Labor and maintenance.

I've never been overly positive or negative of Microsoft. However, having just installed Windows 8, I can say that it is seriously good. If that kills my geek street cred, then so be it. If you are worried about Windows 8, you should be. This is the first time I've really "liked" an operating system UI.

I agree that this is not a new process. However, we don't know (at least from the article), what type of efficiencies they are seeing (although we can guess). If a reasonably efficient mechanism can be worked out (maybe something above 50%), you could imagine solar factories being built in the middle of deserts or other inhospitable and remote regions. This would be orthogonal to the current power generation infrastructure and would serve to offset some of the petroleum currently being used.

I think he means that he "has not yet begun to fight!"

Sorry, but I'm not going to swap my new, $10,000 battery for something from the local Sip 'N Go. Now, if batteries were as cheap as propane tanks, then this might be a good idea. However, by that time, battery efficiency and charging technology will be such that swapping won't be necessary. Electric cars will take off when battery technology improves (and becomes cheaper).

When I first purchase my Kindle Fire, I thought the same thing. However, I found that I enjoyed reading the Kindle Fire better than my Kindle (2 with keyboard). The back-light and touch screen were great for reading while in bed (for my Kindle, I used a cover with a built in light, which was not great). My daughter (now 10) felt the same way.

And a couple more: http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/4f0b5867eab8ea4c24000033/spending-per-pupil-by-country.jpg http://www.supportingevidence.com/sitebuilder/images/PISA_Test_Scores_vs_cumm_edu_spend_by_country-820x565.jpg

Long live Guava (with reified generics -- finally)!