Jess,

Overall That is definately true, but I think there are contractors out there who get some jobs and know they don't have the experience or skill set to back it up. They can't normally charge the same as someone who really knows what they're doing. I think the point that was being made is that he believes Michael is a member of the former.

Renoir

>What I understand is that, Independent Consultants (Self-Employed) have better pay check than those employed individuals at least in the U.S. and other developed and/or industrial countries.

>>I picture you as someone earning less than market rates, and uses this as an excuse to say you don't have the money to study on your own. Wrong argument!!!! You will always be stuck in the same rut until you take it upon yourself to improve your skillset.

>>>There's something slightly absurd about commanding me to write an article to promote Microsoft's product, at my own expense, on a topic about which I assure you I am eminently unqualified. If someone wants to pay me to learn about SQL Server and VFP's related features, and then to write the article, I'm all ears. Otherwise, please understand that I am self-employed, and I have neither the time nor the inclination to spend my energy this way.