If Gearlog has seemed a little spare over the past few days, it's because most of the Gearlog gang has been heading to Las Vegas and the Consumer Electronics Show.

CES is a tough show to cover because it covers so much ground, both physically and in terms of products on display. Everything you might find in Best Buy is on display, plus a whole bunch of stuff that never makes it into U.S. retail. My favorite exhibitor, from a few years back, was the "Live Long and Prosper DJ Supply Co." Did I mention there are a zillion small Asian companies here, hoping for their big break?

Depending on what you're looking for, the noise-to-signal ratio at CES can be pretty high. Plus, though only 130,000 are expected to attend (all these people have meaningful jobs in consumer electronics?), the show covers more physical space than Comdex ever did. It is simply not possible to see all you want to see at CES, no matter how long you stay. And the logistics of getting around can make it hard to hold more than a couple of meetings each day.

Although the show floor doesn't open until Thursday. today (Wednesday) is "Media Day," with a large number of events for reporters and analysts. I don't know everyone's plan, but I will be to roaming the floor, shooting pictures and recording interviews to go with them. The M-Audio people loaned me one of their Microtrack 24/96 audio recorders, which uses MP3 and flash memory for storage. I am hoping it will speed production and help me get a decent amount of audio posted, along with pics to illustrate the interviews. We'll see how it works out.

CES is a well-run, friendly event. Because it is organized by a non-profit, membership association, the show management works hard to keep everyone happy. So, despite wanting to hate CES for its crowds, lack of focus, and even its first-week-of-January scheduling, I find it hard not to get swept up in what is, after all, one of the world's most interesting trade shows.

You will find CES content posted here as well as on other Ziff Davis Internet sites. When I get a chance, I will try to post some links to that coverage. If you have CES questions, feel free to post them as comments and I will answer as many as I am able.