David: have been thinking about your question. I support new techniques and equipment. These certainly make our lives easier and less stressful. However, in quilting I believe they have given the false impression to new quilters that they replace having to learn the basics. Buying a ready made half square template avoids the task of learning how you get to the half square. Going directly to the machine we loose the learning of how fabric needs to be manulipated. Machines don't manulipilate. I often wish I could get a bunch of quilters in a class room with only a stack of assorted fabric, a ruler, some graft paper, cardboard, paid or scissors, a pencil and a needle and some thread. I find that when I mess up the problem is not paying attendion to the basics.