Phil Shapiro

Thanks for your ideas, Don. Manufacturers would have no choice but to respond to an organized group of consumers. Computer manufacturing is very competitive and you can't stay in business if you ignore the wishes of an organized, large group of consumers. When I wrote the above blog post, I was also thinking empathetically towards the point of view of computer manufacturers. An organized group of consumers can reduce their sales risks, assuring them of sales of a given quantity of sales of particular product. Also, by selling a slight variant of a particular Chromebook (without the screen, battery and speakers), we are giving manufacturers the option to earn more money from a product design with very little additional cost to them. All we ask in return is some input on design choices. For example, I'd love to see a "desktop Chromebook" with a VGA as well as HDMI port. Chromeboxes just haven't dropped to the right price yet.

Yes, you can design your own Tux Racer course, too, and let other people play your course design.