Sure, but there is no architecture which provides strong load-link/store conditional, so you cannot operate on 2 memory locations because the second will reset the first, so, it's like compare-and swap, only with more limitations.

Sorry I didn't express that more clearly, I meant word as in "machine register size", not as it was used by intel. You can use compare and swap on 32/64 bit values on x86 or on 64/128 bit values on amd64, but still no double word compare and swap where both words are in different memory locations.

Instead of churning out cores they schould tweak the x86 isa to use multiple cores efficently. 1/2-word Atomic compare and swap is not enough, you cannot make atomic lockless doubly linked lists with that. No wonder something as interesting as http://valerieaurora.org/synthesis/SynthesisOS/ is not possible on x86 without major hacks.

That's the 16bit abs() in x86. There are some variations on that, like cwd add ax, dx xor ax, dx I think the version you've written is patented by some russion guy at SUN, anyway, the fact, that you used 16bit version tells me you finished your colledge a while ago, since it a popular task in ours. Whe have to learn some x86 asm and do some primitive buffer overflow exploits at our university.

iMad fits the bill perfectly, or is it already taken? ;)

I totally disagree. You do not own the child and if you are not able to teach(pass teaching exam) you are not good enough to teach your children math/other stuff that other children are taught at school. I think you have to look at it from a point of view of a child and not assert ownerschip of him, like with your property.

Which is quite useful if you are a one of those, but not really for the rest of us (and especially those using notebooks).

There is actually no scenarios where proprietary software is better for it's user. NONE. It's only good for the one who produced that code to hold on the know-how. And you cannot create know how out of nothing, you are always gonna ALWAYS stand on someone's shoulders, be it the creater of binary code or the author of some common algorithm, thousands of whom did their work to archieve this level of science. The users of proprietary software are mostly 1: forced to upgrade at some point 2: left in the rain 3: will be pushed and milked as much as they can. What is wrong with expecting a source of a programm when I BUY one. If I am the knowledgeble one I can fix the problems or quirks I don't like, if I am not, someone else will, or I can pay someone to do it. Why should I depend on someone if I don't have to. I just don't see the logical proof that shows me that proprietary software is better model. Sure, alot of proprietary software is better, because people are ignorant and pour money into it. But why should I omit the source when I can have it. It is so typical of humans to take the short turn gain today and a disaster tomorrow over better long turn strategy. I mean look around - oil, global warming, pollution, in the end it'l bite us in the ass, but no, we still want a quick one today and leaving our children to deal with the shit tomorrow, pretending nothing is wrong. I don't want to sound like a hipocret, I don't always adhere to the principle above, but at least I am aware of it and try to choose the right direction if possible and not pretend that nothing is wrong and advocate the illogical.

I have played the first gears - the graphics was great, the testosterone-laden pieces of hunk were entertaining to watch, but after some time it just becomes boring. For me, there was no point in playing it, there was no drama, no engaging story, no twists to explore, nothing to justificate endless hours of repetitive wasting the same enemies. I mean, I wonder what all the hype is about, when someone will ask me of what can change the nature of a man again? What's the point in those unreal 10 & gears 20 & halo 30 where the only thing changed is the graphics and why do they blame it on piracy when any sane person can tell you if you make a bad game it won't sell.