Personally, I would never expect any thanks for offering advise in this or any NG.
Similarly, I would not expect OPs to complain and rant if they do not
receive the desired level of help/speedy reply/complete app written for
them.

i like nick's approach.
it is helpful, though, especially for us not-quite-newbies-but-not-
gurus-either to know whether or not our ideas worked.
:)
susan