This has been going on for many years. We used to have a Ticketron terminal in our office. They were competing against BASS which was later bought by Ticketmaster. Then, Ticketron faded away. People hated each one of these companies - pretty much equally. We started our business about that time. We sell software for box office accounting. We have competed with Ticketmaster ever since. We don't mind. They set a level of service and price that is very easy to beat. But, does this competition make a difference? Not really. Ticketmaster events are not the kinds of events we handle. The kinds of people who buy tickets from Ticketmaster are not the kinds of people who support our customers (mostly smaller performance spaces). If you don't like the way that you are being treated by Ticketmaster, the answer is simple: don't buy their tickets. Instead, go to local events with local artists. Local events do not have the glamor of big events. But neither do you have the exorbitant prices. The talent is just as good. And, they are approachable to sign autographs, etc. You will not have the bragging rights but you will enjoy yourself more. The big name artists will survive. They don't need your support. Local groups do need your support. And, they reward their audiences with a better experience. The choice is yours.

In that case, I can definitively say that you have never been in the South China Sea, or through the Singapore Straits or through the Straights of Gibraltar. The problem isn't a lot of ocean (there is). The problem is that some sections are very popular (for good reasons).

A ship guidance system (computer) can handle *known* variables very well. What it can't do is handle unpredictable situations.

That's where the trouble comes from.

I spent 20 years going to sea. All during that time, the companies were trying to cut back on the crew. And, they pretty much have done it. The only people on board now are a skeleton crew to keep the ship moving. But, they can't cut down any more.

The problem is not that the technology is bad. The problem is that going to sea is much more complicated than non-seagoing people think. And, the sea is terribly unforgiving of any mistakes, incapacity or inattentiveness. We have gyrocompasses but we do check them against the magnetic compass. We have wonderful tracking radars with gyro stabilized displays. But, we still have lookouts for the things that radars do not pick up (like small boats). Satellite navigation provides us with accurate fixes, 24 hours a day. But, I still brought my sextant, and was expected to use it.

The engine room has a similar situation. Having engineers to maintain and repair the equipment is imperative. There are no repair crews when you are in the middle of the ocean.

A completely automated ship is even less likely than an automated airliner without a pilot.

We are married to QuickBooks and United Parcel Service WorldShip. Without them, we cannot function.

If I attempted to convert this office to Linux without them, I would be humiliated, publicly flogged, and my bones left for the crows to pick on.