[geeks] KVM for Sun Sparc Servers with USB keyboards

[Shannon Hendrix]

On May 14, 2009, at 15:40 , hike wrote:

> You left out Safety as a reason for a full-sized SUV.

I left it out because it isn't a valid reason any more, if it ever was.

Ten years ago maybe, though it was exaggerated greatly even then.

Most SUVs now rate lower in crash safety than other cars, and they are  
usually harder to maneuver, stop, and control in extreme conditions.

Local and state police confirm that most out-of-control accidents  
these days are SUVs.

This happens because owners have a false idea of their abilities, and  
because most SUV drive systems are inferior to car drive systems in  
urban conditions.

> (1) bigger engine--faster escapes (I use to live in Memphis and on two
> separate ocassions, the ability to distance myself from gang members  
> was a
> big safety plus!  I try to purchase the "big engine" option on all my
> vehicles.)

This is the most bogus example I've heard yet.

You can get a larger engine for almost any vehicle if you want or need  
it.

Also, you might consider that a lighter vehicle might not need a  
larger vehicle to go fast in the first place.

Better yet, get a more powerful engine and a lighter car.

> (2) more margin for error in certain types of collisions.

Yes, contrived ones whose testing was paid for by SUV makers.

This is a myth.

There are also classes of collisions where and SUV loses badly.

Small cars used to be around 2000 pounds, but now the small car class  
with the highest safety ratings (VW, Mazda, Honda) are hovering around  
3000 pounds.  That's actually heaver per unit length than most SUVs.

> (3) 4-wheel drive for bad road conditions.

Ha ha ha...

True off-road 4WD is actually not that great for bad street  
conditions, and it's pretty obvious from the high number of wet road  
SUV accidents that the owners don't know that.

Mature AWD systems from Subaru or Audi are better than most any SUV on  
the street, and the real truth is that AWD/4WD really doesn't do as  
much for traction as people believe compared to standard front-wheel  
drive.

It's primary benefit is increased acceleration at the expense of  
weight and friction.

> don't dismiss size as a function of ego and pride--there are good  
> reasons to
> have a big vehicle.

I didn't dismiss size as a function of ego and pride in all cases.   
You made that part up yourself.

What I said is that most people buy an SUV for things that can  
actually be done better with other vehicles or because certain vehicle  
classes were absent in the market.

Most people who buy SUVs do not need them.

I never said larger vehicles were not good for some jobs.  I would  
have one right now if I could afford it.  For now, I rent a truck or  
van when I need it, or borrow a Jeep if I need to head off the beaten  
path.


-- 
Shannon Hendrix
shannon at widomaker.com