"Oryx and Crake" by Margaret Atwood offered a rather bleak look at humanity. Both well written.

But it is hard to overcome perceptions. Also the OS is associated with work. I remember after a day of data entry on a pc, it was fun to fire up my Linux or Mac OS. They weren't part of my work day. There was no feeling of dread.

Sony did have some quality issues.

All of the above used the same OS, and all were competing on price. Sony did try to distinguish themselves in the design department, but they couldn't match the Apple design team. HP made some handsome machines, but once booted, they looked like everyone else. They were all Microsoft's bitch, and though it gave an advantage in some markets, they had no control of the quality of the OS. In the end, they were boring in design and use. Their products were associated with work. Booting up your home computer shouldn't remind you of the crushing boredom of your beige box in your cubicle.

his chances of scoring with Mila Kunis.

That's why I use GIMP 2.8 instead of PS. I am not a pro, so why spend all that money on something I don't need. http://www.flickr.com/photos/alfredo_tomato/

if you use Linux you will have to produce a valid receipt or you will be harassed until you buy expensive, buggy corporate shovel ware.

Their profit does not take precedence over our survival.

Really

Dell is too conservative (in the sense of protecting the status quo) to change directions quickly. Of course what one might call conservative could actually be timidity.

I think they have allowed their currency to float.

You have a wide selection. Olympus XZ1 is a very good camera with a bright lens. The S series of Canon S95, or the new S100 will return very good results. I know little of the Nikon, but their new V1 is getting very good reviews. Steve Huff Photo and DigitalRev on YouTube have good reviews. The price might turn you off. The Samsung TL500 rates well, but not as easy to find Mirrorless cameras like the new Olympus pen cameras look hot. Lumix/Panasonic makes some fine cameras, and I would fill your needs. Read reviews of all the cameras, try to actually hold the camera before you buy. Don't get caught up in megapixels. There's a saying that the best camera is the one you have with you. Buy something that is convenient to carry. Take a whole bunch of photos. That's how you become a good photographer. Practice.

have "one more thing." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHJkAYdT7qo

Why use something at home that makes you think of work? OSX and sometimes Ubuntu for me. Retired, but I still have Windows nightmares.

Let a two year kid play with it.