Very true, skeleton567, and I don't deny that one has to take responsibility for their own betterment. I'm just saying I'm very surprised that so many companies aren't interested in bettering their own employees. I could see it for some companies (various government agencies, for example), but for others in the private sector its just surprising that it's been my experience that they're not that willing to invest in their staff. At least not to that extent. Now many will get you a subscription to Safari, the online technical book reference people. I've used them, and they're good, don't get me wrong, I like Safari. However, I'm the type of person that learns best when I'm with my colleagues, together struggling to understand the new concepts, able to talk to the presenter after the presentation, etc.