> > With patch cords, which are typically short, it would appear that STP
> > would be insignificantly different that UTP.
>
> Plus don't you have to earth them [STP] at one end?

And *only* one end. Grounding (Earthing) at both ends creates a path for
current to flow to ground OTHER than the mains wiring, and if there are a
few amps (or more) going to ground, you do *not* want it going through your
shielding ("Hey! Why did the network just die?"). You also don't
necessarily need the hum from having the ground loop, either.

steve