No pre tags anymore? WTF Slashdot?

Two problems with this. First, codecs and patents are still an issue. The latest working draft of ORTC contains this example of a connection, notice how often it says "common": // Steps to be followed: // 1. Determine the RTP features that the receiver and sender have in common. // 2. Determine the codecs that the sender and receiver have in common. // 3. Within each common codec, determine the common formats, header extensions and rtcpFeedback mechanisms. // 4. Determine the payloadType to be used, based on the receiver preferredPayloadType. // 5. Set RTCRtcpParameters such as mux to their default values. // 6. Return RTCRtpParameters enablig the jointly supported features and codecs.

Second, central control by Microsoft (or Google, Apple, etc...) with a focus on ICE/STUN/TURN rather than open proxies (like Skype had before Microsoft) or a new and open solution for P2P connections. ORTC hasn't eliminated P2P, but it's not the focus and won't get any love from giant multinationals that can't make money on it.

What? They can start with 1 satellite over a wealthy area... or 10, or 100. Global coverage is a very rare concern. Most people care if their home is covered.

The challenges are collecting payment under a huge variety of legal and tax systems, and charging a cheap enough rate in poor areas.

If the URL was illegal, the government filters should have stopped it. QED

In what sense? Did the Apple invite lawyers into the design process and ask them "would a fingerprint constitute approval?" A fingerprint on a phone has functionality, but meaning is not "designed" into it. Meaning has to be determined in context.

Bureaucracy wants to find schools that aren't working "objectively" -- people just want good schools and don't care how it happens. Administrators should be responsible for closing failing schools and get fired when they don't, but the administrators want an "objective" CYA solution to identifying failing schools. IT people know this game as: make a technical solution that works well (make an effort and take pride in it), or one that only meets the spec. (and absolve yourself of responsibility.)

Well here's something we don't see everyday: a "story" about job interviews on SlashDice!

"There, there," Yossarian said, because he did not know what else to say. "There, there."

Googles business model is to search the web and sell ads on the web; email is small potatoes.

Calling him a hypocrite doesn't make you right, or him wrong.

They're not dead yet. Now with Cloud! Sharing! Mobile!

He said he wants to retire on Mars, takes on the auto industry with an electric car, builds a multi-billion dollar battery factory, builds a spaceship and wins a $2.8(?) billion contract to develop it ... and this is too far? What were you saying 10 years ago?

Kim Dotcom and Megaupload made it clear that having a lawful, substantial use is not a defense. Not for todays Department of Justice.

Why would they need to? Threaten 35 years under the CFAA and plea bargain them.

It's the law of the jungle for software and the internet -- don't be small or slow or you might become prey.

Duh, they buy startups.

When enough others decide to buy an app-able crockpot, you won't have any choice but too buy one as well. The market does not provide what people want -- it provides what is profitable.

Which is not the same as trying to regain the trust of their users: Google tried to leverage us, to use it's dominant position to push us into an unwanted social network, and did so in sleazy ways ("Ok, We'll ask you again later").

Google owes us an apology. It's not enough to cancel G+ and try to quietly undo it.