cafewriter,
First, let me say that I have nothing against film or those who choose film over digital!
The G3 seems like a very good non-SLR digital, but you're right about its relatively limited "growth" potential. Similarly, a few years ago I was considering a move to digital, and the sales guy at the camera shop convinced me to wait for what turned out to be the Canon D30. I'm glad I did!
I think you should adjust your terms a bit. When you talk about "digital" you seem to be referring to the non-SLR cameras like the G3. When you talk about "SLRs" you seem to be referring to film bodies. It would be less confusing if you kept to terms like "film" or "film-based SLR" and "digital" or "digital SLR" (DSLR) instead.
Your "advantages of digital" are true, as far as they go. But it's clearly a list made by someone without the benefit of having done a good deal of digital work. I'm sure others will weigh-in, but I would add these other benefits of shooting digital:
* The low cost of shooting & immediate feedback both encourage experimentation - have become a better photographer as a result.
* The histogram and "exposure warning" help fine-tune exposures - I find this to be better than relying solely on the meter.
* I'm shooting more and sharing more than I ever did with film. It's much quicker and easier to put up a web page after a digital shoot. Yes, with film I could get it processed and scanned, but that's much more work, IMO!
You've been led to believe that 35mm film will produce results that are superior to (non-SLR) digital cameras. That's probably true for the most part - depending upon how large you intend to print. For example, I bet you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between a 4 x 6" print made from 35mm negative and one made from a G3. If you were to make 16 x 20" prints from the same sources, the difference would be more evident. Whether you would prefer the print made from film isn't necessarily clear, though!
Okay, let me get to the bottom line. It sounds as though you're serious about doing photography, and (as evidenced with your PC experience) you're likely going to be adding accessories to your camera to allow you to more flexibility in your shooting. I personally think you would be best served with a digital SLR. This will give you tremendous flexibility, and the advantages (and disadvanteges :-) of a digital workflow. For most photographers, the future is digital. Period. If you're just now starting into photography, I strongly suggest that you take the digital path. Aside from your choice of camera, you'll need to set up a workflow that works for you. Maybe you'll use Photoshop (I suspect most photographers do), and you'll need to figure out things like how to get the best prints and how to archive your images. There are many, many good resources on the web to assist - including The Luminous Landscape! But IMO you should get started with the whole digital process, then gradually add to your camera gear. That way you're always moving, more or less, in the same direction. If you start with film, you're virtually guaranteeing that you'll need to make a dramatic change somewhere down the road.
There are several good DSLRs from which to choose. You could go for the Canon 10D, which is probably the *best value* today. It makes outstanding images, and can take the same lenses as Canon's other SLR cameras, both film and digital. If you don't want to spend ~$1,500 on the camera body, consider getting a used D30 or D60 for considerably less. These cameras, too, make excellent images. I know personally of a D30 that recently sold for ~$1,000 - including the versatile 28-135mm IS lens. Either way, your investment in lenses and other accessories will remain viable into the future, if you decide to upgrade to a different Canon DSLR down the road.
Of course you could go with a Canon film-based SLR, and the same applies: your lenses etc. will remain useful when you make the switch to a Canon DSLR. But if you take this route, you'll be investing in the whole film-based workflow which you'll have to "unlearn" later.
For me, the choice is clear. Spend a bit more now (or after you've saved a bit more), and go with a digital SLR.
I suspect others will have a different view, and as they say, your mileage may vary!
Hope This Helps!
-- Jim