Finding a way out

[Dennis Malen]

Some modified form of  Jose's suggestion is not a bad idea in order to 
ensure filePro's longevity, which is what we all want.

Dennis Malen

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lerebours, Jose" <Jose.Lerebours at EagleGL.com>
To: <filepro-list at lists.celestial.com>
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2006 2:32 PM
Subject: Finding a way out


Through the years I have written many small, medium
and large applications (yes, this may come as a
surprise to many and very doubtful to some, but I
really have written applications :)  ) and filePro
has been the tool of choice for almost all of them.

The one reason why filePro was the tool of choice
was "speed" and "comfort zone".  I am very well
versed (again, questionable and/or doubtful ...)
with filePro and so, it is obviously the first
language I would turn to.

I once posted the idea of forming a nationwide
network where we would share the development,
maintenance and marketing of a "flooring"
application.  I happen to own one I've written.
I volunteered this application as the startup
for this venture and a handful of members
contacted me with question about the features
more so than the idea itself.

What I am trying to get at, is that the filePro
community as it stands may not survive too much
longer.  However, if it were to joint in force
by defining boundaries and networking itself, it
just may become the largest employees owned software
development company to date.  Yes, including
fpTech itself.

I fought numerous battles and lost the war within
my company to Oracle.  Perhaps, if more people had
replied to my "help wanted posts" the company
would had felt more at ease with filePro and not
wonder "What if Jose gets hit by a truck?".  Yes,
I think I lost more to lack of developers than
to the power of Oracle.  Heck, I even mentioned
they should buy fpTech and hire the Brody team to
lead our filePro projects ...

Mark posted a valid observation on one of his posts,
most filePro based shops are small to very small
and most are a "one man operation".  It might be OK
for some to make $40K to $70K but some of us rather
take it to the next level and make $200K+.  How
can you if you are constantly chasing your tail?  Then
again, there are those that do this for the trivial
challenges and in lieu of fishing.

If the community does not unite, and if filePro does
not work for its community, it is not a matter of "if"
but rather "when" filePro will be gone.  Even then,
it might be too late but at least, by working as a unit,
its life expectancy could be extended.

If filePro, as an application is not making fpTech
any money, why not take it and turn it into an open
source package to induce a larger community base and
open a vast market to all "experienced" developers?  I
am not suggesting that this would be a open for all and
any one who merely wants a piece of the action.  I am
sure that an order must exist so that it does not spiral
out of control and dies an even faster death.

I feel that if something like this was tossed around, a
number of "loyal" developers will jump in and contribute
to ensure ads are placed in key medium to attract new
business and new interest from other developers.

Here are some bullet points:

- Put together a list of strong developers and applications
  written in filePro.

- Identify applications that merit marketing

- Offer filePro runtime as freeware

- Sell the heck out of these applications

- fpTech gets a piece of the pie
  which I am sure, jointly, will largely exceed whatever they
  are making selling runtime licenses.  Why?  Because more
  copies of these applications will sell since the "huge" cost
  of runtime is eliminated.  A constant flow of cash is often
  better than an occasional large sum.

- Divide market areas and assign these areas to participating
  developers or business owners

- Form a centralized support team to catalog technical issues
  and have them report these to fpTech development team which
  in turn will branch out according to areas of expertise.

- Make sure to price applications in a way such that allows
  them to remain competitive and return a profit

- Get rid of the mentality of "making it big overnight"

We often say that it is better to have a piece of the pie than
no pie at all.  Well, what about it?

As a trial to this concept, if you think you have a strong
application that merits marketing and would offer it to something
like this, please feel free to list it with a brief description.


Regards;


Jose Lerebours









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