Ha, forgive me for being a PITA, but while I agree 100% with your post, the gigabit issue needs to be clarified.
The gigabit ethernet system that "won" is 1000base-T, which will run on plain old CAT 5e cable, but does require all four pairs.
It is 1000base-TX which requires CAT 6. 1000base-TX uses only two pairs, but it lost the race and is not seen much.
10 gig ethernet requires CAT 6e, making CAT 6 the answer to a question nobody asked.
My point being that I believe CAT 6 is an even bigger ripoff than the two wasted pairs that results from using CAT 5 for 100 mbps and lower ethernet. At least those extra pairs can be used for something...
Jim
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Speaking from a secure undisclosed location.
