>This comment is a bit on the "defensive" side, but regardless how hard I try, >I have a difficult time bringing myself to taking VB seriously. Basic was the >first language I learnt, when I was just 14, and even though I did make one >commercial app with GW-Basic when I was in college, I just can't consider it >for anything but pranks and little trick programs.

To be honest I can't help feeling it's "us" that's on the defensive - any comment made about our baby makes us react. Maybe the problem is that we are all so ingrained with FP that we don't like to have our 'sole tool' insulted (ok so most of us have branched out but FP is the key).

At the end of the day it all boils down to M$... Marketing... Marketing
That's how NT beat Novell not because the product was superior but because the marketing was superior.
And I hate to say it but without some support that's the way FP will go too.

** WJ on How to Win popularity contests in UT...** :-}