User: SirKodiak

Two observations on the article

On: Software Product Liability?

In general, Microsoft says it is unfairly targeted because of the popularity of its software, which run everything from PCs and handheld devices to servers and game consoles. The products are even less buggy than others, in terms of per capita usage, Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer has said.

It seems like Steve Ballmer is trying to suggest that software with 10 users and 1 bug is of equivalent quality to software with 10,000,000 users and 1,000,000 bugs. I don't think I see the justification for this.

"Society has benefited from high-volume, low-cost software and a rapidly evolving ecosystem" where disparate computer systems, software and hardware link up, Mundie said. "Microsoft can't control that process. If the printer driver tanks the system, who do you hold liable?"

This seems like a solved problem. If a subcontractor delivers a part to the construction of a bridge that isn't within the tolerances laid out by the bridge designer, and the bridge fails as a result of this, then the subcontractor is at fault. So, it seems like this is only a problem if Microsoft's documentation for the creation of printer drivers isn't specific enough. This is a situation that can be handled with well-defined APIs.

Re:indestructible

On: Fake Light Sabers Making Real Cash

I would even the steep price tag more or less justifiable, considering the impress-your-friends factor. People spend more on PDAs. But... well, what good is a replica light saber if you can't saber duel with yer buddies?

I wouldn't want to duel with anything that looked remotely liked a light saber. If the casing were hard at all then you'd be leaving yourself open to some non-trivial injuries. A sword swing can involve enough force that getting hit in the head with something as safe-looking as a padded practice sword can still be painful and cause significant bumps and bruises (speaking as someone who once had that happen).

The specs mention that the plasma lamp is encased in a virtually indestructible polycarbonate (actually, it reads "polycarbonite," which is either a typo or a clever pun) housing. Well, polycarbonate is the same stuff they use to make high quality scratch resistant "virtually indestructible" eyeglass lenses. Quite a few of which I have personally destructed. So, I wonder how well the "blades" stand up to thwackin'.

I think the idea is that you don't have to worry about it getting easily scratched or shattering if you want to let someone play with it. They don't look like they are intended for simulating combat.