The significant progress in elucidating the normal state of the protot
ypical cuprate La2-xSrxCuO4 is described. New insight is gained from q
uantitative charge dynamics studies (resistivity, Hall effect) over wi
de temperature and hole concentration ranges. Characteristic temperatu
res T have been discovered and corresponding T*'s can also be identif
ied in the magnetic response. At lowest carrier concentrations, T's s
tart out high (700K-800K) and drop rapidly to similar to 100K when sup
erconductivity disappears at high doping levels. From comparisons with
other compounds, we suggest that the T marks the development of a ps
eudogap in the excitation spectrum and we present a T-x diagram for L
SCO, which we suggest is generic to all hole doped layered cuprates.