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Customers can decide if and when they need to use .NET managed code. Customers can also decide what tools they need to use for a database backend once Yukon comes out. What I am saying is that unlike Whidbey, Europa is not targeting Yukon specific applications even though there will be a fair amount of compatibility (relative to SQL Server 2000).
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On one level, you are correct in that customers can decide. On another level - I disagree to the extent that for many - change will be thrust upon them. I suspect that there are/will be a good number of Fox customers who will have to make a change. IMO, the choice for them is not whether to stick with Fox. Rather, the choice will be whether to continue with MS and go down the .NET road or to venture out into the Java world.

Personally, I like .NET and feel comfortable in the environment. Nonetheless, I do think that MS's view of the technology world will end up dis-enfranchising a good chunk of developers. And yes - I think the customers the predominately develop in Fox are such a population of customers. As time goes by, more and more MS-related options will be foreclosed to them.

Here is my take on things.... I was at my chiropractor today - and I noticed his scheduling app for the first time. The familiar wait-window in the upper right of the screen told me all I need to know...it was a Fox app. Looks to be working great and it does what the Doctor needs. I suspect this was a vertical market app - I doubt it was custom - but that really does not matter. For vertical market apps - Fox is a great way to go for a number of reasons. And yes - if I were going vertical - I would likely choose Fox over .NET - you heard it here folks!!

My point???

MS is IMO - dis-enfranchising 2 types of developers. The first is the Independent hired gun like myself and so many here. MS - in its frantic effort to "catch up" in the enterprise game - has IMO - somewhat forgotten about the developers and customers that helped MS get where it is today. The other group of developers are those that write vertical market apps for small/medium size companies. The fact is - not everything is solved via the web. There is something to be said for being able to develop something - from the services provided in one box.

No don't get me wrong....I am a believer in what .NET represents. And yes - I do think for all intents and purposes - Fox is bascially dead - but it is dead/dying for all the wrong reasons. It should die when something compelling and better comes down the pike. Maybe in the eyes of many Fox developers - .NET will get there - but in the eyes of many today - it is not there yet. And at the same time - Fox to some extent is dying on the vine - from the perspective of people on the outside looking in (perception).

I have long since given up the fight to try and get MS to promote and support Fox and the class of applications it can develop. IMO - the responses you are giving here now - with respect to VFP/Longhorn, etc - are confusing and incomplete. To this day - you guys are still trying to play the role of Switzerland (appologies to the Swiss) - by riding the fence.

< JVP >