Polarik, why throw down the gauntlet?
Most pros would have the grace to acknowledge (as I believe you have) that there is (my words here) an indication of a seal on the dailyKOS image (2427x2369, 520 kb version). Anyone here can look at that image (100% magnification) and find it, now that they know where to look. Why not just say so? Why leave your supporters and detractors something to be divided on?
I completely understand putting a lot of work into a project, and then not wanting to entertain requests afterward. I myself am very much a "here it is, take it or leave it" kind of person. If I release something free to the world, I don't want people coming back with their personal wish lists or special requests on how that release could be better tailored to their needs.
I understand you did your work on your own time. Nobody would expect journal-publication quality word-crafting for a project like you undertook. Nobody would expect an error-free analysis. That said, your report has a number of rough spots. Some of that may just be omission of explanation... but how does one distinguish such omissions from errors in reason?
You collected a lot of ground-truth information on actual physical documents, and made us aware of seal changes and things like that. I suspect that that will be the biggest contribution, in the end, rather than any specific claims of image manipulation, but who knows.
On the other hand... I have always prided myself as a dragon slayer. And your points (3) and (4) were hotly spoken. I am really NOT interested in diving into the COLB verification business. I would like nothing more than to turn my attention to other matters. I also believe that there is little more to be gained from the digital image authenticity argument, beyond what has been done, except to keep embarrassments to a minimum. But, all said and done, I think that I would be hesitant to call as a witness someone who talks as hotly as you write.
Sorry all. I'm just trying to figure out what is what, and where those whats stand.
And what you wrote leaves me cold..so I guess I'm back to normal.