>> I didn't get into programming until college because I was never introduced to the idea that it was something I could just sit down and do

Hmm, I didn't need someone to introduce me to the idea, I just did it.

The problem with a projector for 'everyday' TV is that you need a new bulb (maybe $400) every 3000 hours or so, which is noticeably expensive and inconvenient.
Also, daylight and projectors don't mix well at all, so you often need to substantially darken your viewing room, darkening windows and possibly repainting light walls/ceiling darker, which all has a very low WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor), especially if its the lounge.

No, even in (well-written) C, you don't just use globals everywhere.

For some reason this reminded me of the "Church of Pong" in Neuromancer.

>> There are no C++ public/private protections and all
functions, even secondary ones in the kernel, can be called. ...so literally everything has global scope? ..No defined interfaces anywhere and changing the implementation of _anything_ has a high probability of breaking _everything_?

Good luck with ever getting a robust system, or even finding anyone with an actual clue that would want to contribute (a.k.a. waste) their time trying.

Everyone already knows this, whether they want to admit it or not.

The real question is will the US gov ever actually do anything to benefit US workers, or are they already too far under the thumbs of the hi tech companies?

Thankyou. Mine too.

IMHO, the best car is one with NO computer tech or LCD screens in it.

...because "clean politician" is an oxymoron. the politicians avoid pushing restrictions on the NSA in case the NSA leaks the dirt on them. ...so there really is nobody powerful enough to limit the NSA, even the government.

old diesel? ...are you SURE the smoke was actually coming off the tyres and not the exhaust?

I guess my real point is: assuming the NSA can already do it, how long will it be before the 15 yr old skript kiddy can download a tool from somewhere that does it too?

This.
If I had mod points you'd get them.

Not useless, but also not what it says on the tin.

...but we can't eat a whole one (yet).

Why should we believe that HTTPS (or i suppose more accurately TLS / SSL) hasn't already been compromised (i.e. by the NSA)?

This.

I think this is the REAL question. As is: why should we believe that https isn't also already compromised (i.e. by the NSA)?