For all intents and purposes "for all intensive purposes" is a mishearing of "for all intents and purposes". (Just thought I'd mention it, because I used to say that too, and became really conscious of it since someone pointed it out to me).

It's smart business, and it keeps Lego viable - I'd much rather see them sell StarWars Lego, than for Lego to disappear altogether. (My kids *love* the StarWars Lego, and they're having no problems getting creative).

Some time back I was sent on 'manager training' to learn how to have difficult conversations. I was expecting it to be a load of crap, but was surprised to actually learn quite a lot from it. I recommend reading the book it was based on: Crucial Conversations - Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High .

Seriously, how could it possibly be a good idea to let *anyone* print their own lethal weapon.

Actually do all of the things that they teach you to do, but you could never be bothered with:

• - write meaningful comments
• - write precondition checks
• - write unit tests
• - write documentation, and lots of it
• - don't just think about how your code works, but also at how it fails

Not sure what's more lame: That Apple thinks it has any right to stop this... or that there will genuinely be a market for this toy.

1. Make a simple clear web page that (in not too many words) shows people what is expected.
2. If they do a good job, reward them by promptly fixing the bug for them.
3. If they do a bad job, bounce the ticket back to them with a link to the "how to raise a bug" page.

I'm amused by the number of people who won't vote on who runs their country, but are happy to vote in this Slashdot poll.

And they included a half-billion dollar exit clause, which will seriously deter any subsequent government from trying to stuff it up. :)

Perhaps they have forgotten the reasons why music is broadcast over the radio for free in the first place?
1. Advertising revenue
2. Free promotion of new music

One dimension? Sounds like tape. :)

Microchip: An integrated circuit
Microprocessor: A CPU, i.e. something that can execute stored instructions, has registers, an ALU, and exhibits turing-machine like behavior.

They're everywhere!!

"Cars today might have as many as 50 microprocessors on them."

Add to that:

• toys, user inputs for games (eg Wii-mote)
• remote controls, DVD players, fax, fixed phones, answering machine, set-top box, audio system
• watch, digital clocks and alarms, microwaves, baby monitor, hot-water system, washing machine, dish washer, coffee maker, bread maker, musical greeting cards, some Christmas lights, smoke detectors
• car keys, credit cards, security cards, mobile SIM cards, hard-tokens
• keyboards, mice, graphics tablets, monitors, blue-tooth accessories, video cards, HDDs
• digital scales, electric toothbrush, electric shaver, digital thermometer, pace maker, hearing aid

And finally, every single book, DVD, or product that has a deactivated RFID security chip.

If the answers are between 0 and 20, then a better question would be "How many microprocessors are on you personally right now"?