Like, alamanos, I'd go with plug-ins too. - less taxing on the lower-end systems (only use what you need) - more flexibility and expandability without disrupting program code (e.g., avoid patching that would eventually result in a less than optimum system...which would make it hell to upgrade) - similarly, more frequent upgrades which means capability could be brought on-line faster as new technologies are developed - there's no reason you couldn't build a common interface in this scheme