After being sold to Microsoft there is but one single chapter which is more of a summery of where the different programmers went to within the Microsoft organization. I would have liked to have read about the Microsoft days too. Maybe Kerry can be persuaded to write a 2nd book covering that time period.
Reading this book was a walk down memory lane for me. I used FoxBase+. Before I purchased FoxBase I was using dBase III+. I had written a bicycle race program that I was using at a bicycle race. Well, my program froze on me and it was an anomaly in dBase III +. I immediately bought FoxBase+ and my problem went away. Later I moved up to FoxPro 2.6 for DOS. I had bought the Windows product too by I didn't like it. I had even used the Mac version of FoxPro, but it didn't do much for me either. I used FoxPro 2.6 for DOS for a long time. When I found Visual Fox Express, I moved up to VFP 6.0 where I have been for a long time. Enough of memory lane.
I dogeared a page at the end of Chapter 15. The passage that caught my interest was from the 2nd Fox Devcon at the "FoxPro Feedback " session at the end of the conference. A woman from the audience spoke:
"I'd just like to take this time to thank those of you on the panel. You and your product really changed my life. Before Foxro, I was living in a tent on the street, unsure of where I'd get my next meal. But now I'm a highly skilled and well-paid consultant... and I have you guys to thank."This made Kerry feel very appreciated and he says "Sometimes the blessings take time to see." referring to all the work he had done himself on FoxPro and feeling under-appreciated up to that point. Kerry then understood the importance of his work and the FoxPro product. People were making a good living using the product that he helped build. This section made me think a lot about developers on every level.
I use a couple of frameworks. I have tried to make a point to the developers of those frameworks how important their work is too me. I use these frameworks for the products that I've created. I honestly believe that I could have never created these programs without the frameworks that I use. I have been able to make a good living because of FoxPro and the frameworks that I use. I am deeply indebted to the developers for FoxPro, Visual Fox Express, and Web Connection.
I am also very proud of the fact that there are many users of my programs. My programs have actually created good paying jobs. Not only has my program created jobs for those who use the program, but the output of my programs helps people as well. My programs have touched thousands of people. Hopefully their lives are better because of the work that I have done; I certainly hope so. It is that knowledge of helping others that at times keeps me going.
I think we as software developers sometimes forget the impact that we have made and continue to make. Sometimes we even feel like we have been taken for-granted. For the most part that's ok with me. I consider myself a humble person and I've never wanted to be in the spotlight or famous. But I do want to do good in this world and I do want to make a positive difference.
I was reading Keven Ragsdale's blog not long after attending SWFox2010. In one of his post he talks about being self-taught. I've used that line too. I taught myself FoxPro as has all the FoxPro programmers that use to work with. Kevin says NOT! Kevin says we are deeply indebted to the writers of the publications and books that we have read over the years for teaching us. So true. Read his blog post, a three part series, starting here. These are older posts, but I'm sure you will find that what Kevin says applies to you as well. I know that it does for me.
So, I encourage all of you to acknowledge the developers that have helped you realize success. And if you are one of those developers who has created a framework or other tool please know that you are appreciated and because of you and your work the community has been blessed in immeasurable ways. I also encourage every one to acknowledge the writers that have given so much.
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