< Werner Terreblanche writes -- in part> > > I was following this thread with interested because I've expected > this clash between Microchip fans and anti-Microchip fans for a long > time now. What I find really strange is that the person/persons who have > complained most about Microchip for more than a year now still keeps > on using PICs and subscribing to the PICLIST regardless. I agree with Werner's thesis that that the controversy should be in the open and as thoughtful as we can make it. However, I really appreciate the diverse opinions (and no shortage of intellect) and would *never* want to suggest that either "anti" or "pro" opinions are unwelcome or not in some way constructive. I for one have a burr in my saddle about Microsoft. What bugs me is how inaccessable the company is and how much of my time gets swallowed up chasing their mistakes. So everytime I have to deal with them I'm on edge expecting a run-around, sluggish response, wrong answers and to be charged (money) for it -- not the best attitude to use when asking for technical support. Could it be that some folks have had similar experiences with Microchip and fell into the same mind set? Cheers, Win Wiencke Image Logic Corporation ImageLogic@ibm.net