>I agree that much of this is predicated on emotion. I honestly don't understand why this is an emotional issue. I do understand that some folks do view this in emotional terms. I do understand that some folks are their development tool. If you criticize the tool, you criticize the tool.
>

It is basic human nature. Developers spend hundreds of hours becoming experts on the tools that they use. Hopefully, they spent significant time along the way determining if they are learning the right tool. Anytime you devote that much personal time and attention to one thing, that thing can become a part of who you are.

Because of this, anything that belittles that "thing" (the tool in this case)can be construed to belittle the person pouring themselves into that "thing"). IOW, people may feel that they are being told that they have wasted part of their life (and indeed, perhaps they have).

As a musician, I can relate to the emotion. I used to spend hours a day practicing a piano (I'm still not any good :( ). If someday someone invents a perfect substitution for a piano (digital, modeling technology, or whatever...it won't ever truly happen?), and then starts dropping grand pianos off of buildings because they say it is not the right tool for the job, I would get a little emotional.

I'm not saying that you are doing the equivalent of throwing pianos off buildings. But some people (and their inseparable emotions) may.

Now, I try to separate emotion from my programming. However, going back to the time investment factor, I'm not sure if that is completely humanly possible. Further, I don't believe a person can objectively say that they are not emotional about an issue with which they are so inter-twined...and this would apply to you, too.

Any discussion on the merits of programming tools (pro and cons) is helpful. Further, your expertise in the area is evident, so I appreciate you input. It just seems that the discussion often erodes into "my dad can beat up your dad", and it happens from both sides of the issues.

>In the present case, I don't see what was wrong with the letter that was sent.

I could argue both sides of the issue of "half-truths" in the letter. However, I'm with you on this one. It's just a sales letter. We get hit with marketing and sales attempts every day, and it ALWAYS has a slant. Further, it is RARELY 100% accurate. I don't like it, but I get over it. I've got more important things to do with my time.

Take care,