RPi does play 1080p. I haven't had an issue with pure video files, but as far as anything else...

Off the shelf, no. But, you can purchase the licenses to MPEG-2 for $3.74 and VC-1 for $1.87. But to tell you the truth, I haven't had an issue with them so I have not purchased either of these licenses. I would if I ever run into an issue, but in 6 months I have not.

A Raspberry Pi is much cheaper than $300 ($35 if you have a microusb and an SD card already). I run RaspBMC on it and haven't had a problem since I installed it about 6months ago. I use a very old laptop with a broken screen to run a fileserver connected to a 3TB external, and that's pretty much it.

edit: responded to the wrong post. Can't find the delete button.

If programming were not abstract, then you should be able to give 6 [insert language here] programmers the same task to accomplish, and you should get back 6 programs who's code is near identical.... this is not the case. In fact, you will get back 6 things that are radically different. The end result will all be near…

No, that's what you get when you outsource to different countries.

Yeah, the problem was that I came back a couple hours later and noticed the mistake. The edit button has a timer or something. Thanks though.

An artist needs creativity

Good points, but unfortunately artists are judged objectively whether or not they are good. Especially by anyone who is willing to pay them money on a regular basis for their work.

Granted, most of us in this field are talented at drawing/painting/etc. as well

I don't understand why everyone is so focused around artists and people associated with the arts when the speak of people being creative. Some of the most creative people I know (including myself) are Programmers.

Book.....marks?

If a VPN gets subpoena'd for a user's information, that user is more than likely doing a lot more than torrenting movies or TV shows.

I went ahead and bought a year's worth a few weeks ago with Bitcoins before Bitcoins crashed again.

Yup! I don't think they considered this at all. Most workplaces that I know of where people use computers all day long, block Social Media.

Plus there's the fact that Notepad++ is getting pretty dated in the world of Code Editors.

Well actual brand named Tupperware is pretty durable. I have family members who still have tupperware from the 70's that's been microwaved literally thousands of times.

You realize they make cheap plastic containers for this sort of thing, right?

Very true. I buy a lot of self published eBooks, there are some gems out there if you can get past the lack of having an editor.

Make it considerably cheaper than the physical alternative. Taking $1-2 off a $20-30 item when I don't even get a physical item for my money is a joke.