Or "6" if you're standing on your head
No, that would end in "9".
every communications contract i've ever seen states clearly they will assist law enforcement, and makes zero promise to protect you from investigation.
And this is (part of) the problem.
What's more, you can't get ebooks secondhand or closeout. Forget 50% markup-- aside from programming manuals and the like (which usually only go closeout once they're obsolete), I get sticker-shock just looking at the MSRP of most paper books.
However, one thing to keep in mind is that for Kindle books (and others, I imagine), there is some extra work involved in reformatting them for ebook readers. I've heard gripes and annoyances from a friend of mine who had to beat a book into shape for Kindlization. While it might become a matter of course for a larger seller, for a smaller or less dedicated seller, it might be enough of an annoyance to justify a price hike.
Along those same lines, I'd agree with the summary (RTFA? Me? Never!) that early computer education needs to be divorced from only the dull and pointless (MS Office training) and the specialized (programming) to include a wider range of activities that use computers as a tool. Computers have advanced in usability to the point where interacting with "the computer" is overshadowed by interacting with software, websites, and people. Frame computer literacy not in terms of "computer classes", but in terms of art, writing, design, engineering, yes-- programming, and all the creative endeavors that use the computer as a tool.
Yes, sarcasm intended.
Please, be realistic. Would you actually expect a company like Apple to intentionally lock out and cripple functionality on a general-purpose device like that, requiring hacks and hoops to unlock the capabilities that should...
Hmm... maybe if they contracted with Verizon...
It does show a bit of a stupidity hole, though, where a cheaper and possibly better device to serve the purpose needed is being overlooked or denied simply because of a classification or certification. In a business that is profitable by way of its own thrift, it seems illogical that the insurer is requiring a higher-priced alternative when the client has requested a cost-saver.
Furthermore, the required pigeonholing and bureaucracy could stifle innovation. For example, if an inventor creates a helpful addition to a common device, will it be denied coverage (and wider adoption) if it's not solely marketed as a medical device?
Of course, other issues do come into play: Will others attempt to scam desirable multi-purpose devices that marginally assist with medical problems, or what happens if the device isn't up to the task, and the client comes back later wanting the real thing?
No need. Use profiles. For bonus difficulty, tell it to store the profile's files on a removable drive, encrypted volume, or other manually-mounted location.
Yeah. So, clearly they aren't part of the intended user base.
How doesn't this conflict with the Constitutional right against deprivation of liberty without due process?
Really, #4 was the world-changer. Although you'd still hear some whining (after all, these are the people that whine about used record stores), I doubt you would have near the level of controversy if the technology had stopped at the CD burner. Although you do have the digital-quality aspect, the the level of personal music sharing would still be just that-- personal sharing. With the P2P apps and cheap bandwidth, though, music piracy became just as... even more... accessible than legitimate purchase.
That right there is an angle I'd like to see tried.
I urge you all when making a purchase in future... goods of any value to read the terms and conditions for fun and anything you disagree with, make them change it if you feel it is unfair or write out your own "Terms and Conditions of sale", get them to sign it or you will not buy it. Works for me!
(Asking sincerely...) How's that working for you?
As for the rest, I don't mind content rental, content with terms, even DRM-enforced, nor do I think it should be abolished, as long as it's clearly advertised as such. You shouldn't have to delve into FAQs or TOSs to find out how what you're getting deviates from a common sale.
Worse, in my opinion, than the device-specific content like Kindle, are arbitrary DRM and activation restrictions on things run on a general-purpose computer. With something like a Kindle, or, say, a downloadable console game, you at least have the knowledge that all purchases are going to be restricted by the common rules of the device. OTOH, computer-game copy protection can involve any number or hoops an hurdles, and you're not likely to see a "Now with intrusive SecuROM!" burst on the packaging.
"I am, therefore I am." -- Akira