I was about to call you out on the model number but instead I learned of a new, UK-only Amiga model. I did chuckle when reading that under the A1500 label is an A2000 label. :)

Sure, if the workbench was loaded, you could start a shell and write a script (with that awful built-in line editor, uuugh), but it wasn't the same as the instant-on of the C64.

I used to do similar things at Radio Shack; there was a POKE you could use to toggle the internal relay on/off much faster than you should (the BASIC command to toggle the relay would wait a second or so before each state - the POKE obviously didn't). Put this in an infinite loop, walk away and watch the poor clerk run to the front of the store to reset the demo machine.

My order is still in the "Submitted" stage, I don't know if that comes before or after "Processing" status. It's a good thing I got the accessories I wanted on Sunday (there was still plenty left), because all of the HP Touchpad stuff was removed from the BestBuy/FutureShop shelves Monday, including the demo units which were still on display Sunday.

I've heard that HP will actually get new stock in the coming days, which I presume is the result of the "last production run" started before they canned everything.

Now I'm actually surprised HP canned it at all, because selling a $400 touchpad at $99 is the very definition of a loss-leader, and clearly there is consumer interest in the product at that price point.

Thanks for the tip, managed to order a 32GB from the HP store yesterday night, long after it was sold out in local stores. Today was the run for accessories, while they still exist (charging stand, cover, etc). Cases shouldn't be a problem since the device is about the same size and depth as an iPad 1, and those are plentiful. Not sure if I'll need one or not, maybe the cover will be sufficient.

Did the sales rep mention a time frame for the overcharge correction? I tried calling to check but their phone lines are (understandably) overloaded right now. I wonder if I should worry...

You're arguing semantics ;)

Ok, so the crack itself didn't take 5 years to develop (I think it took geohot mere days to find one?). My point was that in the eyes of Sony, the DRM "held" for 5 years, so I'm pretty sure it was worth it. For a long time the PS3 was the only secure console of this generation, thanks to the OtherOS option keeping the homebrew crowd happy. When Sony removed it, the race was on...

I'd say it worked well enough for Sony (not that I agree with them on this). It took 5 years for the PS3 security system to be broken... Compare to the Wii (instant) or the Xbox 360 (within the first year).

The problem isn't the OS, it's the port: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS/2_connector (see the "hotplugging" section).

You *must* power down the machine before plugging in a PS/2 device, or risk blowing up the port controller/fuse. I have killed at least one motherboard this way (PS/2 devices no longer work on it).

If you have to run Windows, the Microsoft Security Essentials package is excellent. I haven't had the urge to uninstall it yet (unlike Avast and AVG), and it doesn't noticeably slow your system. It's free if you have a valid Windows license...

Actually there was an update early this year that removed the limitation, presumably because plenty of cheapo Dell PCs (for example) don't even expose the VT switch in their BIOSes (even though the CPU supports it).

I haven't noticed any speed difference in XP Mode or VirtualBox with or without VT.

Oh, I certainly agree, WINE is quite an achievement. My point was that it's much too soon to celebrate an open-source DX11 implementation because they haven't started doing the hard part yet; look at how long it took WINE to get accelerated DX9 to a "mostly working (with limitations)" state...