Lots of crap here. Everything in Linux is sure an 'add-on,' but the kernel itself isn't a bloated piece of crap, and users have the choice of what to add on. 'Most mouse software' is clearly a guess - I don't think I've ever seen that myself. Firewalls aren't nearly as bloated on Linux as in windows, as iptables is built right into the kernel, and streamlined like crazy. The reason DirectX compatability isn't done on Linux is because of the plethora of bullshit legal mechanisms erected to destroy Microsoft's competitors. The reason Linux has (basically) no virii is not only because of its low market share, but because it's inherently secure, and requires permissions to do system-vital tasks. Unless you're running every application you open with sudo, in which case you're an idiot. Installing packages on some distros is just as easy as on Mac OS X, even easier sometimes (can you type yaourt -S gedit? see how easy that was?). The reason things like BluRay can't be played yet is because of proprietary limitations. The dealbreaker for me with using Windows was the knowledge that I had no idea what code was running on my computer, and no control over most of it. That is absolutely unacceptable. I'll put up with shitty drivers, quirky software, whatever, to get away from that alone - not that these issues are even that prominent for me at this point. The only problem with the laptop I'm writing this on is the shitty ATI drivers - every time the card overheats, my screen goes into 'color bars' mode - but this is the ONLY problem with my computer. Next time I reboot, I'm switching to the open source drivers, with the knowledge that they'll progress faster than the proprietary ones. I've used both operating systems my whole life - but I'm not going back to Windows on my home PC.

Isn't it possible that your life is dumb and boring as well, but you don't realize it for lack of meaningful comparison?

You can't shout fire in a crowded theatre because of judges that poorly understood the Constitution and 'stare decisis' (let the decision stand). In actuality, under US law, the Constitution is paramount, and you can say whatever the fuck you want.

Firefox is unstable on Linux, as best as I can tell, only because of either extremely poorly written add-ons or (especially) the Flash plugin. Personally, I prefer Links in graphics mode, since I like my webpages more often without a lot of flashy bullshit.

My concerns with Chrome stem mostly out of the massive privacy concerns, hence the brilliance of the NSA comment. 'Anonymous mode' is no substitute for customizability. My Firefox doesn't leak referrers, can get plugged into Tor with ease, doesn't run scripts unless I tell it to, and has the Web Developer plugin. Meanwhile, Chrome is doing shit like reporting back all the websites I visit to a centralized database.

Use your damn heads.

Excuse me, but isn't playing paintball in any sort of situation where cover is provided essentially identical to a combat situation in every way except how the gun fires? Do you not have to remain stealthy when possible, find cover when available, camouflage yourself, and anticipate your enemy's moves?

This is not to say, of course, that banning paintball will reduce violence in any way. In fact, that's the stupidest goddamn thing I've ever heard. Letting people play paintball encourages them to play paintball. If you want a reduction in violent crime, why don't you fix the broken economy so people don't have to rob stores to eat?

Brilliant. Mod parent up.

Mod parent down, for having a stupid username, and being ugly.

Mod parent up, for being modded down by an asshat who uses the word "troll" to mean "person I disagree with."

Mod parent up, for being modded down by an asshat with no capability for abstract thought.

Yeah. Really.

CIA WORLD FACEBOOK! Give all your friends at the NSA your RSA keys! We aren't going to hit you with this baseball bat! CIA WORLD FACEBOOK!

No. The infringement upon obvious market values is instituted by a corrupt government to provide increased revenue and offensive PR for its controlling companies. Information is free, and you are doing no crime by sharing it, rather, you're helping people.

Mmn, let's expand that example out a little. US advertises big "internet is great for PR!" program, gives internet access to impoverished countries. But wait! They paid for it, so let's not let any of these sites about how the US government is stabbing kittens show up to the people who receive the free internet! Beggars can't be choosers! But, wait! Aren't we, the customers and the taxpayers, paying for that internet access?

absolutely!

metallica needs cash!!!! metallica made 450 billion dollars last year and they still need money! so contribute to them! BUY THEIR RECORDS CAUSE THEY NEED THEIR CASH!!!!

METALLICA NEEDS MONEY AND THEY NEED CASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!1