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VFP - Open Letter to Microsoft

Link to a letter from the international community to Microsoft. What's interesting about this and it should be noted is NOT that the team isn't doing what they can do - but rather a plea to get that channel wide open so that every FoxPro developer knows what they can do and what they should expect MS to do to help promote VFP. MS has already stated that VFP has at least 6-8 more years ahead, if not longer. Asking how long now is almost a redundant point. What is more valuable is how MS can help promote the product. For example, there was some buzz right before VFP 8 was released that MS might get some marketing materials about FoxPro into the hands of government or Fortune 500 companies. I've never seen it so I don't know if that ever happened but the Brazilian letter brings up a great point about Clipper. Many companies still think of Fox just as a replacement for Clipper. Lack of awareness? Definitely. But the issue for MS becomes this - 1. how can K...
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The Other Shoe...

Ah the joy of watching an end user use your application. Glad to see MS still does it. It's one of my favorite parts of building applications.   It isn't just about knowledge transfer from the "guru" to the "learner" - it works the other way too. I got an idea for a new feature in one product after watching my wife, Trish, simply try out a product. All of the assumptions and "learned" behavior go right out the window and instead, you're left with thinking "how can I make this process easier?" while still "how do I ensure the user is learning?".     http://radio.weblogs.com/0001011/2004/05/28.html#a7611  
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Name Validation

Here's a cool little prototype ASP.Net application that validates names. Not very complex right now but look for it to expand.   The FoxPro database behind this contains over 468,000 name definitions in it so if you can't find your name in there, it may not be a valid name. The web service for this isn't fully exposed yet as it's in beta but look for it soon.   Imagine being able to validate data entry by end-users via web services or through a COM interface. Wow! no more really silly typos!   http://69.196.214.199/ValidNames/WebForm1.aspx
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Microsoft MVPs and the Community (by John Koziol)

Great post John and a reminder as to how the MVP program first got started and why it succeeds... I think your one statement makes a very detailed point: "can anyone point to another industry where craftsmen (and women) routinely help folks who are or could be potential competitors? " If nothing else, software has proven time and time again that people all over the world can have the similar ideas at the same time and not be stealing from each other. In the area of software, provided there are no lawyers involved, it truly can be the market that decides if an idea has legs or not. The MVP program (and the communities that sprout out around it) allows everyone to learn the same tips and tricks that everyone uses. It benefits everyone. Microsoft MVPs and the Community (by John Koziol) Microsoft MVPs and the Community (by John Koziol)
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Mac Platform Endures as Apple Splits Hardware Division

Of course, the Mac platform will endure. While the iPod may be the latest "must-have" gadget, the Mac has shown that it can still turn the entire industry on its ear, especially in recent years. All of these pundits saying "Apple should get out of the desktop business" - simply don't understand why Apple succeeds. Besides, I can see there being a very legitimate reason for Apple even splitting out the iPod - the lawsuit between Apple and Apple Corp (The Beatles). Mac Platform Endures as Apple Splits Hardware Division
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