Believe it or not, I agree with this..< bg >. While I think there are some skills that cannot be "commoditized" (did I just make up a word???) - I do think that as time goes on, building application components will get easier.

There are many in the developer ranks who feel as though the development process is being "dumbed-down". Many SQL Server "gurus" felt this way about version 7.0, at least initially. I suspect that much of that feeling was waned.

Where some call it dumbing down, I do see it as an enabling force. Sometimes for good and sometimes for bad. i.e., the more you enable people, the easier you make it for them to do stupid things.

The need for experts will remain. However, what qualified one as a "guru" 5 or 10 years ago wont come close to what is required in the near future. For example, up to know, people have had the luxury of being compartmentized. You have UI people, middle tier people, database people, etc. Soon and with .NET, an expert-level developer will need to have skills the run across the board - to get into things that heretofore, they have eschewed. And, there will be some in the guru ranks today that simply won't be able to keep up...

Personally, I like the idea of having the development world shaken up. I suspect there are many in the guru ranks who have real problems right now - worried about their "precious" position in the world. I am not one of these people. I have always hated to word guru - especially when it is assocated with my name. I have long said that I have done absolutely nothing in this business that anybody else could not have done.

I believe in the process of enabling people. The more tools can accomidate this - the better. At the same time, I am realistic enough to know that the need for experts will remain. It remains to be seen just what those qualifications will be.

One last point...the next time you see somebody with "guru" status bashing these concepts - ask yourself whether they have legitimate issues with the merits of the concept or whether they are concerned with the fact that their position in the world is in danger of being eroded...

Regards,