That just means Google is now operating in exactly the same manner that Microsoft used to be when they had dominance over consumer device operating systems. Google now has dominance in the mobile market with Android, and is using that to shove Chrome down people's throats. Personally, the first thing I do with any new phone is download Firefox, just like I did (and still do) with new computers. As the statistics show, though, the vast majority of people don't bother to do that so whatever is the default is what they use. The right and fair thing to do would be to stop them from abusing their monopoly power by offering a choice of browsers at time of install, and not favor their own browser in any way. That would have been the thing to force MS to do as well back when they were being sued for abuse of monopoly power after taking down Netscape with the same tactic. Unfortunately, it didn't happen then and it isn't happening now either. So, Google will continue to dominate the market unless and until some other highly disruptive technology comes along to unseat the current smartphone market and gives another player a chance to enter and eventually dominate the market in a similar fashion.

Me too. After fifteen years of use, the outermost trace (left line of the keyboard) broke, rendering the Unicomp M junk. I had to switch to the chiclet keyboards they issue at work. Three days later I came down with tendonitis. So now I have a base Cherry Brown KC MX.

First they came for Boeing, and I didn't say anything because I wasn't all fucked up.

Got to be pretty unconventional to count as unconventional in QM.

Being a hippie never goes out of style.

Not everyone has enough money to do groundbreaking things like put a car in orbit.

I saw it when it came out, and thought it sucked donkey doodles.

Don't they know fake news is what everyone wants these days?

Perhaps I'm being too harsh. For example, if their boss is an MBA who gives out raises on the basis of how many pounds+gallons they produce or sell, they would be quite rational to request a report that shows how many pounds+gallons they have produced or sold.

For some suitable definition of "work".

In my experience, business "analysts" don't know what the hell they want, let alone how to specify it.

I've been asked to create reports that add pounds + gallons, and it's almost impossible to get them to understand why that's nonsense.

Why not? People who think their god will protect them don't need foxholes. People in foxholes are putting their trust in the boring but well-established ability of a thick pile of dirt to stop bullets.

I've been wondering what the authorities would do if I started selling updated accommodations for the afterlife. Want an extra garage or bath? Something closer to the golden throne, or further from all that off-key singing? Or most popular of all, something farther from those people.

Pay now and get it later, of course.

At least he wasn't puttering the choir boys.

when you need him?