Well I belong to that school, and as I also have the same problem I will fix it myself when I decide on the best adhesive to use. That raised lip on the edge of the grip IS just asking to get lifted by a thumb often moving over it.

Actually THE best adhesive is the black stuff used to bond auto windscreens (forget the name), but it requires a primer. Both primer and adhesive are VERY messy to use. So it hasn't been repaired yet!

I used the usb lead that came with the camera, it's 1mtr.
Shouldn't be a problem adding a usb extension lead to make it easier though.

I'll mention just in case - if you a linking to a pc, it may be worth checking out which, or if all ports are usb2 high speed.
Usually the ports directly mounted on the mother board at the back, will be high speed, those on the front or side of the case connected via leads to a connector block on the mother board, may not be high speed; especially if your pc is a few years old.
(But I stand to be corrected on this.)

Nooooo, got to be one of those coloured K-x; the dayglow pink
Must be able to get award winning shots from that.
(Just from the look on peoples' faces when you catch them.)

Speaking from a similar position I was in recently, deciding on my first DSLR, I chose a K20D.
My criteria was slightly different in that I am experienced in photography and my decision was weighted by certain specs which I deemed necessary (video not being one).

I think the K20D is excellent, and a camera which can be used in any way to suit anyone. It can be used point-n-shoot or totally manual (leaving every decision to the user). Furthermore it's unlikely anyone learning photography with this camera will ever find themselves in the situation of wishing for a facility it doesn't have.
I've been really very impressed how easy it has been to start using from the word go.
From my point of view, having experience, it's a joy to use. Everything you need often is easy and readily available, buttons aren't cramped and are in the "right" place; it's been very intuitively designed. And it just feels so right in your hands.
But the same could be true for others of course.

That said, in your case I don't think you should base your choice entirely on specifications alone.
I don't have big hands and although the K20D feels good, I wouldn't be objecting if it were a little smaller.
You really should go to a shop and hold them, make sure they feel OK in your hands. It doesn't matter how good a camera is if you are not comfortable with it.

If you are comfortable with the K20D, it will not be a wrong choice.

Well I’ve cracked it. Remote Assistant was the way to go, but not by using it quite as intended.
Under Tools > Options > Auto-save setting – Save in, I put the desired folder path on the computer.
And only use RA just to save shots to the computer, easier than trying to look at the camera.
Then I monitor the folder with my default viewer, FastStone Image Viewer (FS).

Once one image is in the folder, I select it then [Enter] and FS opens it full screen.
Then after further shots are taken, I just press [>] (right arrow key) and as soon as the image arrives on the computer, it appears full screen.
FS is good in this situation because when viewing images in a folder, when it gets to the last one, it doesn’t start at the beginning again; consequently it waits ready to display the forthcoming image after a shot is taken and [>] pressed.
(Use “File” “Exit” to close RA, not the not the “X” button, or the destination path won’t be remembered when it’s opened again next time.)

Incidentally I’ve tried many viewers before settling on FS and it gets better with every version – and it’s free.
It has a host of features not obvious and loads of customizable options and many single key commands:
“A” = image full size.
“B” = image fit to screen (if larger).
“I” = properties (EXIF, histogram, etc.
[Enter] = toggle between full screen or 3 pane view (folders, preview, files)
Nice, is that pane focus is automatic on mouse pointer position, no need to click.
And really useful is lossless JPEG rotation, just click the L or R rotate button and the image is also automatically saved.
Comparison is good because images can be [alt] dragged to align with each other, then moved or zoomed together, optionally with EXIF & histogram. There are not many image formats it can’t use, and speed of loading between RAW and JPG is not too noticeable. It maintains a database anyway, so after an image has been loaded, it’s faster thereafter (whilst still current in the DB of course).

I did explore PENTAX PHOTO Browser. What can I say, maybe I missed a host of usefulness…..

I do have a video capture card on the box, and using the HDMI cable was next on the list, but I didn’t get that far.
Nor Lightroom, likewise I was about to check that out too.

This solution works just as I want, and for me not a problem that images are saved direct to computer and not on the camera card (one less thing to do).
But it doesn’t address the issue of monitoring the camera, so that’s something I’ll play with sometime.

Thanks for all the input.

That's nicely concise Matt, thanks.
I've started a spreadsheet to categorize the types and their usage when on a K20.
But it is getting a bit bloated and "the wood for the trees" effect is evident.
Your input will serve well as succinct Headers.

But nice to be prepared. Thanks Kris.

I know someone who trades in s/h camera equipment and most of his lens' are K mount. When I first decided I needed to upgrade to a 'proper' camera, and not not knowing what to start looking at, it was he who suggested to seriously consider Pentax due to high availability of s/h lens'.
Bringing other manufacturers' into the equation is going to be real fun.

Cheers, I checked out Eye-Fi
Unfortunately the K20D is not supported (also K10D & K-7).

The wi-fi SD cards can provide more than just a direct link to PC and are also IP enabled.
Thinking that the "not supported" tag may be due to the metal body of the K20D limiting full operability, I phoned them to see if a short distance direct camera/PC link would work.
But it wasn't that simple of course, it's something which causes the camera to hang.

But if it's of interest to anyone, he did tell me there's a possibility the K-7 may work with a new product, but they don't know yet.

Incidentally I wasn't speaking ref to any of the info posted.
Personally I don't mind complicated info, being a bit of techy.

Being new to the terminology is my first issue; like getting to know about the basic lens types, FA, DA etc.
And I haven't any idea yet how they are ranked in terms of quality (what's desirable and what's not).

It'll come. Cheers

So true John - Speaking as one who is

There was a glitch for a while yesterday. Thought I'd forgot to "Add" after preview. Tried again, but message would not be added to the page even though the forum index was showing that I'd just posted.
Some time later there was warning messages that posting was down for maintenance.

Too true. I had some studio stuff to do last night, so read enough to get me started
(nearest I've been to automation to date has been an AP Chinon!).
Now - no laughing
It was all going to be be flash so I'd stay with manual, and f8 will be about right to get started.
I had my "duh" moment when I was looking all around the lens trying to find the aperture ring
But the shoot went well, surprisingly easy. I was really impressed how intuitively the design and layout of controls and functions are. What a great camera.

Yes I can use anything he has. But he doesn't have much that would be regarded as usable/desirable by today's standards. He even has stuff like a pneumatic shutter lens