Shedding Some Light

Back in March of 2008 I wrote a white paper to help Visual FoxPro developers install Visual FoxPro 9 Release to Manufacturing (RTM), Service Pack 1 (SP1), and Service Pack 2 (SP2) all on the same computer. At the time I hoped the readers found the information presented in the white paper a useful guide in getting the different versions of Visual FoxPro 9 installed and working on their development machine. The main reason I wrote it was to encourage developers who were hesitant to install Visual FoxPro 9 Service Pack 2 to get it installed and begin the testing process with their apps. The reputation of VFP 9 SP2 was not all that positive as there were some bugs that made it challenging when released.

Over the years I have updated the white paper to include the VFP 9 SP2 hotfixes, the Fox Community supported VFP 9 Help file on VFPX, highlight some issues with the Virtual Store when upgrading VFP 9 to the latest Service packs, and corrected some bad Web links along the way. Several people have contributed feedback and suggestions along the way.

In the past few months I have talked with several developers who are still running the original VFP 9 SP2 release, building apps, and deploying them without the VFP 9 SP2 hotfixes. I wanted to refer them to the white paper on the White Light Computing Web site, but I knew recently that the white paper became inaccurate. So I took some time this evening to update it and get it posted.

The reason for the update is that the VFP 9 SP2 hotfix downloads hosted on Microsoft’s Code Gallery Web site disappeared when Microsoft killed the Web site. All the hosted files were removed. The Fox Community jumped into action as soon as this became known and started a new project on VFPX to host this very important VFP 9 SP2 Hotfix download. Additionally, I reviewed the entire white paper, added download information for the VFP 9 Reporting Applications (also a VFPX project) to fix some user interface nits and an important hi-resolution monitor bug fix, fixed a couple bad links, and updated some figures and folder names to make it more current from the original writing in 2008. I also adding some marketing materials for the books I have written over the last 15 years.

This white paper has become more than a guide to set up different folders for the different VFP 9 versions. It also is current documentation on where to find all the core Visual FoxPro 9 download files.

I certainly hope some of you have found this white paper useful over the years (hard to believe it has been 7 years since I originally wrote it). If you have not had a chance to get the latest hotfixes for VFP 9, make sure you follow the links in this blog and go get them installed. I personally have seen the nasty reporting bug fixed in this build. With this bug fixed and all the improvements from VFPX over the years, I find VFP 9 SP2 very reliable and stable.

The call has gone out!

We’re inviting anyone interesting in speaking at this year’s conferences to submit topics. You’ll find the Call for Speakers at http://www.swfox.net/callforspeakers.aspx. Please read the complete Call for Speakers document (linked from that page), and use our proposal submission application at https://geekgatherings.com/Submission. Session proposals are due by March 9. (Yes, this is earlier than in prior years. We have some publicity plans that require us to have a little more lead time than in the past.)

As in the past few years, we plan to offer a good selection of topics in core VFP development, extending VFP, using VFP with other technologies, and VFPX, as well as technology sessions to help VFP developers become better developers, not just more expert at VFP. We are looking for a few sessions on paths forward for VFP developers and we’re looking for a few deep-dive post-conference sessions. The Call for Speakers also lists some topics last year’s attendees specifically requested.

Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions. We’re looking forward to seeing your proposals. We expect that, as usual, choosing among them will be one of the hardest things we do all year.

And don’t forget, we will be opening registration in mid-May.

White Light Computing is a sponsor again, our 12th straight year.

Only 238 days until we gather in Gilbert.

I see this question pop up on the forums from time-to-time and get personal emails asking: where can I get a license to Visual FoxPro 9??

Most answers point developers to look on Ebay or check CDW, but the fact is Microsoft is not selling them anymore. If you have an MSDN license you also might have a license to Visual FoxPro. Short of that, legal copies are harder to uncover these days.

Good news and bad news. First the good news, the German FoxPro User Group still has a license to sell copies of Visual FoxPro 9 with their Visual Extend framework. The bad news is that license expires on January 12, 2015 (8 days from now!). So, if you still need licenses for Visual FoxPro, it may be a good idea to grab as many as you think you might need in case you need them in the future.

See Rainer’s post for all the details.

Alaska Software is offering special discounts on Xbase++ 2.0 for Southwest Fox and Southwest Xbase++ 2014 attendees, as follows:

• Xbase++ 2.0 is available and shipping September 30, 2014.
• Prerequisite for this offer is registration to Southwest Xbase++ or Southwest Fox conference 2014.
• Get a 30% discount for all new customers purchasing Foundation Edition 2.0 (regular price USD $1,199) or Professional Edition 2.0 (regular price USD $1,999).
• Get an additional 10% Competitive Upgrade, if you provide proof of purchase of VFP 9 or Clipper.
• All attending Southwest Xbase++ who have a subscription (purchased in last 12 months) get 3 months extension for their current subscription.

How does this offer work? Simple: you contact Alaska Software at their booth during the conference, place your order, and get the boxed Xbase++ 2.0 DVD on the spot. This is also true for the active Xbase++ users who stop in at the Alaska Software booth.

Regardless of which edition of Xbase++ 2.0 you purchase, your savings goes a long way towards paying for the conference ticket.

Geek Gatherings wants to make Alaska’s offer even more attractive, so we’re extending our early-bird pricing for Southwest Fox/Xbase++ right up until Xbase++ 2.0’s September 30 ship date. Register for either conference before midnight September 30 and get a $50 discount; pay only $745.

So does Xbase++ 2.0!

We have some very exciting news as we approach the early-bird registration deadline this Sunday, August 31st.

Alaska plans to ship Xbase++ 2.0 in September, so this will be the first conference where developers can learn all about the newly released Xbase++ v2.0. In addition, Alaska has deep discounts to offer conference attendees whether you’re upgrading from a prior version of Xbase++ or doing a competitive upgrade from Visual FoxPro or Clipper. So whether you are coming from an Xbase++, Clipper, or Visual FoxPro background, Alaska has a product you can learn about at the conference, buy at the conference, and start using immediately when you get home!

Listen to Andrew MacNeill interview myself with Tamar Granor and Doug Hennig about Southwest Fox/Xbase++ 2014 on the FoxShow #79. If you haven’t registered yet, be sure to listen for a special offer in the show.

I have numerous examples for my Southwest Fox session “Inspiring Everyday Practical IntelliSense”, but they are mostly the ones created from my own needs and a few I have borrowed from other developers over the years. But I want to present the “best of” from our Fox Community to show off the power of Intellisense and most likely increase my own productivity. If you are willing to share, email me rick AT rickschummer DOTCOM. I’ll give full credit during session when I give it. Many thanks in advance.

Registration for Southwest Fox and Southwest Xbase++ is now available. See the speaker page for a list of speakers and the session page for a list of fantastic sessions. The Super-Saver Registration, which saves you $125, is available only through June 30th, so don’t wait. You also can select a free pre-conference session at the same time.

White Light Computing is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor for the eighth year. Our whole team will be at the conference. Frank Perez and I are speaking at the conference too.

Putting on a conference is a risky endeavor. Conference centers require a guaranteed minimum income to block the dates of a conference; for a conference like Southwest Fox/Xbase++, that minimum is in the tens of thousands of dollars. We have to commit to the conference center by July 2nd and need your support by July 1st to make that commitment. We will not do “We need your help” appeals this year so please do not wait, get registered by June 30th! We know most of you like to wait until the last minute to avoid the credit card bill arriving too soon. We will not charge any attendee credit cards or cash any checks until sometime in the second half of July or early August (once we’ve committed to going forward), so this no longer is a reason to wait.

I look forward to seeing you in October!