The post discusses the historical significance of Ashton-Tate, particularly its flagship product dBASE and its impact on the development community. Many users share personal anecdotes and experiences with dBASE, reflecting on its initial promise and eventual decline. Comments highlight the nostalgia for dBASE and associated software, alongside critiques of its shortcomings, such as product instability and outdated language features. The decline of Ashton-Tate is often attributed to failure to innovate and compete effectively with emerging technologies.