Well, the BBC operates web sites. Clearly, anyone who uses any sort of web site should be obliged to subscribe, or at least pay something, to the BBC. Therefore, we are going to have a tax on Internet use, some or all of whose proceeds will go to the BBC, for it to operate its public service web sites.

I know you think you were joking, but a couple of years ago it was announced that the TV licence for DR (Danmark's Radio - the Danish equivalent of the BBC which is responsible for some radio stations, TV channels and websites just like the BBC) would become a "media licence", and it would be extended from radio and TV owners to anyone who owned a device with an internet connection (including mobile phones).

So, in Denmark if you have an internet connection you're paying for DR, whether you access their content or not.

Why on earth are states involved in producing media anyway? They don't make newsapers after all (although the USSR had Pravda).

I suppose another huge reason for the intelligence community to like FOSS is that they can audit source code and recompile any binaries as they see fit. That's difficult with closed source software and I imagine they'd be especially wary of foreign closed source software.

Check out Agent Ransack - it's a much better search program.

Don't forget Carriage Return+Line Feed line endings. Bah!

dump the retail/OEM distinction too

That's not going to happen unless governments use anti-monopolist legislation to force Microsoft's hand. In the past Microsoft has used the threat of forcing OEMs to pay for the retail version of Windows to prevent them from selling dual-boot systems.

Finally, blacklists in general are prone to misuse, abuse and human error.

Absolutely. In Finland, a leading critic of internet censorship had his website added to the list, and the list also contains:

• THC hearing aid devices
• IT consulting service for teachers
• Music instrument store
• Doll store
• Computer repair service
• Windows tips in Thai
• Data Management and Biostatistics Network Journal Guestbook
• English and Thai discussion of gay rights (no images!)

From reading the other comments here, it looks like the vast majority of people take "Bike" to mean Bicycle. For this reason, the use of the word "Bike" as a short form of "Motorbike" should be discouraged. Go find a new word - this one's taken.

Sweden regarded free? You must be joking.

All emails and phone calls are monitored in the name of national security
Sweden is second from bottom in the EU when it comes to protecting its citizens' private integrity

This is what happens when a government realises it's large imported religious fundamentalist population has ideas that run counter to their modern progressive ones. See also: the UK