Hm.
So, how many people were clamouring for a mage to be able to do more all the time, *before* the relevant details of 4e were released? Or has 4e suddenly shown just about everyone (or perhaps, nearly everyone who is "vocal" in this forum, for example) something they didn't realise about the horrors of playing a mage in 3e, 2e, 1e, BECMI, B/X and OD&D (and the rest). . .?
Other than those people involved directly or otherwise in the development and/or marketing of 4e at any stage, I mean. Of course, they might be slightly biased, and understandably so: it's their baby. Well, -to-be, anyway. That's cool.
But as far as just gamers/fans/readers/whatever go, was this even a "problem" prior to the "solution" that is being touted as such?
Because yeah, it seems to me that a *lot* of people on- and offline play wizards, and hey, some even play sorcerers!

And, furthermore, it seems that many such gamers love playing these classes. As is, in 3e. As *was*, in 3e, even. Like, core f'rex. So. . .

Yeah, I just don't see the "issue" in the first place. Not IRL.