and also, extending the analogy, how long will it take all us "white country folx" to act on the realization, as our oppressed brethren in recent news-worthy near-eastern countries have, that our leaders aren't ANY better? Just 'cos ya wear a suit and tie....... At least Europeans demonstrate collectively in large numbers. In the US, well, the biggest numbers congregate in hot-dog venues. "Buy a hot-dog for cancer research"! Sad. US pets get better treated than the US poor and sometimes homeless. Perhaps ethics and morality should be taught in schools? You know, coming from a real value system. The people that think "Is it legal" rather than "Is it ethical" are seriously misguided - from a higher paradigm. The US Government just threatened to seize all my property for $500 outstanding since 01/01/2011. Pathetic creatures rushing home at 5:00pm! I'm maxing out all my charge cards and going elsewhere. That'll show 'em!! No citations. You heard it here first.

Thank you to most for your input. What a treasure trove of thought provoking commentary on topics that need to be more openly discussed, more often, in more forums and private assemblies. There's something here for everyone to read, digest and, hopefully, assimilate. IMHO of course.

I've been selling supporting and doinking around with my own and clients laptops since they were invented. (Yup, that 25lb Compaq was my first)! I have little to say but here's what it is. 1).. Don't be buying a laptop at the same store where you buy fridges and washing machines. Why? Because you can CUSTOMIZE! 2).. Buy Online. 3).. Go for the clean install config. - i.e. no crapware (HP IS THE WORST for crapware these days) 4).. Buy a Sony. (if you still care about points with the spousal unit then you'll get a couple) Avoid the malaise in NA thinking ".... I got a great deal..." - there ain't no such thing!

my (latest) ie9 has status bar w/out holding alt hold-down...

are you sure italicized emphases aren't workin'

Thanks. Deleted instantly as a matter of course.

thank you. Finally the OP makes sense...

try duckduckgo.com

Ernie Ball it is then - bye bye D'Addario (also after decades of use) - for all our band members and their string playing peers. thank you.

modder up.

Oddly enough, being paddle-less & up the same creek as you, i never get a response either when i ask that question - especially from the "if you don't like it here ....." flock.

“DRM Inside!”

I dunno either but... i read something on /. or ars yesterday (can't remember which one) about how it ain't the do-re-mi going to the farces that's bringing ALL the US infrastructure down but - the medical bills. IMHO, people ain't riskin' "..their job and freedom..." but people sell their souls, their personal development and their individual potential all for a mental and dental plan. Sad but imho true. And i talk to people. They tell me this is so from banking employees to SMB employees. It's a sad sad world... ..Business is great, life's terrific and people are wonderful.... How frail we are. Go Julian. All the way!

In the same spirit of sensationalism as "vegetate in front of a screen" would there be chewbacca, hot dogs and cheezies with that baseball?