Recent Comments

1. over 14 years ago on Gary Varvel

   Macs cost 2x the price of a PC with equivalent hardware on average today. If you are not a Windows Power User, try Ubuntu, which released its latest version last week. Macs are fine computers if you can afford them. The constant back and forth between Mac and PC stems from the different manufacturing paradigms that Apple and the PC industry employ. Apple’s strength is that they manufacture (almost) every part and peripheral on Macs. This means a leaner OS (they don’t have to optimize thousands of different drivers) and guaranteed stability. The down side is that they don’t get the benefits of economies of scale, making their gear quite expensive, and only average in terms of power. PC’s have parts manufactured by thousands of different companies. Windows has to have drivers to support an ocean of hardware components, making it larger and clunkier than OSX. However, competition and economies of scale drive the costs of these components down. This means that you can build a PC that’s as fast or faster than a Mac, for 1/2 the price. It also means your machine is upgradable, which is not the case with Mac. Both systems have advantages which are also disadvantages. As a power user, I’ve built my own PC, which is far more powerful than anything in Apple’s lineup, for USD$ 1,200 (Roughly the price of Apple’s lowest entry). I run Windows 7 and have no need for an antivirus. For my grandmother who really couldn’t be bothered to learn to use Windows safely, I got her a Mac, as she doesn’t have a need for a very powerful system and has the money to spend.

2. almost 15 years ago on Signe Wilkinson

   Are those poppies in the background?

3. almost 15 years ago on Dan Wasserman

   Not caring about Palin here. Stop sucking up all the toons woman!

4. almost 15 years ago on ViewsMidEast

   DrCanuck: I find your comparison unfair. Iran is an Islamic Republic, by it’s own definition. The U.S. is a secular government that does not take orders from any religious sect. I believe you must mean that US policy is influenced by traditional christian values?

   Rekam: Eh? What?

   dtroutma: I find it difficult to believe that Iran wants nuclear power only. It is far cheaper for them to get their power from their own gas reserves. A nuclear reactor gives you access to the ability to create nuclear based weapons. I am not worried that Iran will use these weapons. They are far more valuable as a bargaining tool. I am worried that they may misplace a few and they end up in truly extremist hands. The US is not pushing for more weapons, your president just signed a deal with Russia to reduce your stockpiles.

5. almost 15 years ago on Paul Szep

   Palin ‘toon #3,982,791 and counting.

6. almost 15 years ago on Dana Summers

   Putin’s eyes scare me. Anyone ever looked at them? Cold and dead.

7. almost 15 years ago on Ted Rall

   I really need to start checking the length of my posts before I post them. Sorry again!

8. almost 15 years ago on Ted Rall

   Parker: Sorry, I was being serious. Gladius is quite correct, I don’t live in the US and wasn’t following the wireless tapping debate at the time. As I said, I only have the face value to work on, and it didn’t sound too bad to me. I have very little information and as such, my opinion is tenuous at best and misinformed at worst. After reading some of your responses, I have a few more questions:

   Fritz: I don’t see how wiretapping and search and seizure are the same. One is undetectable and the other is a major disturbance. Sometimes, to have sufficient evidence in order to get a warrant for a wiretap, you need a wiretap :/

   MKitt: Lack of oversight? If there’s no oversight then I agree, it would be abused in the worst ways. The soulution would be, of course, appropriate oversight.

   Edmondd:

   Your first point: Any evidence can be given out of context. It is the job of the prosecution and defense to prevent this as much as is possible.

   Your second point: Group-think? But isn’t that a consensus of minds? As opposed to an individual making the decision? I’m not sure I understood you here, care to elaborate?

   Your second paragraph: Agreed. If the powers that be can abuse it, they will. It’s a question of oversight, as Mkitt pointed out.

   Gladius: What sort of damage to innocents do you mean? I think this is where I have the problem with well, seeing the problem. I can’t come up with any that don’t sound a little paranoid or extreme. But if so many of you are against it I will go ahead and assume there are some I’ve missed. How about some examples?

9. almost 15 years ago on Jack Ohman

   Another Palin comic? Is there nothing else to write about? Why is she even interesting?

10. almost 15 years ago on Chan Lowe

    I’ve been to Disneyworld several times. I loved it. I’m sure my kids will love it. I’m glad theme parks exist. That said, if the price is too over the top I simply won’t go.