If you had used Apple hardware for any length of time, you would understand "the experience" for which many users are willing to pay a premium.

If you tick off the individual components on a specifications sheet, you might see "the same hardware". Everyday use tells a different story. Take an Apple laptop as an example. As a long time ThinkPad user, I'm familiar with the feel of quality hardware, and the build quality of Apple's laptops make the ThinkPad feel creaky and rickety. I had long ago realized the value of paying a premium for a ThinkPad over a consumer Dell or Acer or Toshiba, etc. But now, after using Apple hardware (even to run Linux or Windows), a ThinkPad for roughly the same premium isn't even a consideration.

You may pay half as much for your hardware, but for me, it's worth paying a premium knowing I have something that will last. Not to mention the rather solid unix OS that comes bundled with it.

The support of Direct3D/OpenGL isn't the issue. It's realistic to think (or hope) that someone with the capability to completely change the web might choose to use an open standard.

No, it's far too dangerous.

Indeed, Virgin Galactic is a big player. With their assets, they could certainly build the necessary launch facilities where regulations are not an issue. But...

As long as the US, EU, Russia and China keep wasting time and money on the prospect of manned flight, technology will NOT improve to the point that corporate investors will see a short-term profit potential. We need to hash out the details of the interplanetary medium before we start blasting people into it. We need to fund unmanned exploration before we start blasting humans into the radiation. Sure, it might be fun to watch. But until you understand it, good luck.

In many ways, Kontact is a great PIM. In my experience it seems faster and more polished than Evolution or Thunderbird/Sunbird. Unfortunately, its IMAP support is a bit clunky. According to the one of the devs, until KMail has been moved to the Akonadi back end it is impossible to search across multiple IMAP folders (see http://www.nabble.com/Is-it-possible-to-search-multiple-IMAP-folders-in-a-single-search--td16188937.html ). With 5+ IMAP accounts, it's extremely convenient (necessary?) to define a search folder, call it "Inbox", that polls all IMAP Inboxes for new mail. The same applies for sent mail, etc. It's likely not an issue for most users, but it's something that works flawlessly in other full featured PIM/email clients. For now I'm stuck using slower, uglier PIMs because of a lack of basic IMAP search functionality in KMail. Until it's resolved I'd hesitate to call Kontact "streets ahead" of either Thunderbird, Evolution, or Outlook.