> OK you wrote it using row_number (no wonder L2S generates an SQL using row_number() too) BUT if the target is SQL 2000 you need to go and write it in another way, right? With L2S, I don't need to.
>
>If you're using L2S agsinst a SQL 2000 database, what code does L2S generate for skip/take???
>
>Ahha, yes that is one issue. DBAs do not like business tier to go outside their control. L2S make SPs look more unnecessary but if you want L2S work with SPs too.
>
>In some instances, as well they should not.
>
> I didn't try yet, thinking in theory, curious what should happen? Hopefully you are not talking about inefficient 'for demo purposes only' L2S handling. If something should really happen it would happen with other technologies too.
>
>Cetin, sorry, but you're speaking from a deficit. Your last sentence is making a big assumption.
>Again, try L2S with the isolation levels...
>
>
>
>And on my last question....again, try L2E against a SQL 2008 database and try to use some of the newer T-SQL features....and see what happens (a bit of the socratic method here)...

You are chasing me:) You don't ry yourself but ask me to try. OK it wouldn't hurt to provide such a simple information (generates this for 3rd page):

SELECT [t3].[CustomerID], [t3].[CompanyName], [t3].[ContactName], [t3].[ContactTitle], [t3].[Address], [t3].[City], [t3].[Region], [t3].[PostalCode], [t3].[Country], [t3].[Phone], [t3].[Fax]
FROM (
    SELECT TOP 10 [t0].[CustomerID], [t0].[CompanyName], [t0].[ContactName], [t0].[ContactTitle], [t0].[Address], [t0].[City], [t0].[Region], [t0].[PostalCode], [t0].[Country], [t0].[Phone], [t0].[Fax]
    FROM [Customers] AS [t0]
    WHERE NOT (EXISTS(
        SELECT NULL AS [EMPTY]
        FROM (
            SELECT TOP 20 [t1].[CustomerID]
            FROM [Customers] AS [t1]
            ORDER BY [t1].[ContactName]
            ) AS [t2]
        WHERE [t0].[CustomerID] = [t2].[CustomerID]
        ))
    ORDER BY [t0].[ContactName]
    ) AS [t3]
ORDER BY [t3].[ContactName]

PS: I am still clueless about "what was already there"
Cetin