It's dropping paid dev support. Instead it will become a community run project like Python.

From TFA:

After this development, the NetBeans/Ruby support will become a community project, much like Python support

Netbeans is easily extendable through plugins. It's one of the features I like so much about it. The netbeans.org website even has tutorials for how to go about adding new language support through the use of plugins.

Me? I like the MS ribbon, took about a week filled of cursing, but after that I'm able to navigate much faster. What's on the OO screen shots looks like crap, they should stick with what they currently have, unless that is just a very rough mockup.

What happens when people then start to drive less? What will get taxed then?

I interviewed at a large defense contractor, the office I interviewed at did a 9/80, it sounded great at the time and still does. As for lost sleep... seriously... you work 9-9-9-9-8, 9-9-9-9-off. I doubt the extra hour a day will kill you. If it does, just eat through lunch.