====================================== FoxPro Developers Network of San Diego ====================================== FoxDev TipsLetter #99-10 October 2, 1999 Website: Editor: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS: * Calendar (a nice long one) * Elections * Tech Tips: Project Hooks Proved Practical Steven Settimi * Other Stuff: FoxPro ListServes Art Bergquist The Product That Wouldn't Die Consulting Solutions Group * Administrivia ====================================================================== CALENDAR: We are now alternating meetings between Escondido and Sorrento Mesa. All meetings are at 7:00 pm. Oct. 6 - Escondido ----------------------- Claude Nikula will show us how to manage SQL 7 with VFP Nov. 3 - Sorrento Mesa ---------------------- Mike Vincent from Orange County will be showing us how to use ActiveX components. ActiveX controls can significantly add to the functionality and visual interface of your VFP applications. As you may know, there is a learning curve and some controls work better than others with VFP. Mike Vincent will be providing an overview of controls from several sources, then will drill into details of implementing some that he is using in his own projects. He'll also share some experiences on the in and outs of managing ActiveX controls in both development and end-user environments. One of Mike's favorite ActiveX vendors is dbiTech. They have established a specific arrangement for our FoxPro User Group. They are offering a 20% discount on all DBI Technologies' products (ToolBox OCX V.4, Solutions::PIM, Solutions::Schedule and Solutions::Explorer). Please make sure when ordering that you tell the dbiTech sales reps which user group you are associated with and include reference to Mike Vincent's name/presentation. Otherwise, a discount will not apply. Dec. 8 - Xmas party at Trophy's ------------------------------- As a way of wishing all our members a happy holiday, we are sponsoring the annual Christmas dinner. We will provide food and drink for all members in good standing. The party starts at 7:00pm on the patio. We are returning to the site of last year's party--Trophy's in the Hazard Center (Mission Valley). To get to Trophy's, take 163 to Friars Road and head east. Turn right at the first light (Frazee), and then right into the parking lot. Go straight to the end and Trophy's will be on your left. Jan. 5 - Escondido ------------------ Dan Covill will present an introduction to XML. Feb. ? - Sorrento Mesa ---------------------- Nick Nikula and Steve Settimi are teaming up to give us an overview of VFP Com Objects and VFP Com Objects running on MTS. [I assume MTS is the Metropolitan Transit System. DC] Escondido meetings are at Bergelectric, 2222 Meyers Avenue. Take the Nordahl exit from Highway 78 (west of I-15). Head South. Right on Meyers Ave, first right past Mission. It's a one-story building on the right (there's no sign). Sorrento Mesa meetings are in the PS Business Center, 6450 Lusk Blvd. From the Lusk Blvd driveway, go straight back to the furthest corner of the rear bldg and park. The conference room is upstairs over the Fitness Center. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ELECTIONS: Elections are coming up in November. If you are interested in running for the board, please notify any board member, or respond to this e-mail. ====================================================================== TIPS ====================================================================== PROJECT HOOKS PROVE PRACTICAL Steven Settimi Somewhere up the food chain, above my project directories, is a Developer's directory with special utilities and a class with a projecthook which I attach to all projects. Currently it's used in two ways: (1&2) Use the INIT to set the default directory of the project and, the INIT and DESTROY events to run a project tracker PRG that tracks timein/timeout on projects. Then use this data for accounting and billing purposes, etc. Here's the INIT: clear cd (_vfp.activeproject.homedir) cd set procedure to locfile('timecard','prg','Find Timecard prg') timecard(program()) && let timecard know it's clocking in Here's the DESTROY: timecard(program()) && let timecard know it's clocking out (3) In the BeforeBuild Method try this code to rid report DBFs of those pesky hard-coded printer refrences: nCount = adir(aReports,'*.frx') for i = 1 to nCount use aReports[i,1] excl replace Expr with '', Tag with '', Tag2 with '' use endfor [Steve Settimi is an independent developer in San Diego and one of our august Board members] ====================================================================== OTHER STUFF ====================================================================== FoxPro ListServes by Art Bergquist Here are the URLs for two listserves on FoxPro issues. FoxShare Information: http://www.foxshare.com ProFox listserv: Send an E-mail with 'SUBSCRIBE' in the 'Subject Line' to 'profox@leafe.com' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Product That Won't Die (VFP 5.0) This is an article by Tom Spitzer of DBMS Magazine, pointing out that VFP, when the Microsoft marketing gurus cut off its life support and left it to die, stubbornly refused to cooperate. In fact, it got up out of bed and is now healthier than ever. http://www.dbmsmag.com/9702d18.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SOLUTIONS CONSULTING GROUP Solutions Consulting Group, at 6540 Lusk Blvd, is the host for our Sorrento Mesa meetings. But who are they, and what do they do? "Since its inception in 1993, Solutions Consulting Group has grown to more than 40 employees with over 65 active clients throughout Southern California. We are a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider Partner and a member of the Oracle Business Alliance Program." They do: Corporate Application Development Data Warehousing Network Services They work in FoxPro, VFP, VB, Access, SQL, and Oracle. They are looking for more employees and they do use contractors as well; contact Armando Andrade at if you're interested. For More Information... --------------------------Administrivia------------------------------- This newsletter is a service to members of the FoxPro Developers Network of San Diego (FPDN). The editor (Dan Covill) is solely responsible for the content, Barbara Peisch does the distribution. E-mail the editor YOUR tips, comments, complaints, and rebuttals. Editor: Dan Covill 858-272-2448 Board of Directors: Eric Lendvai - President 760-439-6617 Art Bergquist - Vice Pres 760-740-0428 Claude Nikula - Secretary 619-615-6318 Barbara Peisch - Treasurer 760-729-9607 Steve Settimi - Director 619-262-5883 Dan Covill - Director 858-272-2448 ----------------------------------------------------------------------