I just had new wheels built with older hubs, good double butted s.s. spokes (36) and Sun CR-18 rims (thought about using Sun Rinolite rims). Heavy but the're cheap and will last longer than any machine built wheel.
Much of the stuff you hear around the bike shop and club rides won't really work for commuting. Many in the racing crowd and club scene don't understand why you would spend 150-200 bucks for heavy duty handbuilt wheels, but hit a pothole some dark raining morning in heavy traffic and you'll understand.