Hentzenwerke to Stop Publishing Visual FoxPro Books 2

[dunc0029]

Everyone may already have heard this, but I thought I would post it since I didn't see it in this forum yet. Disappointing news - excerpt from

http://www.hentzenwerke.com/indexwhymoving.html:

As a Fox developer, opportunities have been dwindling for a decade. Virtually all development work now is in upgrades and maintenance - I haven't heard of a new project being started in VFP in years.

The opportunity for Fox book publishers disappeared in 1996, when the last book by a publisher other than myself was released. Since then, the only books for the product have been produced by a guy whose office is in a spare bedroom in his house. In 2004, that opportunity has disappeared even for me, as we will be producing no more Fox books other than those already in the works. The market is simply not big enough any longer.

Fox conferences have also tanked - DevCon attendance has gone from nearly 3,000 in the mid 90's to 375 last year. Of the nine conferences that were held last year, only four are going to be held this year.

 

[jimoo]

Yes, I think most of us have seen this. As for myself, I am still taking a wait and see kind of approach to his article. Linux, and open source.

Whil brings up some valid points, but also shows a lot of emotion - some of it negative.

Usually, it's not a good idea to openly name-names or companies. I guess if you're going to burn a bridge, why pussy-foot around, use a flame thrower.

VFP books will survive. It's a free market. If Whil doesn't publish them someone else will recongize the opportunity.

Just my thoughts - but as Whil stated, "You're free to agree, or to disagree"




Jim Osieczonek
Delta Business Group, LLC

http://www.deltabg.com

 

[GriffMG]

Personally,

I think they have a point.

In the oil industry we (as VFP programmers) would be termed 'off plateau'.

But do not get disheartened, cobol programmers went OP about 20 years ago - there are still cobol jobs.

Clipper programmers (I'm one) were declared extinct about 10 years ago...

We have about 5-8 years to go... two versions of VFP?

Regards

Griff
Keep [Smile]ing

 

[EzLogic]

GriffMG, I am clipper guy my self. I still support my 50+ clients who have clipper apps.

I moved to VFP couple of years ago. I guess i have another 10 years in VFP



Do you have Valkyrie by chance?

Ali Koumaiha
TeknoSoft Inc
Farmington Hills, Michigan

 

[GriffMG]

Hi Ali!

I started two new VFP projects this month.

I do not think VFP is dead quite yet!

I still maintain my clipper apps.

Although, I have moved the most important one to xbase++!

That said, the user still has a couple of hundred clients running windows 98 with the clipper variant.

I reckon retirement beckons in 5-8 years, unless something even better than VFP arrives...


Regards

Griff
Keep [Smile]ing

 

[Mike Lewis]

I agree totally with Jimoo. I wouldn't read anything into Hentzenwerke's decision. Now, if Sybex or Macmillan had issued a statement saying they will never publish a VFP book again, we would all have to take notice. As things stand, I've got better things to worry about.

Mike


Mike Lewis
Edinburgh, Scotland

My Visual Foxpro web site:

http://www.ml-consult.demon.co.uk

My Crystal Reports web site:

http://www.ml-crystal.com

 

[MarkButler]

I am rolling out a new application this month written in VFP 8. Bottom line to my clients is functionallity, cost and solving a business need. With that said I have yet to find a better solution. VFP 9 is on the horizon and when M$ decides it is not worth it to upgrade then I will listen. With some of the VFP tools, frameworks and integrated third party applications I do not see this disappearing soon. Whil has a problem because he wants to do VFP on a Linux desktop and is suprised when M$ will not let him present his ideas at M$ events. I am disappointed that he will not be publishing VFP books as he has some or most of the best.

 

[craigsboyd]

MarkButler brings up a really good point. Whil really did end up with a situation that has obviously left a very bad taste in his mouth. For those that do not understand the reference MarkButler made to VFP on Linux (hey come on there may still be a few here that never heard of this) you can read a pretty detailed story on it here:

http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=6869&mode=thread&order=0

...I wouldn't let the letter by Whil scare anyone or make you feel like VFP is going into the toilet and you are in danger of becoming obsolete...far from it! VFP is on the upswing from what I can see.

I manage and program new VFP projects every year. They are not little tiny projects or maintenance projects either. They are projects that run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, so if Whil hasn't seen any new VFP projects then it's because he shut his eyes.

I appreciate what he's done for the community in the past and I respect his accomplishments. But I have to say I disagree with most of the things he said. Book sales (IT references included) and conferences have been on the decline for years, not with just VFP either. Times are changing, the wealth of information on the internet for programmers and the ability to congregate in forums like this one are just one of the reasons. Book sales declining have also been attributed to libraries, though I don't think this bears much relevance in this instance since I never saw any HentzenWerke titles at a library.

I'm guilty of not purchasing books myself, I used to go to Barnes & Noble and buy programming books by the pound, but eventually I just started thinking "What can I learn from this that I can't learn from the help files, the information/people available out on the net, or figure out on my own?" The answer became "Nothing". And since my wireless laptop allows me to read and learn even in bed...there's nothing books really have to offer anymore. Plus the net allows me to do searches and interact with other knowledgeable developers...so interest in books has become almost non-existant.

While I do work with and on opensource projects from time to time, I wouldn't trust it to pay my rent and put food on the table. The business model for opensource has not really proven itself to be extrememly effective. Most blame this on Microsoft, but I think it has more to do with consumer demand than anything MS has done.

MS couldn't kill FoxPro even back when they purchased it and really wanted to, what makes you think they or anyone else can now? Whil has jumped ship, but as for me I see lush greeen land on the horizon and I'm staying on this boat because far from sinking I feel this community and its beloved language is full steam ahead and sure to be one of the first to reach the promise land. Truth be told, I think .NET has a chance to sink before the Fox ever will.

Advertising dollars and heavy handed tactics can only bolster products so far. When it comes right down to it everything is hinged on consumer demand...and consumers will be demanding cost effective, good performing, reliable database solutions for the Windows operating systems for a long time into the future and I for one cannot think of a better language/development tool to meet that ever growing need than VFP! So pick your chin up and put a smile on your face - you've made the right decision and picked the best boat in the fleet!

Slighthaze = NULL
_{craig1442@mchsi.com}

"Whom computers would destroy, they must first drive mad." - Anon​

 

[EzLogic]

SlightHaze, Excellent post and very very very very very well said.



Ali Koumaiha
TeknoSoft Inc
Farmington Hills, Michigan

 

[GriffMG]

Whilst with regard to VFP and programming in general I agree the net is now much more useful than the printed word.

I, personally, learn something from an author, in ink, on paper, every other day - I read with a passion, and love the media of books!

I love to read - but to learn a new language (tech not verb) or to find a solution to a problem, the net kicks me in a given direction rather quicker.

All that said...

All my really clever solutions...

All of them, come in my sleep!

(At this point I thank my wife for putting up with my solving my problems in my sleep - and who the heck knows for letting me remember them!)

Martin

Regards

Griff
Keep [Smile]ing

 

[foxwizard]

slighthaze,

Very nice to hear that...... and I totally agree with you.


Bren
VFP - Philippines

 

[Mike Lewis]

Slighthaze,

Well said. You have summed it up extremely well.

Mike



Mike Lewis
Edinburgh, Scotland

My Visual Foxpro web site:

http://www.ml-consult.demon.co.uk

My Crystal Reports web site:

http://www.ml-crystal.com