What is the best compact digital camera. other than picture quality, i want good battery life and quick flash?

Exilim... very stylish, great battery life (and easy to charge up... the batteries last long), and the flash isn't that lame delayed double flash crap... very good indeed!
http://exilim.casio.com/

you need 2 shop around and see what you can find

Sony Cybershot

I've been very happy with the Fujifilm Finepix F10. With the gigabyte xD memory card I can take almost 700 pictures at the second highest setting and the battery doesn't run out. I rarely use the flash though.