  Absolute resistivity measurements as a function of temperature from optimally
doped YBa_2Cu_3O_(7), La_(2-x)Sr_xCuO_4, Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_(8-x), and
(Ca_0.1La_0.9)(Ba_1.65La_0.35)Cu_3O_y thin films are reported. Special
attention is given to the measurement geometrical factors and the resistivity
slope between Tc and T^{*}. The results are compared with a strong coupling
theory for the resistivity derivative near T_c, which is based on hard core
bosons (HCB), and with several weak coupling theories, which are BCS based.
Surprisingly, our results agree with both paradigms. The implications of these
findings and the missing calculations needed to distinguish between the two
paradigms are discussed.
