TV mfgrs need to make a deal with cable/sat providers. Ex. buy a HD set get an HD stb free. I know people who own HD sets and don't actually watch HD (they still have the old stb). Sad.

As always the government is making this more complex than it has to be. Why can't they simply check with the cable/sat providers customer lists and send everyone else the voucher sans households above a certain income level (they have all the records).

Storm in a teacup. I've never had an ITMS purchase locked. RIP to CD and do whatever you want with the song. What is even more insane is the "what if my hard drive crashes argument" backup-backup-backup. The Apple DRM is as unintrusive as possible given the reality of the Music Biz.

"Nearly two months later, however, Apple released Mac OS X 10.4.8, which fixed the problem demonstrated at Black Hat, Maynor said Wednesday."

OK, common sense tells you to take every upgrade Apple gives you, why is this story relevant? You know, I remember my Quadra used to crash all the time, maybe you guys should do a story on the flaws in OS8.

The right thing to do is prohibit this merger, but in the "big business/big government Bush White House" this will sail through in no time. We'll also probably get cable-style tiered pricing. I would be shocked with 2 things: The price doesn't go up and we get all channels from both services.

Other companies just don't get it. It's not just the industrial exterior that matters. What's most important is the elegant simplicity. The Apple design means that you will rarely if ever have to read an instruction manual to figure out how to use a product. That's the true genius of the iPod, iTunes, the Mac OS, etc. Many companies will knock-off the exterior design, none will get the software right. Unfortunately few understand this, go beyond the looks.

DirecTV has the best HD quality*

*(in a survey of DirecTV marketing employees)

I just wonder, during the checkout process will the virtual cashier close the register just before I get there? Will there be a virtual old gray-haired lady checking my receipt at the door?

Showtime's Masters of Horror is a special treat. Even jaded by SFX overload, usually the stories are so well done that I watch intensely. Good pick d-jour.

Wow, Ben. The only thing missing was you pistol-whipping this poor guy. You should work for 60 minutes. Good job.