Grow up, already. When the US system is changed, then you can whine.

Apple isn't doing anything that any other major phone manufacturer for the US market isn't already doing. Apple went to other providers, and AT&T was the only one that would support Apple creating the phone Apple wanted to make. No AT&T, no network, no agreement, no enforcement: no iPhone.

You don't like what happened? Lobby for a new system. Don't take it out on Apple.

I'd love a different system, too. But I'm not whining about things that I was clearly told upfront and chose to ignore.

All the righteous indignation is childish. And the misdirected anger is ignorant. It's a bit like saying, "I bought a Walkman and it's not a Tricorder. It only plays tapes!!!! Sony is Big Brother and must die!!!!"

I don't give a rat's ass about my iPod and iTunes, for example. I buy or download/upload what I want (CDs or digital files from iTunes), it goes on my iPod, and I listen to it. If I don't like that arrangement, I can buy another player or whatever. I don't need to be a free music provider. I can burn backup CDs, or a couple to share with friends I want to turn onto a band. I can make mix CDs. What the hell else does most anyone really need to do with the music?

But no. "I bought an iPod, and Apple is evil because it's so cool, and I just had to have one, but even though I understood their business model before I bought it, they're screwing me and freedom all over the galaxy, man. Fight the Power!!!!!"

The only real criticism of these products I find credible is the battery business. That, to me, is poor.

But the Windows world sucks. Ugly products, ugly interfaces (all poor ripoffs of Apple's innovation), and all sorts of unnecessary crap.

Apple is a company that makes great products, and their pluses and minuses are well known. The minuses are greatly outweighed by the pluses. And complaining about Apple's prices is the same sort of juvenile position as someone saying, "Why is an Eames chair so expensive???? I want it, so it should cost the same as anything at Target!!!! Why are Ferraris out of my reach? Whey don't they have more ground clearance??? Why can't I four-wheel with it on Mars??? HUH??? It's oppression!!!!"

Take responsibility for your choices, and try to demonstrate a rational understanding of the way the world, and business, works.

(Oh, and hackers: Why don't you start your own companies and make these wonder products you demand from everyone? Let's see how Wild West you are when there are real millions and billions of your and others' dollars on the table and you can't develop your products without "selling your soul" to some partner with the capital and/or access you need and can't buy or build. Listen carefully: You're not really piloting an X-Wing down the Death Star trench...You're just screwing around with other peoples' work and complaining instead of creating something useful yourself.)

Not brilliant. A nice fix during a long hiatus, and it also managed to tie up some loose ends and figure into the upcoming season. All of the things one likes about the show were in evidence, though it did seem to be missing that sense of urgency, which the usual episodes keep up so nicely.

Probably not surprising, given the way the episode had to be constructed.

But definitely not fluff, and the universe feels a little less cold and lonely now that we know the Pegasus story.

Because these first dates from online acquaintances are usually sort of ridiculous. The process, the lead up, and all the rest. I've done it enough now to notice some patterns...Overall, it seems the process tends to create a 'catalog' mentality toward the candidates, and makes it far harder to actually interact at first than if you'd just spontaneously met. You're evaluating instead of just being and responding.

Regarding the question of how best to dump, from a guy: Just be honest, and nice, don't drag it out. "I had a great time, but didn't really feel a romantic connection," if that's how you felt. Or, "You seem like a fine guy but you're just not my type," or "I didn't feel any chemistry." If you actually like the person's company, but don't feel romantic, let him know that, and if you end up hanging out some more, maybe something will develop.

It's fine to be picky if you want to be...no sense leading people on if you feel fairly certain that they're not what you want. Maybe your criteria and method change after a while if you're still not finding anyone.