>Are we in the better position to say that CLR is a necessity or not?

Yes, we make a living based on the product. Having them make radical changes to the tool makes radical changes in your work. Thats why the community is in a better position to approve (not tell or define necessarily) what needs to be done to the tool, and what doesn't.

I get the feeling that alot of people at MS are cautious to .NET too, FWIW.

>Well, I seconded what the other folk is saying here: "if MS wants us to be happy, then they should market it better..."

I don't see the logic in that. Why would MS selling it to people other than you be more beneficial to you than making it a greater product based on you input?