Inlining 12 GB (conservatively) worth of functions, that's the argument? Really?

One of the better ways? I think a more accurate description would be, lazier ways that often promotes continued inefficiency and bad design. Even with a massive disk cache, I can't think of any good reason that it would take 16 GB to compile anything.

No, you're close. Wait until your ISP disconnects you based on the unsupported RIAA claim then file a lawsuit against your ISP and the RIAA members.

Nice post, except for I'm not the one placing ads, nice try though. If I go to a site and start getting popup ads, I simply no longer go to that site. Problem solved. Strangely, most sites that I frequent do not use popup ads - so I guess not EVERY site does. In essence, stop bitching and complaining and expecting somebody else to do something about your problem. In this case, the site runs on ads, no visitors, no more ads and no more site.

I know this is Slashdot, but there is really a much easier solution... When you a find a site that does this, stop going to the site - simple. When their traffic tanks maybe they'll remember its actually the visitors that bring life to the site, not advertisers. Advertisers that use this technique, don't buy their products. Why make this more complicated than it needs to be - stop taking their crap.

No, seriously, stop. The only people that want or envision a Citrix or a "web" based primary OS are those in the field or an IT department that wants to get paid the same for doing less. If you want to know what is going to happen if Windows continues to lose market share due to a higher cost, increased unnecessary complexity and lack of understanding about their consumer base you don't need to guess, simply look at what is happening today. Yes, some of the consumers have gone to Linux but quite a few have gone to an Apple based device with Mac OS X. I believe virtualization technologies are great, use them every day, but they have a place and purpose and replacing the desktop is not one of those. Same as with Google and Chrome, no, Chrome is not an operating system nor does it even come close. It is, an application, a browser, and a very good one at that. People, corporate or personal, are tired of messing with their computers just to do simple tasks that are now a part of every day life. So few corporations and developers seem to understand that today.