The way to tame Gnome at least in Ubuntu is to switch back to the 2d version,. The 3d version does have some annoy-o-bugs. And uninstall that piece of crap music player Rhythmbox. I went with Audacious instead.

The only time you have to restart Linux is if you change Kernel or Kernel header files. Otherwise just upgrade and walk away without having to reboot.

Sorry - I cannot tolerate the piece of flaming excrement that is Windows 8. I just went with Ubuntu 14.01 LTS - works well enough for my needs, has all the tools and toys that Windows has and isn't that hard to learn.

That this impacts Fox news in the United States. Hopefully it won't touch the entertainment side as a few shows I like are in fact Fox Network properties.

Yup - I'm fully familiar with state government mandates alone that would make you want to scream. In one job I worked in I had to coach the liaison to the state legislature so we in the I.T. unit might get a head up when something major was going down. Had him nicely trained too - I'd get at least a weeks notice before we had to get something mandated by the idiots and morons in the legislature programmed or working on our systems.

A set of 10x50 binoculars can resolve some pretty good details. They're inexpensive and rugged too. That might be a better option.

Predator calls would probably work. And yes, simulated Hawks would be ideal. Eagles are for the most part scavengers but Hawks are real hunters.

Um, I've heard MANY complaints about FIOS in my area so YMMV!

That's $23 to $66 per month here in the U.S.

Problem is they won't renegotiate with you. They'll just tell you tough luck. Complain to your legislators both local and federal about that. Make it a point to do so. Call, email, visit. But make sure they know we're not going to take the shit any longer.

Well - the only data players where I live are Verizon FIOS and Cox. Both of which will charge you $70 per month for data only.

Which is fine with me .A Roku box and my Wii with Netflix, YouTube and even Amazon will do the trick.

And as to antennas - just an 8 foot length of 24 gauge or so wire inserted into the center pin of the F connector nets me about 12 stations. I suppose If I mounted a good omin-directional on the roof I'd likely see service clear into Boston.

In my case I have Cox and they too try to upsell all the time. It's gotten to the point where I'll assertively say "Cut the shit and address the problem". That usually works. I'm almost at the point where I'm going to tell Cox to stuff their TV and Phone services anyhow. All I really need is the net connection.

Oh tell me about it. I was a state employee not once but twice. In both cases I saw horse trades that made it hellish for everyone.

For example - I had an Admin Director yelling at me about something SHE didn't do. That was when I knew - no more state employment unless I'm REALLY high up and can tell people to fuck off.

If you think for a moment that Experian, Equifax and Transunion are running pristine databases you're sorely mistaken. They're pretty much the master of all fuck ups. It's just that their PR machines leads us to believe otherwise.

Well - we know in the EPA some employees are smearing shit on the walls for kicks. So couple this with the USPTO and you can pretty much assure that almost every public agency you've listed is goofing off pretty often. It's a wonder anything ever gets done. And ObDisclaimer: I'm kind of sort of on a contract that one of the players is the VA.

We sent them something for evaluation three weeks ago and they haven't looked at it yet.

And about a decade ago I worked with the CJIS folks in Clarksburg. Not the brightest bulbs or sharpes crayons let me tell you.