>I just recieved an invoice from our IS department for 3200.00 for 3 MSDN subscriptions. They said that is the only way now to get from VFP8.0 to VFP9.0. Has MS decided to not sell VFP9.0 new? I can't imaging that 3 VFP9.0 licenses would exceed 3200.00. Is this really the only way to go? Are there features of MSDN that may be worth having one license?

Heya Quinn.
Current Version is 8 - so since 9 is not out yet - it will be coming in [one way] via a MSDN U subscription.

1067 per unit is not a bad price for MSDN U .

So ? If you get 3 in (lets assume today) - you have 3 licenses for VFP 8 PLUS 3 licenses for VFP 6 PLUS 3 licenses for VFP 7 PLUS 3 licenses for VFP 9 [once it ships]. Thats not a bad price for all of those versions, as a combined 'purchase'.

But there are other ways to purchase VFP.
Unfortunately MS makes it hard - Jim Eddin(g)s wrote here of his issues with getting in VFP through the channel [from MS to distributer to reseller].

I'm sure Boise Cascade has a large volume purchase agreement with someone for MS products - and perhaps your IS folks could not find the proper SKU # for VFP 8 ? In any event - if this is a recent purchase - you are money ahead and license count ahead. Just wait a bit until 9 is set with RTM date - then you should see it in the MSDN U download area within a week.

AS IT IS NOW - there is no MS SKU # for VFP 9. AND since no SKU #? It is not in the wholesale channel. Which means its not in the distributor channel. Which means its not in the Reseller Channel.

PERHAPS MS will make a SKU # NOW for VFP 9 - that would save them some time in getting it out the door. The last time with the VFP 8 release? Was TOO ABYSMALLY LONG from the RTM date to the date that one had a SKU # avail for purchase at a distributor. [then again - perhaps MS will NOT make a SKU # for 9 until after VFP 9 is actually past its RTM date].

As to 'other' things in MSDN ? If you purchased the Universal Version - GEEWHIZBANG-go - you just got everything MS puts out. Everything. Did I mention is Everything ?


FWIW - IF MS make a SKU # for VFP 9 this quarter or next quarter - then it MIGHT BE POSSIBLE for places like foxtoolbox.com to take preorders in the 3rd quarter of this year and be able to ship as soon as VFP 9 comes out.

mondo regards [Bill]