It's not my computer, it's a work one, but yeah, you're right, it's running Windows and IE.

If IBTimes wants to piss people off with autoplay videos, why link to them?

Here's El Reg's version of the same story:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/05/17/lulzsec_analysis/

It's going to be a lot more interesting, and presumably compelling when it's completed. Hangouts isn't intended as a simple chat client replacement.

Google dropping XMPP support is only mildly interesting, but the reason behind it is far more ambitious than TFA discusses. The Verge has a better article, but TLDR is that It's part of a long-term plan to change the way communication works on phones and computers.

XMPP obviously won't be suitable for unifying so many different communication paths. Given Google's efforts with WebRTC, I suspect that'll be the underlying standard for their new platform, though it hasn't been stated as such anywhere I'm aware of.

Or walk around an IKEA. There's plenty of existing furniture that does the job.

While all the news and discussion on Slashdot revolves around Apple, there actually IS a fork of Android for DoD and business.

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/mobile/solution/security/samsung-knox

I expect most of the security improvements will also be available for standard Android before too long.

Maybe half a decade ago. Now, for anything that's supported, Linux is far easier than Windows.

Sometimes, but most times you ahve to track down and install a driver along with a gigabyte or two of annoying bloatware to get a device which works, but constantly nags you with crap you don't want to have to deal with.

Why?

That's the the whole benefit of open source right there in one sentence. They did something you didn't like, you weren't locked in.

Yes I did read it, and it yes does. In fact the EFF goes beyond straight comparisons in the text:

I'm glad this is a field where companies are competing to outdo each other. Microsoft's efforts to present a rival in unwarranted poor light does us all a disservice.

I'll get my axe!

...that you'll know about. You're not allowed to check.

Some are better than others.

And according to the EFF, Google is better at protecting your privacy than Microsoft..

https://www.eff.org/who-has-your-back-2013

Microsoft are hypocrites as well as liars? Who'd have thought...

Excel, Powerpoint, Silverlight, Outlook, Visio, Vista, Blue...

The facts don't support your claim.

FWIW, I have an Asus HD 7850 working fine.

Sometimes it's helpful to know that others are successfully using the same hardware. That way you know it's only your particular machine/config to investigate, not that you just have an unusable incompatible component.

What about real human?

Would that be either legal or ethical?