since i asked the question for purely personal, information-gatherine reasons, rather than to prove anything to anyone else, I guess whether the question is valid to *me* is what is important to me.

and since i have learned what i set out to learn, i would have to say that it fulfilled its purpose, for me, and that would seem to me to be the test of its validity to me.

other people finding it valid and getting some value out of it is gravy, and other people finding it invalid is fine - you have your opinion, i have mine - i am ok with that.

k.ibsen, i have been at work all day and haven't had the chance to really read today's posts. I will try to do it tonight though i have not finished my task for the day and will be taking it home with me. I am not sure i understand your anger, but i think i will respond to you privately on that.