Leandro,

I think that Microsoft provides fair support to VFP. The problem is not with the fox, the problem is that fox programmers continue to push client/server or even file/server system architecture, while the all contemporary enterise development is around webportal-based service-orinted architeture. The C#, PHP, Java, CF, etc. programmers adopted it - and they are in demand with their corresponding tools. Microsoft also pushes this architecture and thus programming communities which support it are natural participants in this process. Can Fox do it too - YES, and it has many advantages over other tools, but it is up to developers whether to upgrade their skills to new architecure or not.

Developers could start using C# or Java to develop using client/server too - and you will see a demand for such developers will diminish, together with these tools. Whan I want to say - it is not the tool! And it is not the marketing - regardless how much $$$ Microsoft would put to promote C#, if developers will use it for client/server projects, all these efforts are useless.

Look at PHP - nobody markets it, there are no Microsoft or IBM behind it, and it is popular. Technologically, VFP could beat it very easily in many aspects of web development. But... there are millions of PHP programmers and community is growing - only because PHP is used in a right way, i.e. to build webportal-based data-driven systems using service oriented applications, and not the cllient/server or file/server systems.

I would compliment your open letter with another one, this time providing support to Microsoft, commiting VFP developers efforts to migrate to service-orineted arhitecture.

Igor.