>So, it's possible that a company could have been developing some form of software for 275 years. I'm getting ill just thinking about it...

Eric;

Just think about those updates for weaving mills? Version what? The nice thing about the types of software I mentioned is that in each case the end result can be observed. It could be a piece of material or a message, etc. The type of software we are involved with is "black box" and you do not always know if "all is well". Sometimes the end of month report will provide some interesting problems not otherwise experienced by users.

Then there is that famous line from software developers: "You hit what combinition of keys? You should not do that"!

Tom