I know lots of people that have used Windows all their life and switched to Apple and they seem to do fine with it compared to struggling with the switch to Linux. It's because Apple cares about the end user experience whereas most open source software is extremely unfriendly when it come to the user interface.

In the old RTS game there were neutral hero's that any race could acquire. I wish they would use their already existing reputation system and incorporate neutral races that could go to either faction through in game mechanisms or questing. They might even be able to finally use the language system into something fun. They could do the same thing as they did with the Death Knights and start them out at a higher level. I think that would be more in tune with the spirit of the original game than paying Blizzard a $15 indulgence for the Horde/Alliance to absolve your character slaughtering their faction for the past 80 levels.

This kind of technology, though not as polished is becoming available to the masses. Here is a good example - http://diydrones.com/

Simple open source auto pilots are now available, low cost GPS systems are available, RC air components are readily available. The point is that even the simple systems that are currently available wouldn't need much tweaking for use in some sinister way.

To get to the Ubuntu Laptops on the Dell web site, you really have to look for them. From the laptop page you have to go most of the way down, past all the pictures, and in the bottom left corner you can choose open source PC's. That takes you to a page with a warning:

"The main thing to note is that when you choose open source you don't get a Windows operating system. If you're here by mistake and you are looking for a Dell PC with Windows, please use the following link."

You then have to click on the "Shop for Ubuntu" button or "Shop for FreeDOS" to proceed. From there you can choose from one desk top and five laptops. There is one $300 netbook, two $500-$700 laptops, and two $1100 laptops.

Even if she managed to make it here accidentally, why would she buy the most expensive laptop? It just doesn't seem like the broke college girl thing to do to pass up the $600 studio latptop that comes in different colors and designs and choose the expensive, black only, dedicated vid card, expensive one.

And quite frankly, the Verizon wireless internet cards are expensive as well.

This story really smells like FUD unless she is leaving out some very important pieces of this story.

The social world is a biological ladder tournament. Through practice and preparation, you have to put yourself ahead of as much of the competition as possible. Just watch the animal shows on the Discovery channel. We are exactly like them but a little more complicated. We are a herd and you have to fight for your place in it. You have to form a strategy and utilize your time and effort into developing the traits and skill sets that your particular plan will need. You don't have tact? So what? I know a guy who completely lacks it and has tons of friends and get plenty of attention from the opposite sex. He just redirected his effort else where. I also know people that have had similar results completely different approaches. If you are having problems, then you either don't care or can't adapt.

First, cover the basics. Hygiene & basic manners. Get that right and you will be in the top 50% of the competition. If needed get professional help. Salon instead of great clips? Laser hair removal? Spa treatments? Do what it takes to get caught up. Read a book, take a class, or watch a make over show or two if you have to.

Second, get in reasonable shape. Depending on how far you run with it, you can put yourself leaps and bounds ahead of the competition. It just takes time. If it took money, everyone would have it. Go to the closest gym and get a personal trainer. Do whatever they tell you to and stick with it for at least 6 months to a year.

Third, appearance. Looks matter and you have to dress well. Just pic a style and go to the stores that cater to that style and wear whatever the manikins are wearing. Now do it consistently. Its that easy.

If you are half way successful at these three steps you should be ahead of at least 75% of the competition. You can of course keep adding to your social appeal through other talents. Got a little tact? Great, but if not, do something interesting that people can relate to. Preferably, non technical, non science, non school sponsored. Examples - rock climbing, music, art, motorcycles, traveling, skateboarding, gardening, camping, wine, scuba diving, photography, acting, or anything that when you talk about it, people think it sounds fun and interesting. Just pick something.

Do these things and people will come to you. Its that easy if you actually do it but it is a competition and there are always going to be people ahead of you and behind you. You just have to fight for your place. And remember, you have to adapt to the world. It won't do the same for you.

Also, there is a great segment in the movie American Psycho about fitting in.

These things MS does to their customers add up over time. I actually started down the path to being MS free when my original Xbox started getting the dirty disk errors. Through the repair forums I found out that the the first run of systems were made with a faulty DVD drive and MS new about it but wouldn't do anything. I was so mad that I started to look for alternatives to anything associated with MS. At that point I knew absolutely nothing about computers. Since then, I have not bought one single thing associated with MS, completely switched to Linux on my home systems, turned at least 3 family members and friends to MAC, plus actually got my parents using Ubuntu on their home computer. So, these things add up over time. IMHO, its just another nail in their coffin.