Great point about everything being a compromise.

I guess that's really what I'm trying to understand; which features are good, and which are optional so when I look at the various tents that are out there I can better judge the trade-offs between the designs.

Your responses along with the others here are really helping with this - thanks!
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Victory awaits him who has everything in order — luck, people call it. Defeat is certain for him who has neglected to take the necessary precautions in time; this is called bad luck. Roald Amundsen