Yes, sometimes I'm tired of hearing "good programming practice" as well. Usually up until the moment where I have to open up an old script from mine again (or even a script from someone else), and feel like wading through thick undergrowth when reading the code. I know use strict doesn't help there, but "good programming practice" does.

I can see your point about "good programming practice" being shoved down your throat. Perl, as runrig pointed out before, is good for small and big things - and I hardly ever use strict when all I do is write a wee 5-line script. Same goes for what you call "fun programming".

To use jeffa's seatbelt-analogy again, seatbelts restrict you in your freedom, may even make you feel trapped if you're not used to them. But boy would I feel good if I didn't fly through the windscreen in an accident...

--cs

There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls. - George Carlin