apache and the php engine have plenty of compile flags. not to mention whatever the database is.

That's just fantasy.

This is TECHNOLOGY!

Actually, there's no stupidity here. In gnome (at least on debian) the default is to stop when the top of the window hits the top of the screen. Regardless of how you are manipulating the window/where your mouse is/whatever. Of course, I think there's some obscure gconf option to change the behavior.

In the rest of the world, the only time the original Vendor/Distributor/Manufacturer/Whoever gets a cut of a second sale is when they're adding some value, by doing a factory refurbishment, or inspection, so why should the game publishers be any different?

They can "refurbish" the game: Reset any DRM installation restrictions, clear out the multi-player accounts, check the disk for scratches, and replace any missing bits of paper in the box.

Then they can have a cut.

Until then, welcome to second hand sales.

Semantics...
Yes, you're right, about the physics, but I would argue that ALL parts of the elevator would probably be geo-stationary, so effectively the WHOLE ELEVATOR is in geo-synchronous orbit, regardless of whether any given piece of it is at the altitude where a normal satellite would be in geo-synch or not...

if the top of the elevator isn't in geo-synchronous orbit, the elevator has to be a free-standing structure. You can only put stuff in geo-synch on the equator...

Good luck with that!