Here is a great link to solve the tubing material choices.
http://www2.sjsu.edu/orgs/asmtms/artcle/articl.htm
Carbon is here to stay. It will become cheap and cheaper to manufacture and it is more user freindly in its shaping. I have riden all the materials.
A good carbon frame beats them all. Steel is next and AL is last in my opinion.
Have fun kids.