No kidding. I find it amazing that javascript-- that abortion of a compromise of a hack is what holds the web together.

There was a moment when they could have had java....but no. They picked js because it would be quicker to download a browser with a js engine. And instead every web page has 800K of hacky js scripts attached to it.

Even past the hardware and cost issues: How many people out there can they turn to for help?

For every XAMP (xserve..apache..?) setup, there have to be 5000 ubuntu/debian/redhat/whatever LAMP installs.

When you run into problems, you don't want to be the only admin dealing with that problem--you want there to be thousands of other admins dealing with the same issue. With luck, one of them has already solved whatever problem you have.

uuh.... event log anyone?

Wait, are you suggesting that someone on slashdot who bashes a microsoft product is talking out their ass?

Get a damn certificate for your software.

No joke. They cost what? $250?

and the most common graphics drivers,

the key word being "common."

I'm with the "ship just enough to get online so you can download the latest" school of thought here.

An optional secret ballot is the same as no secret ballot. When the union guys come around "I'm using the secret ballot" is the same as "I'm voting against the union."

There's no reason to have card check except it allows union organizers to bring the integrity of an ACORN voter registration drive to a union election.

You know, you don't have to be a rabid Republican to say "hey wait a second..." when something like card check comes up. Eliminate the secret ballot? Are you nuts?