hi walter,
what is silver & gold ?
I did my DM following my classes... on a trip of 6 months to asia.
Looking back, not the greatest thing, i was so proud of my MSD until i realized when i got back to switzerland... what other type of diving was about, and what i should have received during my education program (including all the DM manuals etc).
I had my 150 dives when i started my IDC/IE process.
I would say that it's really a question of what you do as a DM, and where you do it. 60 dives in quarries with 1m visibility, 4-5°C waters, dry suit etc, with major part down to 30-40m is nothing like diving in 40-60m visibility, 26°C waters crystal blue and current free places. This is where i place the location and type of dive in experience for the more or less needed. but i totally agree with "the more the better" ... if you stick to your standards manual and learn about loads of external things too as a dm or instructor... it's just added value.
I would also add that the best thing to do between DM and instructor, is the DSD Leader, you can get used to the process of taking people who have no experience and dive with them.
Another excellent method to start learning, is simply assisting the Instructor, through confined water dives, helping out on the practice skills (after instructor demo, to get the new divers to improve their skills before validation). And following the theory sessions, during this time constantly pursuing the dive education for yourself (reading, boards, diving, training...).