My Asus 1000 40GB SSD/Linux was $56 cheaper, retail, than the 160GB 1000H units (I own a white and black one) with WinXP preinstalled. Other than the storage disk these are identical devices.

So you're saying it's "good enough," well thats ok if you've got lower expectations.

Funny, I cam from Photoshop 7 (yeah old) and I never had a problem figuring it out. Talent transcends tools.

Yeah... inflexible diehards often go the way of dinosaurs, you're aware of this right?
even Hardy Macia is writing his software for iPhone, Palm and Windows Mobile.... he was a hardcore Newton programmer way back in the day.

I never said it was licensed, I stated that they edit their pictures with it, and they expect that kind of functionality out of whatever other computer they use.

I've switched over 5-6 people now, two of then had no interest in photos beyond something that organizes them and downloads them from the camera (F-Spot), the rest had all kinds of pirated goodies and wanted equaled functionality out of their new Linux home.

I do know several people who have licensed copies of Photoshop for Windows, but mostly buying software is a Mac thing.

And really they use the term photochop, or that's the term used in all the car forums.

One of the first things I hear about, next to "Can I sync my iPod" is "Can I run photoshops to edit my pics?" To the average person who has figured out how to crop in Photoshop and paste to things together with layers, GIMP is a dream. Complex, sure, but so is Photoshop. I understand the decision and actually kind of agree with it, but I think saying because it's too confusing for users is a little undermining their target audience of savvy 20 somethings who pirate Photoshop to make LOLcats.

The 2009 TDI is a LEV vehicle...
Using the same methodology for the T2B5 (LEV II) Jetta TDI â" 0.012 g/mi (direct) + 0.000025 g/mi (vehicle evaporative - calculated from ULEV II certified Jetta 2.5 gasser evaporative emissions) + 0.00037 g/mi (gas station ancillary HC emissions) = 0.0124 g/mile total HC emissions.

Much of the rating problems ahve been fully addressed, and really, a broken power window is annoying but nothing compared to the fuel line coming OFF your car like the PT Cruiser. Chrysler's ranked FAR ABOVE VW but has FAR WORSE recalls and issues. Ask me how I know!

You're 100% wrong. The EPAs tests rated my vehicle 31/40. I've never seen less than 38mpg from day one and I drove the hell out of it. I think they drove like a normal person, because the gas Insight could get upwards of 100MPG tailing a larger vehicle. Also the Jetta TDI set the world record for most efficient non-hybrid vehicle in a cross country road trip: 58mpg. As for power; The R10 basically proved that diesels are cleaner, faster and more efficient. My puny 140hp (chipped, 100hp stock) diesel makes 300ft/lb at low RPMs. That means I jump off the line long before your V6 pony gets anywhere near it's peak power -- enough to let me win a 1/8 mile race up to 70mph. I'll get about 38mpg in the process. You will get at best 18.

VW's suggested oil change runs about $60 every 10,000 miles and I've got UOAs that suggest 15,000 miles is OK on the oil.

Most cars use a 3000-5000 change interval @ 30-40/pop. I fail to see how they're more expensive. Are you complaining about the $30 fuel filter you replace every 20,000 miles? Or is it the $50 glow plug you replace every 100,000 to 200,000 miles? You do know that 500,000 - 750,000 miles is a normal life expectancy for a diesel engine, right?

Pretty much any diesel engine built before 2007 imported into the USA will EXCEED the emissions requirement of the USA.

Turn by turn directions. Google maps does not do this. By turn by turn, I mean, the device in real time shows your moving location and propts you audibly and visually that your turn is ahead. It also does route recalculation if you miss a turn, you must re-plot your route manually with Google. This is inherently superior to Google Maps in terms of every day use to get to a destination.

Office 2010. Really? It's about time. They had it BEFORE the OS X switch.

What I want to know is RANGE. How far can this puppy go on a single "tank" of fuel running that generator to power the electric motor? My current car goes 750 highway miles, if it tops that it's a contender, if it can't what is the point? From my perspective, of course. I realize others don't know what to do with a 700-mile range on a vehicle.

Because the vehicle uses a gas engine to extend the electric range, thus it uses a liquid consumable. Also, you have to have some kind of comparison to other vehicles that don't use such fancy tech. Just wait the EVs will be the first to pay per mile; while the rest of us pay per gallon in road taxes.