Interesting link.....however, the article should be re-titled as "25 Examples of what's wrong with your processing...or your technique"...

Most of the HDR images show classic haloing, low mid tone contrast, grainy skies, over saturation, and scenes where the sky is darker than the water reflections.
Some show relatively poor composition, uncorrected sloping horizons, uncorrected severe lens distortion and vignetting.

Having said that, there are some that are quite nice, including the Kaufman "Orton effect" images.
The remainder of the images are interesting and could be made much much better with some thought, attention to detail and re-processing.....As they were presented though, hardly "25 Outstanding Landscape Photos"

There is a lot more to this story than that contained in the original link...

Here are some comparison photos to identify the wolf....and the location of where the image was taken;

http://www.suomenluonto.fi/bbc-luontokuvakisassa-epaillaan-huijausta

It's in Finnish...so you'll have to use google translator...

Agree completely with Inshaala!
Card readers are the way to go.

In general, most of the software that is supplied by the camera manufacturers to "offload" and "organize" your photos is...quite bluntly....crap.

Benefits of using card readers;

1. No need to bloat your computer with poorly written software
2. No risk of computer power fluctuations damaging your expensive DSLR
3. No draining of the camera battery ( Cam needs to be on when connected to PC!!!)
4. You can use your camera to take photos rather than having it tied to your PC

Whaleman's comment concerns only the use of CF cards...and for the most part, bent pins are the result of two things; user error in an attempt to put a card in inproperly...or poor handling practices resulting in "dirt" plugging one of the pin holes.
Similarly, repetitive use of the USB connection on the cam itself could cause failure of the USB connection inside the cam....although, this is just as unlikely as a bent CF pin... 

In the future we won't have to worry about any of this as wireless transfer becomes mainstream...

"It turns out 97% of the entire membership here at Renderosity has an interest in 3D modeling"

I think there is your answer...the statement pretty much sums it up....

@Martin;
Good advice offered by Inshaala....all important points in monitor selection.

But, you have just asked one of the most important questions in your last response;

**"My most important question about this monitor is color ... will the colors be
true..."

**If you are planning to use this monitor for photo imaging work.....I strongly suggest that you consider the monitors color gamut capability.
Most consumer LCD's only produce a 72% NTSC color gamut....several high end models produce well in excess of 100% NTSC color gamut.
The higher the better....unfortunately that also means more expensive.

For info on LCD color gamut;

http://compreviews.about.com/od/monitors/a/LCDColorGamut.htm

If your monitor manufacturer does not mention what color gamut its model produces....it is most likely the 72% version (most common). 
(A quick survey at one of my local big box electronic stores had only ONE model out of about 30 on display that had clearly identified it's color gamut capability.  When asking the young techie sales clerk about color gamut.....his eyes "glazed" over....I think the only thing he knew was that Friday was pay day)

Again, if you are intent on using any monitor seriously for photo imaging work, I also recommend adding a hardware calibration device in your purchase decision.

Tom's question brings me back to the suggestion I made to Renderosity several years ago...that being to implement the ability to segregate one's "own" gallery into different sections....ie, one section to Terragen, one section into Photography, one section into "snapshot", one section into 2D, etc.....

That way a viewer wishing look at a person's Terragen images for example....would not have to wade through all of the photos and Bryce images....

From the FAQ in the 2D gallery here at Renderosity;

"Q: What about Photography?
A: While the art of photography also produces two-dimensional images, again the tools required for and the process for producing images are quite different from drawing/painting. Renderosity offers a fine Photography forum and gallery for photo-buffs.

Q: When might we see CG-3D or Photography in the 2D Graphics forum?
A: Both CG-3D and Photography items are welcome if the 3D/Photo aspects were used as a "base" from which to build upon. If your final image was completed freehand, using paints/pencils or a digital paint program, for more than simple "post-render touch-ups," please share it! "

Exposure bracketing is the key element in creating HDR images.  This feature is typically only seen on mid to higher end DSLR's.
I do not think that your Canon elph has such a feature....

My suggestion would be to keep the compression as HIGH as you can without showing obvious artifacting at 800X600.
Lowering the JPG compression produces a better quality image for those intent on stealing your image.

***"I downloaded a wallpaper from Renderosity"

***I didn't know that Renderosity offered wallpapers for download.....

I think Danny probably hit the nail on the head....what was the shutter speed shown in the exif of the blurred photos?

Canon 50D write speed tests on a host of CF cards;

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/camera_multi_page.asp?cid=6007-9672

The Sandisk Extreme III 30mb/sec version is already a UDMA card....older version Extreme III's are not.

Here ya go Rich:
for the Canon 30D;
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E30D/E30DIMATEST.HTM

By the way, Imaging Resource has Imatest results for most cams....

We discussed this very topic here in this forum a few  months ago....

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?message_id=3380649

No one seemed to be too concerned about the potential implications at the time....

A few points to add;

1. Typical consumer grade LCD monitors are only capable of producing an 82% color gamut....better models (more expensive) will give you up to over 120% color gamut.
2. If you are truly concerned about color fidelity...remember to consider the cost of a hardware calibration device into your budget
3. Be wary of the "high gloss" LCD screens...they can be difficult to accurately calibrate.
   4) You may have some difficulty being able to find a 4:3 aspect ratio model out there...unless it is old stock....