I've been playing around with animated gifs using Carrara, but struggle to get what I believe is a quality animated gif.  It would be nice to have the background transparent. 
What are the best settings to achieve a transparent background, strong colors, and a sharp quality animation?

I save as image file and put together in an editing software. Virtual dub is free. Just as an alternative to trying to do it all in Carrara.

Edit - my avatar was done in Carrara and then I used Animation Shop to put the frames together that I got with my PSP8. Also I could take a few frames out to lower the .gif file size without losing to much rez.

I dunno best way, but my method: export uncompressed mov file (OS X) with alpha channel,
then add background and convert to gif in CS3/4, or convert to flash in visualhub.

however, I feel that anim gif is obsolete, excepting things like avatar on left (8, 16, 32 colour). 
they allow flash in these forum posts but they discourage it, for obv. reasons.
swf/flv is much smoother and smaller file size for mega-colour anims IMVHO. 
one of ipad's downsides: they didn't add flash to the models distrib. at wednesday's conf.
with jobs as keynote speaker, but that's just a matter of time, as it's web standard now,
just like gif useta be 15 yrs ago.

Okay, I'm very jazzed about iPad.  I didn't see if java scripts were added.  If no Flash, what about sites that are all flashy ?  Do you think bluetooth keyboards will work with iPad?  I don't think the screen typing will be very comfortable - and you lose half the screen. 

I'll look into flash instead of gifs
thanks for that
I like your avatar -

yes, users have mentioned difficulty typing on screen due to back-lighting/angle, hence they'll
be providing a keyboard/stand, USB AFAIK.  there will be a buttload of add-ons but
jobs just wanted to get this out ASAP.  no time to lose.

I am jazzed!  I kinda wish it did have some computer-like functionality - like a way to add apps (like Carrara) to it.  Maybe that is asking too much.  I like the idea of applications being small and working off web applications like google docs or server-based apps, but an all-in-one touchscreen iPad would be very powerful...

I use Animation Shop 3 that was bundled with Paint Shop Pro 7. 

You can find Paint Shop Pro 7 in bargain bins.