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Speaking of sentimental memories and incompetence...there were a lot of people lacking in skills in the early days of After Effects, as well (smile). It didn't help that the first two third-party After Effects books were written by people who didn't actually use the program; they were just trying to make a quick buck. A very large part of the reason we started writing books was to share with our fellow users - partially out of a sense of giving back (we were influenced by the cutting edge community at the American Film Institute in Hollywood based around the then-new media and tools). It was also to help raise everyone's game so we as a group could counter the perception in the professional broadcast and film community that desktop-based solutions were just low-quality toys (often the result of a poor user rather than poor tools) - we didn't want to lose gigs because someone else had done a bad job! It is true that back in the early days, some of us were looking at each other and saying "isn't it great how everyone is sharing? I wonder how long this will last?!?" - and through our books and groups like MGLA (as well, of course, through the efforts of Brian on the other coast - he had a user group and training materials before we did) we hoped to continue that positive environment and ethos. As for the potter, all too many artists try to hide their techniques (while, OTOH, others supplement their living by writing and teaching). As for the secretive worker, well, s/he was just an a-hole who should never be hired again; workers and freelancers are hired to make the lives of their clients easier, not harder - and shouldn't forget that. Anyway - enough nostalgia; I've got two new AE-related projects with milestones to hit today, and then I'm putting on my artist hat for a gallery event tonight. - Chris
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