Isn't this a classic case of consolidation that naturally occurs as a new product segment (i.e., streaming) matures? This has happened with automobiles, TVs, washing machines, housing, and just about anything else that gets popular. No need for regulation ... the market will regulate itself ... just give it time. If there's something you like, keep buying it and get your friends to buy it. To create regulation is to create inefficiencies, inferior services and higher prices. Or did you really think you could capture lightning in a bottle??

Brian had an office down the hall from the grad student lab I was in. One day, I needed a jumper for a disk drive ... who would have something unusual like that? The word was to "go see Brian".

His office was a wreck ... actually, controlled chaos. Tons of bins of everything I could imagine (and some I couldn't), papers everywhere, and still enough room for both him and at least one guest. I was surprised when he offered a *selection* of jumpers, and made a mental note to come back whenever I needed something cool. He had the goods. And as sorry as I was to have to bother him (... I didn't even know what he did, but he seemed important ...), I was all the sorrier because he was so darned nice about it.

I've had this regret before ... I was once sitting with Roger Revelle at UCSD and didn't even ask him what he'd done. Now I regret years of opportunities to sit with Brian, too, and get to learn about him, what he did, and what he thinks.

Will I ever learn??

Thanks, Brian, for the jumper ... and Godspeed!

Quite right. I fight battles of this sort weekly. Top researchers and domain managers believe their systems are built by "programmers" and that the key to their success is to have enough "good" programmers. These researchers/managers are far from stupid, but there's a huge void in their understanding of what it takes to put up real systems. We *need* an epic fail like this to start conversations that enable intelligent people to glimpse and appreciate good development processes and personnel stacks ... and the consequences of benign and willful neglect. We'll have more of these fails until all of this starts to sink in.

ObamaCare: Architected from Behind.

If it's a random contact (which it probably is ... and unjustifiable, at that), they won't try twice. If it's serious, you'll hear from them again.

OK ... so how does somewhat get to be a professor?? By being a grad student first ... meaning slave-heading-for-Stockholm-syndrome. There is *no way* that Forbes is right on this. I wouldn't want that job ... these are very hard working, dedicated people!

Finally! California has figured out a way to improve the driving on California roads. Can an occasional system crash be any worse than what we see every day?? ... and this way, texting addicts can indulge safely. Sure. :)

Seriously ... what are you trying to protect? Who are you trying to protect it from? And how much is it worth for them to crack it?

More likely, you're trying to make sure the important information is available to a competent executor, and if it's not immediately available, it's in a form the executor can get it indirectly. You can assume the availability of friendly experts (including lawyers and application users), even if for a price.

If you're worried about someone digging up your treasure and walking away with it, don't ... except for Bill Gates (who has plenty of advisors for this) ... you're not special. None of us are.

Here are the steps I follow:
1) Have a competent legal firm draw up estate documents and leave custody of the documents with them ... make sure everyone knows which firm you chose.
2) Have a copy of the documents in the hands of the executor and family members. You can seal them, but make sure you have an executor who knows how to open and close accounts, pay bills, understand stock dividends, selling houses and cars, can talk to lawyers, and can get expert help when he/she needs it.
3) Get a program like WillMaker to help you document your assets and wishes (even if you use a lawyer to draw up the real documents).
4) As a matter of hygiene, don't be switching your money between custodians and accounts very often ... it's harder for someone new to find it all, even given the few years it will take to clean up your estate.


And do all of the above every few years as circumstances change.

Stability and predictability are your friends.

Capital must be free ... it will always seek out the highest ROI ... capital and capitalists are not slaves.

This SCOTUS ruling isn't 12 hours old, and the poster makes wild and unfounded assumptions about Arizona's reaction and implementation. Right now, our greatest enemy is FUD ... let's watch our assumptions, folks.

... easy ... the prosecution (civil and criminal) that occurs once they find you with their data. Promise: it will transcend the warm feeling of completely wrecking your former employer.

Is there anything else they would like to regulate and take away?? Can they list them all now so we can give an appropriate blanket reply??

Of course, it depends on where you're pinging ... ... here's what I have on a residential line in San Diego ... to Los Angeles: 12ms ... to Yahoo: 57ms ... to London: 164ms ... to 8.8.8.8: 65ms If I had 200ms, I would assume something was wrong ... bad wiring, interference, or a congested/broken switch enroute. Try tracert to find out where the delay is.

This is wise ... the brain cannot serve two masters, and it's clear that people are making the wrong choices far too often. However, that said, there are many kinds of driving scenarios: crowded parking lots, residential streets, freeway ingress/egress, crowded expressways, and long expressway spans. They all call for different kinds of attention, and long expressway driving really can tolerate split attention. So, what are we really talking about, and what's the best way to avoid danger? How about criminalizing various kinds of distracted driving ... like a DUI? How about making this a state-by-state decision ... why do the feds need to be involved? ... all states do not have the same driving scenarios or sensibilities.

1) How does one measure the value of one's life and work?? Is it really just about money? Weren't *you* that young guy upsetting the old guys 30 years ago?? Sit down, shut up, and keep to your knitting. 2) If you're worth more, prove it. Otherwise, you aren't.