Re: Application development tools (was: no subject)

Let's take a step back,  and ask why do we want a tool and for what purpose we 
want it for, whether it be in connection with
programming or even say, gardening (A habit of us Brits)

Answer - to save us time and effort and money and make our work and tasks 
easier to perform.

So why should we expect FREE tools?   I don't buy a house with a large garden 
and expect the previous owner to provide me with a
free spade and rake unless I buy them from them.

Similarly if we want a  programming tool to save us time we surely should be 
expected to pay for it.

Or, because I sell tools, am I missing the point?

(I'm sure I'll find out that I am and have some other analogies to prove the 
opposite sent b return!)

Jamie Coles