This is about plutocracy and anti-labor stance. If the roles were reversed, then the union would be forced to compensate the company for the damages that the union's badly configured server caused the company.

The ARM vendors (TI, Samsung, etc.) do release their kernel changes. What they do not do is work with Linus and RMK on getting their code merged upstream. The GPL does not require that they do that.

Someone forgot to tell Nokia that. The micro usb in the N900 seems to be rated for 100 insertions, if you are lucky.

http://slashdot.org/submission/1180314/Nokia-N900-Hardware-failure---USB-port-falling-off

If it connects directly to the battery at about 4V, it will only draw 2A, or 8W. This should be enough to warm the case, but not to make it or the device burst into flames.

The Nokia N900 has this feature in official firmware.

Suggesting that users open their working device in order to "prevent" this issue is so ridiculous, that it does not deserve a comment.

The only way to fix this issue is by Nokia issuing a statement (and standing by it):
"Every N900 with detached USB connector will be fixed/replaced free of charge, regardless of user handling or warranty issue".

Saying that it will be solved according to warranty is not good enough, since even if the connector manages to hold for a year and then breaks, it is still a bad design by Nokia, and should be replaced. Saying that it will be solved according to warranty and then refusing to fix (as is the current state) is so much worse. The only way "we" can help to fix it is by giving this issue as much publicity as possible.

The contest might be trusted, but not wanted by the administrator of the machine.

Another way to think about it - you are now vulnerable to local root exploits not only in packages you installed, but also in packages you chose not to install.

If you know it is manufactured propaganda, why do you repeat it.

We actually know of only one country that is crazy enough to be willing to use nuclear weapons - USA.