As a developer, I find it important to ask the question "Why?". Tasks are performed to solve problems. Those who contract out tasks (the employer) understand the problem but typically lack the expert knowledge required to devise the best possible solution. The employer can devise a solution, break it into tasks, and contract out those tasks; but results are typically less then optimal.

What developers should to is to try to understand the underlying problem so their expert knowledge can assist in designing an optimal solution. So when one is asked "Can you do this?" they should reply with "Probably, but why is it required?". Depending on the answer the correct response will probably be along the lines of "Yes, but there is a better way to solve that problem".

For example, a person might go into a store and ask a clerk for an iPad. A good clerk would politely ask why they want an iPad. If the customer was looking for a highly mobile device for reasons .... then a 7" Android tablet might be better. In this example the customer lacks expert knowledge regarding tablet devices and their proposed solution was less then optimal. By understanding the underlying problem, the clerk is able to recommend the most appropriate device. It is the same for developers - take the time to understand the problem if you want the customer to be happy.

Not really. When every new PC comes with a copy of Windows there is no reason to go with ReactOS. The additional license costs for a corporate Windows Pro upgrade are minimal. If one wanted an alternative OS they would just go with Linux.

So on the plus side you save a little money for each PC but you do so at the risk of software compatibility/support, possible legal action from Microsoft, and increased labour costs as now the IT people have to work with more then 1 OS. Small gain, large risk - that's why it won't happen.

They're worried because their web server can't handle much traffic. This filters the prospective suckers based on mental ability ensuring that only those deemed worthy will apply.

I think you're ignoring a few things. Firstly, it is expensive to have people running around stealing things because it is the only way they can survive. It is beneficial to everyone, even those who are taxed, to have taxes collected to ensure a certain level of security. Welfare is less costly than prisons and orders of magnitude less costly than private security or the lost productivity resulting from no security. People are OK with military spending but not SS? Hard to believe, SS spending makes you much safer.

Second, is America not owned by the people? When natural resources are extracted should the people not receive a part of those resources? The resources are not free as individuals are not allowed to take them - they must be purchased from the government - ie, the people. Should only the rich and employed receive a portion of these profits? People are entitled to certain things because America is owned by the people, not the rich.

I hate welfare and am all for getting people off their lazy asses. But it is a necessary evil as the alternative is far worse.

Correction here, poor definition for "brute force", other described it better. Should be described as a search algorithm that tries all possible valid solutions - heuristics are allowed.

There are ~ 9^39 ways that a sudoku board can be filled in - much less then 9^81. Regarding "brute force" algorithms, I would define them as algorithms that attempt every possible option without the use of heuristics. This does not imply they are stupid and check possibilities that can not exist, which would be 9^81, just that they do not try the most likely solution first.

No, being locked down does not have to limit their usefulness. It does limit their flexibility, but usefulness is something else entirely. If being locked down simplifies the things they want to do then the usefulness has increased by being locked down. Please remember that usefulness is determined by the user and not everyone is like you.

Who cares about educating students about technology. It is just a tool - much like a calculator. They don't need to understand what's going on - they shouldn't even have to think about it. If they do then it's a poor tool.

No, it is not a personal computer - it is a tool. It might share components with a PC but then so do some toasters.

The real question should be is this a useful tool for education. Calculators are another tool used in schools right now. Personally, I don't think this is a good thing. Are tablets a good thing? Time will tell.

Apple includes a compilation of BSD and GNU tools. For example, tar is the BSD version where Linux has the GNU version. The differences are minor but real. The solution, if you are one of the few people that actually care, is to install MacPorts and let it install and update the GNU versions for you.

I'm afraid not. Protests are far more effective for getting changes enacted. Revolts, like we saw in the middle east last year, can produce change but they also result in many undesirable consequences. They are simply too destructive.

If you could mobilize a couple million people to march on Washington every weekend for a couple of months - the TSA would be no more. The problem is that most Americans want the TSA - they make them feel safe. Personally, I think they're stupid but that doesn't change the fact that the TSA are here because the American people want them. Want to get rid of the TSA - educate the population. These videos will go further towards getting rid of the TSA than anything the author could do with a gun.

So if your firearm is stolen, report it to the police. You should do this regardless.

Two things here. First, you're paranoid. Second, you should always pick up your brass.

No different then transferring vehicle ownership - not a big deal.

The reason why Thunderbolt is so fast is that it doesn't have to worry about cable length. What you're talking about has already been done, it's called USB and is well suited for many applications. But the throughput on USB will never reach that of Thunderbolt. Add the availability of optical cables and Thunderbolt becomes even more impressive.

The maximum speed of the connectors from your link is 5Gbps. No indication if this is at the physical or data layers. Actual speed (from Wikipedia) is 250MBps per channel. But getting multiple channels on a small connector is difficult. From the site, one of the must suitable 4x connecors still has a width of 21mm and depth of 28mm. This won't work in modern ultrabook computers.

Thunderbolt offers bidirectional 10Gbps at the data layer. Currently, up to two channels are supported on most computers (the Macbook Air only supports 1). And the connector used is tiny - well suited for the next generation of computer hardware. If Apple's Thunderbolt -> GigEthernet adapter for $30 is typical, then the cost of implementing Thunderbolt should be reasonable - probably less expensive then PCI Express External.

That's not the point. Stronger materials can make a stronger frame but they can also be used to make a *less heavy frame. The goal is lower fuel consumption and greater interior space.

*less heavy: most new materials will be less heavy as they will be primarily based on elements less dense then iron.

Canadians face similar limitations when it comes to sharing music that other nations do. For example, it is illegal to share music covered by copywrite. While I believe the receiver is not considered to be at fault, the sender is. Those using bittorrent are just as guilty in Canada as they are in the US.

Also, the recent reports of Canada being a haven for pirated media are BS. It's a political game where the recording industries are trying to make it look like Canada needs tougher laws. Last I heard, the proposed law was struck down / derailed so it appears that the recording industries need to try harder.

You're jumping to conclusions. I would say that if piracy is easy and provides HD media, then it is a bad thing. The industry should combat this by allowing for free, or add sponsored, distribution of their media in SD format. This would cut down on much of the piracy and keep most people doing things legally. They can then charge for HD media that doesn't suck (allow skipping commercials on discs I purchased you bastards!!).

It's almost like the question of legalizing marijuana. If left illegal it becomes a gateway drug and connects people with those who distribute drugs that are actually harmful. If legal, most people would never connect with the dealers of harmful drugs. Same with piracy - provide easy access to legit media and most will never visit the pirate bay.

So you're saying that not everyone should be a scientist - on that I agree. But I belive it very beneficial for the general population to understand what science is. For this you have to get your feet wet...

As long as the general population elects those in charge via a democratic process, the general population requires some breadth in their education. They don't have to be experts in every field, but a basic knowledge of economics, science, history - it's required for a healthy country. When the general population lacks this knowledge they vote based on presentation and empty promisses. "What, you're cut taxes, ballance the budget, and increase spending!! That's awesome, I'm voting for you!"

I despise the fact that polititions try to appeal to the masses. Their speeches are empty and meaningless. If the general population were better educated then our polititions would be making much better decisions. The stupid attacks would go away and things would actually get done.

While it is true there is a cost associated with educating a population, and it is true that there are lost wages, I believe the overall benefits greatly outweight the costs.