Let's expand on it a little further, though. Instead of a cumbersome, resource intensive pop-up menu, let's just print all of the keyboard shortcuts on a little card to stick at the top of the monitor! Or maybe some enterprising soul will market a transparent keyboard overlay with all those shortcut keys printed on it so you can just look down at the keyboard to find those things./sarc
Did the OP even know what a computer *was* before Windows or MacOS came out? He suggests almost exactly the system utilized by pre-windows MSWord, WordPerfect, Lotus, AppleWorks, etc, but with a pretty overlay. It was supplanted by mouse-based GUIs because they are easier to learn and more intuitive to use. Those of us who used keyboard shortcuts back when they were the only option still use them now. Those who take the time to learn them are more efficient by consequence. Newer computer users, those less comfortable with their operations, do things the longer-but-easier way.
Forgive me for not being appropriately shocked.
Skype is still a significantly better deal than this offering. For a dedicated line in (SkypeIn) and unlimited calls out to the regular networks (SkypeOut), it's only $7 a month, and is not tied to T-Mo hotspots but just anywhere you've got 'net connectivity. If you've got a skype-capable phone or a laptop it's a much better deal, albeit perhaps not quite as tech-sexy.
Evidence obtained illegally is admissible if the obtaining party is not a law enforcement agent or agency. The protection you're thinking of is via the 4th amendment (protecting you from illegal search and seizure); it applies only to law enforcement personnel (federal or state), not to individual citizens.
See also:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exclusionary_rule
A few notes about wind power:
1) The Altamont wind farm, outside of San Francisco, was one of the earliest large-scale wind developments in the US. Judging all wind farms by that yardstick is rather like judging all cars by the Model A.
2) At this point, considerable research is required before siting or installing a wind farm. To avoid such problems as sitting it down in the middle of a major raptor migration path.;)
3) Back in around 1999, some engineer had the bright idea that if you include a relatively simple gearing system in the turbines, the blades can spin at a constant, relatively slow rate and still generate additional power in high wind. For this reason (and the fact that they're just far more efficient in general), the industry recognizes the difference between "old wind" (made before 99) and new wind (made after).
4) New wind is also characterized by a single post supporting the turbine rather than a scaffolding like in the Altamont ones, for the simple reason that a post provides no nesting area.
5) New wind turbines such as the one at Stateline in Oregon result in an average of 1 bird death per turbine per year. Compared to, say, housecats, cars, or clean glass windows, this number is effectively negligible.
6) I'm not sure why people think they're noisy... Even the Altamont ones are completely drowned out by traffic noise. The ones at Stateline are quiet enough that you can barely hear them even standing right under them- trust me, I've done it.
7) And finally, what's uglier, a thousand foot smokestack and all the associated ecological problems or a set of wind turbines? That's a personal aesthetic choice so I can't really make a conclusive argument, but in general the people with the biggest problem with the turbines from an aesthetic standpoint are the least likely to actually *see* them or be effected in any way.
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Can I get it installed in the trunk instead? Preferably skinned to look like a chimp?
Let's expand on it a little further, though. Instead of a cumbersome, resource intensive pop-up menu, let's just print all of the keyboard shortcuts on a little card to stick at the top of the monitor! Or maybe some enterprising soul will market a transparent keyboard overlay with all those shortcut keys printed on it so you can just look down at the keyboard to find those things. /sarc
Did the OP even know what a computer *was* before Windows or MacOS came out? He suggests almost exactly the system utilized by pre-windows MSWord, WordPerfect, Lotus, AppleWorks, etc, but with a pretty overlay. It was supplanted by mouse-based GUIs because they are easier to learn and more intuitive to use. Those of us who used keyboard shortcuts back when they were the only option still use them now. Those who take the time to learn them are more efficient by consequence. Newer computer users, those less comfortable with their operations, do things the longer-but-easier way.
Forgive me for not being appropriately shocked.
Forage? Psssh. PILLAGE!
Skype is still a significantly better deal than this offering. For a dedicated line in (SkypeIn) and unlimited calls out to the regular networks (SkypeOut), it's only $7 a month, and is not tied to T-Mo hotspots but just anywhere you've got 'net connectivity. If you've got a skype-capable phone or a laptop it's a much better deal, albeit perhaps not quite as tech-sexy.
Evidence obtained illegally is admissible if the obtaining party is not a law enforcement agent or agency. The protection you're thinking of is via the 4th amendment (protecting you from illegal search and seizure); it applies only to law enforcement personnel (federal or state), not to individual citizens. See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exclusionary_rule
A few notes about wind power: 1) The Altamont wind farm, outside of San Francisco, was one of the earliest large-scale wind developments in the US. Judging all wind farms by that yardstick is rather like judging all cars by the Model A. 2) At this point, considerable research is required before siting or installing a wind farm. To avoid such problems as sitting it down in the middle of a major raptor migration path. ;)
3) Back in around 1999, some engineer had the bright idea that if you include a relatively simple gearing system in the turbines, the blades can spin at a constant, relatively slow rate and still generate additional power in high wind. For this reason (and the fact that they're just far more efficient in general), the industry recognizes the difference between "old wind" (made before 99) and new wind (made after).
4) New wind is also characterized by a single post supporting the turbine rather than a scaffolding like in the Altamont ones, for the simple reason that a post provides no nesting area.
5) New wind turbines such as the one at Stateline in Oregon result in an average of 1 bird death per turbine per year. Compared to, say, housecats, cars, or clean glass windows, this number is effectively negligible.
6) I'm not sure why people think they're noisy... Even the Altamont ones are completely drowned out by traffic noise. The ones at Stateline are quiet enough that you can barely hear them even standing right under them- trust me, I've done it.
7) And finally, what's uglier, a thousand foot smokestack and all the associated ecological problems or a set of wind turbines? That's a personal aesthetic choice so I can't really make a conclusive argument, but in general the people with the biggest problem with the turbines from an aesthetic standpoint are the least likely to actually *see* them or be effected in any way.