i.e. Windows, and why prior versions of Windows are Microsoft biggest competitor and why operating systems as a service (the way Apple puts out frequent / cheap upgrades) is probably the only model that will work over the long term.

The judge is viewing the computer hardware and software as a system, and he is correct in believing that substantive changes to a component create a new machine. Firmware and things like FPGA chips completely blur the line. I had a nee jerk reaction to this judges opinion at first, but if you view a computer as a blank canvas it makes sense. As a systems engineer my primary concern is f(x)=y, so I don't see a distinction between hardware, software, or peopleware that is used between the input of a process and it's output.

We have library standardization, it's called Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Ubuntu LTS. The trouble is that by the time we standardize, the kernel and libraries are already antiquated. Linux is the largest software development project in the world and a very fast moving target. It may end up being better to let the application owners manage this, it works well for Mac OS X. I think if it makes it easier for normal people to install an application it's a huge win for usability. I don't see any reason why you can't implement both static bundling and shared libraries in parallel on a system; perhaps just have core library services like libcrytpo shared, much like the core services available in Mac OS X.

Frankly it is very trivial as you say. Honestly a pipe is all you need to make a zip gun, I remember as a kid taking a 12 gauge shotgun shell, sticking it into a pipe, and then whacking the percussion cap with a nail and hammer. You might crack or split the pipe, but it will work none the less.

This is exactly what religious individuals do with the bible, I don't see why it would be any different here.

If a depressed person feels that "god" has a purpose for them, they're more likely to power through until things get better. Faith in purpose is really what was just correlated...

The system doesn't have to be like this, we can restructure the game to reward cooperative behavior between the parties using game theory. See my sight for details on a new ADR process that utilizes these insights. We're just getting started, donations and other assistance is appreciated.

http://ibmemployeelegalservices.com/

Nikolas J. Britton
Executive Director
IBM Employee Legal Services, Inc.
nbritto@ibmemployeelegalservices.com

(563) 564-3546
8760A Research Blvd #151
Austin, TX 78758-6420

I've always wanted to vote for alternative or underdog candidates, such as the Libertarian party, but typically what happens is the two primary candidates are so neck and neck that taking votes away from one primary candidate, by selecting an underdog candidate on principle even though you know they won't win, would push the other primary candidate, who you despise, over the top.

I was thinking, a solution to this dilemma would be to vote twice, or more specifically a secondary vote. Basically you would mark a primary and secondary choice on the ballet, and if the candidate you selected with your primary vote looses, your vote would then rollover to whichever secondary candidate you selected. For example, my ballet would look like this:

(P)(S):
(_)(X) - Obama
(_)(_) - Golden Tablet Boy
(X)(_) - Ron Paul

Would it take an amendment to the constitution, or just an act of congress, to do this?

Hey everyone, the reason for this is real simple. LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) is limited to a maximum resolution of 1400 × 1050 @ 60Hz. Almost all of the laptop panels today interface with the chipset (i.g. Intel 4500MHD) using LVDS. It saves cost, the fact of the matter is that basically all LCD panels made today are driven using LVDS circuitry. HDMI, DVI, RGB, Component , S-Video, RCA, or whatever are merely device to device interconnects. Even TV's are driven internally using LVDS, it's just that they only need to run at 1080p @ 30 Hz; Linus is effectively asking for 1600p @ 60 Hz. That's well beyond the capabilities of an off the shelf commodity LVDS panel.

Manufactures are listening Linus, and have created a new standard called Embedded DisplayPort (eDB). This is what's driving the panel in the new MacBook Pro actually, and now that Intel's new chipset lines support this technology we simply have to wait for economies of scale to bring the prices down on eDB panels. I'll bet at least half the new laptops sold with have eDB panels in them by this time next year... This would really make retailers happy for Christmas shopping.

If you can prove intent, then yes it should be tried as attempted murder. At a minimum, shining a high powered laser at anyone, regardless of where they are at, is battery. Attempting to blind them with it would be mayhem. Also simple assault for every person in the plane, paticularly if they were not directly exposed to the beam. Mayhem being a felony, and the multiple counts of simple assult and battery cumulating into felony aggravated charge, you can be sure the offender will do time. Pretty much any laser can cause permanent damage to the eyes, and the label on the device says it can cause harm... really it is akin to discharging a weapon.

In Illinois, the law, under strict interpretation, requires the consent of all parties before you can eletronically record or intercept any conversation, it could be pursued as a felony offense otherwise... although current opinion is this only applies to recording conversations that you could not otherwise naturally hear with your ears.

Anyhow, check and know the recording laws in your area beforehand.

Maybe he's a south park fan.

When I setup service with Sprint, the lady said I already had an active account when she plugged in my SSN. Another customer had appreantly been using it, thankfully whoever it was always paid their bill. Sprint had their fraud team investigate and deactivate that other account. I wonder how meny other companies are using my SSN in their customer accounting system, what's to stop someone from from giving a random SSN on an application if the company never verifies?

Spousal abuse, you mean when your spouse calls the police to abuse you? Maybe we should designate a new number, say 811, for marital emergencies. Then when a spouse calls it, the counselor can tell the other spouse to run away and never look back. I think this service would be a better use of our tax dollars. In fact, maybe a surcharge should be collected with a marriage license to finance a national marital emergencies services system, MESS for short... 1-800-AHH-MESS.

I know this was ment to be a joke, but I would really love to see all of our collective social protocols documented within RFCs. Then possibly developing alternative protocols that are more effectent or less susceptible to malicious manipulation, such as social engeering attacks, blind obedience, etc. At the very least it would be an interesting psychology project.