I would argue that it does considerably more than simply complicate things. The iPad mini will show that Apple can create and expand upon a range of high quality devices on what is essentially a single platform. It's all about the ecosystem that you can buy today vs. Microsoft's ever persistent promises of a better tomorrow. While that may be an oversimplification, most end users just want something that works, looks great, and makes their lives easier. Currently, I don't see that with Windows outside of the traditional desktop experience.

I think we have other issues to worry about before the 3.8kg of Plutonium from NASA.

The Kara Sea has ~16 dumped nuclear reactors (some with spent fuel rods) from the Soviet era.

We need to remember, it's Apple on AT&T vs. Google on AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and just about everyone else. I think you are going to see a sea of people go with the iPhone once it is available on Verizon.

Also, Android is the less expensive option. There are regular 2 for 1 deals... and also crazy 29.99 deals with Google. You just aren't going to see that with the iPhone.

I don't think the goal of the App Store was to provide an impervious DRM store solution. We have known for years (and many vendors will tell you) that is an unrealistic expectation. Apple simply wants a revenue stream where people can easily purchase and install licensed versions of software. As a store, they should try to disrupt all illegal sharing to the best of their ability. Don't be surprised if the 1.1 version of all the software requires a license check. I'm of the opinion that they are going to use the same "we'll annoy them to death" method they have used for the iTunes store which has proven to be a good business model. Sure, you can usually find cracked free stuff, but you must be willing to hack your system or jump through hoops to make it work normally... but it's always one update away from not working.

The older I get, the less I like to jump.

With all due respect, I don't agree. The teen seemed to have threaten the President (Bush/Obama... I would have the same opinion) which in this country is a federal offense.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00000871----000-.html
If I threatened the leader of another country (even if I was a teen... and drunk), should I really be surprised when they don't grant me permission to visit? If our federal agents can click a button and keep someone that has been confirmed as threatening the President, out of the coutnry, why wouldn't they? In this silly case, sure... and Obama would probably echo that. But let the kid appeal the decision or ask for reconsideration.

A good reputation is the most valuable asset. You can have all the goodwill in the world, but if don't produce... goodbye.

Slashdot Wrote:

The question asked:

The response:
~43% It's not a problem at all
~42% It's a minor problem
~12% It's a major problem
~4% It's unacceptable
~1% No opinion

This question seems incredibly flawed. The "at all" in the question would be a big red flag in my book. There are clear advantages and disadvantages to the App Store, but the fact that so many people (over 80%) said that it was either no issue "at all" or it's a minor issue... says volumes.

The end user may not agree.

I'm not sure I would hate having a central repository for all Macintosh applications (as long as freeware was still free, as with the Apple Store).

It sure would simplify things (trusted, signed source)... again, from an end user's perspective.

I'm sure every software programmer (minus Apple) would disagree.

I believe Sasser sums it up rather nicely: "I could see a gradual, slow merger between iOS and Mac OS X styles and approaches," he said. "It doesn't make sense for them to be developing two of everything, one good, one not as good--two calendars, two address books--it's got to merge somehow."

Apple should learn from Microsoft's mistake of trying to have two rather diverse platforms (Windows and Windows mobile). Granted, Microsoft seems to be moving in a better direction these days with their mobile platform, but they could have been much further along if they would have used this method.

I clicked one bottom and it updated. Everything seems to be working normally.

What fun is this ;)

WordPress 3.0 is somewhat of a snoozer if you are only using it as a single person blogging platform...

BUT, those of us that have been using WordPress as a quasi-CMS are filled with joy. This update brings us one step closer to a full blown CMS, if we aren't there already.

MITCHELL_PGH LLC PATENTS HALF CLICK

WASHINGTON, DC—mitchell_pgh LLC has filed a 1.8 billion dollar class action lawsuit against Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Yahoo, and Google. "They are in clear violation of our half click patent. In fact, they violate our patent TWICE with every purchase!" said mitchell_pgh's director of operations Edward Smelt. "We are working closely with the USPTO to announce our 'press click' patent, 'mouse movement' patent, and 'depress click' patent as we speak." Smelt was unwilling to discuss mitchell_pgh LLC's ongoing "no click" patent.

>> 1/Nuclear energy does not make economic sense. http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=50308sp?idnews=50308 [ipsnews.net] (translation: it is expensive)

It makes PERFECT economic sense when you consider that we will be transferring our transportation grid to electricity. It is a more difficult sell when you are simply replace coal power with nuclear power. We have plenty of coal, but dolling out billions of dollars a month in foreign oil doesn't make economic sense.

>> 2/Having to store waste for over 100000 years is not what someone with any common sense would call 'green'.

We have no idea how long we will need to store the spent fuel. With 2010 technology (ie: put it in a box and wait), it is ~100000 years. But what new technologies will we have in the year 2050, 2100 or 2200.

>> 3/limited liability. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price%E2%80%93Anderson_Nuclear_Industries_Indemnity_Act [wikipedia.org]

Without limited liability, insurance companies could not offer insurance to the companies building/maintaining the systems.

>> 4/fuel-dependency
Fuel dependency? Errr, I don't follow you. We, as a country, should try to be as fuel independent as possible. This isn't a macho "GO USA!!!" kind of rant. Being fuel independent is key to the national security of any country. We are currently over extended in the worst possible way. Nuclear is ONE way to get us where we need to go. Ideally, we would use wind, solar, etc. etc. but as others have said, until that day, nuclear is a great option. I like the idea of (literally) sitting on our coal reserves... "just in case."