Linked by Thom Holwerda on Thu 21st May 2009 15:19 UTC
Soft and hardware makers, closed ones that is, are extremely secretive over their code and hardware. If there's a flaw, bug, or error, you are at their mercy to fix their code or issue a recall or something; you can't fix it yourself. In fact, fixing your own hardware will most certainly void warranty. Since we haven't had a decent car analogy on OSNews in a while, US Congress handed us one on a silver platter.
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Member since:
2006-04-18
FWIW, my 1996 Saturn was a great car, making better gas mileage than nearly all the cars on the road today. I don't understand why GM could manufacture such a technologically advanced car in 1996 (which sold quite well) then find itself unable to do anything remotely similar in 2006.
It's not a matter of technology, but physics. People expect more power (acceleration) now as well as more options (more weight, not to mention something has to generate the electricity for those options), and something has to give: gas mileage.
My 1995 Dodge Neon regularly managed 38 MPG, but it didn't have power windows, a sun roof, and only had a 122HP motor. It's difficult to find cars that weigh 2500lbs now.