>>Hello Dean.
>>
>>I've worked with programmers that really didn't get involved with "groups", but they could code the pants off of anyone. They just choose to keep to themself.
>>
>>Hmmmm. How is it then that they learn and get new ideas?
>
>You can still read forums, magazines, and books yet never make a post. That doesn't make you a bad programmer, does it?

Well, I'm checking prospective employers. Quite often, it's someone who's a long time UT member, yet never wrote a message. And there's a number of those who became UT members so they could post an ad. Interestingly, these guys usually keep visiting UT after that.
I also check (not each time) how many employees are members here. Doesn't say much, but sometimes helps.