How does outsourcing solve this? What if the outsourcing companies only developer gets hit by that bus, or even the whole company burns down? What happens when they decide that the custom thingy built for you is no longer worth supporting and there's no end of life code hand over (but there is a new wiz bang product that they sell!)

The big dollars required for outsourcing contracts that properly* cover all the problems you mention will most likely solve them for you anyway.

*As in actually account for them as apposed to 'well, they said they did, amazing considering the price'

3 years into a 3 month contracting stint and having witnessed at 50% turnaround of the permanent staff I disagree with the sentiment if not the letter of your point. There is always something else that needs doing and the long term position is a thing of the past.

If you business is small enough to warrant a single product only then I'm thinking that the requirements are small enough for something of the shelf. (Why outsource?)

If your business is big enough for a custom jobby (or 'configured' enterprisy solution) then its probably big enough to support one or two developers. If your budget cant support that then it sure as hell cant support getting into bed with a large outsourced 'solution'.

In my own experience it boils down the to quality and competency on the managers in charge. If someone cant manage productivity and deadlines with staff that directly reports to (and can be fired by) them, they wont be able to manage an outsourced company or project either.

you are kidding right? Have a look at the stats for the humble bundle releases some time. Linux users are more than willing to hand over the cash for pew pew's.

When you can get more than one person in a room to have a discussion that does not apply words like 'villain' or 'innocent' to either side (both having a long history of inflicting nasty deeds and suffering on the other).

They cant be charged with any crimes because technically they have not committed any. Any the apparent reason for the technically is that they managed to have the laws changed (GS repeal amongst others) due to intense lobbying and donations to BOTH parties.

That's were a lot of frustration is coming from. The massive inequalities between big corp and regular joe. Just because its lawful doesn't make it right.

I do not think this word means what you think it means.

The the product that you statement is based on, whilst very similar does not: Weigh the exactly the same, have exactly the same dimensions, have exactly the inputs or have exactly the same operating system as the ipad.

Instead of suing, apple should be using it to their advantage "Look at the crappy imitators, apple original is bestest!!1!"

No it wont. Remember the politicians promised to reduce spending, they even have a bipartisan committee and everything. In fact, I understand your guys are so committed to this that a certain ratings agency is being put through the wringer for suggesting otherwise..

my 2 time sucking rage building ribbon hates:

* Table editing in Design mode there is no font/alignment options. In Home mode you loose border color/size options. Moving into a table sometime shows different ribbon.

* Drawing Canvas: In Format mode, no font tools. In Home mode, no drawing tools.

Yes I can select text, hover and and wait for the floating toolbar to appear. Yes I can fill my title bar up with all the friken buttons I need. I DON'T CARE I WANT MY TOOL BARS BACK!

Seriously, why not offer a choice between ribbon and classic and make everyone happy? WHY WHY WHY WHY!

What? You first post derides 'free' software due to the need for and costs of the bevy of expensive consultants to come in and set things up for you - and then you point at Sharepoint as being the way of the future.

Are you seriously going to stand up hand over heart and say properly installing, configuring and using that beast is a point and click operation that can be undertaken by even the most average of it employee? If you are Ive got a several hundred thousand dollar, dual version install, unused cluster fuck that I can point to right now that says 'nope'

I bet you treefiddy million bucks that there are more dedicated sharepoint consultant firms out there than postgres shops. ... or did I just get trolled?

Nope. I hate HATE HATE the ribbon. I liked the tool bars because:
1) I could put them where I wanted (text formatting at the top, table stuff down the bottom)
2) I could easily customize or create my own specific tool bars
3) Toolbar's didn't appear/disappear depending on what the program thinks you are doing.
4) Using the drawing canvas was actually useful.

The Office tool bars give me serious RAGE when ever I have to use them at work. Ive actually installed libre office (against company policy) which I now use on the increasingly rare times I have to the document thing.

Didn't need a manual. but didn't know how to turn off the 'sent from my Ipad' auto signature. nice.

You are correct about the corporate world though. For anyone whose primary use of computers is consumption of information the use of tablets is a no brainer*. For anyone that actually has to create anything its keyboard and mouse all the way baby.

I reckon tablets are an awesome extension of pooting, (the Ipad is just to locked down for my likings, but I'm liking the direction android is going).

(*must.. resist.. urge.. to apply sentiment to management types... damn, failed)

Original poster already said that there was nothing wrong with 'temporary' borrowing to achieve a specific goal or cover an exceptional circumstance.

The problem is borrowing 1$M for the machine, then discovering it doesn't fit it your workshop, then borrowing another 1$M for a new workshop, then borrowing another 10$M to cover wages and advertising and then borrowing another 5$M to cover losses because the things you are making cost 3$ to make but you can only sell them for 2$.

The US Govt (and many others) seem to think that money does not matter and perpetual ever growing dept is fine. If this is the case then I want some to. People should give me what ever I want for ever and just keep store of how much I owe them because, well, because that's how the government seems to work and I want in too!

[off topic]

Please stop ending your arguments with 'period'.

You are implying that your statement is the one and only definitive and correct end to the discussion. As the topic is about future event(s) this is a rather bold assumption; unless you have the super magic powers of the Oracle.

It also implies that you are not open to other points of view or consideration which is sad. By closing yourself off from alternative views and opinions you are removing most opportunities for growth and discovery.

How about:
It is most likely that lean coal will be the major factor in any U.S. energy policy for the foreseeable future.

Vouchers? As in, tax payers money? As in the state is pays for the education? Just like... Public/State Schooling?

If the state is going to pay for it (because its deemed to be a state responsability) they should run it. Otherwise you end up with the shit house situation here in aus where the Private schools (as I am lead to understand, finding out this exact information is quite difficult) are funded 'per student' just as much, if not more, than their public (state) run counterpart, with the exception that they charge additonal fees on top and choose who they let in. Surprisingly these 'private' schools show quite good results.

In the end it seems people are just running around saying the government should pay for a private institution - which is just plain mad.

Slashdot - Be a dupe.