Yes, those are great examples! I do enjoy this kind of sci-fi as much as the next person, but I want the other stuff, too. I agree, though, about treating your technology as technology. Unless you are dealing with a chaos realm or something equivalent, there's no reason that even your high fantasy realms shouldn't be ruled by, well, rules. Just because you don't know WHY gravity exists does not mean that it doesn't, etc.
That is a very neat concept, by the way, about using magical calculations to erect barriers. Very cool! I think I have an interesting magic system sketched out for this new concept and the start of what could be an interesting plot. But wouldn't you know it, I've come up with like...two more sci-fi stories in the process? @_@
I really appreciate you linking me that marketing page. That's really helpful! Thank you! :)