Andrew MacNeill - AKSEL Solutions

In a recent code compile of a client's application, I noticed some immediate compilation warnings pop up. The application ran fine but the errors were related to functions that exist in the ever popular FOXTOOLS library. As some background, FoxTools is a FoxPro API library that provide a wide variety of functions (mostly found in the Windows DLL) that, at one point, were not available in FoxPro (going back as far as FoxPro 2.6). Since then, every edition of Visual FoxPro has introduced new functions replacing the need for using Foxtools (to give you an idea about some of the functions that exist in the FOXTOOLS.FLL, check out this post but you can also see it by opening FOXTOOLS.CHM in your VFP Home folder). Now, when some of the functions were added into VFP, they were added using the same syntax as in the library, thereby requiring no code changes (yeah!). However, others were renamed to be more VFP like.  The one that immediately comes to mind is GETFILEVERSION() and AGETFILEVER...

Flock Browser - Flock Wins Web Award at SXSW Conference | Flock I'm not sure how many people are aware of Flock but after using version 1.1 for the past few weeks, I'm hooked.  So Congrats on winning the web award at SXSW. Yes - Flock is simply Firefox with a bunch of extensions and some additional toolbars but I do find it makes the web browsing experience a much better place. I know I typically use this blog for VFP and FoxPro items but I figure, if you're using a tool that you find useful, share it. Some key takeaways that I find extremely valuable: 1. Built-in blogging support (as I'm doing now) 2. My World - which is just like having your own home page on a portal, only it integrates with your RSS feeds, News stories, Twitter and others. 3. Built-in email. While I typically have a web email page open at all times, the email link lights up to tell me when I've got new email. 4. The People sidebar - full access to Twitter, Facebook and other services. 5. Delicio...

Many developers who want to get involved with VFPX face a bit of a challenge, especially if they've never used Source Control. (What!?!?! You've never used source control) When I started working on the Code Analyst, I used the SCCI provider within VFP but it always conflicted with my own SSC tool (SourceOffSite). There's also a TeamPrise Explorer or one built directly into Visual Studio but within VFP, I wanted something a little more, um, basic. So there's a CodePlex SC command line click, that's really easy to work with.  I'm still experimenting with it - but in the end, I think it may be the way to go. One thing to realize though is that it will give you FULL access to the VFPX project, which includes LOTS of sub-projects. I only wanted to work on the Code Analyst but as a result, I ended up getting everything. I don't think that's a bad thing because it makes it easier to really appreciate the entire scope of the VFPX project. After all, this IS the...

Craig has a fun little post about his experience speaking at MS Launch last week. "I suddenly relapsed into making the fundamental public speaking mistake: I thought it was about me!" TIP: The Top Mistake of public speaking

Doug Hennig gives some of the latest news about FoxRockx , along with showcasing the splashy new logo. At 99$ a year online and only $138 for printed and online, definitely a bargain for news and articles by some of the best writers in the community. Can't wait for the web site to be live!

Remember the Browser wars ? Jeez, back then, it really did seem like IE was the only tool that got new things done on it. (update: another interesting post back from 2003 on the whole item from Eric Sink( Nowadays, I've even foregone FireFox in favor of Flock When I see a site that only supports IE, I don't think of it as an advanced site but rather a site where the homework wasn't done properly. I still have a few sites like that and I hate them. But why Flock? a) instant blogging b) instant delicious c) built in twitter/social networking d) great way to ensure a site's compatibility e) email-link (with 1.1) f) My World home page I know it has RSS Feed support but I rely on Newsgator for that. What's really nice these days is that it isn't a Browser war. IE still owns 60% (updated - thanks Sergey80%) of the Browser world but these days, it's not about killing another browser, it's simply about a better experience. I love the fact that I can boot with U...

No....not me (yet!)...but the FoxShow just turned 50 ! After 49 not so regular episodes starting in March of 2005, we've hit 50 with hopefully the last of the rushed episodes (rootkit, rebuild, repeat as I mentioned earlier) but also with a great interview with Alan Stevens. (I had no idea he had worked with the JFAST project among others). We spoke about FoxPro, DotNet, VFPX, TDD among other things.  We had done the interview in the middle of February but because of the woes mentioned earlier, it was impossible to get a full episode out so now it's there. Unfortunately, it was a rushed episode with very little other commentary but it still comes in around 40 minutes. Hope you enjoy.

About two weeks ago, my laptop was a target of a rootkit attack and even though I got it completely cleaned up, everythihng on the machine just seemed sluggish and definitely not "work-worthy" (it was taking upwards of 2 hours to produce a 5 minute video). As a result, I decided this weekend to rebuild it from scratch ( a good practice especially on notebooks every now and then), using the original Dell CD (which was XP Home SP1). I then upgraded to SP2 and everything was good. I was going about upgrading to the Pro edition. OK - I have to activate Windows. Did that. I saw the lovely Windows hillside and ....nothing else. Reboot. You have to activate Windows....saw the lovely Windows hillside and ...nothing. Reboot. You have to activate Windows. I'm sorry you have to CALL Microsoft to activate Windows. What a joy that is. It's all automated but still what a painful experience. Even after that, Windows is already activated but still nothing. Argh! Let's retry this ...