>>>>
>>>>So far I am finding that it makes certain things much easier, but other things aren't so easy (like grid views). It seems to me that the users of it also have bought other .NET controls (like Telerik) that make things even more easier.
>>>
>>>You are dealing with 2 different animals - MM.NET is an actual framework that your application has to live with. Telerik makes controls that can go in most any asp.net application.
>>>
>>>I've fought with several frameworks over the years, and I find I do much better w/o them. Of course, that can start a flame war very quickly :)
>>
>>No flame wars here. I have used several frameworks also over the years and I wouldn't consider doing it without a good one. However just to add to the point you made about controls. MM is a framework and provides application level services and business objects. Security alone is worth what I paid but the binding and other things make it much easier. It does not however provide controls. What MM does basically is add three interfaces to support security, databinding, and languages to the existing controls. They also provide these for several after market controls.
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>>Regardless if you are using a framework or not, the third party controls have lots of value added. I have used Developer Express controls, Telerik controls and Infragistics. At this point I like the Telerik the best because for me they have the right balance between features and complications. I think the controls that have more features become more complicated and harder to manage and learn. Just my 2 cents on that. The point being as William said the framework is a seperate issue from the controls.
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>>Tim
>
>One of these days I need to try the Telerik controls. I've been using the Infragistics controls for about a year, and while they really can improve functionality and user experience, they can be a royal PITA to figure out, and some of them seem to be wonderful on features but not well thought out on implementation or practicality.

Thanks a lot ;-( I decided on Infragistics and just installed NetAdvantage last night. Maybe we can form a support group of sorts. There have to be others here using or considering .NET component packages.