>If it degrades into a "my tool is better than your tool" argument it doesn't do anyone any good.

Again, I agree. I know you're not accusing me of the above but for the record I've only posted two comments in this entire thread that can be interpreted as opinions on databases, one of them being:

"John, I think that I can demonstrate .NET + SQL Server _is_ less flexible."

Immediately followed by:

"Now, how do we go about agreeing on what defines a flexible solution?"

as an attempt to discuss the flexibility of databases (see the title of this thread). Interestingly enough the second opinion posted in this thread was actually pro-SQL Server:

"Like I said, your solution will most likely be cleaner and take victory on this point."

Judging by some of John's comments on what he thinks I've said you almost have to assume that we've all been reading a different thread than him.