The U.S. probably doesn't need more science and engineering graduates. It does, however, need a higher percentage of the brightest minds to be those graduates.

Dead missing the point, AC.

The issue is not whether Apple should support competing hardware. The issue is deliberately breaking competing hardware.

There is a tying argument that can be made, but I doubt it'd stick. Apple's weight in the space is hefty, but not quite as significant as Microsoft's in the PC space.

This is another reason to avoid works "protected" by DRM. It is an affront to the very nature of fair and equitable commerce, and is contrary to the letter and spirit of copyright.

I think Palm did it intentionally because from their point of view, it's a win-win situation. If Apple permits (through inaction, not deliberate design) the Pre to continue to sync, then Pre wins because the functionality works. If Apple goes the way they did, they look like the heavy-handed meanie, and Palm looks like a victim.

You might want to research before posting next time. There are more JVM-based languages than there are CLR-based languages.

It isn't helpful that TFA is wrong on at least one point. It said that Eclipse 3.1 lacks code completion, refactoring, and debugging features. Unless the build in Debian is horrifically broken, it has all of those, including thread-level debugging, which it's had since before Eclipse 3.x. My assumption has always been this is because the progenitor of Eclipse -- IBM -- was more interested debugging server-based Java applications than standalone ones).

I appreciate the improvement in standards support (though it still lags the competition considerably). For some reason, when I try to visit certain sites from my work PC, IE 8 will crash in urlmon.dll unless I have those sites in my Trusted Sites list. I'm only using it on that PC because I'm validating several applications against it -- I otherwise use FireFox or Chrome.

No, we have two seasons: January 15, and mosquito season.

wet cement = redundant

Cement is a substance that when mixed with water, dries into concrete.

Chances are you haven't driven on cement, unless you happen to overrun the construction barricades.

Not to split hairs, but wouldn't it be more productive to lighten the surfaces to the color of concrete? Cement is usually a darker gray until it dries into concrete.

Parents who don't want their children having easier access to objectionable content will find this move desirable. If the kids want it bad enough, they'll find a way to get it, but there's no reason to make it easy.

On the other hand, for those to whom this reeks of censorship, this is going to drive people to competing platforms, like Android and webOS, whose App Stores are permissive in their policies. NiN could set their own App Store up for Pre.

Powerful antivirals with the great taste of bacon.

You don't want ANY party having unchallenged control over policy. The Democrats have their share of idiots, too, just like the Republicans.

Although Specter says he won't be an auto-60th vote, party leaders will be sure to point out that their backing for the Democratic primary next spring will come with an expectation of support on these votes. The absolute worst thing for this country is for EITHER party to have control of the White House and both branches of Congress with a filibuster-proof majority. Both parties have immensely idiotic ideas, and this just paves the way for them to become law virtually unchecked.