The "right" solution is that things dependent on the number of address lines (cache size, RAM size) are in units measured in 2^10, and things not dependent on the number address lines (network bandwidth, HDD/SSD size) are in units measured in 10^3. Files are interesting in that the base unit is a 512 byte sector but they don't depend on address lines, so they should be measured like floppy disks where 1kB is 1024 bytes, 1MB is 1000kB ,and 1GB is 1000MB etc -- but this is confusing, so they'll probably just consistently use steps of 1000.

>>>It makes me angry that some feel they can use them for their own political purposes

We use the National Socialists of 1930s Germany because they are relevant. Adolf Hitler was actually a decent guy when he was elected, bringing restoration to his people and abundance in a once-failing economy, and even received praise from people like Churchill and FDR as an excellent leader. The German people loved him and were proud to call Hitler their leader (sound familiar?). The relevance is that a smiling happy politician can so quickly-and-easily turn into a tyrant.

If you don't like me using Hitler as example, I could use Napoleon instead. Or Henry the 8th. Or Nero. Or Julius Ceasar.

Pick your poison Socrates.

The principle of not executing something arriving off host had only been established about a decade before. Shar (shell archives and the typical distribution format) was invented shortly after Usenet source groups were invented. Unshar was invented in the mid 1980s because everyone with half a brain was terrified of executing something coming from even the venerated and moderated `comp.sources.unix'.

We made our own mistakes http://www.regatta.cs.msu.su/doc/usr/share/man/info/ru_RU/a_doc_lib/cmds/aixcmds5/uux.htm but competent administrators had learned long before 1995 to disable uux.

Now, get off my lawn!

As a cast member in a web series (Break A Leg) we have been struggling not to gain an audience, respect, or critical acclaim since we have all of that. We just need money.

Having just looked at your website, I can't see anywhere that I could pay to get access to your episodes. I can't see anywhere I could pay to get a DVD.
Assuming that you're giving away your product for free (seriously? then complaining about cashflow?) I also can't see anywhere that I can pay to have an enhanced experience of some kind.

Have you considered actually... y'know... *CHARGING* for access to watch the shows? Like giving away eps 1-3 from a series for free, then charging $1 an episode after that? Or letting viewers watch the first X minutes of each episode then 50 cents for the rest? Or selling a DVD with added-value material that SERIOUS fans would appreciate like commentary, actor/cast bios, extra bits to flesh out personalities, "deleted scenes", extra scenes, mini-episodes fleshing out a real one etc?

If the first thought that enters your head is "people won't pay money to watch our series" then perhaps your series isn't compelling enough? But assuming it *is* compelling and appealing it seems to me that you need someone with a commercial brain to work out how best to monetize it... I bet you have some "experts" or talented and/or experienced people in their field for certain roles like costume, scriptwriting, make-up, camerawork, soundwork, editing.. acting etc... so why not someone talented/experienced in commercial aspects?

There are many TVs on the market that have cable card slots built in. I have no problem with a Tivo because I can buy one, and own it outright, and take it with me whenever I move and not have to rent a box.

I once lived in a small isolated town (population of about 10,000) that had its own natural gas wells, power plant, water system, and sewer system. The city did a great job of providing natural gas, electricity, sewer, water, and trash removal service at prices lower than in major cities in the state. I know that the city utilities did not lose or make money on the services, although there may have been some cross-subsidization.