Dear Folks –

Craig wrote:
> If appliance technology and costs had been stable for a century, consumers
might shift their spending toward more durable options, and manufacturers
would follow suit with their offerings.

Congratulations! You've just explained the economics of the First Imperium
in one sentence.  :-D
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David "Hyphen" Jaques-Watson ..at.. Beowulf Down (Tavonni/Vilis/SM 1520)
http://www.tip.net.au/~davidjw                    xxxxxx@pcug.org.au
"I file things in historical order, with a hashing algorithm of gravity"