>> But, it's really about work. Why do I want to go to a work meeting on my own time?

If you have to ask the question, we can't give you the answer.

For me, programming is not "just a job". I get great satisfaction from what I do. Even if I won the lottery, I can't imagine giving up programming -- although I certainly wouldn't do as much. Participating in user groups, writing articles, speaking at conferences, and so on are ways for me to improve my skills and network with other people. Connections I have made at conferences and user groups have led to jobs, including a 6 month contract on the Fox Team at Microsoft.

I guess the bottom line is that for some people, programming is a job and a way to pay the bills. For others it's a passion, that happens to pay the bills. Neither one is right or wrong, they are just different perspectives.

Cathy