Thanks Mari I did check out the attached post you mentioned, helpful, and also made my decision more "confusing". There are so many things to consider.
Leslie, thanks for your info, it does help in my decision, all the info and advice I can get right now is helping.
The shutterlag is a concern to me for the exact reasons you mentioned, missing that special moment. I have to purchase within a budget, and that is a really big part of my decision (as much as I would love to go wild) A G2 here is out of my budget, not by much but it is. Holly that's interesting about the dpi results...and I am realizing that I could get a 3MG digital plus a new SLR with 28-90 & 100-300 lens for the cost of one 4MG digital camera. I am not frightened of the traditional optical methods, and am swaying on the fact that having both kinds gives me more options. That doesn't mean that I am not looking forward to oneday investing in a very nice digital that could do all of the above, I think that day is a few years away though.
I have been wishing for a digital for a long time, and am nervous that I make the right decision. I am suprised that I am leaning towards the way I am, but I guess that is why I have researched and asked advice, so I don't finish up being disappointed. I really apreciate everyones comments, especially from the ART side of this debate. Thanks everyone.
