Oh my! Strictly speaking, it may be true that most folks will spend a bit more time on receiving practice to become minimally proficient. But I would caution against de-emphasizing sending practice for two reasons. First, there's a wide gap between sending /something/ and sending intelligible communications. At low speeds, an iambic keyer with strict timing can cover up poor technique, but at higher speeds or when sending with a straight key, it's surprisingly easy to send gibberish. If I can't make our your call, I can't respond to you ;) Second, effort spent on sending practice helps reinforce receiving practice. It also helps break things up, provide variety, and generally make practice more fun. As you point out, the code is no longer compulsory. It's a hobby and should be fun! :)