How about we automate the cars instead of removing distractions for the driver? Then it would feel like we are progressing towards the future instead of slipping back to the past.

It's more like: honest people continue to display mastery of material they have learned and cheaters have to actually study or not pass the class.

Oh good call! **adds the word 'quantum' in between "with a" and "computer"**
Now if you'll excuse me, I've got about 10 million software patents to file.

Good! I personally love Microsoft Security Essentials. It does exactly what you want in a Virus Protection Program: 1) Keep an icon in the system tray indicating that "You Are Protected" 2) Stay out of your way and use very few system resources.
In all seriousness, I am a corporate IT technician and I prefer MSE over any other memory-hogging, system-crippling, scaring-you-with-false-warnings virus program out there.
Plus it's FREE. FREE!

I see where you're getting at but in what world is $50-$100 a reasonable amount to pay for creating more of an infinite resource? Let's say you sell joke books. Now let's say I pick up one of your books in the store and read a joke. Later I repeat the joke to some of my friends and we all laugh. Have I stolen something? Am I a thief? Of course not.
The real issue is that computers and the internet have created a truly unlimited resource. When you think about it, copying an MP3 is similar to matter replication in Star Trek: At your command you can create an exact duplicate of something at no cost! Now many companies stand to lose their entire business if people realize the infinity in computer information replication. The only way they know how to survive is to perpetuate a fake sense of scarcity for their product. This is a comedy article that illustrates what I mean by fake scarcity.

What....??? ....I .... Wait.... Are you saying that a Slashdot news story covered.... an innovative piece of software that isn't free??? Well I never! This will not stand! Slashdot, I hereby tender my resignation, effective immediately!

The old micro-sized-speakers-in-close-proximity-to-the-eardrums ploy. That's the third time I've fallen for that this month!

I find it ironic that at the end of this article on sneaky web malware, there is a link to email a shortened URL.

Ok hang on a second. Let's slow down with the inflammatory headlines here, okay? The Google Street View cars picked up partial hashes of data from unsecured routers. And as far as Google "admitting" to collecting the data, that was something they announced last May. So put down your rape whistle, kdawson, there's nothing sinister going on here.

The word "theft" in your post really gets in the way of the point you're making. Also, the real takeaway here is that it made a huge difference when an artist acknowledged his fans for enjoying his art.

Here's the secret about 3D movies that the studios don't want you to know: THEY MAKE MORE MONEY. The ticket's cost more so the studio gets more money. Period.

You must be new here, so I fixed that for you.

...it's a CAPITAL idea!

I thought that a similar law giving a maximum volume limit on commercials was already in place - the problem being that commercials generally always play at maximum volume while regular tv programs fluctuate between high and low volume.

No kidding! This is just as bad as as that rail-gun rocket launcher headline from 2 weeks ago that had nothing to with crazy weapons.