Hi John,

>I think it is safe to say that all of use engage in R & D to one degree or another. However, when it comes to sessions at technical conferences, most folks want info they can use today. Further, most folks want that info presented in a practical manner...

Hmmmm, I think we differ here, I don't believe in giving practical info only. I think it is neccesary that people think about what and why they're doing it. People should be aware of why :

- Client/Server solve their (particualr) problems
- Partial optimization is often better than full optimization
- There are GUI standards, and what is wrong with it.
- Crystal Reports is the best report writer currently arround

Rather than just statements:
- Client/Server will solve your problems
- You've got to index all your columns to reach the best performance
- Build your GUI on intuition
- Just say that FoxFire is the best report writer when working with VFP.
without telling the pro's and contra's.

I don't see that if JimB tells us to use artificial primary key's, just because he says so, without telling the benifits and costs would be of any value for an audience listening to one of his presentation. I'm sure Jim would tell the differences between the two approaches, which as a result someone could wheigh the arguments and decide for themselves whether or not to use artificial primary keys.

Give a man a fish, and he has food for one day.
Learn the man fishing, and he'll never ask you for food again.

Walter,

>>>Hi Al...
>>John,
>>
>>>Your point is well taken. However, you also have to remember that what we do is not a pure science.
>>
>>I agree, it's not pure science, but in my case there is a certain amount of my work which is kind of scientific. Personally, I like to research user-interfaces and database optimization. Though many of us don't need to do this, I do quite a lot research on GUIs and all kinds of DATABASE optimizations.
>>
>>>Rather, it is a business endeavor. We are not splitting atoms or finding the secrets of DNA structures.
>>
>>Well I try to discover the best GUI interface, the best optimization method and the best data structures. Though you could disagree this in being scientific, personally I think it is... ;-)
>>
>>Walter,