I'm sure it is more a preference of play-style. I don't mind support characters, but not when that is their primary function. Bardic inspiration is pretty much all about others and supporting them. No thanks. I like a lot of other things about bards such as Jack of all Trades and Expertise, spells and magical secrets. Remove all the stuff about inspiration and song/music, add other features instead, and the class would be great. I'd much rather see bards as weaker but more universal in their skills--think not as good at fighting as fighters, access to ALL spells, but not that many of them, versatile with skills but maybe not as good as the "skill monkey" rogue. Better yet, remove rogue as the skill monkey and give THAT to bards.