I did exactly the same thing. Once I heard that KDE was done, I grabbed the RC for Linux Mint (KDE) and haven't looked back. I even burnt my dad an ISO and told him how to backup his data, and install Mint instead of Kubuntu. And he's been using Kubuntu since '08. I won't recommend Ubuntu for anyone's systems anymore, and I used to do it *a lot*.

Worked fine right out of the box for my first hangout with friends. I showed them how to sign up, they installed the plugin, and everything worked. Perhaps there is something wrong with your computer(s). Not only does Google offer compelling features, but they have worked without a hitch for me and my friends. The issue I have with Skype is that I don't want to pay to talk to multiple people, and not everyone wants to have to download and install a client in order to communicate. Have a Google+ account and a browser? Welcome to chat.

I wish I could mod you up. Not only does what you say make sense, but everyone I know on Facebook logs on in the morning, and *never* logs off until they shut their computer down. It's quite easy to say people are *logged on* for 7 hours.

If you don't need a smart phone, and only get a basic one, then why the hell do you need one every 2 years? More landfill for everyone, I suppose.

I wish I had mod points for you. This is exactly right. YouTube was in a position where they could have been easily crushed if Google hadn't bought them, and thankfully Google saw the benefit of having control of an entire new kind of medium. They knew that allowing people to upload themselves doing stupid things, it would attract the eyes of their friends. Think America's Funniest Home Videos on an ever growing Tivo. More eyes, more advertising dollars.

I meant extremely interesting, not very extremely interesting. :D

I had told my friend about this after reading an article about it. He managed to grab it on his EVO 3D after I told him that Evi's server's seem to be melting, but he said it worked really really well. He recently sent me an email saying that the server's are not melted, but burnt to a crisp. He is no longer getting data from Evi. He knows it's in beta still, but I don't think anyone expected this kind of response. Once they shore up their servers, this app promises to very extremely interesting.

What would happen if I downloaded all the material I could find on bank heists from the early 1900's? What if I researched how people broke into banks, what methods they used, how they confused guards/tellers? What if I looked into getaway routes, vehicles used, people who were working from the inside, how they laundered or spent their money? What if I compiled the information for the most common time of day to rob a bank, and found the best countries/states/cities to do it in? Would I be just as guilty, even though I never committed a crime?

Even if you are forced to create a g+ account, just delete the damn thing after its created. Google actually makes it easy... http://support.google.com/plus/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1044503&rd=1

But what happens when I want to go to school with my Galaxy Tab, and I'm told that I can't get my "digital textbooks" because they're not supported on my device? Now I'm forced to buy another electronic device in order to study, rather than just being able to download (and pay for) said books on my current device. Terrible idea, in my opinion.

This is exactly why I just put a deposit down for my Nexus. I'm getting an unbranded, unlocked phone in Canada, with no contract. My other options are to go through Bell or Virgin Mobile if I want a discount, but frankly, I'm done with contracts. They won't even let you buy it outright. I'll buy this outright, and shop around all the providers and see who wants to give me the best month to month deal. Service sucks? See ya.. Spotty coverage? Bye..

Let the boycott begin...

I disagree. Knol was released as beta in July of 2008, and Wave was opened up in May of 2009. Gears...2007? Not really *new* projects. I think Google used to get caught up in the acquisition game, but with the direction that they're taking with Google+, they are re-defining themselves. They still acquire companies, and make stuff in house, but they have much more of a focus now...not a shotgun approach from the past.

I don't want to sound like a dink, but isn't it called magma when it's below the crust, and only lava when ejected?

http://www.recommendedusers.com/