Good points, but i do have a problem with not telling someone "Don't re-invent the wheel!" Finding out why they are trying to re-invent it first, then making the judgement call is better - but 9 times of out 10 the person in question does not realize that their problem has already been solved.

I agree. And 9 times out of 10, once they know it's already been done, they'll use it. I'm just encouraging people, If they've got the time and want to improve their skills, not to let people dissuade them from pursuing something that might ultimately further their understanding of programming.

Just a nitpick, i would have prefered the title "Re-inventing the wheel is not always a 'Bad Thing'". =)

That's exactly the title I gave it when writing it:P I remembered some advice from somewhere though that it is more appealing to "argue" a positive than to "argue" a negative, so I renamed it.

-- O thievish Night, Why should'st thou, but for some felonious end, In thy dark lantern thus close up the stars? --Milton