Display as Folder vs. Stack: What's the difference?

[i4k20c]

This is something that bugs me alot about Leopard. This question always comes up in my head and i google it but get no answer. What is the difference between a "stack" vs. "folder" in the dock?

They both seem to do the EXACT same thing to me, which makes me feel that I am not seeing it or taking advantage of it.

 

[MacManiac76]

The only difference is what icon is displayed in the dock. As a folder, the icon used for display on the dock is the default folder icon for that particular folder. As a stack, the icon used for the display on the dock is the icon of the first item within that folder.