I have to completely agree with this. I've been involved with several large-scale RFPs, and this is exactly how it goes. The only thing I'd add is that like clockwork, any party that doesn't win threatens to sue someone. It happens every time. They must be teaching this in business school or something. I've never seen a more childish group of people.

Not sure if you're being serious or not, but if so, no wonder the the current business world is so screwed up. It seems to be just a childish high-school popularity contest all over again. And IME, many business-people are the most childish, vindictive people I've ever met.

Isn't this how most business people think? IME, I've never in my life encountered a group of people who are so prejudiced toward those that actually do the work. And the further one is removed from actually getting their hands 'dirty' and doing something, the more they're praised. No wonder society is so screwed up.

I know it's almost impossible for Windows' fans to understand, but sometimes dealing with things not working is still better than dealing with problems in Windows. At least with the former there's a chance that (a) someone will fix it, or (b) you can learn to fix it yourself. That just isn't an option in Windows. If there's a bug and it's closed-source, there's nothing you can do about it.

Now, I understand how someone using Windows without any problems (if that is even possible) would think that all Linux users are masochists, but personally I cannot stand running Windows, and I feel my blood pressure rise any time I'm forced to. I'll deal with Linux issues any day.

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.