The article Thierry posted is interesting, but I can't see it being realistic for a community to take over and maintain a VFP style product. Future computing platforms just won't leave the economic case for investing that much effort into a niche product. Actually, it kind of said that in the article :) recognizing that investors wouldn't touch that model. Developers aren't going to be convinced either, not when there are so many ways to develop software already being driven by well funded companies and developer-supported organizations. The products/platforms/frameworks/whatevers we use are created to fill a market-driven need. What is the market-driven need for continuing a VFP style thingy at the same level as other technology communities support their products? That's right, the answer is there is none.