I agree. The tribal competion is only created by the feeling of looking at someone's code that knows more about a particular topic than you do. Placing them figuratively on a pedastal, held firmly in place by voodoo magic. But that can only last for so long, with effort and determination anyone can enter an .NET circle of trust/knowledge and become an active contributor. That's what makes it great. Yes, I agree with the feeling of watching others "buy" an equivalent and often better soapbox racer days before the race. But the truth still stands that there are only a few that are technically qualified to work on and troubleshoot "major" malfunctions and problems with said racers. That will never die. Maybe the days of proprietary libraries that are the only source of solutions are becoming lessened because of .NET. But such a creative distrobution can only contribute more interested parties into the world of coding which we hold so dear. Just because it's readily accessible, doesn't make anyone more or less capable than they were the day before of standing out from the crowd. Leaders work for their positions, we don't bitch when someone challenges us, we step up, and raise the bar. That is all that .NET has done, given more individuals a chance to enter the game. Whether they finish in the top 3 or top 3 million is still up to them. Si vic pacem para bellum - If you want peace, prepare for war