I don't know about the rest of the arguments on slashdot. I don't expect to be smart/able enough to completely work without music or find a new job because I have a mediocre boss. I find myself best able to program when I have my mind partially focusing one something else. A lot of times, I put on my earphones and intend to start playing music but forget before I start doing my coding. Nevertheless, music helps me focus on programming. Frequently, placing my entire intention on focus on coding only results in me being unproductive. Being partially unproductive helps me to be more productive overall. I guess I should disclaim that I have ADD (inattentive), which might make my experience different for other people. I often find that noise isolating earphones equally important as my music; it just depends on the work and how far along I am.

Yeah, but that suggestion is equally viable for ANY operating system. It just depends on the situation. If the poster has advance notice + time, then it makes a lot more sense to watch a rip (plane flights etc). On the other hand if it happens to be a spur of the moment thing (impromptu movie night), then its a waste of time/effort. I know what you mean, but just not a great example. He suggested something that would help the situation in a certain (and common) circumstance. If he didn't have any other insight, then should he avoid posting the little help he could give? Not everyone knows everything, but they help with what they can. I don't mean to be "typical", but maybe you could stop being inflammatory about it. Yeah, I know....the internet is a place for nearly anonymous condescension and flaming....but it shouldn't be.

Of course not. I play on living on forever on Mars or some other space colony.

That's not really true. They have discovered a way to intercept keystrokes (95% accuracy) just by the change in electrical current/interference/magic. I know they posted about it on slashdot earlier. This worked even with wired and laptop keyboards.

Yeah, that's what a $15 in the billion in the bank means....terrible business models.