I think it was our very own John K. who pointed me in the direction of the U.K. Register's web site. They have some very interesting comments on computer issues. I like their comment on the lawsuits, about how only the lawyers win in these cases:

"As for consumers, they ought not to expect a great deal. Class-action lawsuits generally go a long way towards enriching the lawyers who pursue them, which explains the popularity of such selfless acts of public service; but when the haul is tallied and fees are calculated, the payout to the class is often comically small. We might expect a few tens of millions to show up in the advocates' coffers, and perhaps a few discount coupons good on purchases of Microsoft products for the aggrieved class."

Its sad that because, as Mark said, that most politians are lawyers, it will never get fixed.

PF

>There was a facinating science fiction novellete many many moons ago in Analog Magazine that dealt with this issue. Essentially, on one certain planet, the prosecuting attorney would suffer the penalty of whatever charge they brought if they lost. *g* It made for very vaey cautions lawsuits! I think this would actually be a great way to go since it would immediately cause a huge increase in personal accountability and, I'd suspect, an equally huge decrease in frivilous, time-consuming and resource-consuming lawsuits.
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>All that aside, the "new way" is for federal (and state) funding to be accomplished through the courts and judgements. I think it stinks, particularly since it's completely underhanded. (read: dishonest) I suspect unconstitutional as well.
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>As always, follow the money.