Yep, openness and proprietary concerns are diametrically opposed. The former seeks to standardize and homogenize, while the latter seeks to differentiate (aka, lock-in).

I'd argue that it's always been like this, but the 1% want you to believe in the 'American Dream' and that you can actually achieve it. As long as you're toiling away with dreams of eventually making it, you won't be distracted by the system that is so obviously set up for you to fail. Once large numbers of people start to realize this, then those in control will really be in trouble (the Occupy movement was a brief start).

Interesting note: the shield was formed by reading the game code as data (for perceived randomness). So when you look at the shield, in some sense you're looking at the source assembly code. Matrix-style.

I don't think anyone ever reasonably stated that Linux wasn't efficient, or that OpenGL wasn't adequate compared to Direct3D. Or maybe they did, but it wasn't factual. A properly configured Linux system has been faster than Windows for some time, at least for the past few years. The main problem with Linux has always been the lack of polish and presentation to the general public. The pieces have always been there, it's just been very fragile. Maybe now that someone is stepping up to the plate, Linux can receive what it's needed all along: better marketing and polishing. IMHO, it hasn't been large technical issues keeping Linux back. The technology is sound, and has been for quite some time.

Of course this is only available where it absolutely needs to be; where they're being hammered from competition. Meanwhile, other markets are left to be price-gouged as long as possible. This only proves that they have the ability to upgrade the network, they just won't until they're dragged kicking and screaming. Of course many businesses have that attitude, but it isn't often so obviously apparent as in this case.

Yes, it is indeed me. I say 'me', since for the past several 5 years or so, the Stella team is just one person. Thanks for the support.

Just wanted to add that this is a very good description of how the real hardware works. And the problems of non-realtime determinism is one of the major issues I face in developing Stella (http://stella.sf.net). For a system so rudimentary, you'd never believe how hard it is to accurately emulate it. You basically need to emulate a TV as well; the system was tied so closely to it.

Do you have this response typed up somewhere? Because every time an SSD discussion comes up, you post the exact same response. Quite a few of the 'facts' on the website you mention are no longer applicable to current technology.

If you'd lose a wife because you couldn't get a new job quickly enough, then it was a gold-digger that wasn't worth keeping.