So, cloud computing is a client/server system rented out to third parties?

They removed the GBA slot with the DSi.

No, the real concern is that it will be the other way around. If you buy Comcast, you can only watch Disney movies. Which will be even worse for those with whom Comcast is their only available provider.

It doesn't really matter whether it stands up to scrutiny. The cable company could just turn it back off when no one is looking. And even if it doesn't stay off, many people still may believe that a 3rd party DVR could effectively stop working at random and so go to the cable company's solution just because they can trust that the feature won't be turned off at random.

No one expects a Spanish Inquisition!

I have no divine providence over my finished work...

The theory is that yes, you do. Perhaps not divine. It's a social contract where we all agree that in return for making something, we'll give you a bit of say in what happens to your work. If we like it enough, we play along. Otherwise, we go find someone who either makes something good enough that we're willing to put up with them or they're open enough that we'll put up with slightly lesser quality.

If you don't like the terms, you can "go" somewhere else.

That said, there's really no excuse for the RIAA. There is no way that a song is worth that much. I might could understand $100 or so as a deterrent, but nearly two million is insane.

No no: that Mac is *why* they're plundering the furniture. ;)

I've been in churches all my life and that's the first time I've ever heard such a thing. But then, maybe Presbyterians are just weird.

Well forget going to the trouble of creating something new, I'll just copy the next big thing that comes along.

scammed my 4-banged Wrath

I have no idea what that means, and I don't think I want to.

Since when has "realistic" factored into the RIAA's doings?

Ah, so they can't even do EEE right anymore? ;)

I'd imagine the "Extend" bit is much harder if you're sharing your extensions with the community.

We love Tesla because they are doing something. The research and investment will lead to future electric cars that really are affordable. See the Model S for a big step in that direction.

They could have made it part of the startup routine: on boot, run the test and store the result for as long as the computer is powered on.

Fine, then let's use that argument to convince everyone to switch to greener technologies. I would like to think that adults would be able to work things out through logical, reasonable discourse and not a global warming boogeyman. I guess not.