You mean overhead cable TV plant? I suppose more people use coax for DOCSIS than CATV now...

How soon will Lennart Poettering be leaving?

(For those new to Linux, he's the biggest proponent of systemd, the init system that is the antithesis of Unix's storied tradition of "do one thing and do it well.")

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe this will prompt them to clean up their act and be a better steward.

I'd go further and say that Oracle is actively discouraging use of Java by attempting to squeeze revenue out of it as if businesses are locked in. Those that can are exploring alternatives, and C# fits the bill for many.

... and then lower them again as competition returns to the marketplace.

Now let's tackle the absurd change or cancellation fees airlines charge their customers...

Ah, the classic reductio ad absurdum. I see what you did there, sir.

News flash: Microsoft has figured out what their customers want.

As a result, they have fixed their error so that is no longer an option.

You're only proving my point. "I have the right" is synonymous with "There is no law banning."

Your statement does not change my expectations for how moral people behave.

Don't tell me what I expect.

I think you mean to say I have no legal expectation of privacy on your property. Unfortunately, too many people equate legality with morality. "If there's no law banning it, it must be ok."

I do expect some measure of privacy, even walking down the street or approaching your door. Whether I get that, or whether it's legally enforced, is often different from my expectations, unfortunately.

The public ultimately writes the laws we live under, so privacy laws could be changed if we only had the will, but there are plenty of other things we need to get in order first.

Sounds like something someone who doesn't know the difference between grammar and spelling would say.

You know, since we're slinging insults...

... which would void your warranty because you're operating it beyond what the manufacturer has determined to be sustainable. Good luck convincing the dealership they should cover engine damage on a chipped car. That's not what we're talking about here. The specs on the cheaper model are artificially lowered as can be seen by comparing the specs on the same hardware installed in the upgraded model.

First of all, most of those statements are not mutually exclusive. A person can read and understand the specs and decide to purchase, but still feel ripped off.

Second, I did say "smells like corporate thievery," not "is corporate thievery." Take a course on ethics and morality, if you can find one. As a quick one-line course summary, there's a difference between morality and legality. Sadly, most MBA graduates seem to focus only on what's legal, and most CxOs would test positive on a psychopathy eval.

Wow. $35k for an upgrade; are you comparing a 4-cylinder Mustang with manual windows and no A/C to a customized Shelby GT500? Yeah, if there's hardly any parts in common, it's not a strange flex to prefer a big price difference. Ford wouldn't be able to sell their base model Mustang at a $600 discount off of a GT500. Again, that's not what we're talking about here.

But you did buy it upfront. All the hardware and software for that sportier experience is already in the vehicle... except for that toggle bit. If it required swapping in upgraded parts, an up-charge would be reasonable. But to differentiate price on toggling a bit on or off, while not uncommon in the world today, still smells like corporate thievery.

Asbestos is dangerous to your lungs because the individual fibers are long and sharp and stabby and your mucus lining cannot clear them. These are little metallic beads; I expect your lungs would clear them just like any other similar sized particle of dust or plastic.

But you go live in your protective bubble so you're safe from them. I don't mind.

Ah.. now it makes sense.

Announcing my newest spray-on robotic window cleaner, Robo-Dex; now with nano-robotic ethanol droplets that react to sunlight and microfiber towels for a streak-free shine.