below:

http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/030305/tech_microsoft_2.html

I will be writing many letters to columnists (and user group discussions) over the next few months detailing the implications of this new Microsoft strategy. If you think for a minute that this will not have a negative impact on your career in the long-run, you better think again.