I like Geoff& #39;s work but the idea that using one computer program instead of several is "disabling" or "theory poor" is a great illustration of the divide between academic planners and practicioners. We don& #39;t all have time to learn every single optimal software.

If the theory of desktop GIS isn& #39;t good enough, the job of academics is to improve it! Not pretend that planning work can all happen with the lax deadlines and general flexibility of academia.

I suppose it would be fair of me to give @gboeing a chance to defend himself (although I& #39;m not so much criticizing him in particular as the general lack of relationship between full-time researchers and practicioners).