I really hope "taps" doesn't mean what I think it means.

For a long time Microsoft was a growth stock, and their P/E of 30 reflected that. Investors really expected that to continue as their server "products" displaced Unix, foreign markets began to flourish, and embedded products opened up to them. I personally believe that their stock has stayed put for so long simply because all three of these growth strategies were stymied, most often by Linux and/or other F/OSS.

That $20B was $60B just a very few years ago. I do agree with you that they aren't losing money. I kind of wish they would. Bastards.

Some friend you are. Friends don't let friends use Windows.

Perhaps it is less about the quantity of scientists than the quality. I tend to like what Freeman Dyson has to say on the subject.

You got a "+5 Insightful," and I would agree with the mods, but your reply was non sequitur to the GP. His/her point was that the time and money investment will likely not pay for itself. Your bottom line was, well, this: "The bottom line is that you go back to school because you love the subject." That's fine, but that wasn't what the GP was saying.

I will add as well that going back to school is not the only way to pursue an interest in a loved subject.

No more "Breaking Bad" for you.

Won't somebody think of the chickens!?!

If you want to revolt by creating your own small community, you will either: (a) Be insignificant as to have no effect, or (b) Draw attention, which will result in laws being created to force you to participate in our national economy.

As to part (a), it will be significant to those who throw off their shackles. You are correct regarding part (b) unless a critical mass is established before the authorities' attention is drawn. I'll freely admit neither option is likely.

The proof of the pudding is in the derivation. Then again, I was a math major.

My friend, you strike me as sincere. Let me suggest an alternative to bloodshed. Let us revolt in a peaceful way. We can grow much of our own food. We can barter (without filing a 1099B with the Infernal Revenue Service). We can become our own creditors. We can create our own currency. It sounds simplistic, but extensions of these concepts would starve the dragon to death without us having to unsheathe our swords.

Wait just a damn minu.... [collapses back into chair, grabs chest].

Maybe whoever modded you "flamebait" was trying to be funny, considering the context of your post.

One of the links in the summary is to http://durpal.org/ . I wonder if that is a fork from http://drupal.org

Also, it is interesting to see the long forgotten WorldForge on that list. Maybe Duke Nukem should go open source to get some of that good Google cash.

One of the best physics demonstrations is to hang a block of wood from a string and shoot it with a .22, then measure how far the block swings. Sadly, this can't be done in schools anymore.