I don't see Android winning here, just as I don't see Linux 'winning' against OSX or Windows. Apple offers a business model with apps and iTunes that provides a way for independent developers to sell stuff, whilst offering punters a 'safe' platform with easy access to everything developers/musicians etc. can think to offer them... This is a pretty potent marketing combination.

In terms of it being a closed environment - I think the loss of Flash support is a real pain in the arse, but this doesn't appear to be a deal breaker for a lot of people. Even on Slashdot (where you might expect folk to be more pro open environments then the general population). There aren't too many 'alternatives' to HTML5 about guys...

Sharp had a cutting edge 'personal mobile tool' in the Zaurus, they just didn't seem to know what they had, or how to support it. The PC tablet is a dreadful road to go down - I've tried those too, but unlike the Zaurus, there is nothing to recommend them...

Would I want to build 1000 machines for less than the Dell cost - no way. Would I like to build a single machine for myself and damn the cost? - Now we're talking!

When you're dead you're dead. I don't have a problem with my bones being dug out by hungry/idle badgers, and I quite like the idea of being taken home by kiddies to meet mum and dad - its good to think I would continue being of educational value, rather than just a bit more pollution.

I don't find physical devices too hard to keep track of, but which slot are they attached to on the workstation? I find it easier to keep track if I add an Autorun.inf file and an icon (image.ico) to the root directory of the card or stick or whatever. I have never had problems with these files in the desitination device (camera, Mac, Zaurus etc.) but they make handling stuff on the PC which has a lot of attached devices a lot easier. You can iconise pictures with Irfanview - a 16x16 pixel block is all you need, and I guess anything distinctive will do (but I like to make 'em pretty!). The text in your Autorun.inf should look something like: [autorun] icon=image.ico label=Corsair stick (4GB) - you can add your name to the label if that helps sort out ownership.