“Oh snap-- Looks like our alternate panel supplier is a bust! Now what?!”

“Let’s submit another lawsuit against the guys who build the good panels!”

“Good idea!”

I've always been a PC gamer, and expect to stay that way. Why would I want a separate gaming system with lame, outdated hardware that I can't upgrade or modify, when I already have a fast, adaptable, transferrable, universally capable gaming rig that offers me superior control over bullshit, imprecise gaming controllers?! You put me up against a console gamer in the same game and I'll kick your ass . Badly. This is a widely known, demonstrated reality.

There hasn't been a logical reason to have a separate gaming system since at least the days of the N64-- At least aside from developers making their titles console, only. So I say screw Sony, and screw Microsoft's hardware division. In fact, screw ALL CONSOLE PLATFORMS. I already have a superior gaming experience without the underhanded policies they're evolving, and their namby pamby hardware.

And some will wish to speak about how you can use consoles to expand media viewing options through your TV. There's no technical reason why a PC couldn't do exactly the same thing, if only development was shifted over to it in the same degree that it is toward consoles. There are PC options you could use now, for that matter.

I venture an (admittedly strong) opinion...
 

What about a networked weather station? Nearly everyone's interested in the weather, and from direct experience I can tell you it's really cool to be able to connect to your station from your smart phone, tablet, or any web browser, and observe current conditions. There are relatively inexpensive complete systems available now, such as from the likes of AcuRite. I have a Rainwise MK-III LR, myself, but those are probably more expensive than most would wish to spend.

Well wishes to your dad-- If I make it to that age I hope to exhibit the same energy and curiosity he still engages. This is great to hear about!

"Hello, I'm Johnny Cab. Where can I take you tonight?"

"Drive, drive!"

"Please repeat the destination"

"Oh, anywhere! Just go. Go!"

"Please state the street and number"

"Shit. SHIT!"

"I'm not familiar with that address. Would you please repeat--"

"AhhhHHHHhhh!!!"

Those operating losses are E-vil. Like it's the frew-its of the Dev-il. E-vil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci3rYOH8t3A

My recorded will shall read:

"For the road to salvation and repentance must be paved up the avenue of my soul, and not up yours... up yours... up yours... up yours..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr8xYH9ork8

Roman Moronie might have put it best. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv8tVxk6Nj4

Some of those still using IE 6 are forced to by virtue of decree by Microsoft: If you're among those hangers on to Windows 2000, Microsoft won't let you upgrade to IE 7 or higher even if you want to. Which isn't to suggest sticking with Win2k is necessarily advisable, but guaranteed that's one of the reasons some are still using IE 6...

Maybe I'm too old school, but I'm surprised no one seems to have mentioned this game as a superb candidate for reboot. This is one of the first MMP games, and later modifications made an already fun, dynamic gameplay experience even better. If the reboot retained the excellent taunts and playability of the original title (unlike its subsequent releases), while incorporating contemporary graphic detail, I can't imagine it wouldn't be a successful title. The gameplay of Tribes remains some of the most fun I've ever had playing a video game-- I miss those days!

Ah yes-- Excellent point (and one I should have thought of, I say embarrassed). I suppose this further demonstrates the reality: If someone has physical access to your machine, Game over, man!

Given that this appears to be loaded via internal optical drive, I'm not completely understanding why this is such a threat. Discounting the fact mentioned by many others that if you're physically compromised you're already hosed (they can pull the hard drive, etc.), all BIOS renditions I've ever seen allow you to select which device the machine first uses to boot. So, set it to your hard drive. Machine boots from hard drive, doesn't boot from bad CD/DVD. Password protecting your BIOS access (which many, if not most, offer) prevents malicious user from setting the machine back to CD/DVD boot. Some BIOS flavors allow you to turn off CD/DVD boot all together, even.

End of "problem".

I mean really-- This is so simple I fear I must be missing something about this story... ?

How did Stellarium and/or Celestia *not* make this list!? If one's criteria is for "Cool" applications, these can't do anything but qualify.