to avoid doing direct business with Microsoft. They can and will pull the plug at any time without notice and leave you hanging. Worse, they are in such a position to do so with little recourse. For this reason alone, this wannabe pub owner (ex-Microsoft employee?) should have known to not rely on Microsoft to follow through.

The first mistake, however, was to assume that it was appropriate to place a pub on corporate grounds anyway. This has a big red flag all over it. I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't have questioned this move up front.

This only works as long as the jurors are in the courthouse. As soon as they go home for the day, all bets are off. If the trial is that important, then the only solution is for the judge to sequester the jury for the duration of the trial and prevent them from using internet devices, reading newspapers and watching television.

Even from the trailers for the new film, I don't see this leading to a long term franchise. We've already had a re-incarnated TOS through Enterprise that didn't really work. I'm not sure why JJ is trying to do it over again. If Enterprise couldn't reinvigorate the series, I seriously doubt that JJ's vision will either.

Worse, we're going back to the origins to try to bring in a younger version of the TOS crew. We've already visited TOS so the rules are set. Enterprise was before TOS and we knew the rules there. Trying to create something that fits between Enterprise and TOS is too small of a time frame to fill with meaningful plots.

To create something to invigorate the Trek brand will take a complete overhaul which will not be in JJ's movie. In fact, I believe it would need to consist of all new stories, new characters and a new context (where the rules don't have to apply). It should probably be set substantially in the future far away from TOS and Enterprise, TNG/DS9/Voyager. All of those show's plot threads need to stay closed. Putting it far enough into the future could allow the rules to change substantially and also the technology. But, keep just enough of the hierarchy and structure of the federation to keep it familiar.

By setting up a new show in this way allows the new series the freedom to do what it needs to do. With JJ's film leaching off of old characters, plots and hardware just ensures it to be a prequel. So, ultimately, JJ's film (and sequels to it) end(s) up saddled with rules that it cannot break... and if it does break the rules, then it's just viewed inconsistent (like Nemesis). A brand new franchise set in the future wouldn't need to uphold any of the old rules. A new show could start fresh with its own new set of rules that it can build upon. This change is what I believe is needed to reinvigorate the Trek franchise.

Although, I will withhold my ultimate judgment until after I've seen JJ's film.