>>Here's an extract from ineta.org: "INETA is the next evolution in user group communities – a non-profit, independent organization, chartered with supporting all user groups interested in the Microsoft .NET platform. ".
>>
>>You have to go to the Sponsors page to see that Microsoft and MSDN (who'da thunk they were two different entitites???) are the sponsors. Sure sounds "independent" to me.
>
>So, is it ok to assume right MS created this association? But, again put it under another name in order to not tie it to its corporation?

I honestly don't KNOW, but the smell suggests a "yes" to both.

By the way... at least here (in Canada) the term "non-profit" does not mean UNsalaried people and no money in the bank. Many "non-profits" have staff with large salaries and have expenses in the millions of dollars along with nice fat bank accounts.