Yes, I'm sorry I took one small nugget of your entire post and ranted on it; I apologize. What set me off was the "find the loop in a linked list" example; tha

Yes, I'm sorry I took one small nugget of your entire post and ranted on it; I apologize. What set me off was the "find the loop in a linked list" example; that's one I heard many years ago. I never would have figured it out on my own, but once explained (and for me, proven), it's just like having that special wrench to get the nut under your car; you either have the tool and it's easy, or don't and it's damn near impossible. The skill of the mechanic doesn't come into play. Your goals and means to achieve them were well reasoned and explained, I thought. My only complaint now is I don't seem to have the willpower to do it myself. =\