I like Geoff'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't all have time to learn every single optimal software.

If the theory of desktop GIS isn'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'm not so much criticizing him in particular as the general lack of relationship between full-time researchers and practicioners).