this opinion on vendors is slightly out of date-- sorry, i've been in
the lab:
 
I agree that vendors have alot of useful information that can benefit the
whole community.  i like john kesterson's idea of a side-by-side
comparison of all the different packages.  the problem is that many of
us are connected via networks that absolutely prohibit vendor advertising
(like NSFNET).  since much of the internet is sponsored by the us
government (= tax $$'s), i worry that some overzealous member of
congress will seize on these practices as flagrant waste of taxpayer's
hard earned cash.  in these days of debate concerning commercialization
and regulation of the net, i thought it might be wise to err on the side
of caution.
 
jason swedlow