BBC To Host Multi-OS Debate 344
Bananatree3 writes "BBC is currently seeking submissions from all you Microsoft Windows, Mac and Linux devotees "in 100 words or less, why you are such a supporter of your chosen operating system and what features you love about it". They will then select one user of each platform to go head to head in a debate that will be part of the BBC's Microsoft Vista launch coverage on January 30th."
Don't apply unless (Score:4, Insightful)
Not to mention I've seen nothing but Second life all over the news tech wise in months.
Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Don't apply unless (Score:5, Funny)
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Don't apply unless (Score:5, Informative)
It probably wouldn't make much difference in quality. The last 3 articles on technology I read on the BBC (years ago) were either riddled with misuse of certain words, left out some important and key details, misstated the implications of the story, and/or came up with a very strange and subjective conclusion that came out of the blue.
I've seen this happen elsewhere, so I stopped reading tech news from most places. I will not conjecture on why this is so.
Re:Don't apply unless (Score:5, Funny)
And this differs from the average Slashdot post how?
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Funny, to me your post feels less like criticism of Slashdot and more like criticism of the BBC. The BBC is a respected name, and employs professional journalists. If that counts for anything, they ought to be more than a match for the best posts on Slashdot rather than just level with the average ones.
Are they? I think I'll learn m
Re:Don't apply unless (Score:5, Insightful)
Pretty much all news is like this - you just know enough about this area to be able to spot it.
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
In this context, entertaining means controversial, argumentative, polarised in opinions, someone viewers can feel superior to.
It does not mean informed, measured, reasonable, articulate, persuasive,
An idea... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Chasing Windows' tail lights (Score:5, Informative)
A lot of software exists for Windows that isn't likely to be ported soon. Windows emulation enables non-Windows users to run them anyway.
Because open source software that originates on Linux have a tendency to become ported to Windows, while the reverse (closed source software that originates on Windows) does not exhibit the same trend. The closed source Windows programs requires involvement of the holder of the source code to be ported, while the open source Linux programs can be ported by anyone with experience in programming in both affected environments.
...in 100 words or less (Score:3, Funny)
Let's see... (Score:4, Funny)
Because it's not Microsoft Vista?
Thank you, the defense rests.
Re:Let's see... (Score:4, Funny)
Mac/Linux supporter: (Tosses chair at Microsoft supporter.)
No Way! (Score:5, Funny)
Mac/Linux supporter: (Tosses chair at Microsoft supporter.)
Toss a chair?! There is no way a Mac/Linux supporter would ever lower themselves enough to toss a chair at a Microsoft Supporter. I don't care how obtuse they're being. It just wouldn't happen, and I find the accusation vaguely insulting.
We would toss the Microsoft supporter at the chair.
Fight! (Score:3, Funny)
Linux User: yeah right. n00b luuuuuser! My ninja skills will kick your a$$ right to the middle of next week, Take that! ow. ow! Nobody said this violence thing would hurt! Not fair.
Windows User: guys, meet Dave, he's a special forces sergeant and, well, he's been given money to see that I win this argument. Cheers
Re:Let's see... (Score:4, Funny)
As a linux supporter I was abhored at this innovation in the use of office furniture by Microsoft, but once I tried it at work I must say it is quite effective at subduing coworkers whom I find annoying. So here's to keeping up with Microsoft's innovations (/me tosses a chair over the cubicle wall).
The winner of the debate will be (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:The winner of the debate will be (Score:5, Funny)
"Whoever appeals to the general public and doesn't alienate themself with overly strong opinions. Someone who recognizes strengths and weaknesses in all platforms and summarizes that, but puts a spin on their own favorite platform."
Well, that pretty much disqualifies everyone on Slashdot.
NOT seeking submissions (Score:5, Informative)
When I submitted this article a day ago, (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:NOT seeking submissions (Score:5, Funny)
Context and styles (Score:5, Interesting)
It's undoubtful that the most hardcore Free Software fringe of the Linux community has the most public appeal.
I mean...they're somewhat "weird", it's likely that the BBC will chose a super nerdy guy that bitches on everything that is not free software, and the topic will change from a mere technical analysis to the usual religion flamwar.
Windows and OSX will be presented as desktop systems. I doubt the server side of the story will be interesting to the average BBC listener.
Linux, unfortunately, will fail to show its good cards there. I'm not talking about mere graphics, of course, but the whole user friendlyness "from the scratch", hardware support...
I hope the supporters choice will be wise.
Re: (Score:2)
I hope whoever goes there to advocate Linux *does NOT* try to convince people that hardware support is fine on it. We all know and care about the "reality" of Linux (hardware manufacturers not giving drivers at least closed) but normal people will not understand, care and I doubt the advocate will have enough time to explain it.
The best approach will be to stay in the line of "Linux just works, and works great. Just tell your computer-shop to sell you a 'Linux ready ' machine with everyth
Re: (Score:2)
There is little or nothing in F/OSS of interest to end users that is not ported to Windows or begins as a native Windows app: Paint.NET [getpaint.net]
There are many, many, free, high quality, programs available for Windows under other licenses.
When you can draw on "the best of both worlds," there is no compell
Re: (Score:2)
Of course, OS X also has some leverage. We can point out that we had the s
don't write off freedom as a selling feature (Score:5, Insightful)
It's true that rms may not be the best introduction to linux (or gnu/linux) for the general, non-technical public audience. But there are lots of very eloquent Free Software advocates who can be very persuasive without coming across as gonzo anarchist whack jobs. Regular people are starting to notice DRM, at least when they can't (easily) transfer their iTunes files to another player. Get someone like Eben Moglen in there to talk about MS and Apple working with the entertainment industry to sell us our "culture by the sip", and that will resonate with them.
Get someone from a free documentation project like Project Gutenberg, or the library community, to talk about proprietary formats and the dangers they pose to our ability to access our own data. Maybe not everyone will get it, but I think there would be real value in introducing people to the idea that they can get off the MSOffice upgrade treadmill.
I know rms' stubborn adherence to sticking GNU in front of Linux rankles a lot of people. But this is exactly why it is so important. If we want to argue in favour of Linux only in terms of features (more stable, excellent browsers, spreadsheet needs work, wordprocessors ok, multimedia tricky etc.) then we throw away our most compelling strengths. If you just want to replace Windows, Linux is ok, but if Windows is the standard we measure by we will always come out behind. But if you want to replace the proprietary paradigm that Windows represents, GNU/Linux offers more than enough to make up for the gap between OOCalc and Excel.
Like any social movement, you have to present your message with tact. But that doesn't mean you should abandon that message all together.
yp.
Re: (Score:2)
I'm not so sure... These ARE Brits we're talking about here. Much too polite for a flamewar I think.
And don't say... (Score:5, Funny)
And don't say "fewer attacks and/or security exposures on this OS as compared to Windows", because right now all non-Windows platforms are benefiting from "security through minority".
There's even a dorky genius here on slashdot who posts from his Amiga, and one of the benefits he lists for using steam-powered computing hardware, is the complete absence of any attacks targetting his box. Although he probably has to worry about termites eating his DRAM.
All of that would change if AmigaOS or Linux or whatever became the de facto standard.
Re: (Score:2)
Linux IS more secure than windows.
Windows is insecure because it has to be in order to run all the windows apps (just look at all the apps that wont run except as an administrator, on linux the only programs that wont run except as root are generally either system administration programs that should only be being used when you are doing administration stuff or programs that can run as setuid root (and the number of programs that need to actually run as setuid root are minimal).
Re: (Score:2)
kismet springs to mind, iirc apache does the same (I know it prefers to, cant remember if it insists upon it)
Re: (Score:2)
Traditionally, binding to low ports was a priviledged operation only available to root. This is however currently changing with the introduction of more fine-grained capabilities.
Apache however, was (and is) extremely diligent in using the root-process *only* for opening port 80 and forking the worker-processes which then do all the actual work. (and run as a dedicated user, typically "httpd" or "apache")
I don't
Running non-root isn't all that (Score:2)
Your point would carry more weight if the really serious problems had anything to do with being root. Unfortunately, for the most part, they don't.
For the vast majority of people and organisations, I suggest that the most damaging actions that malware can take are:
A virus that causes your system to crash randomly or erases your whole hard drive is annoying, but easily fixed (unless you're naive enough not to make b
Re: (Score:2)
old old argument, that has been fairly well debunked
windows can be secure, linux and osx can be insecure.
The difference is you turn on a mac and its pretty much secure out of the box - one of the main reasons being you are not running as an admin.
Windows you have to be damn good to get it secure, and it takes a fair amount of effort to make it a usuable experiance as a home PC for somoene not running as an admin - it can be done - but its a bitch to do. In theory vista is "better" at this, thou
Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
Certainly, "security through minority" is part of it. But you must realise that even if everyone in the world used Linux, it would be far more secure than Windows currently is. (And most of this applies to other non-Windows platforms too).
Linux (and Unix) have a far better security model than Windows. This is mainly because limited accounts have just the right amount of power (and it's configurable, and changeable at the drop of a hat) - so it's perfectly fine to use limited accounts and sudo in to the sy
Re: (Score:2)
While its certainly true that, if Linux had the market share of Windows, then it would see far more attacks and security exposures, that sort of argument cuts both ways. If we're not judging things of how they are but how they might be if market shares were equivalent then many of Windows' advantages evaporate: if Linux had Win
Re: (Score:2)
Yes, but what about the difficulties in securing an OS that was designed for steam powered hardware and gets a new coat of paint every now and again? Or perhaps this latest coat of paint will be the one to do the trick eh?
Re: (Score:2)
So even if you do believe that Windows is the target/victim of these attacks purely because of it's market share, isn't that alone a compelling reason to switch to
Scary.. (Score:2)
I find it ironic that "Vendor lock-in" and "Trying to take control of your PC" is an argument FOR microsoft against anyone. It's like the kettle went into a coal mine before starting a fight with the pot.
Re:Scary.. (Score:5, Interesting)
That to me would seem to be the best argument for a non-windows supporter, "I KNOW there are better OSes because I have actually used them".
Re: (Score:2)
The 'only' thing I would say is "Linux is better for basic functions, it's easier to navigate to firefox and you don't have to worry about viruses.' But the average user will never find Linux, so whis is a non-issue.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
If people were so fed up with Windows, Apple wouldn't have to run commercials to try to make windows users feel uncool. Linux zealots wouldn't have to be zealots. There wouldn't need to be endless forking of dis
Re: (Score:2)
Car vendors don't have any form of lockin, when you buy a new car a few years from now there's nothing forcing you to buy any particular brand... And most people are not loyal to any particular brand, they buy what they perceive to be the best val
Re: (Score:2)
It may also just mean that the zealot is more likely to post. You haven't won over the arguments of ordinary users who see no compelling reason to join in the debate.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
As for Windows-R there's no stock alternative, but a cheap and very effective solution is LaunchBar (or similar) that will give you that functionality and a helluva lot more. As a power keyboard freak you'd love it.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
It's not the applications in general that are the problem, but the OS itself. The alt-tab doesn't show individual documents open in an application...
I suspect most of your problems are simply that you are used to Windows and you have learned the keyboarding features on it, but have not for OS X. For example, the OS X method of switching between applications and documents is arguably better for power users than the Windows way. For large numbers of Windows, it is certainly faster. Say you have 100 windows
Re: (Score:2)
Expose' on OSX is better, but virtual workspaces (Switchable using the keyboard) are by far the easiest.
One of the problems tho, comes from trying to use OSX (or any other os for that matter) as if it was windows, the clunky alt-tab interface may be implemented, but it's usually not the best or preferred way of switching apps.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
I don't like trucks, because my Citroen C2V can only load two shopping bags, is high maintenance and spare are impossible to obtain...
Re: (Score:2)
and the fact that "It Just Works"(tm).
I prefer Linux for exactly the same reasons. Weird, huh?
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
I don't know what industry is "the industry", but you must not be in any tech-support related industry if you think Windows "Just Works". Sure, it "Mostly Works, assuming you are using very standard software and well-supported hardware, and you aren't trying to do anything very clever." Then there are the times where it "Just doesn't work, randomly, and not a living person on earth can figure out why but
Convoluted (Score:2)
Wow, that was aweful! I hate it when people make up their own version of a well-known cliche and think it is more effective than the one that's been perfect for over a 100 years.
It's more wordy. It's less clear. It stole from the original. Parent must be a windows user.
Re: (Score:2)
Coming next (Score:4, Funny)
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
It's 2007 (Score:5, Interesting)
My web servers run on BSD and Linux (simple, secure, stable, proven,
My designers run Apple-s (cultural phenomenon, the whole product line speaks "design", good software, user friendly).
Most of my developers and my accountant run on Windows (user friendly
When you grow up, you realize there's no place for favoritism and politics in here, just tools you pick depending on your task.
That said I suspect Apple supporters will come out the winners from the BBC competition. It's purely a branding thing, and entirely predictable: all Apple does it cool (good job, Steve & co!), all Microsoft does is not cool (with power comes resp... come the obligatory haters), and all Linux does, is way too geeky (by geeks, for geeks) and no one in the general public cares.
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Where it falls down is that it's expensive and has serious vendor lock-in problems, two really big points on my shopping list.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Newsflash: Communism doesn't work in practice. Competition is the biggest motivation for improvement; with only one OS, we'd have all the problems of a monopoly, but worse~
Re: (Score:2)
Newsflash: Communism doesn't work in practice. Competition is the biggest motivation for improvement; with only one OS, we'd have all the problems of a monopoly, but worse~
Not to be pedantic, but from a market perspective socialism (I assume you mean this, since any cell large enough to include computer production is indistinguishable from socialism) under our current system would be the government producing the OS, or directing the production thereof. Theoretically this would be directed in the best int
Re: (Score:2)
Oh come-fucking-on. Yes, if humanity got its act together and did everything your way, we'd have your perfect world by now. Only, I probably wouldn't like it, and I'd post comments saying "If only people would do things MY way, then...".
Newsflash, buddy: There can be no universal consensus on how the world should look - people are too
Re: (Score:2)
This is what Linux is.
The problem with "screw this, lets just make a great OS together" is that people don' just throw effort in a hole.
They always are in to get something back, and in the case of community development efforts, developers join together to give OS and get OS. This is why Linux is friendly only to advanced users and developers.
With commercial efforts
I loves the Vista (Score:5, Funny)
I repeat what I wrote here for the benefit of you all and the good of society in general:
"Vista is best computer. it plays all my games just with putting in the disk and cliking on the mouse, i like the internets also and just with clicking the OKs it works really good in Vista.
My frend works in IT and he says that linux is rubbish and you cant even put in the dvds and theirs no games and he says no proper business would use it because it wont let microsoft run their programs on it so it is useless for all serious things. That is another reason why i use Vista because its good and i can use it for business too if i wanting to.
Mac is too expensive and will get too dirty cos its white"
I also submitted something. (Score:4, Funny)
See you in the studio!
Eh? (Score:3, Funny)
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
- Blue screen
- Ctrl-alt-delete
- That cute little paperclip
I'll guarantee: It will be a lot of fun. That is, of course, until they start covering Windows ME. That's when you die.American Psycho ? (Score:3, Interesting)
"It seems to be very stable, and I have had few problems with the final release copy. I am sure the general public will enjoy its user friendly features. I recommend the Business or Ultimate versions, since they have the Complete PC. Backup feature, which I have found to be about the most useful feature of Vista since if one has a good backup to a secondary hard drive, DVD or External Hard Drive, it can save a lot of time in system reconstruction in case of hackers or system failures. I think the general and business community will save many millions if not billions of hours by using Vista. Mike Scott"
For some reason reminds me the cosmetic and grooming regime and genesis vs phil collins bits in American Psycho which obviously opens the debate as to whether all Windows users are closet psychopaths.
Re: (Score:2)
The stereotypical Geek in full rhetorical flight.
The non-Geek picks up the attitude even when he doesn't hear the words--while the Geek still wonders why those hundreds of millions of "closet pyschopaths" don't warm to his OS of choice.
in 100 words or less (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Windoze is teh suck, Macs R 4 lusers!
Re: (Score:2)
It's about morality (Score:4, Insightful)
Microsoft itself has been mired in legal problems almost from its inception. It is probably the most sued company on the planet and it has been convicted of economic crimes in many different countries. They then simply ignore whatever legal judgements against them using their incredible financial clout to challenge whatever the courts rule. They seem to be completely immoral. It is for moral reasons more than anything else that keeps me away from using their software.
Yes, technology is important, but morality is even more important.
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Re: (Score:2)
Here's the thing, windows often DOESNT do what the users want, and it's only getting worse (DRM etc)... Linux on the other hand, does exactly what the user wants providing the user has sufficient knowledge to tell it what he wants, and the required level of knowledge is decreasing all the time.
Re: (Score:2)
Fanboy Arguments (Score:2, Funny)
Just asking for it.... (Score:2, Insightful)
Either,
"I've always used Windows, never used Linux/OSX - Love Windows, Linux/OSX sucks".
or
"I used to use Windows, switched to Linux/OSX - Love Linux/OSX, Windows sucks".
I know that's what everyone mostly hears anyway and I know there are Windows users out there who can genuinely say, based on proper comparisons, that Windows is best for them - but the uninformed Windows user really sounds
Typical divisions (Score:4, Interesting)
Windows supporters claim their OS is the best, because a) most of them aren't aware of what an OS actually is, b)It means they don't have to think about what they're doing, c)they're already using it so it must be the best, right ?
Mac supporters claim theirs is the best because, a)it looks so much better than any of the others, and b)everything just works (never mind that it is built using only known and defined hardware).
Linux supporters claim theirs is the best because a)it's free, b)it's not vulnerable to viruses, and c)it's not Windows or Mac.
I placed my comment on there stating my support for GNU/Linux, as in my opinion, it remains the only OS (with respect to the BBCs question) which is designed to be used as a general purpose computing system. Windows is a black box, and does it's best to restrict the users. Macs are designed for ease of use and visual appearance, not for maximum flexibility. Linux is designed to be flexible, in every sense possible. It can look as good or better than a Mac, it is not restrictive in any meaningful way, it is open to change and despite what the big two like to promote - it is not difficult to use. I don't care whether people think it's "ready for the desktop" because these people really have no concept of what a computer is for, they just want an appliance. That's up to them, but for myself, I would rather have something that can perform virtually any computing task I throw at it, and not have to pay through the nose to be a part of somebody elses restricted vision.
Of course my post on the BBC was somewhat more succinct than that, as 100 words is really far too short to make a serious point about anything.
Also, I take any opinion espoused by the BBC as suspect, because they are fairly IT illiterate themselves (at least in their reporting staff). They consider a rootkit "a virus" Pop quiz [bbc.co.uk], and a pc is nearly always considered to be running Windows [bbc.co.uk]. I must admit, incidences of "forward slash" on TV are getting less gradually. (before you start, how many times do you use the term "full colon" to differentiate from a "semi colon" ?)
Re: (Score:2)
Now, excuse me while I go and configure my new USB modem please...
Re: (Score:2)
Ah, you'll need to download the latest driver from the vendor's website. But make sure you have SP2 installed, because it's required. Once you've installed the drivers (FOR PETE'S SAKE DON'T PLUG IT IN YET!!!) you need to plug it in. Now you have to go to Control Panel....
Oh, you're using Linux? Then you should be set. Plug it in and use NetworkManager to dial out. Piece of cake.
I LOVE Windows! (Score:2, Funny)
the best guy for this job - (Score:2, Funny)
Karen Bowerman: Well, Guy Kewney is editor of the technology website Newswireless.
Goma: (Face of horror)
KB: Hello, good morning to you. Goma: Good morning. KB: Were you surprised by this verdict today? Goma: I am very surprised to see...this verdict to come on me, because I was not expecting that. When I came, they told me something else and I am coming. You got an interview that's all. So a b
Linux is Better Than Vista In Less Than 100 Words? (Score:2)
My response (today's dilbert comic) (Score:4, Funny)
Dilbert January 25, 2007 (Disclaimer, I still use windows :P)
The Vista Plugs Are Obviously From MS (Score:2)
Preferences are subjective (Score:4, Interesting)
Why do I prefer Linux over Windows or Mac? That's pretty easy, but it also goes to show how it all depends on what you want out of a system.
But obviously I'm an experimenter. I need basic tools, like a good web browser, as much as anyone, but beyond that I like having a system which is very flexible and open. If, on the other hand, you're an eBay-phile and really really want to use Turbo Lister to manage your auctions, then all the above points are irrelevant: you need Windows because that's the only platform on which Turbo Lister runs -- End Of Story.
The BBC should look to support Mac / Linux more (Score:2)
Rather than generate controversy through a flame war about 'why I love operating system Q', they should review their support of Macintosh and Linux systems in their media distribution strategies.
I use a Mac so perhaps I'm more sensitive than most, but why the devil doesn't the BBC just distribute their content through iTunes? I know, I know ... some podcasts are available, but their home-grown solutions have been terrible - iMP is a perfect example of their Windows-centric support pattern.
And I see this
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
No one operating system is best (Score:5, Insightful)
So this 'debate' will really be three or more zealots sitting in a circle flinging mud at each other, screaming that one operating system is the best, rather than actually admitting they all have their niche. This isn't just a BBC trait, but one of the whole media.
Fair Debate? Doubtful... (Score:4, Insightful)
What is the Best, For Me (Score:4, Interesting)
This article is nothing more than sensationalism. I might as well ask, "what are the best style of shoes?" A useful discussion is what are the benefits of each OS. Using that information a person looking to pick an OS for them, for a given use, can make an informed decision. In a previous article I wrote a list of features where Windows and OS X were respectively ahead of one another. Sadly, not a single person replied with additional features as I requested, while numerous people responded to argue tell me that some feature was not useful (I don't care if it's useful to you) or to argue that their favorite OS was just as good at that, even though they obviously had never used both OS's being compared for that purpose.
Just for fun, I'm going to copy my list here and add Linux into the equation. This is going to be a lot harder, because there are so many different Linux distros with so many different features and no one has used all of them. I'm going to try to stick to things I've used personally. Please if you have features to add to one list, go for it. If you want to complain that your favorite OS is better for some reason you can't put into words, or if you haven't actually used all the OS's and thus are just assuming the way other OS's do it must not be better, or if you want to argue the reasons for these advantages and disadvantages, please don't bother commenting. Also note, this is in regard to use on the desktop, not the server.
OS X Wins:
Windows Vista Wins:
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Actually they have.
I'm fully aware of issues with some of Apple's UI choices and both of those articles contain some real issues. That said, they are both fairly minor compared to the preponderance of long running, well known UI design snafus on Windows, many of which are duplicated on popular Linux distros. For example, While having dock items that are not constant in position along the edge of the screen means you can't easily train yourself to hit them on one axis, Fitt's law makes it simple to hit t
BBC Does not Like Debate (Score:3, Informative)
For example, a while back the BBC had a "Have Your Say" topic on Google's participation in censorship in China. Some posters rightly pointed out that the BBC also censors things. These posts were removed at breakneck speed, but this prompted complaints at the new censorship. The BBC then started removing the new complaints, prompting even more complaints. Eventually they gave up and as you can see, the top rated posts are about the BBC's censorship, not China's. See here [bbc.co.uk]
When I complained to the BBC about this, I was told that posts about BBC Censorship were "off topic". So posts about the BBC's own censorship on a topic about China's Censorship are so wildly off-topic they have to be removed? People are becoming very tired of the BBCs censorship and sites like NewsSniffer [newworldodour.co.uk]have started to appear. NewsSniffer automatically logs censored posts on the few open debates that are allowed to exist (It also logs the changes made to news reports)
Most people who were interested in real debate at the BBC never really used "Have Your Say" because of the BBC's control over the limited number of topics and the general low-probability of having your post accepted. Instead many people used the BBC Message Boards, which are sort of hidden away from public view. The busiest was probably the Today International board where people discussed the top news stories in more depth than was reported and covering many things the reporters were either ignorant of or chose to leave out. Unfortunately, the BBC has recently shut this down in favour of a system where the topics are picked by BBC Staff. Their excuse for this was budgetary concerns (they only get £4 Billion or so). Today's topical, controversial and cutting edge debates are 1. Do children need to learn Britishness at school?, 2. Are scientific terms like homo sapien out of date?, 3. Does affluence bring misery? (See for yourself http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbtoday/F5963509 [bbc.co.uk]).
Considering the BBC's astronomical budget and the technology available, they could quite easily have a "Discuss" button underneath each news story which would take people to an open discussion. They'll never do it though. The BBC have opposed open debate at every turn.
Linux supporter (Score:4, Funny)
It's All a Religious Battle (Score:2)
Which is why I prefer Linux. If it's good enough for God, it's good enough for me.
On BBC? (Score:3, Insightful)
Does this mean that each debater's point will be punctuated with Benny Hill skits and music? That would totally make it worth watching.