When I got my master's degree (EE) back in '85, there were about 130 advanced technical degrees given. Compare that to the 370 jurisprudence degrees handed out, and I think you can see where we were heading. Now lawyers are everywhere, and especially in politics where they can pass laws written to assure full employment for the members of their profession.

Freshman orientation, Iowa State Univ., 1965: 600 freshman in engineering sitting in the auditorium. Prof says look at the people sitting to either side of you - two out of the three won't graduate in engineering. Graduating engineering class was about 175 in 1969...

I have actively avoided Sony products ever since they root-kitted consumers' PCs. I sent them an e-mail saying I would boycott their products until I saw a public apology for their actions. Their "I'm sorry we got caught" apology didn't cut it. I used to look exclusively for Sony products, until it became obvious their quality was going to hell in a hand basket. The root kit was the final straw.

When they shined a light in my ear :-)

What I thought was interesting about the S-box, was the obfuscation they introduced by where they selected the look-up bits from. Just re-order the S-box and use a straight 6 bit index....

I will use certain possessions to make sure my loved ones are safe and cared for. The data probably won't be all that important if things go that wrong.