" and with some learning [shock horror] PD is *very* useable. the progress bar install that you appear to be imagining is milk and cookies for a person that would [if addicted to such 'comforts'] would not have the curiosity to grokk PD or MaxMSP anyway. but then again, i may simply just be a person equally addicted to learning about what's going on in my computer, how and why.. so much so i believe it actually good for people [and computers] ;)"

No matter how much you argue that PD is useable - and I agree with you it is very uesable there will always be a class of users who want it to be laid on a plate for them- this is the wider market - people who currently use Max/MSP and would be tempted away. Non technial Mucisians and artists who would use it etc.

I would prefer to see the "market" for PD grow organically. As we make the program easier to use for ourselves its user base will grow. There is no reason to appeal to larger user base - its more work for us and there is

little or no benefit.

From a selfish point of view - I have a tool that I can use to make

music. There are a bunch of people (you lot) who make it cooler and cooler every day and I can write stuff I need when I need it - and if others want to use that stuff (eg. vst~) then that's cool too. Why would I actually care about anyone else using the product if they are not going to make cool things for me to use?

cheers

mark