Android proves you can do it differently. Every app comes with a list of things it needs access to, you can judge by yourself if you want that. The 'tech savy' users can select the 'install also non-market apps' option in the configuration menu and install anything they meet.
A G1 without simlock can be bought at Amazon for 300 eur now, I bought it there, I didn't need to "root" my phone, I can install what I want.
So, my Phone is a bit bulkier than the iPhone, but it has an actual keyboard, it can do SSH via connectbot, I use a laptop-umts sim card, so I can legally use it as a modem via Proxoid.
I have a bit of doubt concerning privacy of the tie-in of my mobile phone behavior and my browsing behavior, but I have absolutely no regrets for skipping the iPhone and not going the Jobs way here.
Oh, and you can swap the battery yourself.
I have no mod points, and you're an AC anyway, but that's a pretty good comment.
Makes me wonder... Wasn't MS supposed to have the best marketing department ever? What happened to it?
BTW as far as the blue screen jokes go, they're pretty old and unnecessary. Windows' main problem these days is not stability, it's about getting a f-ing clue on what people actually want from an operating system. Seems like they're steadily sailing in the wrong direction.
> this is a complete and when restored potentially working computer
You just gave a very correct description of the one-year-old 1000-node cluster I am now using at work
And as a side advantage, you can drop in 15 mins late at the cinema and still be on time for the movie! In germany they even turn on the lights between the last ad and the start of the movie and sell ice. Some sort of long-standing tradition, I suppose.
Now what is bad is commercials inbetween movies on tv. I'd really rather pay to rent a dvd then to spend twice as long watching the movie, and seeing the same commercials over and over again. I get so very tired!
There is also the swiss drink "rivella", which is whey-based, and enjoying a relatively stable but modest popularity since 1952
Old programmers never die, they just hit account block limit.