>>IIRC Michael Asherman offers some sort of desktop manager he calls Montage. Haven't tried it though.
>
>I never quite understood what his software is for - never tried it.
>
>Nor do I have it clear, whether it is freeware or commercial.

Hi Hilmar,

I wish I could do a better job of explaining it, because I do think you are a good candidate user. Montage is not a "virtual desktop" application, although it addresses a number of the same issues: working with many windows at once and excessive screen clutter. Although I haven't used any virtual desktop programs, I get the general idea, and I would expect that Montage could be used in combination with a virtual desktop, if one were so inclined.

One of the problems with trying to explain Montage is that it doesn't fit neatly into any single category of Windows deskop utilities, but it overlaps with many: launchers, window managers, shell enhancements, shortcut managers, personal information managers, productivity tools, etc. I did update the Montage web site and documentation pretty recently, if you haven't checked. If the description seems too long-winded and confusing, you could easily download and test the program (without even having to run a full setup if you've got the VFP6 SP5 runtime already installed). You should have no trouble understanding it, and detailed context-sensitive help is available.

As to the freeware/commercial question, yes, I definitely intend to make money off of this program, but I truly don't expect to earn it from FoxPro developers! The VFP community is way too small and downtrodden to be a significant source of revenue for such a product. On the other hand, they certainly are an appropriate category of users: power users, with the added bonus of being able to appreciate some of Montage's "advanced" features. Above all, I regard this audience as a source of assistance in building and testing the product. I would value your feedback far more than any actual payment I ever expect to receive from other VFP developers.

Just in case I haven't said it clearly enough, please don't feel in any way pressured because I refuse to label Montage as "freeware". I would be perfectly happy never to receive a dime from any VFP developer who uses it and gives me some occasional feedback, or at least a pat on the back. I'd be honored if you would try it, Hilmar, and that also goes for the rest of you VFP guys and gals. Someday, perhaps, the great Sergey will check it out too, I hope, because he sure seems like a good candidate to me (SB: hint). I dare not imagine what heights of productivity could be attained but such as he!

By the way, I mentioned before that I'm working on an astronomy application (of Montage). This is still my current preoccupation, not yet ready for release, but I've created a nice page of primo astronomy references at http://www.ideaxchg.com/astronomy.htm as a by-product of this work. I hope you find some of this interesting.

Mike