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My perception is that VFP8 being supported until 2010 is a positive message and an endorsement by MS.
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An endorsement of what? It clearly can't be an endorsement that Fox is a viable tool for new development given the new case study.

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Innovation is only as meaningful as the solution that is trying to address.
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Tools that are not innovated are in all material respects - in maintenance mode. And as result - the perception of others will follow from that.