The others have answered your JAPH questions, so I will tackle some of the others.

I think I return for three basic reasons.

First, to learn more about perl so I can can program it better. People ask questions here I would not and I can learn that way. I can also ask some of the harder perl questions I have and have a reasonable chance of somebody who understands more than I explaining it. I cannot get that at my current location - I am the local perl expert ( no comments from the peanut gallery ).

Second, to give some of that back. Having accepted help, I am honor bound to give that help back to people who need it. I have learned most of my knowledge the hard way and I enjoy helping others through similar problems.

Third, we have a pretty cool group of people here. The flame and the ego trips are mostly left behind. Help is freely and kindly given and there is usually a sense of humour to it. This is pretty rare on the 'net - look at slashdot and then, if you can stand it, read the clpm for a while.

I am not what I would call an obsessed programmer, either. I rarely code at home - there are better things to do ( sleep, watch TV, drink, etc. ) than spend more time in front of a keyboard. The only reason I know perl is through use on the job. It just has taken a few years and I am still not as good as many people around here. Just work at it long enough and you will get better.

mikfire