I was told that "commercials were not louder" but the audio is compressed so most of the sound hits the peak during the entire commercial. Is it amplitude? If that's the case, they need take the average volume from programming, and "decompress" the audio of commercials to match regular programming. I am not sure if I am saying this correctly, or if it's even possible. Until something is done, I will continue to use my remote to press mute, or lower the volume, when the commercials come on. Annoying commercials make me NOT want to buy.

The police and sheriff have been using encryption for years where I live. But they only use it when they have something "private" to say. I bought my first scanner in 1992. When I can no longer listen to broadcasts, the scanner will be another obsolete item I'll have to throw away. :(

Because it's easy to download and install programs. Mac is expensive. I've tried various forms of Linux, and had a hard time getting programs to work or install.

I think Gestapo is appropriate. It seems like we are all suspects, and must prove we not carrying weapons. "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." Ben Franklin.

Those who support Apple and their DRM may change their tune (pun intended) if Apple decides to revoke the licenses to play the songs. It has happened to some people who bought music from other online stores that use DRM. Also (itunes will never go down, but this is an example) if the store goes out of business, the authorizations to play the songs will be gone, and all that money down the drain. DRM is useless. It does not stop piracy, but instead puts restrictions on those who purchase the songs legally. Therefore, some of those same people may look for versions without DRM. Some legal, some not. I bought more songs from Apple when I could free the music. But since they want to stop that, I can buy elsewhere. I never share music. Also,laws are a laugh. They will bust somebody for circumventing DRM, but allow illegal aliens to break our laws constantly with little legal consequence.