>A corrolary example... I just purchased Visual MaxFrame. I did a little investigating and discovered that Drew Speedie's approach was SO SIMILAR to the one I've developed over the years, yet much further down the road than I currently am, that it would be not only a foolish thing for me not to purchase and spend the time learning his system (and using it I might add *g*) it would be a HUGE financial mistake to not purchase the product and spend the necessary time learning how to use it. Dittos for Scott Mackay's QBF builder (and probably his Mail Manager as well - Scott's a personal friend to boot! *g*).
>

I like VMP as well. I've added SDT to the mix, and am pleased that I did.

>IOW, at some point we need to act like professionals do and leverage ourselves. That is THE ONLY way to stay ahead in this particular game.
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Yeah, but it takes all the fun out of fanaticism...

>This business of what product is better or why we should always use 'X' or 'Y' or all the other nonsense seems to me to largely be a exercise of keyboards and not much else. *g*
>

Hey, that implies that we actually produce some useful work! Shhh...employers might hear you and think they should expect such things from us...

>That's the same reason I shelled out ~US$2000.00 for the Universal MSDN Subscription and plan to do so until I can re-earn my former MVP status (shhh.. *g*) IT'S WORTH THE MONEY! Just like learning VB.
>

Believe me, I know. I had an MSDN Universal subscription for several years before being MVP'd last summer. Another investment that has paid off well - I'd have paid nearly as much for upgrading old tools over the years, without all the added benefits and the ability to try things I wouldn't have bought otherwise.