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>Though it does make you wonder how serious developers are if they are not buying books, subscribing to mags, attending conferences or participating in the on-line stuff. I know a few "developers" in that category and I find it hard to take them seriously and find their skills *really* sub-standard.

I agree with Tamar that those who we see here/there aren't even the tip of the iceberg.
But I write because I think that your characterization is unfair. There are lots of people - developers - who "have a life" outside of their work. There are lots of developers who don't "need" all of the add-ons that we make use of. They are content to dig/try things and learn what works and what doesn't.
Just as any business has its "driven" folk and their "regular" folk, so our business does too. You can be reasonably certain that those we encounter regualrly on forums or at conferences are the "driven" types.
Take any industry... let's say banking. There are people in that busines who live and breathe the whole business, buying periodicals and books, attnding conferences and conventions, communication in their own forums, etc. But the vast vast vast amjority of the employess come in at 8 and leave at 5 and don't give the business a single thought in the time between. Now they may not rise to be the president of the bank, but does that make them sub-standard or hard to take seriously?

Jim

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