Also, there's a big difference between someone who puts in 8 hours and only learns what the company feeds him, and one who actively tries to advance their skills by reading newsgroups, buying their own magazines, etc.


>There is a big difference between someone just paying dues and actively participating in the meetings on a regular basis. I've met so many developers in my area who have said they don't have time to attend user group meetings, too busy coding. This tells me whether or not they are willing to give of themselves, share information and experiences with others, and have an open mind to new ideas and methods. It doesn't have to be a technical organization either.