"By leaving, they only ensure that their corrupt government stays in power, this is why they encourage it so much (not to mention remittances). Not that I can blame them, leaving is certainly the path of least resistance."
If everybody felt the way you do, the United States would not exist. Everybody who came to North America from elsewhere did so because things were "broken" back home. And yet, those people did leave, did come to to what we now call the United States today, and the people who you seem to describe as weak cowards and their descendants went on to build a globe-spanning empire whose reach and power are what prompted this discussion to begin with.
As for the specific example of Mexico, yes, the government is attempting to quell dissent through emmigration, but when has that ever been a viable long-term solution? The English convince the Irish to leave, they do so, make good in the US, and start to bankroll Irish independence movements, and today most of Ireland is an independent republic. Who are the people most adamantly opposed to normalizing relations with Cuba? With Vietnam? Who were the people most in favor of invading Iraq? What will happen when Mexican expatriates start to make their presence known in the US electorate?
"The government ought to be hiring a software company on contract to provide the service of writing voting software, not buying a product from them."
We're talking about Maryland, not California or New York. Annapolis simply does not command the influence to convince companies such as Diebold to change their terms. And even if a state could and did try to influence Diebold to change the terms, I could see Diebold taking the state to federal court based on the "Dormant Commerce Clause."
Now, as to why they signed onto the idea as-is instead of saying "no, thank you," that's another matter.
"As in "even more upset with ourselves for not catching it?""
As in (e. g.) "we have only ourselves to blame." Apple simply cannot pretend they did not know the risks (they advertise their knowledge of the risk in 30 s televsion spots all the time), so it's way beyond too late to try to shift blame (even in part) back to Microsoft.
For being so quick to point out the security risks of using Windows, why was Apple using a Windows machine in the iPod production line to begin with?
They are aware of the flaws with Windows; heck, they capitalize on those flaws. So what right do they have to blame Microsoft when they go and use Windows anyway?
Besides, the attitude can alienate current and potential iPod users, the vast majority of which don't own a Mac. The statement isn't that far removed from blaming the end-user for using a vulnerable machine, and that kind of attitude certainly hasn't helped Linux adoption.
I was going to spend $399 on a full retail copy of Windows Vista Ultimate, but then I caught wind of the EULA they're including with it, and now I'm noticing that the low-end Mac Mini is only 50% more.
I'll likely be making the switch before Vista is released.
In Japan, the N64 launched and sold on name-recognition alone.
Japanese players got their N64 and their copy of Super Mario 64, played it through, and then returned the N64s to the stores. The rest is history.
I have no doubt that the PS3 will sell based on name-recognition alone (in spite of the price tag). The real test will be whether people keep playing it after having real hands-on experience with it.
Slashdot Mirror
"By leaving, they only ensure that their corrupt government stays in power, this is why they encourage it so much (not to mention remittances). Not that I can blame them, leaving is certainly the path of least resistance."
If everybody felt the way you do, the United States would not exist. Everybody who came to North America from elsewhere did so because things were "broken" back home. And yet, those people did leave, did come to to what we now call the United States today, and the people who you seem to describe as weak cowards and their descendants went on to build a globe-spanning empire whose reach and power are what prompted this discussion to begin with.
As for the specific example of Mexico, yes, the government is attempting to quell dissent through emmigration, but when has that ever been a viable long-term solution? The English convince the Irish to leave, they do so, make good in the US, and start to bankroll Irish independence movements, and today most of Ireland is an independent republic. Who are the people most adamantly opposed to normalizing relations with Cuba? With Vietnam? Who were the people most in favor of invading Iraq? What will happen when Mexican expatriates start to make their presence known in the US electorate?
"vista can count on my money"
"until I buy a new system 3 years from now."
The way the Vista EULA has been looking, you'd best buy two copies of Vista, then.
Would that make Project Blackbox the dark matter everybody is talking about?
"I can't be the only one who really wants North Korean porn."
Yes, because it's so difficult to find naked pictures of malnourished women on the intrawebs.
"The company continues to seek overqualified employees who can be promoted quickly"
Remember, boys and girls: "overqualified" is simply HR's way of saying "can be underpaid."
"The government ought to be hiring a software company on contract to provide the service of writing voting software, not buying a product from them."
We're talking about Maryland, not California or New York. Annapolis simply does not command the influence to convince companies such as Diebold to change their terms. And even if a state could and did try to influence Diebold to change the terms, I could see Diebold taking the state to federal court based on the "Dormant Commerce Clause."
Now, as to why they signed onto the idea as-is instead of saying "no, thank you," that's another matter.
"As in "even more upset with ourselves for not catching it?""
As in (e. g.) "we have only ourselves to blame." Apple simply cannot pretend they did not know the risks (they advertise their knowledge of the risk in 30 s televsion spots all the time), so it's way beyond too late to try to shift blame (even in part) back to Microsoft.
Consider.
For being so quick to point out the security risks of using Windows, why was Apple using a Windows machine in the iPod production line to begin with?
They are aware of the flaws with Windows; heck, they capitalize on those flaws. So what right do they have to blame Microsoft when they go and use Windows anyway?
Besides, the attitude can alienate current and potential iPod users, the vast majority of which don't own a Mac. The statement isn't that far removed from blaming the end-user for using a vulnerable machine, and that kind of attitude certainly hasn't helped Linux adoption.
Steamboat Willy
"Well just because they're brown they must be guilty, right?"
You mean like Jean Charles de Menezes?
"Evolution in action."
Driving over pedestrians while drunk is "evolution?" Drunk drivers are more likely to kill other people, not themselves.
I'm a bit disturbed that you'd think otherwise in this day and age.
"Prisoners are currently being held in police cells and the authorities are discussing using prison ships."
And then you can send those ships off to Australia! Oh, wait, hasn't that been tried before?
Transportation: it's not just for breakfast any more.
You've got mail... from a correctional facility!
Why else would we try to get to the moon if not to get away from the land of Celine Dion and Alanis Morissette?
I said it before and I'll say it again: we're putting a fence up along the wrong border.
I was going to spend $399 on a full retail copy of Windows Vista Ultimate, but then I caught wind of the EULA they're including with it, and now I'm noticing that the low-end Mac Mini is only 50% more.
I'll likely be making the switch before Vista is released.
"Particularly worrying is the idea of needing a license to follow the law."
Ah, but how can you follow the law if you can't afford to pay the law's copyright holders for the right to read it?
"The PS3 is going to sale in name alone.."
In Japan, the N64 launched and sold on name-recognition alone.
Japanese players got their N64 and their copy of Super Mario 64, played it through, and then returned the N64s to the stores. The rest is history.
I have no doubt that the PS3 will sell based on name-recognition alone (in spite of the price tag). The real test will be whether people keep playing it after having real hands-on experience with it.
"Shak-who?"
Because you didn't include the E, I now find myself having visions of an MMORPG based on Shaq-Fu.
"On the other hand, I can see that game devolving into one long Moby Dick joke."
Did you have to use the word "long?"
"Unlike Second Life, the real Paris Hilton actually puts out."
We've seen the video. I think this statement is a point in favor of Second Life.
"but you'll probably be able to get a new controller on eBay for less than they're going to charge you for a replacement."
And, with eBay being eBay, the batteries in your "new" controller will be worse off than the ones you're trying to replace.
Because the Communist Party never has to worry about winning elections.
"Don't dump your crap into the marketplace and expect the best talent to do your bidding for free."
Because a song that charts at #29 is "crap?" I mean, it ain't like he's releasing some no-name b-side that nobody's heard of.
"LFG for WoW Addicts Anonymous, PST"
Must be a pain being stuck an hour behind all those people in California, etc. for another week and a half.
"the ColecoVision 3000"
Sweet zombie Mr. Do! Where do I preorder?