First off, Microsoft would see gross proceeds increase more than $300 million for the cost of winning the contract. So net win for Microsoft (if they could out-bid Google).

Next, even assuming Microsoft saw zero increase in proceeds, $300 million is nothing to Ballmer. He'd do it in a heartbeat.

Finally, where's the proof Microsoft actually caused the increase? An allthingsd.com story that says Microsoft was competing? Maybe they aren't bidding (very high) at all -- I'm calling the bluff over at allthingsd.com. Where's the proof that Microsoft bid something even close to $100 million?

I messed up my <blockquote> tags... sigh

Anyway, check out http://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/no6b1/go_daddy_no_longer_supports_sopa_latest_blog_post/ for more laughs!

<nelson>Ha Ha!</nelson>

In an effort to eliminate any confusion about its reversal on SOPA though, Jones has removed blog postings that had outlined areas of the bill Go Daddy did support.

Busted!

Just took a look. They have 4 choices for a 16-core opteron listen:

• AMD Opteron 6262 HE Interlagos 1.6GHz Socket G34 85W 16-Core Server Processor OS6262VATGGGU - OEM $539.99
• AMD Opteron 6272 Interlagos 2.1GHz Socket G34 115W 16-Core Server Processor OS6272WKTGGGUWOF $539.99
• AMD Opteron 6274 Interlagos 2.2GHz Socket G34 115W 16-Core Server Processor OS6274WKTGGGUWOF $659.99 out of stock
• AMD Opteron 6274 Interlagos 2.2GHz Socket G34 115W 16-Core Server Processor OS6274WKTGGGU - OEM $659.99 out of stock

I'm going to keep looking, but I don't see any in the 300-400 range.

Excellent tip.

For even more fun, try sudo -s -H

-s is like your sudo bash
-H sets the home dir as well, so maybe you want to leave that out.

Both Xylinx and Altera have linux-native FPGA development environments. I admit I haven't used LabView to do it, but there's some linux support there too.

I feel your pain (I recently tried buying a Lenovo without Windows), but you can get Linux laptops: http://www.system76.com/. They're actually quite competitive.

Mod parent up.

Additionally, many other carriers are already seeing IPv4 exhaustion (due to their own wastefulness in the RFC1918 address space). They are co-opting DoD /8's within their network to try to overcome the problem. [source]

I'll skip the obvious stupidity of "stealing" IPv4's from the DoD. But instead of deploying Carrier-Grade NAT, they're divvying up the internet. In one place, 28.0.0.0/8 takes you to one machine, in another place it takes you somewhere else.

It sounds like the IPv4 internet is going to fall apart simply due to negligence. How's that for an IPv6 killer app?

Check out the System 76 laptops. 1920 x 1080 is the lowest res you can get on everything down to the $1,049 model.

Looks like I can third that?

I just did a side-by-side comparison of Lenovo, Dell, Apple, and System 76. These were my requirements:

• Core i7-2960XM Extreme (8MB L3 Cache, 2.70GHz)
• 1920 x 1080 or higher screen resolution
• 15.9" or smaller
• Manufacturer openly supports booting Linux

You may say I'm not the typical user, but I'm typing this on a Macbook Pro. I'm a power user and I do indeed need the 2960XM Extreme 2.7GHz. I also have to have the portability of a 15" and be able to develop software and engineering solutions in remote locations. So yes, I'm not the typical user. But I am a typical professional, and I have found Macs to be the best tool for the job - in the past.

About that manufacturer support one: since this is my primary work laptop, I'll only be buying one that I can send in for warranty service and overwrite the OS with Linux.

The results:
Dell: They have a paltry list of "no OS" options. Most of their laptops top out at a Core i7 2.50 GHz. Fail.
Apple: They don't support any other OS's. I'll compromise - Mac OS is based on BSD. But they also top out at a Core i7 2.50 GHz, and the screen is only 1680 x 1050. Oh, and to get even just those two specs: $2,549! Fail!
Lenovo: has a No OS special offer but also tops out at a Core i7 2.50 GHz.
System 76: Right here.

The 360 finally starting showing some black in 2008. But they are just now getting to break-even, without considering inflation, interest, and net present value.

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2010-02-10/tech/29961217_1

Multiple Home Apps.

And T-Mobile.

And vastly superior Google Maps.

And the manufacturers are shipping phones that can be unlocked.

And...

I'd mod you up if I had mod points.

Swapping propane tanks? Sure. You aren't likely to beat on it much (or you'll soon get caught in the blaze).

But swapping batteries? It's insane right now. The previous owner/user could damage it in subtle ways -- overcharge it, undercharge it, or maybe just overheat it. Or even just ignore it for 36 months. Or physically puncture it -- maybe a tiny hole -- the hydrogen gas slowly building up in the battery compartment for weeks until it explodes.

Batteries need to be better at a lot of things to beat out fossil fuels. Carbon-neutral fossil fuels are already available, so why are we still burning coal?

Get an Android?

I know I'll get modded down for suggesting it, but if the iPhone can't handle your basic phone call functionality -- and if robo-calls become the norm, this would be classified as basic phone call functionality -- then sell your iPhone and get one that can.