Which is why I like the idea of the Momentus line from Seagate. It's an HDD (e.g. 500 GBB, 7200rpm) coupled with an SSD (e.g. 4GB), with the SSD taking care of frequently read files (or sectors, however that works internally), and the HDD taking care of infrequently read files and all write ops. If it could also be used as a non-volatile cache for write ops, it'd be even better.
Pricing is not too particularly competitive compared to buying a HDD 500GB + SSD 32GB together, but it does have the advantage of taking up only one 2.5" slot and having the logic described above offered on-board, instead of having to deal with that in software somehow (i.e. installing your operating system non-statically across two volumes in a transparent manner to itself).

Are you sure it's Facebook-the-company doing this, and not Facebook-the-social-community-site with plenty of people who disagree with WikiLeaks' publishing of these documents who can hit a "flag this message as ..." button?

You can see some of these questions on the ESTA form on-line:
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?_flowExecutionKey=_cAA87A45D-BB10-BD69-546C-3A6C110CDB26_kC5D1910B-3EF3-ABDD-96D4-8BFFE65F97A5

This replaces the I94 (Visa Waiver) form that you'd fill out on the flight / at arrival.

For the privilege of filling it in online now, you pay $4 administration costs (by credit card only... you're welcome to have the info, Uncle Sam)... and an additional $10 if the application has been approved*, which is used to promote tourism (Travel Promotion Act) to the U.S**.

* of course it's only the application that's been approved.. if the border-control-person is having an off day and you look at 'm funny, they'll still send you back after a little chat.

** not charging and getting rid of the security theater might promote tourism better, eh? But the act is loved all-around as it practically costs U.S. taxpayers and businesses squat.. seeing as previous visitors effectively end up paying a good chunk of it. Well played!

The questions start after the two "yeah, yeah... I understand I must bend over.. take me to the form" pages.
I wonder what happened to the questions of whether or not the person has been to any farmland/soil recently. Come to think of it.. maybe that was Australia.

Because some people enjoy the challenge of creating something fun, new, original and, yes, pointless.

...I'm sure it was fun and pointless, but as fo for the new and original...

http://www.stylehive.com/bookmark/thinkgeek-usb-mug-warmer-hub-59352

That's like saying 5 blades is "new, original" compared to 4 blades.

Those endorsements / badges are typically by choice of the vendor, though.

I don't think this applies to a list of compatible systems on the back of a box (i.e. "Compatible with: Windows, Mac OS X and Ubuntu* (*For a complete list, visit www.vendor.com/support/"). These are just the little logos and stickers that you get to slap on the box/product -if- you meet certain requirements. For example: your installer must be Windows Installer based. If you use NSIS or InnoSetup: no sticker for you. But conversely, it doesn't mean that if you use WiX that you then -must- put the sticker on there.

So I don't see the problem except with managers (led by marketers) who deeply believe the sticker is something people look for and base purchasing decisions on and is vital to the success of the product.

Of course, this has nothing to do with Autorun. (another reply already notes that Autorun on 7 (and Vista) pops up the choice dialog anyway (and XP can easily be configured to do so.))

It's a keyboard emulator. Put differently - it's 'a keyboard'.. except that instead of a person typing on it, a little chip is doing the typing.
This would probably work on Linux as well, if the Linux distro of choice happens to respond to the keycodes in the same manner as Windows, and the device were smart enough to interface with Linux. If you can plug any random 10x-key keyboard into a Linux machine, then you don't even have to install any fancy drivers.

The only way to prevent things like that is to make input devices be allowed (via prompt) by the user first, too. Doesn't sound -entirely- unreasonable, except for those who plug in/unplug peripherals frequently. Windows already recognizes my one mouse from the other via several of the various IDs, though, so it could easily remember which ones were authenticated in the past.

TL;DR: 0.999... != 1. It's just really, really close.

Perhaps you should add that one to...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:ConMan/Proof_that_0.999..._does_not_equal_1 ;)

The questions can get more complex, though... repeating numbers an infinite number of times is problematic simply because infinity is problematic - at least to wrap your head around, as it's not quantifiable. I.e. you can't say 'infinity - infinity == zero'.

My aunt is a substitute teacher and I've seen her throw this one at kids in 'basisschool' (elementary school, of sorts, ages 4-13 or so.. yes, the demonstration (not proof) that 0.99(9) == 1 was given to kids back then) just before the summer recess ('zomervakantie') as a parting gift to torment their minds if you will...

If 0.99(9) == 1.. then what happens if you add 0.00(0)1?
Or spoken out in words, as the notation above may be incorrect (similar to the notation "0.000...1")
If you have the value zero point nine nine nine nine nine nine and so on an infinite number of times, and you add a value of zero point zero zero zero zero and so on an infinite number of times -followed by- a 1.. what value do you get?

You might see a bunch of kids trying to argue that 0.99(9) is in fact not 1 (completely discarding the proof offered just minutes before), but that it simply approaches 1, and 0.00(0)1 is not zero but just approaches zero, "and thus.. uhm.." and their head explodes ;)

For what it's worth.. I was as confused as those kids, discarded the question swiftly, and resumed packing my aunt's stuff in the car for her vacation.

Mouse and/or keyboard for those things that just don't work so well with the fancy remote, external HDD to play back content from (instead of a media center thing that plays back over HDMI and needing an HDMI switch), camera/card reader (presuming it doesn't have a built-in card reader)... yeah, those 4 could end up being used simultaneously just fine.

And here I thought it was a vampire cellphone and the video was shot from the mirror world.

being the DD then finding out the bar you're at has La Fin du Monde on tap and tonight's dollar-off-imports night would hurt. Like, physically.

I guess I'm probably coming off like a party animal or an alcoholic in this thread,

Ya think? ;)

That said.. true - cities in the U.S. do tend to be more sprawling and, in part due to the ubiquity of car ownership and car-oriented transportation facilities, friends do tend to live further apart while still saying "Let's get together at $Bar in 10".. and having to drive people around.. at least if they're obnoxious when intoxicated ..wouldn't be much fun. But, again, where I'm from.. sometimes that's me having to deal with that.. the next time it'll be somebody else.. and that's while we do have excellent alternatives around :)

It'd be awesome not to need a DD (or risk a DUI)

I've seen this mindset before... The "feh.. I'll just risk a DUI".. usually defended by arguments like "just 'cos YOU can't handle 8 beers doesn't mean I can't - the law is injust! *hiccup*".. where does that come from? The same place as "I'll just risk getting an STD"? Why risk such things at all?

though I bet the MADD assholes will lobby to make it still illegal, somehow, and probably try to force a breathalyzer to turn the damn auto-drive on in the first place.

Probably. I don't agree with MADD's position as of late (i.e. since their first 'win', pretty much). On the other hand.. if this system does need human intervention in special circumstances... then why shouldn't it be illegal to be Under the Influence of alcohol/medicine/whatnot? At the point that your intervention is needed, you're the one Driving, after all.

Perhaps if the system was absolutely perfect, it'd be a different story.. but given the crazy things that can go wrong in free traffic (as opposed to monorails, trains, etc. on relatively fixed tracks - and see how often even those go wrong), I don't think that we'll be seeing that anytime soon.

because I know being a DD sucks and wouldn't impose on someone like that. [...] I'd be far more inclined to accompany other friends who go more frequently if the transportation weren't an issue.

Honestly? You think being the designated driver is such an atrociously horrendous thing to be that you wouldn't 'impose' on someone that they be the DD? We just rotate or volunteer over here.. every once in a while I'm the DD, every once in in another while somebody else is the DD. I guess if you don't have a good time unless you get intoxicated, or if your friends make you feel like you are no fun unless you get intoxicated; yeah.

As for his pets, those were his fault. They were his responsibility and he failed them.

Harsh. What if it was some babies/young kids? yeah, "THINK OF THE CHILDREN!", I know - but tons of common sense changes as soon as it's no longer animals, but humans, and the laws reflect this.

I don't know if they were aware of the animals' presence or, even if they were, whether the seriousness of the fire would have even permitted them to try and rescue the animals. But if they were and could have, they should have.. and then let the house burn down if they must.

Letting people, or animals, die in a fire just to make a statement is way up there on the effed up list.

But it's not actually 'doing BitTorrent' anymore than your remote control is 'doing TV reception'.

Then you need to review your password policies?