Thanks for all of the info. Now for some more of my own comments and questions.
1 The split circle takes a lot of the guess work out of manual focus. It's really, really easy (assuming the subject cooperates) to get a perfect focus every time. The split circle focuse uses a small circle in the middle of the viewfinder that has a horizontal line through the middle of the circle (and usually another concentric ring around that). To focuse you find a high contrast line somewhere on the subject and put the circle on the line. When the focus is off the line on the subject will be split, but as you come into focus it will merge into one line.
like this
out of focus
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in focus
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2 All of this talk about post processing and adjusting images and raw. It sounded a bit like "cheating" at first. Your pictures should come out right the first time, right. anyone can alter a pic to look good. But then I realized. I guess in film photography there is also adjusting in the developement of the pictures. Color, etc can be altered. So basically the adjusting phase in digital photography is like developing pictures in film photography. Is that basically correct?
3 I decided to try some RAW photography this evening, but I haven't had time to work on the shots yet. Yowza, I wasn't expecting pics that big, averaging nearly 10 MB, but then I guess that's what RAW gives you, the 8mp plus the other info about the shot, right?
4 Am I also correct that the 350D raw is only supported in PS CS2, not CS1?
[1] I've seen that focus type on a friend's older 35mm kit. I liked it so much, I was teased by the idea that I could replace the screen in my XT to the same thing. I'm just wondering if anybody else had done that with the XT... I posted that question in another thread earlier tonight.
[2] Post processing isn't a requirement... well, it is for almost everybody here.
I still believe you can take images right from the camera and be happy with them. Everybody in my family is except me.
Personally, I like taking those good photos and try to make them spectacular. I think that's what the whole post processing thing is about. You can change the settings in the profile a bit to get them more like a POS... whoops, I mean P&S camera... but that's not what DSLR is about. These cameras aren't about party candids... we're talking serious stuff 
Besides, who says photography rules can't be broken... maybe not rules... conceptions.
To mention the word "cheating" might cause a disturbance for some people. After all, like you said, I've seen some crazy stuff being done with chemicals during some 35mm development before. That would never be considered cheating... more creative.
On that note, I'd argue that post processing just adds another creative level to photography.
[3] RAW files are huge... sure... but there's a whack load of image data there to play with.
This kind of ties in with the next question.
[4] I upgraded from CS1 to CS2 right around the same time I shot my first RAW XT shots. I know for sure CS2 has an updated RAW converter for the 350/XT. I have a feeling it's only available in the new RAW converter which is available in CS2.
http://www.adobe.com …/photoshop/cameraraw.html
There ARE alternatives to photoshop raw conversion that other people use (rawshooter or something like that) that I've seen raves about. You can always try one of those programs. Just do a search and you'll find other threads.
Personally, I love the Photoshop program... and that love extends into their RAW converter. I don't see why any other programs would be better... unless you're not too familiar with Photoshop. I'm pretty comfortable with Photoshop and find their converters to be excellent. Not only that, but your workflow is easier if you only have to use one program
