>Given that all aspects of the Fox market were exeriencing down-ticks when just about every other segments had up-ticks - I don't understand how one could reasonably conclude things will go back up. Putting the occasional upward blip aside - you are talking about reversing what has been an 8-9 year trend.

...in your opinion. You don't have anything solid to base this upon.


>Things expand or contract - there is no third direction.


It was you who first mentioned the alternative of staying flat.


>Strategically speaking, a company will invest in markets that are likely to grow. Fox does not occupy such a market.

Financially speaking, a company will not necessarily divest of products that continue to be profitable.


> FWIW, Fox is not a substitute for SQL Server. They are completely different animals.

Exactly. Different products target different segments. Otey's larger error was assuming SQL Server should be pigeon-holed into a place other products already serve well enough.

>You do realize that if a file-server based data mechanism is required, MS will advocate Access before Fox...

LOL... One more time - different products for different segments. :-) Access is an end-user database product. Microsoft moved Foxpro out of that space years ago.