Are you stoned? I guess you weren't around here when people were buying Quandos and Suzue Jr's.

Formulas are more than fine. They work great for the price and I'd venture to say that most people don't need to go for anything more expensive. Show me someone who has broken anything aside from a locknut on a formula hub, and I'll show you someone who doesn't have a goddamn clue how to operate a bicycle.

Alex is a big brand and makes a lot of different rims. I've got DA-16's laced up to some Deore hubs on my Cross Check and they run like a top. I beat the crap out of that bike and I haven't had to touch the wheelset yet. They're a little heavy, but who cares? I'd rather have a wheelset that weighs 100 more grams and won't collapse underneath me.

You should ride for a couple more years and try some different products before you go around giving bad advice about stuff.