I have that dream as well... 18 years after graduating.

I read and re-read TFA. I can't find where she asked for anything, "special treatment" or otherwise.

I didn't really see anything I'd call "apologetic" in this particular article.

The key word there is allow. Google, et al don't collect data in secret, they have privacy policies, and using their services is completely optional. The government is doing this in secret, without your permission with no opt-in or opt-out, with nothing akin to a privacy policy, and by their own admission they cannot secure the data.

The patents on GIF compression expired in 2003 and 2004... the battle ended then.

Yes, but that's not what happened here. If you read TFA, it was removed by Microsoft Security Essentials and the Malicious Software Removal Tool (from Windows Update) and it only removed a specific version of Tor installed in a specific folder. No legit install of Tor would have been in that specific folder.

If you don't want MSE, don't use it. If you don't want Windows Updates, disable it. Otherwise accept that you're giving some control over your system to Microsoft.

Unfortunately you can't watch your local teams with MLB.tv, or any national game on ESPN or TBS, or any of FOX's Saturday games (even the ones not shown on your local FOX affilate). I subscribe to and enjoy MLB.tv, but I can't "cut the cord" until they start allowing me to watch my local teams (at least when they're on cable rather than broadcast TV).

The NHL does the same with Gamecenter.

So you're not "down with OPM"?

Service providers lose their "safe harbor" if they don't respond to take down notices. Without safe harbor, they can be sued for their customers' infringement.

Because ipad dominated the market for a couple years, Apple likely still has a very large share of total tablets still in use.

But they aren't dominating sales anymore, which was tuppe's point. This Nokia tablet has to compete with Android tablets, other Windows RT tablets, as well as iPad. There really isn't "the one to beat" (using OP's words) anymore.

TFA is mostly comparing Windows to OSX. The summary talks more about iOS and Android than TFA does.

Laptops don't have batteries???

Some Android devices have terrible battery life, others have excellent battery life. Try a different device (check the reviews first).

Seriously??? Why in Odin's name would you want to bring back that crap???

Surface Pro: Yes
Surface RT: No