>Ok, now that I've met with my client here's some additional information (and, of course, another question).
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>The client definitely does not have the physical space nor budget for supplying both Macs and PCs, and there are other applications/business reasons that require a Mac platform. Their current support guy is not supportive of the VirtualPC route so I'd like to get some information (PROs and CONs) of running a VFP app under VirtualPC. Additionally, where can I get info on what's required (operationally) to run VirtualPC (e.g., how do you start it up, can you have it start automatically, any impact of running VirtualPC while multitasking with other Mac OS apps, etc.). Basically, how does it flow as far as the user's experience?
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>Any info will help... they are actually wanting to have this app re-written in FileMaker Pro... Would like to save at lest one FP app from extinction!

Does their support guy have any experience with current versions of VirtualPC? I had no experience with older versions running on OS9 or earlier but I understand it was a kludge so it's not surprising he might not like it. I have seen the current version (with the XP Pro option) running on OSX and it's quite slick. A window appears on the OSX desktop that contains the XP Pro desktop. This is not some look-alike - it is XP Pro, you effectively have an XP Pro workstation available in a window on your OSX desktop. You install and run Windows apps through this desktop/window just like with a real workstation.

The MS info page (and demo) at http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/virtualpc/virtualpc.aspx has a good overview.

As I said earlier, regarding multitasking OSX does it well. I've personally seen a G4 multitask native OSX apps, Classic (OS9) apps and VirtualPC all at once without any problems. However, as I also said earlier I have no experience running VFP on VirtualPC.

One possible downside to VirtualPC is that it isn't dirt cheap. Ingram Micro lists Virtual PC 7.0 w/XP Pro at C$320 which is about US$255. However this is still likely to be a lot cheaper than rewriting the app in FileMaker Pro (unless there are lots of workstations).

Another interesting issue is that VirtualPC users shouldn't use that VM to access the Web or handle e-mail unless they are willing to install patches and install and maintain an anti-virus program on that VM (e.g. Windows version of Norton, etc.). Yes, the VirtualPC VM can be infected by viruses, worms, etc. A lot of Mac users are complacent that way and are not good candidates for doing the maintenance work and defensive computing practices Windows users are accustomed to.

Some Mac shops are "Mac bigots" and don't want to be "tainted" with any MS applications. If that's the case, selling VirtualPC there would be more of a cultural issue than technical. If they want to switch to FileMaker, that will take some time. In the meantime some key users could get VirtualPC and run the Fox app. As we all know, there's nothing more permanent than a "temporary fix" ;-)