One reason for downloading the game before buying it, for me, would be to see whether it runs decent enough under Wine/Crossover Games/Cedega.
If it doesn't I'm not going to buy it. If it does, and I like the game. I'd buy it.

Has that person lost a physical disk?
No, all he *potentially* lost was a *potential* sale.

Many 'pirate' downloads often lead to real sales.

So a 'pirated' version does not equate a lost sale per se, it could actually even lead to a sale they wouldn't otherwise get. Try before you buy principle. I can spend my money only once, and I have to make decisions whether I want to buy a certain entertainment product or not.

And some companies offer demos, but more often than not, those demos contain only the best pieces, and don't show the crap that's the rest of the content.
So if I can taste the full version before I buy it, I can make a more informed decision on whether the product is for me, or not.

Okay, I hadn't seen it like that. It just feels weird. :) Mailing an item in such a fashion is based on trust.

In a way, Arthur Clarke actions caused his book to get bought two (or more) times for the same fan.

The first book gets sent to him, he gives to a library.
Fan doesn't get his book back, doesn't hear anything -> assumes that his book got lost in the mail, buys another book (*ca-ching* for ACC).
If they really wanted that signed copy, they'd send it again to ACC, who would have then again handed that book to a library.
Fan again doesn't hear anything, assumes book is lost, buys it for a third time (again *ca-ching* for ACC).

Neat trick. :)

Wait, he gave away someone else's property? Someone bought the book, sent it to him to have it signed by him, and instead of sending the book back, he gave it away?
That looks a lot like theft to me.

well everyone has a comeback these days, so why shouldn't web0.5 return as web3.0?

I, for one, welcome our new space overlord Stephen Colbert.

He did say that he would become one if the node would not be named after him.

Have you tried the Dash Express? That runs Openmoko software.

Though for some people, their dick is what's actually in charge.

I recently played a game of online poker which also included a number of AI players. And at least on 2 occassions I spotted one of these AI players trying to bluff its way to victory. It was certainly fun and refreshing to see.
It was a well played bluff.

(this was through pokerth, no I'm not affiliated with them)

So there are poker applications out there, that could try to pass the poker Turing test.

Don't you mean tardy?
All I see on the boards at airports is --delayed--