EF-S 15-55 2.8IS v. 24-70 f2.8--help!!

I'm taking the plunge from film to digital and am purchasing the Canon 40D (body only). I want to purchase the best "walk-around" lens I can, and it seems between these two: EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS and the EF 24-70mm f2.8L. I know the EF-S is digital only and that is not a problem. Any comments or suggestions, thoughts, musings would be appreciated.

17-55 is generally the lens of choice for crop cam owners. Gives you a wide angle, whereas 24mm on a crop isn't very wide at all. I suppose it would depend on what you'd be shooting. The 17-55 has a reputation for gathering dust, and dying without notice. The 24-70L has a rep for variation between copies, but if you get a good one/have a bad one calibrated, it's a real winner. The 24-70L wins for build quality, distortion, and bokeh, where the 17-55 seems to be as sharp or slightly sharper wide open, but isn't built all that well.

I've always had a sneaker for the 24-70...I tried the 17-55, but switched right back. Also, if it means anything, I've had 16 copies now of the 24-70 (don't ask why- has nothing to do with quality), and never a problem. Just remember...you generally only hear about the bad copies...ne'er the good.