Mike-

>Let me pose the same question to you, Nancy. Would you make a contribution to the cause of writing this article, and if so, what's it worth to you?

I have no idea what you're getting at. I have a suspicion but I hope I'm wrong. What I hear is that since this article would benefit the community, the community should subsidize you. Or, do you mean that it would, perhaps, benefit MS and so MS should pay you? Do I understand you?

Given the immense amount of _free_ expertise people here provide to help you, help me, help each other, I'm a little astonished that some folks seem to think writing an article which would be in their own interest isn't valuable enough for them to be bothered. And yet, they are willing to expend energy complaining about how others aren't making the effort.

> Or perhaps you'd like to volunteer to do it yourself.

How do you know I don't already?

> Surely you're more qualified than I am.

I'm different from you in attitude. That's all I know.

> How long would it take you to do it, and how much payment would you like to receive? I'm absolutely serious.

1) I'm not the one going around volunteering other people for writing duties, or coming up with reasons why I can't contribute positively to the cause (whatever in the heck that is). Not the one looking for today's dime at the expense of next month's dollar.

2) How do you know I'm _not_ contributing? As it happens I do write, for no fee, for CoDe Magazine. I do it for a couple of reasons, none of which are any of your business.

3) Why do you suppose that writing for MSDN is free? I don't know. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Writing does pay. Not a lot. Not as much as consulting, but it does, generally, pay. There are also other intangible benefits.

4) Are you _completely_ clueless about how much it would benefit your professional image to be an MSDN author? It's called resume building.

Look, I don't care if you write or not, it's not for everyone, but I know for sure you could contribute in some way that suits your talents to the effort you seem to think everyone else, or someone else, should take.