For example, if jQuery were to define their trim() method as a prototype to the String object, then it would/could override a pre-defined version of the function. If the two functions did not behave *exactly* a like, now you have some issue that's very hard to debug and track down.
I agree. One of jQuery's strengths is that it plays well with other libraries. By keeping all of its code within the jQuery namespace it respects existing utility extensions, but more importantly, it protects its own. For those that like to have access to utility functions via object prototypes there are many available in the plugins/methods folder of SVN. Mike
