Great article. Used to teach this with my students. One aspect you may also want to look into is the standard use of "north" and "up" such that powerful countries are depicted at the "top" of the map. There are plenty of versions of maps that suggest alternatives.

See http://flourish.org/upsidedownmap/ for examples.

Wow, that argument has merit when you're talking about the sensors in camera phones and point and shoots, but um, this sensor is huge in comparison. It's over 2x the size of a full frame 24x36 sensor. So, while the megapixel war of words in point and shoots and even some DSLRs is getting old, in these highly specific cameras, the megapixel war is hovering around the 40-60mp range, not 28 and 33.

These camera are specific tools for high end studio/fashion/textile/landscape work. They are not really for taking snap shots of your kid's 6th grade dramatic debut.

@ bannedmonkey. Yes, you've got it exactly right. Yawn on the armchair critics who try to wax techno-philosophic on topics that are beyond their understanding.

"This camera is soooo overdone, dude. My Holga duct-taped to my iPhone can tweak out way more retro-looking, instant-artistic shots. I can't believe anyone would lower themselves to use this overly capitalistic piece of garbage. I bet it doesn't even come with a southern hemisphere collective-made hemp carrying case."

I just bought one of these (the newer IQ816 with 25" display) using the Microsoft Live.com search Black Friday deal. Despite being a complete debacle (the ordering process and actually getting my cashback to be processed), for $2099 minus $800 (40% off), I think this is incredibly great product. It is a high quality piece of kit that looks better than my 24" iMac (granted old 'white' version) that sits on the desk next to it.

The 800 series does have the ability to be wall mounted which is nice and I'm hoping that Windows 7 will add the multi-touch pieces that it desperately misses.

As for changes, I think it could use more compatibility with programs (given the 64bit Vista version) as well as Wacom like features. But, frankly, give me multi-touch and some number of optimized programs and this is a great system.

It's my MSI Wind running 10.5.5. Come on now...next.

To Kitco and 'why not the LS2LS7':

I don't know the details about CARB data, so I may be off on the numbers there, but it is my understanding that the new technology TDIs (and I mean new now, 2009, not even the 2006.5 versions) actually 'catch' the NO emissions in a filter that periodically burns these off at very high temps (fancier brands like Mercedes and BMW will use the urea-based systems to do this). The result is actually far lower NO and particulate emissions that compete head on with other cars in the class. The sticker of my Jetta references a smog index of .2 which is lower than the average (.3) of all the cars in its class (compact cars sold in USA, I imagine).

Yes, older diesels always "burned cleaner" meaning they were technically more effiicient, but gave off too much NO and particulate matter (smog causing). The new systems do not do this.

So, while any engine that burns fossil fuel contributes to crappy air quality, etc., the new diesels sold in the US meet CA/MA emission standards (by a good margin).

As for cost, it's all relative. Yes, maintenance might be higher in the short term, but diesels run for much longer on average (in terms of miles) than gas competitors, so the formula on ultimate "cost" is a tough one.

As for mpg; I just completed a 100 mile trip on highway and averaged 41mpg. YEs, in town, it's not this good, but whose is?

Just my thoughts based on my research...

I was lucky enough to snag one "un-claimed" Jetta Sportswagen TDI about two weeks ago in SF. It's my first VW and first diesel. I love it. Great pep around the city (the DSG tranny is great, feels like a manual with the bonus of not having to shift). Fuel economy was only one factor for me, including durability of the diesel engine, low smog factor/cleaner burn, and overall less consumption than similar gassers with more power/torque.

My SF-based dealer does not do markup, but the Oakland dealer is rumored to have $5K markups on the new TDIs. I think the mark-ups will disappear as supply increases. There's a rumor too that dealers who are not marking up the TDIs are getting larger allotments than dealers who mark up...

Blackjack's is nice too...but I can double date.

I already have a D70. but what the heck.

This is the same device as the Vosonic 8360 and a few other devices. The guts are built by one company and These companies slap a different skin on it. BTW, the Vosonic is much cheaper than the digital foci.

You can upgrade the HDD. There's a section in the manual on how to do it. You can buy it without a HDD and install your own. This is one of the reasons why it's such a cool device. Vosonic wants us to play with it and use it to our liking.