>I think Mr. Allen did come up with a very legitimate observation that a Service Pack is also a marketing tool.

I'm sure you woudl think it legitimate if it proved what you wanted... which is to get new features for free. An MS service pack is free and it fixes bugs to features that you have already paid for. Its not some imaginary loop hole.

>Being a user/developer with VFP I opt for adding functionality within SPs.

I don't think user/developer has anyhting to do with it. Based on that I dont' understand your conclusion. What I do think is the case is what applies to everybody. People want something for nothing. In this case, it more features of software at zero cost. No offense, thats just what it looks like, and it resembles the whole free music argument in a way.