Shifting half the expense to the device and half the expense to the cable isn't cheaper, it's just moving costs.

That's only true if there's a 1:1 relationship between tablets and cables.

As it so happens that's already implemented.

Ubuntu was demoing an Android port at CES this year, which sounds as though it runs in something like a chroot jail. The idea seems to be to hook your phone up to a monitor to display Linux apps, but it seems at least conceivable that they could display on the phone's screen if you could get around the usability issues.

Considering there hasn't been a release since 2006 or a commit since 2009 I'd say no, they don't really.

I'm afraid we're fresh out of sharks, but perhaps I could interest you in an ill-tempered sea bass?

Oh so that's what "final" means. They're switching to the Final Fantasy versioning scheme.

Where's an illiterate when you need one?!

Fret not! I found one for you:

python's in particular

That's amazing! I've got the same combination on my luggage!

Oh come now. That could be anybody. I mean there must be any number of people who look like the lovechild of Dr. Evil and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

Lest anyone think he is kidding, let's have a look at the permissions for each app.

Obama for America

RECEIVE DATA FROM INTERNET
Allows apps to accept cloud to device messages sent by the app's service. Using this service will incur data usage. Malicious apps could cause excess data usage.

That's money out of your pocket my friends. Typical Democrat.

Romney-Ryan

CONTROL VIBRATOR
Allows the app to control the vibrator.

So it should be obvious that the Register has good reason to be up in arms.

Then we'll be right back where we started! Let's instead genetically engineer them to eat grizzlies and the problem will take care of itself the first time they try it.

Well, it's coming out at the end of September, so play that during November and pick the other two up for like a dollar during the Christmas sale in December. Take it from me: if you time things right you can afford all sorts of games that you'll never have time to actually play.

And there you have it folks. The reason that the Linux desktop has never taken off in just eight condescending little words.

I'm sure the comment I replied to was meant as a joke, but it's important to keep in mind that female circumcision does in fact exist. I'm not sure where you got the idea that I consider it to be the same operation when there's really nothing in that article that even suggests it has valid medical applications. In fact the tiny excerpt you quoted is probably the least ghastly description of the practice—the article frankly just gets more and more horrifying the further you read.

The argument here is that male circumcision, while obviously not as invasive and not done for the same despicable reasons, also has no medical value. You might disagree with that (which would be a reasonable position to take, since the American Academy of Pediatrics obviously holds the same opinion), but that doesn't make the comparison invalid.

Female circumcision is unfortunately a real thing.