That people were eager to upgrade to Vista is no surprise, considering the time between the XP and Vista releases. The time between Windows 7 and Windows 8 was maybe not enough to make people switch? As for the start-menu, I don't really care as long as you can use the Win+R shortcut... I run both systems - I don't really think Windows 8 is worse than Windows 7. It is actually faster.

There are lots of negative feedback on Unity in linux forums and blog comment fields... I am quite happy with Unity - it works well and looks nice. I am still able to do whatever I want the way I've always done it but maybe this is because the terminal is where I do my work anyway. I think one reason for all the negative feelings aired about Unity is that it is mostly people who are annoyed that care about venting frustration on the internet. Others just go by their work and care about other things instead, such as football, beer and family. What I like about Unity is that it lets me do my work (terminal) and allows my family to use my computer without constantly asking "how do I...". A win-win for the power user if you ask me.

I think it would be a good idea to discuss with them how computer science effects different aspects of society. I think the reason they like to focus on game programming is because that is the only exciting thing about CS they soft of understand. Here's a few things you could talk about application wise: - Control systems (aviation, industry, trains, subways, superfast cars, etc.) - Trading robots - changing market dynamics - Open source and the web Just a few ideas. Q&A is fine if they are up for it, but give them some focus points up front. Cheers!

Just a question - any experience with developing in conformance with IEC 61508? Just curious how it works in practice, especially for higher SIL levels...

I thought P.E. was short for "professional engineer". I suppose the two meanings of the abbreviation are sorta mutually exclusive - engineers would probably opt out of the kind of P.E. discussed here and those excelling in this type of P.E. would probably never pass the other kind of P.E., the kind that would make you attach those very letters to your business card... Maybe I should have P.E. attached to my card as well - although I've never taken a P.E. exam... blabla :-) Time for another coke!

Well..... do you think it would help the artist's with their declining CD sales to start sueing kindergardens? If you are a satanic rocker I'm sure it rocks, but otherwise it may make a slight scratch in image... :-)

German courts tend to have judges with common sense, as seen from previous outrageous demands by copyright holders being rejected. I believe this would happen in this case too, should the German version of RIAA take this to court... seriously - "we think kindergardens should cut down on the food budgets such that they can pay us whenever they sing Schnappi". Bah :-).

I and my friends usually play by the "common sense rules"; by allowing common proper nouns such as Slashdot and Kalashnikov we have a lot more fun... and when we disagree on something we just fight over it untill somebody wins or we're out of beer. No need for a dictionary there, right? :-)