Gack. I hate it when that happens, PJF... makes a statement look real frickin strange when you're referring to something that isn't there any more. Makes it look worse when it inadverdantly makes it look like you're actually replying to the one above, rather than the deleted one. Maybe we should go back to having the "thispost deleted by" displayed in the thread? It did put an end to some of the judicious editing of coments and thread by posters we seem to go through on occassion. snicker Sticks tongue out at DD. Squash them indeed. Who amongst us would do such a callous thing? [He says with wide eyed innocence] Since I suggested the diversion... might as well throw my four cents on the subject in. I'm no longer a working pro in that I no longer work in the graphics field as my primary source of income. I did up untill 1990 or so, both working for companies, and as a freelancer. I'd like to think that I managed to acquire a certain amount of an idea of what constitutes professionalism from the people who mentored me. If I didn't then it's not their fault, they did their best... To me, the difference is one of attitude and conduct. Someone who pursues their craft for money is a professional. To me, professionalism is an attitude - it encompasses being able to conduct oneself in a professional manner, acting with professional courtesy, attention to detail and craftsmanship, and always acting with the realization that ones work represents one in the market place - if my work is sloppy and cut-cornered, people will assume that I am also. Professional courtesy I think is what a lot of this thread has been about, substantatively - how is the proper way to conduct ourselves in regards to the rights, property and creativity of the people we're working with here. We've covered a lot of ground on that, and a number of excellent things have been said on it by PJF, Rad and everyone else. The attitude is a lot more complex, what constitutes conducting oneself in a professional manner. I'd be interested in hearing others thoughts and experiences on this. You can probably tell from my views that I'm old school on the subject - I believe in a lot of parameters that sem to no longer be in fashion in todays business world. More's the pity.

"I am a good person now and it feels... well, pretty much the same as I felt before (except that the headaches have gone away now that I'm not wearing control top pantyhose on my head anymore)"

• Monkeysmell