Um, am I missing somehting, or do I detect a certain bias in both BigJim and Kizarvexis towards their respective favorite vacation destinations? 8)

BigJim-- it makes sense to me that if the Moon is a tougher environment, that is a good place to test equipment, at least some of it. The environment you described sounds to me like one that I could say "Hey, if this thing works on the Moon, Mars is easy!"

Kizarvexis -- one of the differences with equipment on the Moon is that, for instance, vacuum-welding of moving parts is an issue where on Mars it isn't, at least not in the same way. (It is harder to make lubricants that work in a vacuum because they tend to sublimate, and that's just one example). So there are some things that are better tested in Antarctica. In fact, in Northern Canada there wre people testing out hab technology now. (Anyone know if that project is still active?)

To say that Mas offers possibilities to human culture and civilization that the Moon never will seems a bit -- well, unimaginative. (See Stephen Baxter, Space, for a nice treatment of potential life on the Moon).

Both worlds are worthy of colonization efforts on their merits.

Could the Mars Direct method be applied to other planets? Maybe a set of simultaneous flights? (I know that is a near-impossible dream, but one can hope).

Something about medical treatment, by the way-- you would expect a mission to have a doctor, and basic surgical equipment on board, no? Not enough for brain surgery, but enough to be like the mobile hospital units in the military or a trauma center.