Hacking's definition has become such a mess that it should be retired forever. The nerd community needs to come up with a new term and never tell anyone. And, as a sidenote, this also goes for the terms "geek" and "nerd". When I was growing up, non-techies never wanted to be called these things, they were derisive. The geeks, however, were pretty comfortable with it. Today, anyone with an Atari shirt and/or Android phone is called a geek, but let's face it they're really just modified hipsters. So, if by hacker you mean someone who enjoys coding or customizing technology (the traditional definitions), let's face it the age of the BBS was truly the frontier. Born in an age when technology was cryptic and required a learning curve, these "walled ecosystems" were where the true geek wanted to be. Either playing in it or being a sysop. What an amazing time. Today, web scripting database programming are wonderful fun and something that can be shared easily with others.

Valve needs to put out their controller and that's pretty much it. Most Steam users who want to use a PC in the living room are going to build their own rigs. Alienware even mentioned that there's not a heck of a lot in it for them (http://www.gamespot.com/articles/alienware-s-steam-machine-will-be-their-least-profitable-system-ever/1100-6419770/). The whole issue doesn't feel that important.

Would Microsoft have files the petition if this kind of thing wasn't in the spotlight these days? MS' reputation has taken heavy damage in the US and abroad, they hardly have a platform that hasn't been in the news for the wrong reasons; Windows, Skype, Xbox One Kinect. Feels like posturing.

Joking? Don't need to be a 24-7-365 technician or engineer, any technical person knows this. Small, 5v server costs 80 dollars (cubieboard or cubietruck). Debian costs nothing. I run xmpp and mumble on it. System updates with cron. Can't remember when last I actually logged into it, it's just there and I use it. My toaster gives me more trouble.

Going to have to disagree. "Mostly" open source can be as much of a problem as no open source at all. It depends on what parts they don't subject to public scrutiny, no? Also, not sure why you would mention how popular a platform is as it is irrelevant to the central issue. Something can be popular and terrible. The biggest problem is that companies can afford to do whatever they like and be altruistic when they're small and struggling, but when they become giants they must inevitably play by a different set of rules. In previous generations, this used to be reffered to as "selling out", but millenials are not familiar with this term because it has become the standard in modern culture. I understand the need to succeed and excel, but what is our culture left with if we compromise our integrity for sports cars.

Personally, I'm highly suspicious of anything that is wildly popular. It's never long before that thing is covered in controversy.

I hadn't really thought of it that way, that we're moving back to walled gardens. It's kinda funny. Anyway, I guess people like the comfort and convenience of walled gardens. What really bums me out isn't that the large majority of people like them, but that highly technical people do as well. I know people who, no question, can install anything including an XMPP server on extremely cheap, low power consumption hardware and yet they don't bother. They find smartphones, Windows and Apple products too delightful. When Apple insists that only Apple users can use iChat with their phones, tablets, and desktops, it compells others to buy these products as well to stay in the loop.

So, yeah, out of principle I avoid IOS and Android and stay Debian/Open Source everywhere I can. It's not a perfect solution, but it's the best one I know of.

"It means that the intel community, the military community, and law enforcement are going to work harder."

Yes, I agree. Good conclusion.

Possible, but even assuming this, the main issue is that AV in general is considered a relevant safety measure when perhaps it should not be. The assumption by itself can lead to a false sense of security. Frankly, I'd rather run multiple VMs on a machine at the very least - MS Windows for games and Debian for serious work. I don't do serious work on a Windows machine or on any Apple device for that matter - I'd rather my OSs and apps be open source and subject to comminity scrutiny.

Sadly, it's a shame that people put much faith in AV programs given their effectiveness (http://arstechnica.com/security/2014/05/antivurus-pioneer-symantec-declares-av-dead-and-doomed-to-failure/). I think author R.R. Martin has it right (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5REM-3nWHg), keep separate machine for different purposes - one for serious work and one for messing around with. It doesn't feel like a good idea to use one machine for everything.

Jar Jar Binks. Not even close. Not too many thinks are worse than Jar Jar Binks. Maybe Xbox One is worse.

Who messed up worse, Microsoft with Xbox One or George Lucas with the Star Wars prequels? Blows my mind that they couldn't figure out people would have a problem with a camera staring out into people's living rooms.

Yes. The sooner the better. You would be surprised at how many small shops are doing their own web stuff who need help. Even if you didn't have quite that much experience, dependable and conciencious tech works are in short supply. There are PLENTY of tech workers, but few of them are grade A material. Most good shops, in my experince, are happy to at least throw the ball to anyone who looks like they can help them. As long as they're dependable, smart, and conciencous employers will at least want to talk to you.

I'm with you, pal. We're all trying to forget, but some wounds never heal.

I wanted to stay away from that joke, it was "all too easy" ;)

. . . because there was no reasonable chance of this happening with Lucas. Man, how do you mess up Star Wars?!