Back then, load times for images mattered — after all, many people were using dead slow dial-up connections. Remember those?

I certainly do! Even to this day, I'll put my photos into photoshop and "Save for Web"!! I wonder if the new versions of photoshop even have that option.

Of course, paying attention to details is also something I do for me. If I'm going to put my name on something, I want to feel good about doing so. Maybe that's just ego speaking... and if that is true, then I choose to interpret it as a positive expression of ego.

I'd probably label it as pride. I think it's important to take pride in everything that I do... whether that's writing a comment, a post or how I wash the dishes. I need things to be done properly and if it's not, it's my time that I'm wasting having to go back and do it again (like your eBay example). I also think that something like a blog, is your mark on history (I'm sure you've said this before) and even something that in a couple of years time, I can look back upon with fond memories and pride.

You've made me wonder how much younger than us your acquaintance is? I wonder if that attitude is generational and exemplifies the "attention culture" that's increasingly present.