>Now, is this something that is only happening here? Is it only an initiative of the local office? Anyone faced a similiar situation in their city? What about Redmond in all that, do they know?<

Fascinating analysis. I'll add what I can, but it is sketchy.

Here in Los Angeles there are two MSFT sponsored .NET user groups. The main one is based out of Long Beach State College and the second one is at UCLA.

I have heard that UCLA has donated money to the Computer Science Department at UCLA if they would sponsor a .NET user group, add .NET courses to the curriculum and drop any COM based development curriculum . I just got the catalog today and it's stuffed with .NET courses. And note, this is not the main LA .NET group.

As noted, the two main .NET UGs are based on college campuses. Coincidence? Probably not. MSFT appears to be buying influence on college campuses, just like a lobbyist. Apple did this years ago, so it's not anything new.

I have also heard the the umbrella .NET group INETA http://www.ineta.org was giving away free Los Angeles Lakers tickets on a first come, first served basis to INETA members. The 12+ year LA Fox group was not eligible as we are not an INETA group.

Having said that, LA Fox is very fortunate to have Ken Levy come down to speak. That's a bonus that few groups have. INETA gives away Lakers tickets but at least we'll also receive freebies on occastion.

Still, I can validate your point to a degree -- MSFT is throwing money around to fund .NET user groups through INETA. Clearly this is top-down management, the opposite of what one thinks a community should be. This is unlike the VFP user groups, which have formed from the bottom up and are true "communities".

Bill Anderson