I did not know that Bill needed government appoval to acquire Digital Researchs' DOS and Xerox's GUI and then enhance them!

>I agree you that something better should be done in order to protect customers against poorly written software.

VFP Development is moving towards quality. We had a few shakey moments in the mid and late 90's. But most of our stuff is getting pretty cool. For a while it seemed the hacks were going to bury us - but we're getting better - and VFP is starting to get some respect!

>And then we get into another old debate: if you don't like MS operating systems, why you buy them (from all the MS products I know, I only like VFP, SQL, and Excel)? Sometimes because we have no other option, and the US government has been unable to demonstrate in court (or maybe MS money is more powerfull than courts) that it is in fact a monopoly and that it does not contribute to the evolution of the economy.

I agree with you! I was ecstatic when I heard rumors that the "settlement" would split MS into OS and Application divisions. MSNBC helped reverse that! I forgot how much I deplore NYC news!

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>>So - if I hire a MS certified programmer, and she mangles a project, looses me a customer, and places me in jeoprady - I can sue Microsoft and the certification body?
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>>If your answer is not yes - then wheres the value. You buy a certifed car - it farkles - you can exercise remorse and sue to have it replaced. You buy a certified professional - all you can do is fire her, and then wait for notices from the ex-customers attornies'!:-).