I go to the Apple store in Ginza looking for Snow Leopard (for a client).  Of course, there's no sign indicating what is on each floor because signs would dirty the clean, minimalist approach.  So I ask them where the Snow Leopard upgrades are, and they say 2nd floor.  I get the elevator, but there aren't any buttons in it.  Other people get in, and we all look at each other confusedly.  At least I wasn't the only one.

The retarded elevator goes to every floor.  I get to the 2nd floor and find Snow Leopard, and I'm holding it like a moron trying to figure out how to pay.  No registers.  No checkout.  Just a big brushed-aluminum party with a bunch of

Has anyone besides me noticed the uncanny resemblance between Google and "Skynet" from the Terminator movies?

It's no secret that Google's ultimate goal is control of the world's information through the proliferation of "cloud computing."  On the surface Google's core business looks like a simple search engine; however, their true mechanics lie within their massive Skynet-like datacenters.  They construct the web infrastructure allowing you to surrender your information up to the cloud, promising unparalleled "access anywhere" convenience and data resiliency.

Think about it.  Some people's entire lives are on Google's systems--email, calendar, photos, address book, blog, discussions, videos (Google owns YouTube), and soon even your operating system will be Google (Chrome OS coming soon).  Google will no doubt eventually sell their free OS and cloud computing model to small businesses and enterprise customers as well--demolishing Microsoft's antiquated client PC model.

Google is an information vampire, implementing info-harvesting services wherever the opportunity exists.  Here is a breakdown of a very realistic future scenario:

Also known as a "home theater PC" (HTPC), a media center PC is connected to a TV and is built and configured for streaming / downloading media available on the Internet or local network.  I personally label it a mere hobby, but I admit that building the ultimate media center PC has turned into my obsession.  I'm like Goldilocks seeking the one that's "just right."  So much of my time, money, and effort have been spent researching, testing, building, and configuring that I thought I'd share my discoveries hoping to spare others from the inevitable torture that accompanies this project.

These were my requirements, which may or may not be in accord with yours:

• The system must have a DVD player.
• The system must have an HDMI output--one cable running to the TV.
• The system must support a resolution of 1920x1080--"Full HD."
• The system must be small form factor and quiet.  I don't want a fat-ass noisy desktop connected to my TV.
• I don't need TV recording features (e.g. a TV tuner card).
• I'll try to get it as appliance-based as possible.  In other words, I will try my damnest to get it running on a minimum Linux install.

This was my mission, and

Linux proudly sits in a very special place in the heart of the IT world.  Watching Linux pros clack away at the command line inspires a sense of awe and adoration in the heart of many a techie and non-techie alike.  Even mere utterance of the word "Linux" brings shivers to the spine.  "S/he doesn't use Windows--s/he uses Linux."  "Whoa.  I've HEARD of that."  Why is Linux so damn cool?  Well, I'll tell you why...

It's Free
Need I explain this one in depth?  You can run an entire enterprise network on Linux without paying a dime on licensing.  It's community-sponsored and open source and modifiable and distributable and everything else that