Uh, Walter -- the Russian space program outperformed the U.S.? Are you kidding me? Quoting the late, great American comedian Sam Kinison, "If you want to impress us, bring back our flag!!!" Sam included an adjective I will leave out.

Now they're selling minor space flights to the rich. I think Charles Simonyi (annoyingly referred to in the news as "Martha Stewart's friend") is still up there even as we speak. It's a Russian bake sale.


>Vladimir,
>
>I'll get burned for this, but here it goes. It a very different attitude. North american are more driven by hypes than anyone else. In one sense that is great, because they put their full enthousiasm in anything that is new or mordern and above all they general money with it. However, that is not always practical nor econimical.
>
>A small example of the differences between the russian and americans is that american always tend to think they are superiour because of their advanced technology. But if you look at reality and look what the russians have accomplished with 'limited technology' in the space race it is absolutely amazing. In more than a few ways, russian technology outperformed american ones. It is only a pitty that given the poor economy the russian space program has lost much of its glory though.
>
>Anyways, do regard it as a cultural thing. Many american think it is time to move on to something new and more sexy, while the fox still does its work efficiently.
>
>Walter,
>
>
>>Too many discussions here and too few voices from North America. ( not proportional to developers number).
>>What are they scared? MS decision is not critical for their lifes? Yes, it is not. If just SQL server and Window will crush, we shall all prolong to live and will find the way to find meal. This is not clue. Why language, which gave us job ( and fun and challenge and friendship on sites at DevCons) for long time is not enough supported? Where are your votes?