1. Make a simple clear web page that (in not too many words) shows people what is expected.
2. If they do a good job, reward them by promptly fixing the bug for them.
3. If they do a bad job, bounce the ticket back to them with a link to the "how to raise a bug" page.

I'm amused by the number of people who won't vote on who runs their country, but are happy to vote in this Slashdot poll.

And they included a half-billion dollar exit clause, which will seriously deter any subsequent government from trying to stuff it up. :)

Perhaps they have forgotten the reasons why music is broadcast over the radio for free in the first place?
1. Advertising revenue
2. Free promotion of new music

One dimension? Sounds like tape. :)

Microchip: An integrated circuit
Microprocessor: A CPU, i.e. something that can execute stored instructions, has registers, an ALU, and exhibits turing-machine like behavior.

They're everywhere!!

"Cars today might have as many as 50 microprocessors on them."

Add to that:

• toys, user inputs for games (eg Wii-mote)
• remote controls, DVD players, fax, fixed phones, answering machine, set-top box, audio system
• watch, digital clocks and alarms, microwaves, baby monitor, hot-water system, washing machine, dish washer, coffee maker, bread maker, musical greeting cards, some Christmas lights, smoke detectors
• car keys, credit cards, security cards, mobile SIM cards, hard-tokens
• keyboards, mice, graphics tablets, monitors, blue-tooth accessories, video cards, HDDs
• digital scales, electric toothbrush, electric shaver, digital thermometer, pace maker, hearing aid

And finally, every single book, DVD, or product that has a deactivated RFID security chip.

If the answers are between 0 and 20, then a better question would be "How many microprocessors are on you personally right now"?

Half the world lives on less than $2.50 a day.
80% lives on less than $10 a day.

We are the super wealthy.

Zero, unless I need to make a call to our outsourced I.T. department. In that case I've got about 2 hours of on-hold music to look forward to.

Encryption is worthless without trust. Trust (here) means you know who you're talking to. It doesn't matter how strong your encryption is if you don't know whether you're talking to your bank or the bad guy. (Well, I suppose it means that a second bad guy couldn't watch as the first bad guy empties your account).

Which comes first? The cosmogony, or the evidence?

From the Babylonian Talmud, we read:
On the eve of Passover they hanged Yeshu* [= Jesus]. And an announcer went out in front of him for forty days, saying: 'He is going to be stoned, because he practised sorcery [magic with a negative spin?] and enticed and led Israel astray. Anyone who knows anything in his favor, let him come and plead in his behalf.' But not having found anything in his favor, they hanged him on the eve of Passover.

From Josephus we have: About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man...For he was one who performed paradoxical deeds...

These sources are not without their problems: they are what they are. All historical documents, New Testiment or otherwise, have bias and it needs to be considered in its examination. If you are interested in learning more about the origins and authenticity of the new testiment documents, I suggest reading The Christ Files.

Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen. So they said, "Lord, should we use our swords against them?" 50 One of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered, "Stop this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him. Luke 22:49-51 Granted, he healed a man who his disciple had just amputated, but it's still the healing of an amputation. :)

Sure, I'm happy to accept that. Broad views are only obtained by surveying a broad population, or an individual who doesn't take a position. :)