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"scobleizer", "is_initial_load": true, "is_authenticated": false, "timestamp": "2009-12-17_07:14:14", "remote_domain": "", "page": 1, "is_moderator": false, "display_username": "", "points": null, "subscribe_on_post": 2, "moderator_can_edit": false, "is_remote": false, "is_verified": false, "missing_perm": "locked"}, "realtime_paused": false, "posts": {"9644672": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "John: awesome.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_07:29:40", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644673": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Robert, Scotland has had a smoking ban in public places in place for the past three months. Let me know when you back over in the UK and I'll take you out for dinner in any one of our now smoke free restaurants ;-)<br><br>Like you, I hated going out in the evening to a smoke-filled pub or restaurant. Now it's a much more enjoyable experience. Not sure we'll see a huge upturn in high-tech inward investment as a result but feel free to put in a good word for Scotland with your SV contacts! We even speak much the same language ;-)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_07:34:01", "killed": false, "user_key": "3233a87e2007df97868ab1123f3e6a36", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644674": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "First, I worked in California when the anti-smoking referendum was passed (fall 1994). As one who is allergic to cigarette/cigar smoke (and who, while there had to worry about his own laundry), it made a huge difference.<br><br>I also recall my days at AST where smoking was banned in their Orange County facilities (pre-1994); if they smelled smoke in the ventilation system, they sent out search parties to find the culprit. I once saw Safi admonish a visitor for smoking in a reception area.<br><br>But, turning to non-smoking jurisdictions, both Ontario and Quebec have recently (June 1, 2006) implemented anti-smoking laws that are at least as tough as Californias.  Of course, part of the reason was healthcare costs; remember there is \"state\" healthcare here.<br><br>But, of course, if you are considering these areas, bring along your most fashionable ski jacket! Not Bay Area weather for four months of the year.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_07:36:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "JimCanuck", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644675": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Robert<br><br>&gt;US VCs invested in Skype, which was based in Europe.<br>&gt;And in Fon, which is based on Europe.<br>&gt;You might check your facts there.<br><br>It's not me that needs to check my facts ;-) I said - \"US VCs won't lead investments in European companies\".  That is a true statement. What that means is that in 95% of cases, a European company will not get US VCs to invest without a European VC in there.<br><br>You cite examples of two European companies: Skype and Fon.  I take it you're aware that both, in fact, had/have Index Ventures - a European VC group with about $1B under mangement - invested in them.<br><br>In any case, Skype and Fon are pretty unusual companies.  Not typical VC investments at all.  I don't think it's useful to extrapolate.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_07:36:21", "killed": false, "user_key": "6625370ffa42f6c3f82d88c4bce53fc9", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644676": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Duncan: and you make great whisky! Maryam and I definitely want to visit Scotland.<br><br>Simon: good point. Thanks for correcting me.<br><br>Jim: did you say \"skiing?\" I'm there!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_07:38:29", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644677": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"admittedly, it is getting better\" as fewer people smoke, in your opinion.<br><br>You tend to state your opinion as a fact. In my opinion fewer smokers is less fun.<br><br>For some people the constant moaning of busy-bodies and do-gooders is reducing our fun and freedom.<br><br>Next they'll demand that we all stop:<br><br> - drinking<br> - fighting<br> - sex<br><br>And then what would poor folk do for fun?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_07:02:47", "killed": false, "user_key": "62644b26e9eedfdf135e07b0cadc8b25", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644678": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Monk.e.boy: well, there's always Las Vegas and Amsterdam. Heheh.<br><br>And, I like two of the other three things you listed. So, no need to worry about me coming after you for those.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_07:10:14", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644679": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I still think the main thrust of the original article is that Silicon Valley is good at caring about what Silicon Valley is telling itself it is 'about', at the moment (while telling its investors to \"Give us some more money: we're 'emergent'\", of course ;)).<br><br>If you tell me that The Valley is full of people who go out of their way to get seen running a compiler on their laptop in public, I'd agreee with you: most of them are probably trying to get hired.<br><br>However, many of the projects, companies and products that Matt Asay is writing about came up out of Europe and completely blind-sided The Valley - possibly because they didn't come from The Valley. Many of them still continue to have a far wider impact on the industry than much of what has come out of The Valley during the same time-span. In fact, I'd say that for a very long time indeed, The Valley completely failed to see these products, or realise their importance (some still don't!).<br><br>For instance, it was only when some of The Valley's big hitters started soring their data on MySQL that the others started asking why they were still giving money to Larry Ellison's yacht fund. The irony is, that Larry actually \"got it\", and used some of his Yacht fund to buy a stake.<br><br>I think Asay is just saying that you don't need to go to Hollywood to make movies. A lot of movies /do/ come out of Hollywood, but a great many of them are absolute howlers.<br><br>Anyway, if this thread is actually about smoking, I apologise!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_07:59:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "7499468d15289d50928a21ba53e44612", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644680": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Could you generalise about an entire continent a little more Robert? Since the mini-msft posts you've started to come across as a little arrogant ... just my perception.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_07:17:22", "killed": false, "user_key": "4fe19b3352f366bef89ea9cdf6c0e0c9", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644681": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I can obviously speak only about my country, but even for our neighbors things are not quite like you're talking about. Sure, there are countries where people can still smoke in restaurants and wherever else, but there are more places than Ireland where you can't at all, and not only in Pubs. Tech culture has nothing to do with smoking, at least here. As a proof, I've seen more people smoking and working on their laptops at cafes and restaurants in France than I've ever seen here in Italy, where smoking is not allowed (and tables are usually bigger :). What does it mean ? Nothing. Each European country is different, just take a look at the charts that talk about internet diffusion in each country. A country that is at the bottom for a given technology can be at the top for another one, that's it. The only thing we have in common here is that a job in an IT-related field is just like an ordinary job. Nothing special, sometimes even a bit hard to be proud of. Chances to make your ideas come through and be successful ? Yes, maybe, but not always worth it. That's why you don't sense the same culture here. And maybe that's even the reason why a lot of geeks smoke, here... they already know they've no chances to find a good job in Silicon Valley :))", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_06:30:35", "killed": false, "user_key": "3602e02f8ed22066b15c1c6033923a85", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644682": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "It stinks. It's pretty obvious you're a smoker. If you weren't, you'd be able to smell just how bad it does stink. Especially when you get home at night and you smell it all. PU.<br><br>It doesn't just smell for 10 minutes, either. My suitcase smelled for months afterward. I couldn't wash it.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_05:45:22", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644683": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Haha! No its the american atitude to people who choose to do something they disagree with.<br><br>A little arrogant.<br><br>You have to have grown up tollerating poeple who do stuff that you don't like or you disagree with (like Europeans have with the americans ;-) (joke) )<br><br>Anyway. I didn't smoke for 30 years, now I do ocasionally. Some of my friends do, some don't. But I refrane from slagging of an entire continent because some people do smoke.<br><br>Anyway - it's your blog. I can't win this conversation.<br><br>I concede defeat.<br><br>Lets start by shooting all smokers.<br><br>PS I liked 'you smell PU' :-) made me chuckle. Would I get away with 'so what fatty'?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_05:54:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "62644b26e9eedfdf135e07b0cadc8b25", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644684": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I'm fat, but my fat won't make your clothes smell.<br><br>Well, until you fix your culture you'll have smart people moving over here to hang out in San Francisco. That's OK too. Makes my life more interesting and we can go and enjoy a nice French dinner without having smoke blown in our faces like we had in Paris on almost every meal.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_06:01:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644685": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "so, aside from the Silicon Valley 'inbreeding' the problem is smoking?!?<br><br>\"If you\u2019re a geek outside of San Francisco or Redmond, it\u2019s hard to get a job in the industry.\"<br>Not in Europe, bub, that is, if you're at all skilled.<br><br>\"didn\u2019t see people working on computers in cafes or on the trains the way I do in California \u2014 and when I did I never saw someone running a compiler like I find in California or Redmond.\"<br>That's because we know the correct time and place to compile stuff: at 3:00 AM in a dank basement. sheesh. :P", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_06:14:55", "killed": false, "user_key": "15ceeef84bcec075e2dc57c844b8dbcf", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644686": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I'll get right on to fixing our culture for you.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_06:09:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "62644b26e9eedfdf135e07b0cadc8b25", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644687": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Robert,<br><br>I'm not sure I agree with you about the drivers for companies deciding to locate in Silicon Valley.<br><br>First thing to say is that hiring talent is *always* a challenge, irrespective of geography.  However, there's not any particular shortage of developer talent in Europe, compared with the US.  For example,  even in your former company Microsoft has a \"geek\" research centre in Cambridge, UK.<br><br>What there is a shortage of in Europe, though, is of experienced senior management; and this is one reason why companies sometimes decide to base themselves in the US.  The centre of gravity of a company almost always tends to wherever the CEO is based.<br><br>Other big reasons why companies sometimes like to be based in the US are to do with finance: 1) the truth is, when comparing like with like, US companies have significantly higher valuations than their European counterparts; 2) Attracting VC finance is all about competition for capital - US VC groups tend to have more money, and/or greater ambition than their European counterparts.  US VCs will only lead investments in US companies. 3) US VC groups have a different attitude to stock options than European VCs: in a typical European VC-backed company, it's only the CEO who has any worthwhile stock options (and even then, they're not that great).  So, with fewer employees properly incentivised in European companies, it's genuninely harder to build a great company.<br><br>Given all that, I've often wondered why I base myself in the UK ;-)  Over the years, I've had quite a few offers to go over to the US.  And my answer (to myself) to that question has always been: no amount of money is worth not having control of where you wake up in the morning.  And I like living in the UK!<br><br>As for for the smoking thing, I'm sorry that people in Europe lit up in front of you without asking, and blew smoke in your face.  That's just plain rude.  That kind of behaviour is not considered even remotely socially acceptable in the UK.  And for information, by Summer 2007, a smoking ban in all public places will be in effect throughout the UK.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_06:14:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "6625370ffa42f6c3f82d88c4bce53fc9", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644688": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Michiel, maybe that's it! We don't have basements here so we need to go out and meet people while running compilers. Getting the nerds and the geeks to be a little social makes businesses take off! Heheh.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_06:36:23", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644689": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Simon: it's part of the culture there. Especially in Paris and London. At Paris we were out for very fine dining and smokers were four feet away. It's unavoidable. In California that's not acceptable, but in most places in the US that kind of smoking still goes on.<br><br>US VCs invested in Skype, which was based in Europe. And in Fon, which is based on Europe. You might check your facts there.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_06:29:21", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644690": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I would say smoking is not one of the biggest problem for the tech industry in Europe. It is a general problem and if you have ahtsma (like me) it's not just a problem of bad smell, I completely agree with you.<br>I'm a small ISV in the north-east of Italy and I know how difficult is to find talented people when you are located far from the biggest point of attraction in your country or region. Milan is the place to work in Italy, as the Valley is in the US.<br>By the way, I agree with monk.e.boy about the aspiration of the average European, culture is different.<br>While Europe count for nothing in the tech industry because of this, not every other aspect of the cultural difference is bad. In Europe (at least Italy) you will not \"easily\" reach your aspiration but you will never end up thinking about how to survive a financial disaster because you have to undergo an operation.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_06:30:01", "killed": false, "user_key": "da7879c5a16934e1f5b0687d95e6c6c0", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644691": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Andrea, yeah, admittedly I didn't get everywhere in Europe. I've been to Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, UK, Ireland, France.<br><br>On my trips we encountered smoking everywhere except for Ireland. France was, admittedly, the worst<br><br>And, admittedly, it is getting better. On my trips through Europe eight years ago I hit more smoking than we did in the past year.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_06:39:03", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644692": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I'm not entirely sure if smoking is really something that can geeks somewhere or not. From my - admittedly European - point of view smoking doesn't affect my well being as a geek as long as the smokers follow some basic rules. For example ask before they smoke or step outside the building.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_05:33:14", "killed": false, "user_key": "9e1f36d2a869f4ab38f107ea8aa94899", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644693": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Dominik: I was in Europe three times over the past year or so. Europeans NEVER asked me before smoking in my face. Every evening we came home totally stinking. See, if you live in such a culture you don't even realize how bad it is.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_05:35:14", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644694": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "what is your problem with smoking? Just ignore it. People get so worked up about it, i mean, really, who cares if some guy is smoking next to you? You aren't going to instantly die of cancer. And so what if your clothes smell for 10 minutes? Car fumes smell bad. Bad breath smells bad. American SUVs are killing the world for everyone. And we get worked up about smoking? Mental. Just enjoy your life.<br><br>Americans seem to have this ambition to build a company that will out do google (indeed this is waht google did to yahoo etc) where as us Europeans, our pie in the sky ambition is to earn enough money to buy a house, or get a new car. We couldn't imagine making anything that grand. It isn't possible here.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_05:40:01", "killed": false, "user_key": "62644b26e9eedfdf135e07b0cadc8b25", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644695": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I think your next step should be claiming a Nobel Prize for your new look at economics. You're probably reading too much Freakonomics. Your post is amazingly dumb and self-centered. And since you're definitely not a dumb person, I'm forced to believe you wrote this just to get comments like mine and keep your A-list vanity going on. Which is close to dumb. Oh man, you're absolutely omphalocentric. One day you'll realize the world out there couldn't care less about your babble. I do care, unfortunately - that's part of my environment. Just to avoid any attempt at \"if you're against me, you're either a smoker or an \"european\" (as if there's such): I don't smoke. I never did. And I'm neither European nor born in the US.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-11_21:14:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "375d2f7bf80483cce9ce6c9be0d4977d", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644696": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Oh, by the way, you do know there's a world out there of development in the mobile field, don't you? And that this is led by Japan, South Korea and Europe, don't you?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-11_21:26:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "375d2f7bf80483cce9ce6c9be0d4977d", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644697": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I like the \"fix your culture\" when 80% of all tobaccos giants come from your such \"clean\" country..make me think of Marlboro and all the rest..your comparison is totally irrelevant ! geek are only in SF, for me your read too much fiction !", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-11_16:46:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "2b4f7f93ddaf4b942b2e761f1a0c6604", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644698": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "It's all about cash. That is all.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-08_12:57:58", "killed": false, "user_key": "5daa9640bbc52ebe3472587f84c58b6d", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644699": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Hm, you got lots of bites on smoking, but not about the location issue.  On the latter, why AREN'T we as a community evolving more quickly past geo-fixated social networks?<br>  There are lots of businesses now with remote &amp; highly asynch staff.  Modulo a few Gen-X VC influences (\"I-don't-want-my-money-going-farther-away-than-a 90-minute-drive\").  But when describing the ~virtue~ of SV, Rob &amp; commenters here seem to focus on future networking potential.  It's OK if my direct reports are in Bangalore and Boston, but I want to be in the same county as my ideal next partner or employer?  Hm, is this more of a \"next gig\" than a \"current gig\" thing?<br>   I know some coders in Hungary who are just as sure as you that there's no worthwhile geek life outside of one or two places ... but for them, all of them are in Eastern Europe.  Not sure this is a global Valley-centric issue.  Maybe more like a common tendency not to like dealing with unfamiliar environments?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-07_23:01:47", "killed": false, "user_key": "28fa8400517223899988ff58fbedd712", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644700": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Complaining about air pollution?<br><br>Own a car?<br><br>Naturally, it's much easier blaming smokers for emphysema in schoolchildren rather than internal combustion engines..<br><br>\"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?\"", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-09-09_19:29:21", "killed": false, "user_key": "748e7606c3d7bda821d9e9244a12c372", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644618": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Chris,<br><br>hmm ... I'm not going to win that argument till I find you a job.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_17:29:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "844db5e761eb9626db9f108e72c83793", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644619": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Got to say the assumption that the only talent is in the Valley is pretty outdated. Irrespective of whether companies should be moving from Europe or not, you have to admit some of the best open source developments have come out of Europe.<br><br>That said, I've created a <a href=\"http://www.businessreviewonline.com/os/archives/2006/07/where_in_the_wo.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">pretty pointless web 2.0 mashup thingy</a> that shows precisely where the current open source vendors are based. One thing it does show is that open source is very much a Silicon Valley phenomenon.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-07_10:40:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "aa3300afddc5f1421fb361d579e329a2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644620": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "@72, and Jonathan Postel did is work at...eek UCLA.. Los Angeles, which is NOT SV.<br><br>LDAP came out of the Univ of Michigan<br><br>And let's not forget the ITU.<br><br>I'm not seeing much history coming out of SV given these last few posts.  Remind me again why it's the computing center of the universe?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-07_04:38:55", "killed": false, "user_key": "c489355ab8af522634fdef64206a3954", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644621": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Maybe it's more about evolution. In short, the evolution towards non smoking environments fosters technical achievements by attracting more capable people. Is that true?<br>I think the attractiveness of a life in the US has much deteriorated in the eyes of many Europeans in recent years. The way you are treated at the airports and by officials for example. But thats just another primitive stereotype growing like that in the original post.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-07_04:42:38", "killed": false, "user_key": "55d3a98dbbde9e6515a8de7338b4e2a4", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644622": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I think the underlying arrogance of this post is what really puts me off.  You say Europe is losing tech people because of its bad cultural choices, but I expatriated from the US for the same reason.  A lot of very bright people will prefer Europe to the US, partly because of the needless arrogance and need for dominance demonstrated here.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-07_04:45:45", "killed": false, "user_key": "e7a387d18b30f7b4c4c376481a7eade4", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644624": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Scoble, you were that obsessed with figure out who smokes and who doesn't?  Scary.  Any other behaviors you disapprove of that you are monitoring?<br><br>The point is, almost every figure you come up with seems to be pulled out of your ass but you seem to want to state it as fact.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-07_04:20:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "c489355ab8af522634fdef64206a3954", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644625": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Come to India - the food aint half bad either!!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-07_04:30:41", "killed": false, "user_key": "7a42c2b75a02a62f93dafacf0cb4268a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644626": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Since Bill is rolling out the big guns...<br><br>I'll join him and roll out another one. HTML, WWW &amp; Tim Berners-Lee.<br><br><a href=\"http://www.w3.org/History/1989/proposal.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.w3.org/History/1989/proposal.html</a><br><br>WWW would not have happened in Silicon Valley.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-07_02:47:40", "killed": false, "user_key": "844db5e761eb9626db9f108e72c83793", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644627": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "You do know that Europe has a population of over 700 million in over 50 countries, right? I think you should be a bit careful with making general statements about the European culture. It is quite diverse.<br><br>There are countries in Europe that have _very_ strict bans on smoking, others that are more liberal. There are countries in Europe with a lower percentage of smokers than the U.S., and there are countries with a higher percentage. But you really shouldn't draw on your personal experience from a few countries to the whole continent.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-07_03:18:07", "killed": false, "user_key": "d582ed5988202af3319ff1c461185573", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644628": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "@44. You still didn't answer my question.  How do you support your 20% number?  Look it's fine if you say it's a number you pulled out of your ass. At least it would give you some credibility in that you would be admitting to making it up.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_20:04:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "c489355ab8af522634fdef64206a3954", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644629": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Dmad: I counted how many people were smoking at LIFT and Reboot conferences. As a conference planner such minutia interests me. I'd like to do events again someday and knowing the behavior of your audience is important.<br><br>But, they aren't scientific, so, if you want to say I pulled that out of my ass that's fine with me.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_20:17:55", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644630": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "So. \"The only place to create technology is Silicon valley\".<br><br>And \"all Europeans stink of cigarettes\".<br><br>Once you have rid all Europeans of Smoking, what next ? Banning obesity ? Moustaches ? People who wear toupees ? Masons ? Gays ? Gypsies ? Jews ?<br><br>Right.<br><br>[For those of the hard-of-thinking, this was an argument type where I demonstrated the complete falicy of the proposition by expanding it to comedic proportions. Of course I would never propose any of these things]<br><br>See where ignoring your own constitution gets you ? See where intolerance gets you ? Right into an unhealthy, ugly place. Racism Central.<br><br>So.<br><br>Does *all* technology come from Silicon valley ? Surprisingly not.<br><br>Choose the industrial revolution. Choose the phone. Choose Capitalism (Adam Smith), Physics (Maxwell), the American Constitution (Based on the declaration of Arbroath), the TV, Radio, Radar, the Diesel engine, Penicillin, Prolog, microcode, The Microwave, DNA-Cloning (Dolly the sheep), MRI scanners. Choose the guys in the Alamo.<br><br>(10 bonus points for spotting the film reference)<br><br>Where did they come from ?<br><br>Oh. Scotland.   Ever been there ? Its cool.<br><br>(I'll give you Marconi was an Italian, but he worked in Glasgow).<br><br>Where was the first computer built? The first 10 computers ? Oh. It wasnt the US. It was Bletchey Park in the UK, and it knocked three years off World War 2. It was still secret till the late '80s'.<br><br>Alan Turin would possibly (for a given value of \"true\") turn in his grave listening to your rantings.<br><br>Right. Finished being so quite arrogant and nationalistic/xenophobic yet ?<br><br>Yes - silicon valley has a huge density of geeks &amp; VC's - hell - a lot of Scots moved there. What do you expect ? But is it the ONLY place to work ?<br><br>Brownouts, drive by shootings, Web v1.0, hugely expensive property, Earthquakes ? Sold it to me already.<br><br>Whats the biggest computer company in the world?<br><br>[ Not \"Whats the biggest software company in the world\" - thats your ex-employer - who are NOT based in silicon vallley. ]<br><br>The biggest computer company is IBM. And where do they do the majority of their research ?<br><br>All over the world.<br><br>So. Pleeeeeease. I know your excited about moving back to Silicon Valley. To the extent where you seem to think that all Europeans smoke.<br><br>(They banned smoking in all buildings in Scotland this year - and will follow in Englandshire later this year. Holland. Almost gone. Ireland. Gone. Get the idea ? You choose to socialise with folks who blow smoke in your face and you categorise an entire content ?)<br><br>Get a grip.<br><br>I'm just about at the stage where I read this blog out of morbid curiosity.<br><br>---* Bill<br><a href=\"http://www.billbuchan.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.billbuchan.com</a><br><br>P.P.S. On the more positive note, I introduced my father - who is 73 - to the iPod and the idea of Podcasting last week.<br><br>He \"got it\" in about 3 minutes flat and is desperate to record his band and podcast it. Does this (a) prove that Apple UI design is easy and (b) does this make my old man the oldest of the iPod generation? Oh and (c) he's started blogging. No - he's not read your book...<br><br>Not bad for an ex trawlerman out of Fraserburgh, eh ?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_22:05:07", "killed": false, "user_key": "d29517896d3c97dcbe808f61cae7cefa", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644631": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I agree 100% about the smoking. I could never live where people can just smoke freely like they do much of Europe. I can't even stand walking behind or standing behind these people who smoke *outside* while I wait for the train or bus each morning. It's a disgusting habit. It only take about 10 seconds standing in a puff of someone else's smoke that I come home and my kids ask why I stink.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_20:38:36", "killed": false, "user_key": "brettnordquist", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644632": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Greetings,<br>Mmmm...tasty long comment.  :)<br><br>I live in Issaquah, not too far from Redmond/Seattle where smoking was legal for a long time (it only changed sometime between 1997 and 2000, iirc).  There's still a smoker-culture here, and it's most visible, nasty, ugly side-effect.  Spitting.<br><br>I don't like smoke, but I can deal with it in moderation.  I find spitting a truly nasty habit, and the preponderance of having to avoid little nasty puddles correlates strongly with the number of people smoking in an area.  It's been getting better in a lot of places in the Seattle/Eastside metroplex, but I work in Pioneer Square right now, where LOTS of people still smoke, and it's a minefield getting in to work.<br><br>Sorry, was venting.<br><br>I used to live in Silicon Valley.  I love it there, it's a wonderful place.  Work is plentiful for someone with my skills, and the geek culture is all-encompassing, comfortable, and pleasant.  I've had recruiters overhear my friends and I talking tech at a restaurant, and come over and politely leave their business card for 'any of you that might be looking for a new job'.<br><br>I gave that up, and moved to Washington, because I can't live where 'brown is the new green' anymore.  I can't live with having to have my car's air on 'recycle' all the time because the outside air stinks.  You need some clouds to have a proper sunset...  I missed sunsets, snow, and seasons.  I want to have children, and I can't accept what California has to offer for education.  I wanted to buy a house, for my wife, and future children to live in, and I can't afford what California has to offer for housing.  Oh, and the California Franchise Tax Board is going to eat a lot of that raise you got yourself...<br><br>Despite all that, I often miss Silicon Valley; being surrounded by the warm embrace of the pervasive maker mindset is truly addicting, and almost inexplicable to people who haven't spent a lot of time there.<br><br>Still, to each their own, and for me I've found a better place for myself up here, in the emerald hills that you've abandoned.  :)  There's a good bit of that mindset that's rubbed off up here, if you frequent the right places.  Enough to ease the itch, and keep me excited.  Add it to the overwhelmingly better surroundings, and it's a Good Place.<br><br>I don't think smoking/non-smoking is the answer.  I think surrounding yourself with people who love what they're doing is the answer.  It brings more people who want to be part of that, and it builds a cycle.  People talk about it, others want to see what it's like, they come, they visit, they realize how nice it feels to be surrounded by smart people, and how it ups your own game so you can feel like you're also part of the smart culture.  Silicon Valley's been doing that for decades now, reinventing itself with every major revolution.  Chips begat hardware begat software begat the internet begat content providers, with many interesting offshoots along the way.<br><br>Who knows what's next; but the people in Silicon Valley want to build things (maker mindset), and they love new things (neophilia).  These two attributes mean that whatever the next step is, there'll at least be someone in SV working on it with a passion.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_19:11:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "8efac25a624c04c98e1ebedf69a95c48", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644633": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Pepe: good points. But on my travels I've found the same to be true most places. The people who work at CocaCola in Atlanta, for instance, think the same things.<br><br>I totally disagree on you about culture. But, can see where you're coming from. Who really cares, though? SFO flies everywhere in the world so if you need some culture just head on over to London or Tokyo or Paris for the weekend.<br><br>What I like about the valley is there are about 60 different languages spoken within an hour's drive of San Francisco. This means the world's culture is brought there. I really miss that in Seattle.<br><br>As to public transport, totally agreed. The valley grew up as a farm town and the farmers never thought that their industry would be gone within 30 years and would be transplanted by something else.<br><br>If you think Silicon Valley is only about Web 2.0 and over-hyped technologies, then I guess you need to move somewhere else for a while. Some of the best genetics research is being done there. Some of the best cancer and other medical research too. Toyota and GM have a huge auto plant there. The best radio station in the Western United States is there. And San Francisco is well known as a musical hotbed. Some of the best movie companies are located within an hour of SF too. And many, many other things (my dad built military satellites there, a friend built radar systems).<br><br>As for not caring about SV? That's not my experience at all. In fact, look at the markets. What's the hottest companies? They are located in Silicon Valley. If no one cared about SV Google wouldn't be at $400+.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_13:44:10", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644634": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "As somone else mentionned, people can smoke in public buildings (restaurant, etc..) in Quebec anymore. But I remember that 10 years ago, most geek here were smokers!<br><br>There is also a movement toward working from home here, and hence an increase number of laptops in coffe shop around here... but these are not all geeks. (I still haven't see compilers in coffee, except mine.)<br><br>But if you look for workers, migrate your compagny here, we have talented geeks. :)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_13:58:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "227dcc8c79584bb4af4f6a463c1aa6f7", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644635": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Smoking in public indoor spaces (including restaurants and bars) is banned in NYC, Boston, and New Jersey (except in casinos), with pending bans in Philly and DC. That's a whole heck of a lot of the East Coast that's as smoke free as Cali. I salute the Golden state for leading the way, but we're catching up.<br><br>Someone should do a a Google Map of non-smoker friendly states and municipalities if they haven't already. And maybe countries while they're at it.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_15:12:30", "killed": false, "user_key": "jonnygoldstein", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644636": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Ironic that the same geeks/companies who are supposedly trying to connect the world and enrich people's lives with technology go on and on about how important it is for them to all be located in one exclusive better-than-everywhere-else place.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_15:17:37", "killed": false, "user_key": "3f513e2cf340de447da7d12d8497d7bc", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644637": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Hi Robert, I'm a new reader and this is the first time I've been motivated to comment. I've lived and worked in Ireland my entire life. and before our nanny state banned Smoking in all public, enclosed spaces I would have been very much in conflict with you about the smoking issue.<br><br>I believed it was a question of freedom of choice and a civil liberty. And up until I recently traveled in europe I still believed that. I have to say having lived in a smoke free enviroment for a few years it was very strange and unpleasant. to have that forced upon me.<br><br>That said, I don't understand what that has to do with where geeks live and work and I certainly wouldn't try to say that's why they gravitate toward the valley and redmond. Might have more to do with the fact that it's where the industry began? or the fact that bandwith is a fraction of the price it is in europe, etc. you know real viable business reasons ;)<br><br>As for there not being a geek culture in europe, I have to disagree I'm a geek dating a geek and almost all my friends are geeks, the reasons you don't see us with our laptops out in public are fairly straight forward for the irish anyway, 1. it rains a lot, laptops don't like rain 2. there is very little publicly available wireless internet access and what there is very expensive 3. it rains alot 4. we don't have to many cafe's that people socilise in that tends to be done in pubs, trying getting Guinness out of yer laptop :) oh and did I mention it rains a lot ;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_15:18:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "c471f134edbe8fe7e5f1981370d8b667", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644638": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Sorry Robert, but you're on crack if you think its hard to get a job outside the valley. Boston is booming again, and my friends in southern california are all fully employed.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-07_14:19:51", "killed": false, "user_key": "4a6b473710334237fd8ed11e31fdba8a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644639": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "While I doubt smoking is the link here, I'll wholeheartedly agree smoking needs to be banned in public.<br><br>I live in Illinois, where things are moving slowly towards a smoking ban. Chicago passed one that'll be in effect in 2008, and the suburbs are now passing their own.<br><br>If I move anywhere, it'll be to a non-smoking state, like California.<br><br>Besides, there's an appropriate time and place for smoking. At 3:00 AM in a dank basement. sheesh. :P", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_15:28:01", "killed": false, "user_key": "825b2d409f36c7897dc3009cc258b1df", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644640": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "When I moved here from North Carolina, I reflexively told a restaurant hostess ,\"Four, non-smoking, please.\"  She smiled and said \"Dear, you're in California.\"<br><br>It took me twenty years of resistance before I moved to Silly Valley.  It isn't just the computer culture that keeps me here, it's the overall culture.  I've seen more plays in the last two years than in the previous ten; I go to a farmer's market weekly, and to arts and wine festivals all summer.  Hic!  I can't imagine moving away (as long as I can afford the mortgage...)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_15:36:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "7cb07828018d4deb7ab808fb83be2778", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644641": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Robert,<br><br>Let's not forget about Northern Virginia/DC Metro Area. 90% of the world's (yes, world's) Internet traffic passes through NOVA every day. There are as many tech companies here as there are in SV. The pay is the same. There are more Ph.Ds and Masters Degree holders here than anywhere else in the country. The average salary here for geeks is just under 6 figures, many exceeding 200k a year. We're talking geeks here. I work in IT security and I personally make 105k a year. Guess what? I'm moving to the midwest because, Like Pepe so expertly put it, people think their **** doesn't stink in places like this and in SV. People go into debt and drive stupidly expensive cars to impress people they don't even know. People shop at overproced stores and eat at vastly overpriced restaurants to impress people they don't know around them. People do this to show people they don't know they've somehow \"arrived.\" Arrived at what? Debt, stupidly high monthly mortgage that exceeds the recommended 20% of one's monthly salary, $500 a month car payments, and a whole slew of other dumb things.<br>I want out. I am going to take a $50k a ear job to enjoy my family, no traffic, a nice home in a quiet area, a good church life, etc. There are geeks there. It's actually more fun when there are fewer geeks, not more. I work and live next to geeks. I want to talk to the barista chicks, the farmers, the waitress. I want to talk with real people about real issues, not just what stupid browser plug-ins someone uses.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-07_15:13:44", "killed": false, "user_key": "c711839fc62b007013381156a9a2c588", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644642": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I totally agree with 52.<br><br>As far as the smoking goes, it is just something to be expected in europe, although most of the places that I went in London I didn't see anyone smoking (except pubs).  Correlating smoking laws with the density of geeks is rather lame.<br><br>As far as getting a job outside of the valley, remember a few years back?  Then it was easier to find a job NOT in the valley, so I don't think that it is necessarily harder to find a job outside of the valley.  Now, the number of high tech companies that are in any region is probably smaller than the number of companies in the valley, and if you stay around metro areas you can have a better chance (Raleigh-Durham, Austin, Dallas, Phoenix, Chicago, New York, Boston, Atlanta, etc...).  This is also an industry where your physical location doesn't really matter...<br><br>I'm a geek that lives in the bay area, and I do tend to meet alot of people in software, and it can be nice to talk about business, but for the most part, I think that surrounding yourself with geeks tends to dilute your creative capacities.  Meaning that you can tell how large groups of geeks that work together, that they actually start forming a group mentatlity and they tend to stop innovating.  The valley is a little different in that there are a lot of voices to be heard, but I can definitely see some patterns of people losing their creativity to hive thinking...", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_16:04:12", "killed": false, "user_key": "f3be9273f709cc5f204d9bd578c9f279", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644643": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Got to disagree with a couple of your assertions, Robert.<br><br>\u201cIf you\u2019re a geek outside of San Francisco or Redmond, it\u2019s hard to get a job in the industry.\u201d<br><br>If you were talking just about the States, then I would add Manhattan to that little exclusive list. If you\u2019re smart and you can code then, JP Morgan etc, are going to hire you.<br><br>If \u201coutside of SF or Redmond\u201d is a reference to the rest of the planet then, absolutely, completely, 100% disagree. There are lots of places in the world where developers and techs can get a job and beaver away with other like minded folk in the software industry.<br><br>I work in London in the financial sector, and I promise you that if you can code and deliver you\u2019ll get a job. I worked in one large financial institution where every damn piece of software apart from the OS (Windows) and the database (Sql Server, Oracle) was written from the ground up. Trading systems, risk systems, P&amp;L, confirms, everything. Development teams worked on a giant open plan floor the size of a 1.5 football pitches. 1 in 3 people in the building were Tech. Off the shelf packages were just too generic and the users wanted real control of the development cycle.<br><br>On the smoking generalisation. Well, if I was eating a good meal in a good French restaurant and people were smoking next door to me. Damn, I\u2019d be v.annoyed too. But I would argue that every square inch of Europe is not like this. Situation would not have happened in an equivalent London restaurant, right now it will happen for sure in a London bar. And that\u2019s all changing for London next summer.<br><br>To finish, I\u2019ll make a sweeping generalisation about the US. Terrible food, you can\u2019t get a high quality dinner in the states. I\u2019ve never had good food in the states, despite visiting several times. So it must be true.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_16:30:31", "killed": false, "user_key": "844db5e761eb9626db9f108e72c83793", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644644": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Robert,<br><br>this must be one of your worst posts ever....<br><br>RE smoking: I am dutch but have been living in the USA on/off the last 9 years.I have never smoked (not even the good stuff ;-) I agree that after living in a smoke free country makes you realize that smoking smells but I have to agree that americans are a bit intolerant to smokers or whatever they deem the norm.<br><br>more importantantly I saw the title of your post and thougth this might be a good topic and then I got utterly disappointed when you went down the smoking drain. (I guess the cool-aid starts to get out of your system)<br><br>I think it is a real issue for Europe to keep tech in europe. Even more so it is an issue for Americans to not let this evolve into a Europe what \"is open source\" and a USA that is \"commercial\" (what ever the exact definitions of both are)<br><br>It seems that with the EU/MSFT and France/iTunes-Google issues it starts to become more of a religious trade-war than competition on merits. This is sad and bad for everybody in the long run.<br><br>A lot of europeans move to the USA for careers in software I have seen it at MS but also at other companies. SAP is one of the very few software companies that is european based. It is the concentration of software companie that attracts engineers as it gives them options to move arround for careers.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_17:26:30", "killed": false, "user_key": "ed90091d3103ce2ca391218967638ce2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644645": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I smoke. I shouldn't. It's bad for you. And those around you.<br><br>I am a Geek. I am European.<br><br>Think the WestCoast USA should look out in the mobile space. We have had 'smart' phones in our pockets for ALOT longer. Devloping apps and systems. Thinking inside and out of the pocket - not just the box. We've been SMS TXTing for as long as I can remember.<br><br>I agree what you say about Europe and smoking - there's alot more of it here.<br><br>I'm amazed phones over here don't come with a lighter built in ;)<br><br>But that wouldn't be too 'smart' eh ? ;)<br><br>Hmmm... where's my patent attourney?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_16:55:14", "killed": false, "user_key": "22b10ad7c0dc887d3bc66e41ed0de186", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644646": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Simon, I have to take issue with your point:<br><br>\"I work in London in the financial sector, and I promise you that if you can code and deliver you\u2019ll get a job.\"<br><br>I have been a developer for 20 years and have a track record as long as a long thing... and currently I can't get any interest at all in London... What I don't have is experience working in financial institutions in London, and that seems to be the problem.<br><br>Recruitment for tech is messed up over here; I'm writing an article about it at the moment. Once your in your in, but it can be damned hard breaking down the doors to get in.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_16:56:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "519796ea0ec0ec0d33c802c233d868fc", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644647": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "So? Lots of industries have hubs or epicenters...just think in terms of airline hubs.<br><br>If you&#8217;re a Film or Screenwriterish type outside of LA (or increasingly Vancover), it&#8217;s hard to get a job in the industry.<br><br>If you&#8217;re a magazineish media-bistro type outside of NYC (or increasingly Miami), it&#8217;s hard to get a job in the industry.<br><br>If you&#8217;re a national Lobbyist type outside of Wash DC, it&#8217;s hard to get a job in the industry.<br><br>If you&#8217;re a national Military contractor type outside of Pentagon City, it&#8217;s hard to get a job in the industry.<br><br>And so on and so forth...don't go Insider Valley Smug Elite...you want the widest possible audiences for thy podcasts...<br><br>Agree on the smoking issue tho...Sac and San Fran so breathe easy...", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_17:47:26", "killed": false, "user_key": "cab1041ab2de14f71e070c15f8ae968e", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644648": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Simon... :)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_17:47:06", "killed": false, "user_key": "519796ea0ec0ec0d33c802c233d868fc", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644649": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Isn't the issue more that in Silicon Valley you have such a concentration of tech companies around which naturally attract the geeks? It's true that you hardly see anybody here with a laptop in a cafe (esp. in my place) but how is it actually outside Silicon Valley (never been to the US yet) or the bigger cities?<br><br>For me it's actually hard to meet geeks in my area esp. in the field of blogging or similar things. So sometimes I have the feeling that I am living in the wrong spot but in the end it still has it advantages ;-) What I actually do for meeting geeks now is to go inside Second Life and they are hanging around there everywhere ;-)<br>(actually London might be a good place for geeky stuff but there I dislike the cameras-everywhere thing ;-)<br><br>I actually doubt that it has anything to do with smoking. I dislike it when people smoke next to me but well, we're used to it (and I even did DJ for years and this is nothing where you really avoid smoking people).<br><br>It's probably also more a general cultural thing that you don't have the maker-feel around and there might also be missing incentives to do a startup and just try things (you know, you might fail...).<br><br>Regarding laptops in cafe's: Somehow (at least in my town) people are very reluctant to install e.g. wifi for various silly reasons.. Chains like Starbucks have it but for a far too high fee (plus I dislike their coffee but that's another story :-)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_17:52:33", "killed": false, "user_key": "0cd40bd12109088062c177dfa9772f7f", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644650": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Yep, from my experience - the Valley:<br><br>1. is full of self important people who think that working in the Valley is a ultimate top of everything. People in their 50s wearing logo t-shirts - sorry, get a life, please.<br><br>2. is even full of people who wouldn't get a job outside of the Valley, in more tight markets. The advantage of the Valley is that almost anybody can get a job (I've worked in SV for 10 years and I've seen it).<br><br>3. is a place where even the most stupidiest ideas can get a funding.<br><br>4. is a place where you can buy 40 years old paper shack box called a house for 800K.<br><br>5. is a place only for the geeks - don't expect any real culture events besides the geek parties. Anyway, why you need any culture events when working 8AM/7PM job (and then sitting with your laptop at Starbucks or talking to other geeks about some technology during weekends)?<br><br>Robert, I crossed US and Europe many times (I'm actually from Europe) and I can tell you - people don't give a shit about SV. They simply don't care. Only geeks from SV think that SV and the SV technology is the most important thing under the sun.<br><br>You are years behind a proper public transportation, mobile technology, car efficient technology (no, not talking about those rich gyus trying to make 100 miles on a gallon in a super light cars, I'm talking about real technologies used in already produced cars), about the solar energy technology for your 300 sunny days per year and so on. The thechnology world is not only about Web 2.0 and other over-hyped technologies.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_13:08:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "acae3d3ed39401f0549c6ead4c3b091a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644651": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "It great you like the non-smoking policy in ireland. If you are ever in Limerick let me show you and your wife the nicest resteraunts and let me introduce you to our geeks. :)<br><br>Oh and I don't smoke. I put up with the smoke but I didn't ever like it.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_12:19:32", "killed": false, "user_key": "e2972d2842bad918eebfa444f9fe6b03", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644652": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Only 20% of geeks smoke?  Really? Where's the data to support this?  Or is this just you pulling some number out of your ass?<br><br>I see this as another opinion based soley on your myopic view of the world.  And, yes I have travelled all over the world, but I would never be so arrogant as to make such sweeping generalizations about people and cultures. And you call yourself liberal?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_12:19:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "c489355ab8af522634fdef64206a3954", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644653": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Robert, smoking is banned anywhere people are employed, not just pubs. The ban is to protect employees from damaging their lungs and health. As a result smoking is banned in all companies. People are free to smoke in public spaces and at home. There are exceptions for hotel rooms if guests want to smoke.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_12:45:55", "killed": false, "user_key": "93b6060cbb32124ae3a382aab2377dd1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644654": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Chicago finally banned smoking in restuarants and public stadiums and concert halls this year.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_09:36:01", "killed": false, "user_key": "b145c79380d49a8c0b8b05ebb1fab234", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644655": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Dmad: actually, in Redmond the number is way way way less than that. Why do I know that? Because at Microsoft we have smoking areas and they are rarely used.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_12:29:27", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644656": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"In my experience this is impossible.\" A lot of restaurants have multiple rooms and can separate smoking and non-smoking.<br><br>\"Yes we can and increasingly we will as demonstrated by Scotland and Ireland and Canada.\" This is called dictatorship of a majority and is a very dangerous thing. If it makes economical sense to have a non-smoking restaurant then owners will immediately convert to non-smoking.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_09:07:35", "killed": false, "user_key": "e05d89f7fa28b8b14f2859392842b7bb", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644657": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "The biggest problem facing the tech industry for europe is investment... most investors over here are risk averse.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_09:26:17", "killed": false, "user_key": "519796ea0ec0ec0d33c802c233d868fc", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644658": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I think the main problem is the culture difference. But I don't see that as being due to a general apathy by European workers to get their work done or come up with some new/leading tech.<br><br>The problem as I see it lies in not having a distinct \"tech city\" which Silicon Valley and Redmond have grown into. At least here in the UK I've yet to hear of a technological hub [I'd love to be corrected if I'm wrong]<br><br>I think some government [governments? pan-euro?] incentives to the big companies to relocate to one new area with the infrastructure to support high tech companies would eventually lead to an emergence of geek culture in those areas.<br><br>Something along the lines of whats being tried out in the UAE - with Dubai's Internet City [I dont know how succesful that will prove to be - I already have a slight dislike for Dubai's culture]", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_09:27:28", "killed": false, "user_key": "a64492e790f89014e1730a8118664bf3", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644659": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "One of the problems I notice in Europe (back when we had offices and employees there) was a general 'lack of drive' amongst some of the employees.  We have it in the US too, but we often noticed there was a lot of peer pressure on our guys over there to 'get out of the office' and do this or that, whereas the peer pressure on our US office was to 'stay in the office and get things done and order some pizzas.'  There was also a culture of jealousy sort of--where the guys who succeeded were sort of ridiculed behind their back (\"Look at him, trying to impress the fat Americans\").<br><br>That's not a universal, just something we picked up.  Our guys in Eastern Europe worked harder than our guys in 'Western' Europe, but our Western European guys were able to come up with more creative solutions when we hit a wall.<br><br>But in the end it was just a big pain so we went back to using mostly Americans.<br><br>No idea if anybody smoked...", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_08:21:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "04e841b03cf536824a37370d64fb4928", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644660": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "It's been banned in Quebec Canada to, as of this May. Since Quebec is a French based culture, you can see why it took so long here.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_09:03:01", "killed": false, "user_key": "9a8f75cf4bfbda303c25b33b7772acee", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644661": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"At least trot out Nokia!\"<br><br>Well, I /could/ trot out Nokia, but I did take the time to notice that the original article was about open source projects :).<br><br>You, meanwhile, trot out \"Google\u2019s advertising network\"... which runs on MySQL ;).<br><br>\"What you just said demonstrates you never have spent any time here and compared it to living in Europe.\"<br><br>You really do 'generalisation and broad assumption' from the top drawer, don't you? I /have/ been there (I've been there /and/ Redmond, in fact ;)), but, no - you're right - I didn't compare it to \"Europe\". I've seen quite a bit of Europe, as well, and from what I've seen it seems to be a pretty big place to try comparing to part of California - albeit a very distinctive part of California.<br><br>In fact, I just don't get where you're trying to go, with this post, at all. Is this actually about the original article, or are you just looking for ways to tell Europeans that they're all stinky smokers, and that's why they suck at IT?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_08:39:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "7499468d15289d50928a21ba53e44612", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644662": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Robert, if smoking would be like the major culprit, you would have more settings on the east coast of the US because that is very far away too - but they are still drawn to Silicon Valley. The weather, the beach helps probably too.<br><br>I would not say I am jeleous about Silicon Valley. It is big enough to talk tech all the time and here in Europe, we don't have like those crystalisation points.<br><br>When Rick asked me about where to go to in Europe / Germany to meet geeks, I had to think really hard. It would be about starting something. From scratch.<br><br>London would be a natural choice for some things, but  let me tell you that those are very UK centric as well - they missed the chance to be leading role in Europe. Which has begun of course, at least with the conferences and we will find meetups more and more (<a href=\"http://upcoming.org\" rel=\"nofollow\">upcoming.org</a> with the two groups will help).<br><br>And in the meantime? Do we spend time following the Valley. :)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_08:16:53", "killed": false, "user_key": "57a14292f76b4221ca85cfdb9937fc1f", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644663": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Nicole: smoking isn't banned on the East Coast in most places. I would never live there. Nice place to visit, but you come home smelling like crap.<br><br>London is pretty nice, the Universities are stunning. If I were a geek that'd probably be where I would hang out.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_08:19:21", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644664": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Daniel: they don't go out of their way. What you just said demonstrates you never have spent any time here and compared it to living in Europe.<br><br>I'm not saying that what MySQL has done isn't important, but come on, what's the biggest thing in business to come along the past few years? Google's advertising network. That didn't get built in Europe.<br><br>How about Apple iPod? That has been kicking ass in the marketplace. Designed in Cupertino. At least that's what it says on the back of mine.<br><br>MySQL? Is that the best you got? At least trot out Nokia! :-)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_08:06:32", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644666": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"US VCs invested in Skype, which was based in Europe. And in Fon, which is based on Europe.\" Initial funding for Skype came from European VCs (Mangrove Capital of Luxembourg) and European VCs contributed substantially in the follow-on round. Tim Draper just was by far the most vocal of the follow-on investors. In the case of Fon you will also notice that there was at least one European VC (Index Ventures, who also invested in Skype at the same time as DFJ) that invested.<br>The big advantages of the Valley is the local business infrastructure (which includes VCs, lawyers, talent pool and proximity to potential US partners/customers)  and the huge (and relatively simple) US market.<br>The big disadvantage are the limited international know-how, the limited local talent pool, high costs and the initial absolute focus on the US market.<br>Now these are of course generalizations, which do not apply for every case.<br>The Valley is also highly dependent on technology development that takes or took place elesewhere and that serves as foundation for new products. Just a couple of examples: The two core people behind the web were an Englishman and a Belgian working at CERN in Switzerland; most of Intels' new processor architectures were developed in Israel; The world's leading mobile network standard (GSM, 2 billion users) was primarily developed in Europe, etc.<br>The Valley cannot survive without the \"outside\" world. Although there is  quite some interdependency and finally the world could exist without the Valley, but it probably wouldn't work the other way around.<br>Respecting smokers and non-smokers alike is the only way to go. Where non-smokers cannot evade the smoke, smoking should not be permitted. In a restaurant it is fairly easy to have non-smoking and smoking sections and where it is not possible the owner of the place should decide if his place is smoking or non-smoking. Everybody is free to chose the place he/she prefers. As smokers cannot expect to smoke everywhere they are, non-smokers cannot expect every place they want to go to be smoke-free. If it turns out that smoke-free places are more profitable than smoking places, then the market will decide.<br>Live and let live.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_08:09:58", "killed": false, "user_key": "e05d89f7fa28b8b14f2859392842b7bb", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644667": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Oh, on other hand, don't trot out Nokia. Their best employee now works at Yahoo in Silicon Valley. Heheheh.<br><br>Even Lenn came back (although he does praise Europe a lot). <a href=\"http://lennpryor.blogs.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://lennpryor.blogs.com/</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_08:10:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644668": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "&gt;In a restaurant it is fairly easy to have non-smoking and smoking sections and where it is not possible the owner of the place should decide if his place is smoking or non-smoking.<br><br>In my experience this is impossible.<br><br>&gt;As smokers cannot expect to smoke everywhere they are, non-smokers cannot expect every place they want to go to be smoke-free.<br><br>Yes we can and increasingly we will as demonstrated by Scotland and Ireland and Canada.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_08:13:29", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644669": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I look forward to your visit to Scotland. I'd be happy to arrange some visits for you to distilleries, etc.  For the avoidance of doubt I personally don't make great whisky ;-)<br><br>Incidentally, there's an official website about the smoking legislation in Scotland - <a href=\"http://www.clearingtheairscotland.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.clearingtheairscotland.com/</a><br><br>It's too soon to say but given the weather in Scotland in the winter I expect a huge upturn in productivity since no-one will want to stand outside their office buildings in order to smoke!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_07:45:32", "killed": false, "user_key": "3233a87e2007df97868ab1123f3e6a36", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644670": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Ross: I've been very specific about where I was and you can look at my pictures from parties, or talk to Maryam, or talk to friends. If telling people about what I think is arrogant, than so be it. Europe's smoking stinks.<br><br>Please do let me know where smoking is banned. I'll spend more time on my next Europe trip there. For instance, I'd definitely come and spend my money in Ireland. Had a great time there and had a wonderful meal without smelling smoke.<br><br>But out of the approximately 30 days I've spent in Europe over the past two years that's the only place I can say that about. London? Smoky. Brussels? Smoky. Paris? Smoky. Geneva? Smoky. Wales? Smoky. Copenhagen? Smoky.<br><br>I don't know about the rest of the continent, but my mom's sister says Germany still has smoke in restaurants (she lives in the southern part by Switzerland).<br><br>Maybe you need to come and spend a month with me near San Francisco to understand why I'm so \"arrogant\" about such issues? Seems your journalists and leaders are worried about losing business to Silicon Valley.<br><br>And, don't take my own words for it. When I got tech leaders apart from the crowds in Europe and talked they complained about smoking too and were looking forward to the coming bans. Maybe you should talk to your own non-smoking citizens.<br><br>My mom's sister, who lives in Germany, wishes they'd ban all smoking everywhere. So I'm not alone.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_07:25:32", "killed": false, "user_key": "456636993483a10e9b50ffe17733de4a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9644671": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Smoking is being banned in all public places in the UK. I remember consulting in an office in Germany and people smoking at their PCs - I'm glad I was only there for a day!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-06_07:29:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "48483e88390432b00685560290ada7d5", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}}, "integration": {"receiver_url": "", "theme": 4, "reply_position": true, "disqus_logo": false}, "timer": {"timer_url": "http://localhost:8005", "thread_id": "18454083", "user_id": "anonymous", "forum_id": "125200", "hash": 2482103679540334556}, "thread": {"total_posts": 0, "paginate": false, "per_page": 0, "slug": "the_challenge_for_europe_keeping_tech_there_instead_of_the_valley", "num_pages": 1, "days_alive": 0, "realtime_paused": true, "id": 18454083, "num_posts": 81, "closed": true, "queued": false, "killed": false}, "reactions_limit": 10, "context": {"show_reply": false, "use_fb_connect": true, "forum_facebook_key": "faaf467d0f47abde553c3b8e0e1b3570", "use_yahoo": false, "subscribed": false, "use_twitter_signin": true, "use_openid": false, "realtime_speed": 5000}, "reactions_start": 0, "settings": {"debug": false, "disqus_url": "http://disqus.com", "media_url": "http://media.disqus.com"}, "media_url": "http://media.disqus.com"};
	/* */ this.jsonData.cookie_messages = {"user_created": null, "post_has_profile": null, "post_twitter": null, "post_not_approved": null}; this.jsonData.session = {"url": null, "name": null, "email": null}; /* */

	
	this.curPageId = 'dsq-comments';

	this.frames = {};
};

var disqus_popup_reference = null;

if(typeof DsqLocal == 'undefined') {
	DsqLocal = {};
}



/**
 * Dsq.Strings: UI strings
 */
Dsq.Strings = new function() {
	this.ADD_NEW_COMMENT = "Add New Comment";
	this.LOG_INTO_DISQUS = "Log into DISQUS";
	this.USE_MEDIA = "Use Media";
	this.LOGOUT = "Logout";
	this.SHARING_OPTIONS = "Sharing options";
	this.SHARE_ON = "Share on";
	this.TWEET_THIS_COMMENT = "Tweet this comment";
	this.SHARE_ON_NEWSFEED = "Share on news feed";
	this.SEND_UPDATE_TO_YAHOO = "Send update to Yahoo!";
	this.REBLOG_ON = "Reblog on";
	this.CONFIGURE_OPTIONS = "Configure options";
	this.POST_AS = "Post as";
	this.SORT_BY = "Sort by";
	this.SUBSCRIBE_BY_EMAIL = "Subscribe by email";
	this.SUBSCRIBE_BY_RSS = "Subscribe by RSS";
	this.POPULAR_NOW = "Popular now";
	this.BEST_RATING = "Best Rating";
	this.NEWEST_FIRST = "Newest first";
	this.OLDEST_FIRST = "Oldest first";
	this.HIGHLIGHTED = "Highlighted";
	this.UNSUBSCRIBE = "Unsubscribe";
	this.REQUIRED = "Required";
	this.OPTIONAL = "Optional";
	this.YOU_ARE_COMMENTING_AS_A = "You are commenting as a";
	this.LOGIN_BELOW = "Login below";
	this.PLEASE_LOGIN_BELOW_TO_COMMENT = "Please login below to comment.";
	this.SUBSCRIBE_TO_ALL_COMMENTS_BY_EMAIL = "Subscribe to all comments by email";
	this.DO_NOT_SUBSCRIBE_TO_COMMENTS = "Do not subscribe to comments";
	this.REALTIME_UPDATING_IS = "Real-time updating is";
	this.ENABLED = "enabled";
	this.PAUSED = "paused";
	this.PAUSE = "Pause";
	this.RESUME = "Resume";
	this.SHOW = "Show";
	this.JUST_NOW = "Just now";
	this.REPLY = "Reply";
	this.EDIT = "Edit";
	this.FLAG = "Flag";
	this.MODERATE = "Moderate";
	this.CANCEL = "Cancel";
	this.REPLYING_TO = "Replying to";
	this.REPORT_MISSING_REACTIONS = "Report missing reactions";
	this.POST_A_COMMENT = "Post a comment";
	this.FLAG_INAPPROPRIATE_COMMENT = "Flag inappropriate comment";
	this.FLAGGED = "Flagged";
	this.NO = "No";
	this.YES = "Yes";
	this.NEVER_MIND = "Never mind";
	this.ARE_YOU_SURE_YOU_WOULD_LIKE_TO_REPORT_THIS_COMMENT_TO_A_MODERATOR = "Are you sure you would like to report this comment to a moderator";
	this.THIS_WILL_FLAG_COMMENTS_FOR_MODERATORS_TO_TAKE_ACTION = "This will flag comments for moderators to take action";
	this.TO_RATE_PLEASE_LOG_IN = "To rate, please log in";
	this.JUST_A_MOMENT = "Just a moment...";
	this.GUEST = "Guest";
	this.NAME = "Name";
	this.EMAIL = "Email";
  this.WEBSITE = "Website";
  this.SETTINGS = "Settings";
  this.MODERATOR_OPTIONS = "Moderator options: ";
  this.MODERATE_OPTIONS = "Moderate Options";

  // Thread moderator actions
  this.CLOSE_THREAD = "Close thread";
  this.OPEN_THREAD = "Open thread";
  this.REMOVE_THREAD = "Remove thread";
  this.RESTORE_THREAD = "Restore thread";
  this.ACTIONS = "Actions";
};
// Dsq.Strings

/**
 * Dsq.FmtStrings: functions that return interpolated UI strings
 */
Dsq.FmtStrings = new function() {
	// Seems we have to use named interpolation for Django to translate. Investigate more.
	this.LOGGED_IN_AS = function(username) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate('Logged in as %(username)s', {username:username});
	};

	this.LOGOUT_FROM = function(disqus) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate('Logout from %(disqus)s', {disqus:disqus});
	};

	this.SHOWING_COMMENTS_FULL = function(total, num) {
		if (num === 1) {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> of <span id='dsq-total-posts'>%(total)s</span> comment", {num:num, total:total});
		} else {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> of <span id='dsq-total-posts'>%(total)s</span> comments", {num:num, total:total});
		}
	};

	this.SHOWING_COMMENTS_WITHOUT_PAGINATION = function(num) {
		if (num === 1) {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> comment", {num:num});
		} else {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> comments", {num:num});
		}
	};

	this.NUMBER_OF_COMMENTS = function(num) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
			(num == 1
				? '%(num)s comment'
				: '%(num)s comments'
			), {num:num});
	};

	this.NUMBER_OF_LIKES = function(num) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
			(num == 1
				? '%(num)s like'
				: '%(num)s likes'
			), {num:num});
	};

	this.NUMBER_OF_POINTS = function(num) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
			(num == 1
				? '%(num)s point'
				: '%(num)s points'
			), {num:num});
	};
};
// Dsq.FmtStrings





Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN = 'a2d140c59df8cd4ce27a20e0829cacd8';
Dsq.COMMENTS_RE = /(<li.*?id="?dsq-comment-(\d+)"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*?)(<\/li>)/gim;
Dsq.POST_RE = /(<div.*?id="?dsq-comment-header-(\d+)"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*?)(<\/div>)\s*(<div.*?class="?dsq-comment-body"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*)(<\/div>)/gim;
Dsq.POST_BODY_RE = /\s*(<div.*?id="?dsq-comment-message-(\d+)"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*)(<\/div>)/gim;
// HACK: Safari ends with "-->" while other browsers end with "--&gt;" as expected.
Dsq.MEDIA_POST_RE = /&lt;!--\[(.*?)\]--(?:>|&gt;)/gim;



var FragmentPacket = function(reader, writer, writer_url, is_child, receiveCallback) {
	var that = this;
	this.reader = reader;
	this.writer = writer;
	this.writer_url = writer_url;

	this.is_child = is_child || false;
	this.receiveCallback = receiveCallback;

	this._lastHash = null;

	this._accumMsg = '';

	this._lastSeqno = 0;

	this.MAX_DATA_LEN	= 1024;

	this.WAIT_TIME		= 10;

	this.READY		= 0x1;
	this.WRITING	= 0x2;
	this.FIN		= 0x4;
	this.ACK		= 0x8;

};

FragmentPacket.prototype.createListener = function() {
	var that = this;
	var listener = function() {
		that.recv();
	};
	return window.setInterval(listener, 10);
};

FragmentPacket.prototype.log = function(msg) {



};

FragmentPacket.prototype.recv = function() {
	var hash;
	if (/MSIE/.test(navigator.userAgent)) {

		hash = this.reader.name;
	} else {

		var hashIndex = this.reader.location.href.indexOf('#');
		if (hashIndex == -1) {
			return;
		}
		hash = this.reader.location.href.substring(hashIndex+1);
	}
	var flags = parseInt(hash.substring(0, 4), 10);
	var seqno = parseInt(hash.substring(4, 24), 10);
	var data  = hash.substring(24);

	if (this._lastHash !== hash) {
		this._lastHash = hash;
		this.log('recv: ' + hash);

		this.log(' flags: ' + flags);
		this.log(' seqno: ' + seqno + ' len: ' + hash.substring(4, 24).length + ' (' + hash.substring(4, 24) + ')');
		this.log(' data: ' + data + ' len: ' + data.length);

		this._lastSeqno = seqno;

		if (flags & this.WRITING) {
			this._accumMsg += data;
			this.sendFlag(this.ACK, seqno);
			if (flags & this.FIN) {
				this.log('recv finished: ' + decodeURIComponent(this._accumMsg));
				this.receiveCallback(decodeURIComponent(this._accumMsg));

				this._accumMsg = '';

				this.sendFlag(this.READY | this.ACK, this._lastSeqno);
			}
		}
	}

	return {
		flags: flags,
		seqno: seqno,
		data: data
	};
};

FragmentPacket.prototype.sendRawPacket = function(packet) {
	if (/MSIE/.test(navigator.userAgent)) {
		this.writer.name = packet;
	} else {

		this.writer.location.href = this.writer_url + '#' + packet;
	}

};

FragmentPacket.prototype.sendFlag = function(flag, seqno) {
	this.sendRawPacket(this._zerofill(flag, 4) + this._zerofill(seqno, 20));
};

FragmentPacket.prototype.send = function(msg) {
	this._send(0, encodeURIComponent(msg));
};

FragmentPacket.prototype._send = function(packetNum, msg) {
	var that = this;
	var recvBuf = this.recv();

	if (packetNum === 0) {

		if (!(recvBuf.flags & this.READY)) {
			this.log('client is not ready, waiting...');
			window.setTimeout(function() { that._send(packetNum, msg); }, this.WAIT_TIME);
			return;
		}
	} else {

		if (!( (recvBuf.flags & this.ACK) && (recvBuf.seqno === this._lastSeqno) )) {
			this.log('waiting for ack from client...');
			window.setTimeout(function() { that._send(packetNum, msg); }, this.WAIT_TIME);
			return;
		} else {
			this.log('received ack: ' + this._lastSeqno + ' ' + recvBuf.seqno);
		}
	}

	var flags = this.WRITING;
	var num_packets = Math.ceil(msg.length / this.MAX_DATA_LEN);
	this.log('num_packets: ' + num_packets);

	if (num_packets === packetNum) {

		this.log('message successfully sent!');
		this.sendFlag(this.READY | this.ACK, this._lastSeqno);
		return true;
	}

	this._lastSeqno++;

	if (packetNum == num_packets-1) {
		flags |= this.FIN;
	}

	var data = msg.substring(packetNum * this.MAX_DATA_LEN, (packetNum+1) * this.MAX_DATA_LEN);
	var packet = this._zerofill(flags, 4) + this._zerofill(this._lastSeqno, 20) + data;

	this.log('sending raw packet: ' + packet);
	this.sendRawPacket(packet);

	return this._send(packetNum + 1, msg);
};

FragmentPacket.prototype._zerofill = function(num, width) {
	var retval = num.toString();
	var retval_len = retval.length;
	for (var i = 0; i < width - retval_len; i++) {
		retval = '0' + retval;
	}
	return retval;
};

var PostMessagePacket = function(receiver, receiveCallback, id, receiverId) {
	var that = this;
	this.receiver = receiver;
	this.receiveCallback = receiveCallback;
	this.id = id;


	this.receiverId = receiverId;
};

PostMessagePacket.prototype.createListener = function() {
	var that = this;

	var listener = function(e) {

		if (!that.id) {
			that.id = e.data;
			return;
		}


		var id = e.data.split(';')[0];
		if (id !== that.id) {
			return;
		}
		var data = e.data.substring(e.data.indexOf(';') + 1);

		that.receiveCallback(data);
	};

	if (typeof window.attachEvent == 'function') {
		window.attachEvent('onmessage', listener);
	} else if (typeof window.addEventListener == 'function') {
		window.addEventListener('message', listener, false);
	} else {
		throw new Error('No method found to create event listener for PostMessagePacket.');
	}
};

PostMessagePacket.prototype.send = function(msg) {



	var needs_reget = false;
	try {
		if (typeof this.receiver.id == 'undefined' || typeof this.receiver.postMessage == 'undefined') {
			needs_reget = true;
		}
	} catch(e) {


	}
	if (needs_reget && typeof this.receiverId != 'undefined') {
		this.receiver = document.getElementById(this.receiverId).contentWindow;
	}

	var packet;
	if (!msg) {

		packet = this.id;
	} else {
		packet = this.id + ';' + msg;
	}
	this.receiver.postMessage(packet, '*');
};

PostMessagePacket._last_unique_id = null;
PostMessagePacket._get_unique_id = function() {
	var id = (new Date()).getTime();
	if (id == PostMessagePacket._last_unique_id) {
		id++;
	}
	PostMessagePacket._last_unique_id = id;
	return id.toString();
};

var JsonRpc = function() {

	this.ids = {};

	this.objectToJSON = function(obj) {
		var json = '';
		var results = [];

		if (obj === undefined || obj === null) {
			return 'null';
		}

		switch (obj.constructor) {
			case Object:
				for (var property in obj) {
					if (obj.hasOwnProperty(property)) {
						results.push(this.objectToJSON(property) + ': ' + this.objectToJSON(obj[property]));
					}
				}
				json = '{' + results.join(', ') + '}';
				break;
			case Array:
				for (var i = 0; i < obj.length; i++) {
					results.push(this.objectToJSON(obj[i]));
				}
				json = '[' + results.join(', ') + ']';
				break;
			case Number:
			case Boolean:
				json = obj.toString();
				break;
			case String:

				var specialChars = {'\b': '\\b', '\t': '\\t', '\n': '\\n', '\f': '\\f', '\r': '\\r', '\\': '\\\\'};

				json = obj.replace(/[\x00-\x1f\\]/g, function(match) {
					var ch = specialChars[match];
					return ch ? ch : '\\u00' + match.charCodeAt().toPaddedString(2, 16);
				});

				json = '"' + json.replace(/"/g, '\\"') + '"';
				break;
			default:

				json = 'null';
				break;
		}

		return json;
	};

	this.createHandler = function(send_func, registered_funcs) {
		var that = this;
		var handler = function(message) {

			try {
				var rpc = eval('(' + message + ')');
			} catch(e) {
				alert('bad JSON: ' + message);
				return;
			}
			if (rpc.method) {

				if (!registered_funcs[rpc.method]) {
					return;
				}

				var retval = registered_funcs[rpc.method].apply(null, rpc.params);
				if (rpc.id) {
					var response = {
						result: retval,
						error: null,	// TODO
						id: rpc.id
					};
					send_func(that.objectToJSON(response));
				}
			} else if(rpc.result) {

				if (!that.ids[rpc.id]) {
					return;
				}

				that.ids[rpc.id](rpc.result);
				delete that.ids[rpc.id];
			}
		};
		return handler;
	};

	this.execute = function(send_func, method, params, response_callback) {
		response_callback = response_callback || null;
		var id = (response_callback) ? (new Date()).getTime() : null;

		var request = {
			method: method,
			params: params,
			id: id
		};

		send_func(this.objectToJSON(request));

		if (id) {
			this.ids[id] = response_callback;
		}
	};
};
JsonRpc = new JsonRpc();

var ParentMessenger = function(childUrl, receiverUrl, container, receiveCallback) {


	if (navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Safari') >= 0 && parseInt(navigator.userAgent.substring(navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Version/') + 8), 10) == 3) {
		throw new Error("unsupported.");
	} else if (window.opera) {
		throw new Error("unsupported.");
	}



	if (!receiverUrl &&
		navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Gecko') >= 0 &&
		parseFloat(navigator.userAgent.slice(navigator.userAgent.indexOf('rv:') + 3, navigator.userAgent.indexOf('rv:') + 6)) < 1.9) {
		throw new Error("unsupported.");
	}


	if (/msie/i.test(navigator.userAgent) && !/opera/i.test(navigator.userAgent)) {


		if (document.domain == window.location.hostname) {
			receiverUrl = '';
		}
	}

	var that = this;
	this.childUrl = childUrl;
	this.receiverUrl = receiverUrl;
	this.container = container || document.body;

	this.packetHandler = null;


	this._ready = false;
	this._error = false;


	var _createReceiverForFragmentPacket = function() {

		that.receiver = document.createElement('iframe');
		that.receiver.src = receiverUrl;
		that.receiver.id = 'receiver_' + (new Date()).getTime();
		that.receiver.name = that.receiver.id;

		that.receiver.frameBorder = '0';
		that.receiver.frameSpacing = '0';
		that.receiver.style.borderStyle = 'none';

		var receiver_onload = function() {
			var receiver = document.getElementById(that.receiver.id).contentWindow;

			try {
				receiver.document.body.innerHTML = '';
			} catch(e) {

				that._error = true;
			}
			receiver.document.body.style.padding = '0px';
			receiver.document.body.style.margin = '0px';

			var child = receiver.document.createElement('iframe');
			child.id = 'child';
			child.name = 'child';
			child.src = that.childUrl;

			child.frameBorder = '0';
			child.frameSpacing = '0';
			child.style.borderStyle = 'none';
			child.style.width = '100%';
			child.style.height = '100%';
			receiver.document.body.appendChild(child);

			that.child = receiver.document.getElementById('child').contentWindow;
			that.receiver = receiver;

			that.packetHandler = new FragmentPacket(that.receiver, that.child, that.childUrl, false, receiveCallback);

			that._listener = that.packetHandler.createListener();

			that.packetHandler.sendFlag(that.packetHandler.READY, 0);

			that._ready = true;
		};

		that.receiver.onreadystatechange = function() {
			if (this.readyState == 'complete') {
				receiver_onload();
			}
		};

		that.receiver.onload = receiver_onload;







		if (Dsq.Utils.ie) {
			if (that.container.clientWidth === 0) {

				var _waitForWidth = function() {
					if (that.container.clientWidth > 0) {
						Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(that.container.id);
					} else {
						window.setTimeout(_waitForWidth, 100);
					}
				};
				_waitForWidth();

				that._once = false;
				that.receiver.onresize = function() {
					if (!that._once) {
						Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(that.container.id);
					}
					that._once = true;
				};
			}
		}

		that.container.appendChild(that.receiver);
	};


	var _createReceiverForPostMessage = function() {

		var receiver_onload = function() {

			that.packetHandler.send();
			that._ready = true;
		};

		var id = PostMessagePacket._get_unique_id();
		var receiverId = 'child_' + id;


		ParentMessenger['_receiver_onload_' + receiverId] = receiver_onload;

		that.container.innerHTML += '<iframe ' +
			'src="' + childUrl + '" ' +
			'id="' + receiverId + '" ' +
			'name="' + receiverId + '" ' +
			'onload="ParentMessenger._receiver_onload_' + receiverId +'();" ' +
			'></iframe>';

		that.receiver = document.getElementById(receiverId).contentWindow;
		that.packetHandler = new PostMessagePacket(that.receiver, receiveCallback, id, receiverId);
		that._listener = that.packetHandler.createListener();
	};

	if (typeof window.postMessage == 'function') {
		_createReceiverForPostMessage();
	} else {
		_createReceiverForFragmentPacket();
	}

};

ParentMessenger.prototype.sendMessage = function(message) {
	var that = this;
	if (!this._ready) {

		window.setTimeout(function() { that.sendMessage(message); }, 10);
		return;
	}
	this.packetHandler.send(message);
	return true;
};

Dsq.NewFrames = function(url) {
	this.url = url;
};

Dsq.NewFrames.prototype.init = function(onFailure) {
	var that = this;

	try {
		this.messenger = new ParentMessenger(this.url, Dsq.jsonData.integration.receiver_url, this.container, this.receive_callback);
	} catch(e) {
		if (typeof onFailure == 'function') {
			onFailure();
		}
	}

	if (typeof onFailure == 'function') {
		var iId = window.setInterval(function() {
			if (typeof that.messenger == 'undefined') {
				window.clearInterval(iId);
				return;
			}
			if (that.messenger._ready) {
				window.clearInterval(iId);
			} else if (that.messenger._error) {
				window.clearInterval(iId);
				onFailure();
			}
		}, 10);
	}
};

Dsq.NewFrames.prototype._execute = function(method, args, callback) {
	var that = this;
	if (typeof that.messenger == 'undefined') {
		return false;
	}
	JsonRpc.execute(
		function(msg) { that.messenger.sendMessage(msg); },
		method,
		args || [],
		callback);
	return true;
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame = function(container, parent_post_id) {
	var that = this;
	this.container = container;
	this.parent_post_id = parent_post_id;

	var sendFunc = function(msg) {

		Dsq.Debug.log('Dsq.ReplyFrame.sendFunc');
		that.messenger.sendMessage(msg);
	};


	var postComment_onSuccess = function(response) {
		Dsq.jsonData.posts[response.message.id] = response.message.post_meta;
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.users[response.message.post_meta.user_key]) {
			Dsq.jsonData.users[response.message.post_meta.user_key] = response.message.user_meta;
		}


		var reply_position = (typeof(disqus_insert_wrt_sort) == 'undefined' 
			? (Dsq.jsonData.forum.reply_position ? -1 : null) 
			: (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 2 ? null : -1));
		
		if (response.message.post_meta.approved) {
			Dsq.Post.insert(response.message.post_meta.parent_post_id || reply_position, response.message.id, response.message.post_meta.message);
		}

		Dsq.Templates.postComment_onSuccess(response, parent_post_id, response.message.id);
	};

	var postComment_onFailure = function(response) {
		Dsq.Popup.popModal(response.message, 'Error');
		Dsq.Templates.postComment_onFailure(response, parent_post_id, response.message.id);
	};

	var editComment_onSuccess = function(response) {
		var post_id = parent_post_id;
		var message = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + post_id);
		
		message.innerHTML = response.message;
		Dsq.Templates.toggleEdit(post_id);
		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};
	
	var editComment_onFailure = function(response) {
		var post_id = parent_post_id;
		
		Dsq.Popup.popModal('Sorry, there was an error editing this comment.', 'Edit Error');
		Dsq.Templates.toggleEdit(post_id);
		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};

	var getUserByEmail_onSuccess = function(response) {
		var msg = response.message;
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(parent_post_id);

		if (msg.username) {

			Dsq.Templates.lightboxAuthenticate(parent_post_id, 'login', {
				'username': msg.username,
				'display_name': msg.display_name,
				'avatar_url': msg.avatar_url,
				'verified': msg.verified,
				'email': fields.email.value
			});
		} else {

			Dsq.Templates.lightboxAuthenticate(parent_post_id, 'register');
		}
	};

	var validateAuth_onSuccess = function(response, auth_choice) {
		Dsq.Templates.postComment(parent_post_id, null, true, auth_choice);
	};

	var validateAuth_onFailure = function(response, auth_choice) {
		var pid = parent_post_id ? '-' + parent_post_id : '';
		var msg = response.message;

		if (auth_choice == 'register') {
			var fields = ['email', 'username', 'password'];

			for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; i++) {
				var field = fields[i];
				var errorDiv = Dsq.$('dsq-' + field + '-errors' + pid);

				if (msg[field]) {
					errorDiv.innerHTML = msg[field];
				} else {
					errorDiv.innerHTML = '';
				}
			}
		} else if (auth_choice == 'login') {
			Dsq.$('dsq-lightbox-errors' + pid).innerHTML = '<p>We couldn\'t log you in. Please verify your login.</p>';
		}
		
		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};

	this.receive_callback = JsonRpc.createHandler(sendFunc, {
		'postComment.onSuccess': postComment_onSuccess,
		'postComment.onFailure': postComment_onFailure,
		'editComment.onSuccess': editComment_onSuccess,
		'editComment.onFailure': editComment_onFailure,		
		'getUserByEmail.onSuccess': getUserByEmail_onSuccess,
		'validateAuth.onSuccess': validateAuth_onSuccess,
		'validateAuth.onFailure': validateAuth_onFailure,
		'reload': function() { window.location.reload(); }
	});

	this.url = Dsq.Urls.REPLY +
		'?' + (new Date()).getTime() +
		'&f=scobleizer' +
		'&t=the_challenge_for_europe_keeping_tech_there_instead_of_the_valley' +
		'&ff=' + Dsq.Thread.ff +
		'&default_text=' + encodeURIComponent(disqus_default_text) +
		'&ifrs=' + encodeURIComponent(disqus_iframe_css);
	if (this.parent_post_id) {
		this.url += '&parent_post=' + this.parent_post_id;
	}
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype = new Dsq.NewFrames(Dsq.ReplyFrame.url);

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.post = function(author_name, author_email, author_url, authenticate, sharing_services, subscribe) {
	this._execute('postComment', [author_name, author_email, author_url, authenticate, sharing_services, subscribe]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.edit = function(post_id, message) {
	this._execute('editComment', [post_id, message]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.setState = function(parent_post_id, depth) {
	this._execute('setState', [parent_post_id, depth]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.getUserByEmail = function(email) {
	this._execute('getUserByEmail', [email]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.validateAuth = function(auth_choice, email, username, password) {
	this._execute('validateAuth', [auth_choice, email, username, password]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.authenticateFacebook = function(session, forum_url) {
	this._execute('authenticateFacebook', [session, forum_url]);
};

	Dsq.Facebook = function() {
	var that = this;

	var handleSessionData = function(session) {

		var forum_url = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;




		if (typeof disqus_facebook_forum != 'undefined') {
			forum_url = disqus_facebook_forum;
		}
		Dsq.frames.reply_0.authenticateFacebook(session, forum_url);
	};

	var onLogin = function() {
		FB.Connect.getSignedPublicSessionData(handleSessionData);
	};

	this.login = function() {
		FB.Connect.requireSession(onLogin, true);
	};
};
Dsq.Facebook = new Dsq.Facebook();


	






Dsq.Themes = {};

Dsq.Themes.narcissus = new function() {
	this.addPostContainer = 'dsq-form-area';
	this.textareaContainer = 'dsq-textarea-wrapper';



	
	this.header = function() {
		var comments_count, total_posts, num_posts;
		var html = '';
		var missing_perm_tmpl;

		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.missing_perm) {
			missing_perm_tmpl = Dsq.Templates.missingPermissions();
			if (missing_perm_tmpl) {
				html += '<div class="dsq-missing-permissions">' + missing_perm_tmpl + '</div>';
			}
		}

		total_posts = Dsq.jsonData.thread.total_posts;
		num_posts = Dsq.jsonData.thread.num_posts;

		if (total_posts) {
			comments_count = Dsq.FmtStrings.SHOWING_COMMENTS_FULL(total_posts, num_posts);
		} else {
			comments_count = Dsq.FmtStrings.SHOWING_COMMENTS_WITHOUT_PAGINATION(num_posts);
		}

		html += ' \
		<div id="dsq-comments-title"> \
			<h3>' + comments_count + '</h3> \
		</div> \
		';

		html += ' \
		<div class="dsq-options"> \
			<span class="dsq-item-sort">'
				+ Dsq.Strings.SORT_BY + ' \
				<select id="dsq-sort-select" onchange="Dsq.Thread.sortBy(this.value);"> \
					<option value="hot" ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 4 ? 'selected="selected"' : '') + '>' + Dsq.Strings.POPULAR_NOW + '</option> \
					<option value="best" ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 3 ? 'selected="selected"' : '') + '>' + Dsq.Strings.BEST_RATING + '</option> \
					<option value="newest" ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 2 ? 'selected="selected"' : '') + '>' + Dsq.Strings.NEWEST_FIRST + '</option> \
					<option value="oldest" ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 1 ? 'selected="selected"' : '') + '>' + Dsq.Strings.OLDEST_FIRST + '</option> \
				</select> \
				&nbsp; \
			</span> \
			<span class="dsq-subscribe-email"> \
				<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/email.png" style="width:12px;height:12px;vertical-align:middle"> \
				<span id="dsq-subscribe">'
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.subscribed
						? '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(0); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.UNSUBSCRIBE + '</a>'
						: '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.SUBSCRIBE_BY_EMAIL + '</a>')
				+ '</span> \
			</span> \
			<span class="dsq-subscribe-rss" style="width:12px;height:12px;vertical-align:middle"> \
				<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/bullet-feed.png" alt="" /> \
				<a href="http://scobleizer.disqus.com/the_challenge_for_europe_keeping_tech_there_instead_of_the_valley/latest.rss">' + Dsq.Strings.SUBSCRIBE_BY_RSS + '</a> \
			</span> \
		</div> \
		';

		
		

		return html;

	};
	
	this.footer = function() {
		var html = '';

		html += Dsq.Templates.pagination();

		
		
			html += Dsq.Templates.realtime();
			html += Dsq.Templates.showThreadSettings();
			html += Dsq.Templates.postBox();

		html += Dsq.Templates.reactions();

		
			html += Dsq.Templates.trackbacks();
		


		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator) {
 			html += ' \
				<div class="dsq-global-moderator-extras">'
					+ '<strong>shortname:</strong> ' + Dsq.jsonData.forum.url
					+ '<strong>thread id:</strong> ' + Dsq.jsonData.thread.id
					+ '<strong>thread slug:</strong> ' + Dsq.jsonData.thread.slug
				+ '</div> \
			';
		}

		return html;
	};
	
	this.realtime = function() {
		var html = '';
		
		if (Dsq.jsonData.realtime_enabled) {
			html += '<div id="dsq-realtime-options" class="dsq-options">'
					 + Dsq.Strings.REALTIME_UPDATING_IS + ' <strong id="dsq-realtime-status" style="text-transform: lowercase">' + Dsq.Strings.ENABLED + '</strong>. \
					 <a href="#" id="dsq-realtime-toggle" style="text-transform: capitalize"></a> \
					</div>';
		}

		if (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.streaming_realtime) {
			html += ' \
				<div style="display: none" id="dsq-realtime-alert" class="dsq-realtime-alert"><span id="dsq-realtime-queued"></span> <a href="#" id="dsq-realtime-show"></a></div> \
			';
		}
		
		return html;
	};

	this.showThreadSettings = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator) {
			return '';
		}

		html = '<div id="dsq-thread-settings" class="dsq-thread-settings">' + Dsq.Strings.MODERATOR_OPTIONS;
		html += '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.showSettings(); return false;">' + Dsq.Strings.SETTINGS + '</a>';
		html += '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.showModeratorActions(); return false;">' + Dsq.Strings.MODERATE + '</a>';
		if (Dsq.jsonData.forum.reactions_enabled && Dsq.jsonData.reactions.length === 0) {
			html += '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Reaction.reportMissingReactions(); return false;">'
						+ Dsq.Strings.REPORT_MISSING_REACTIONS
						+ '</a>';
		}
		html +='</div>';

		return html;
	};

	this.postBox = function(post_id, use_fallback_iframe) {


		var html;
		var display_sharing_options = Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated;

		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated && Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled && !Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post) {
			return '';
		}
		
		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote) {


			if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.hasOwnProperty(Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain)) {
				display_sharing_options = false;
			}
		}
		
		if (post_id) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
			var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];				
		}
		
		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';

		var _requestUserInfo = function() {
			var html;



			var user_has_email = false;

			html = '<div class="dsq-request-user-info"> <!-- // If authenticated --> \
				<a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT + '?ctkn=' + Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN + '" class="dsq-request-user-logout">' + Dsq.Strings.LOGOUT + '</a> \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td rowspan="2">'
							+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? '<a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE + '">' : '')
								+ '<img src="' + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_AVATAR + '" width="48" height="48" class="dsq-request-user-avatar">'
							+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? '</a>' : '')
						+ '</td> \
						<td class="dsq-request-user-name">'
								+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
									 ? '<span class="dsq-badge-small dsq-badge-' + Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain + '">' + Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain + '</span>'
									 : (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_verified
											? '<span class="dsq-badge-small dsq-badge-verified">Verified</span>'
											: '<span class="dsq-badge-small dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span>'))
							+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? ' <a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE + '">' : '') 
								+ Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username 
							+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? '</a>' : '')
							+  (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote && user_has_email ? ' <small>(<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.remoteAccountSettings(); return false;">change settings</a>)</small>' : '')
							+  (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote && !Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? ' <small>(<a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/profile/info/" target="_blank">change name</a> or <a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/profile/avatar/" target="_blank">picture</a>)</small>' : '')
						+ '</td> \
					</tr> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-request-user-stats"> \
							<span><big>' + Dsq.jsonData.request.comments_count + '</big> ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.comments_count == 1 ? 'comment' : 'comments') + '</span> \
							<span><big>' + Dsq.jsonData.request.likes_count + '</big> ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.likes_count == 1 ? 'like' : 'likes') + '</span> \
							<span><big>' + Dsq.jsonData.request.points + '</big> ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.points == 1 ? 'point' : 'points') + '</span> \
						</td> \
					</tr> \
				</table> \
			</div> \
			';
			return html;
		};

		var _loginOptions = function() {
			var html;
			html = ' \
			<div class="dsq-authenticate"> \
				<p class="dsq-autheneticate-copy">'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
					? Dsq.Strings.YOU_ARE_COMMENTING_AS_A + ' <a class="dsq-help" title="Click for more information" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges(); return false">Guest</a>. ' + Dsq.Strings.OPTIONAL + ': ' + Dsq.Strings.LOGIN_BELOW + '.'
					: Dsq.Strings.REQUIRED + ': ' + Dsq.Strings.PLEASE_LOGIN_BELOW_TO_COMMENT + '.')
				+ '</p> \
				<ul class="dsq-login-buttons">'
					+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.login(); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-disqus.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Facebook.login(); return false;"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-facebook.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_twitter_signin ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Twitter.startTwitterConnect(); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-twitter.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_openid ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.OpenID.requestURL(); return false" ><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-openid.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_yahoo ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Yahoo.startYahooConnect(); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-yahoo.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
				+ '</ul> \
			</div> \
			';
			return html;
		};

		if (!Dsq.jsonData.context.show_reply) {


			if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {



				return '<div id="dsq-form-area" style="display:none"><div id="dsq-textarea-wrapper"></div></div>' + _loginOptions();
			} else {
				return '';
			}
		}

		html = ' \
		<div id="' + (post_id 
			? 'dsq-reply-post-' + post_id
			: 'dsq-new-post')
		 	+ '" class="dsq-post-area"> \
			<div class="dsq-dc-logo"> \
				<a href="http://disqus.com/comments" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/disqus-logo.png"></a> \
			</div>'
			+ (post_id 
				? '<h3>' + Dsq.Strings.REPLYING_TO + ' ' + userData.display_name + '</h3>'
				: '<h3>' + Dsq.Strings.ADD_NEW_COMMENT + '</h3>')
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated 
				? _requestUserInfo()
				: _loginOptions() )
			+ '<div id="dsq-form-area' + pid + '">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-textarea"> \
				<div class="dsq-textarea-wrapper" id="dsq-textarea-wrapper' + pid + '"></div> \
			</div>'
			+ (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated
			? ' \
			<div class="dsq-post-fields"> \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-post-fields-left"><div class="dsq-input-wrapper"><input id="dsq-field-name' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + (disqus_def_name ? disqus_def_name : (Dsq.jsonData.session.name ? Dsq.jsonData.session.name : Dsq.Strings.NAME + '" class="dsq-placeholder')) + '" onfocus="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'name\')" onblur="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'name\')" /></div></td> \
						<td class="dsq-post-fields-right"><div class="dsq-input-wrapper"><input id="dsq-field-website' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + (Dsq.jsonData.session.url ? Dsq.jsonData.session.url : Dsq.Strings.WEBSITE + ' (' + Dsq.Strings.OPTIONAL.toLowerCase() + ')" class="dsq-placeholder') + '" onfocus="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'website\')" onblur="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'website\')" /></div></td> \
					</tr> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-post-fields-left"><div class="dsq-input-wrapper"><input id="dsq-field-email' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + (disqus_def_email ? disqus_def_email : (Dsq.jsonData.session.email ? Dsq.jsonData.session.email : Dsq.Strings.EMAIL + '" class="dsq-placeholder')) + '" onfocus="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'email\')" onblur="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'email\')" /></div></td> \
						<td class="dsq-post-fields-right"> \
							<div class="dsq-subscribe"> \
								<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.chooseSubscribe(' + post_id + '); return false" class="dsq-subscribe-menu"><span id="dsq-subscribe-select' + pid + '">' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.subscribe_on_post ? Dsq.Strings.SUBSCRIBE_TO_ALL_COMMENTS_BY_EMAIL : Dsq.Strings.DO_NOT_SUBSCRIBE_TO_COMMENTS) + '</span> <small>&#9660;</small></a> \
								<ul class="dsq-panel" id="dsq-subscribe-menu' + pid + '"> \
									<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.setSubscribe(2, this, ' + post_id + '); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.SUBSCRIBE_TO_ALL_COMMENTS_BY_EMAIL + '</a></li> \
									<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.setSubscribe(0, this, ' + post_id + '); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.DO_NOT_SUBSCRIBE_TO_COMMENTS + '</a></li> \
								</ul> \
								<input id="dsq-subscribe-on-post' + pid + '" type="hidden" value="' + Dsq.jsonData.request.subscribe_on_post + '" /> \
							</div> \
						</td> \
					</tr> \
				</table> \
			</div>'
			: '')
			+ '<div class="dsq-post-footer"> \
				<div class="dsq-sharing-options" ' + (!display_sharing_options ? 'style="display:none;"' : '') + '> \
					<button type="button" class="dsq-button-small" onfocus="document.getElementById(\'dsq-post-button' + pid + '\').focus();"><span>' + Dsq.Strings.SHARING_OPTIONS + ' <small>&#9660;</small></span></button> \
					<div class="dsq-panel"> '
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.twitter !== undefined
								&& Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.twitter.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-twitter' + pid + '"'
								  + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.twitter.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-twitter' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Twitter</label> \
								 </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.facebook
								&& (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.facebook.enabled === true ||
										(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote && Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain == 'facebook'))
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-facebook' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.facebook.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-facebook' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Facebook</label> \
								 </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.yahoo !== undefined
								&& Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.yahoo.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-yahoo' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.yahoo.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-yahoo' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Yahoo!</label> \
								</div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.tumblr !== undefined
								&& Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.tumblr.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-tumblr' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.tumblr.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-tumblr' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Tumblr</label> \
								 </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.wordpress !== undefined
								&& Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.wordpress.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-wordpress' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.wordpress.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-wordpress' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Wordpress</label> \
								 </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.movabletype !== undefined
							  && Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.movabletype.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-movabletype' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.movabletype.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-movabletype' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Movable Type</label> \
							   </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.typepad !== undefined
							  && Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.typepad.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-typepad' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.typepad.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
								  <label for="dsq-sharing-typepad' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' TypePad</label> \
							   </div>'
							: '')
						+ '<div><a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/profile/connections/" target="_blank" class="dsq-configure-options">' + Dsq.Strings.CONFIGURE_OPTIONS + '</a></div>'
					+ '</div> \
				</div>'
				+ '<button type="button" class="dsq-button" id="dsq-post-button' + pid + '" onclick="Dsq.Templates.postComment(' + post_id + ', this, false)"><span>' + Dsq.Strings.POST_AS + ' '
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username
					? Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username
					: Dsq.Strings.GUEST)
				+ '</span></button>'
				+ (post_id
					? '<button type="button" class="dsq-button" id="dsq-cancel-button' + pid + '" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleReply(' + post_id +', this)"><span>' + Dsq.Strings.CANCEL + '</span></button>'
					: '')
			+ '</div>'
			+ '</div>' // end dsq-form-area
		+ '</div> \
		';
		
		return html;
	};




	this.appendPost = function(post_id) {
		var html = '<div id="dsq-append-post-' + post_id + '"></div>';
		return html;
	};

	this.postPrependHeader = function(post_id) {
		var html;
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		
		html = ' \
		<table> \
			<tr> \
				<td id="dsq-header-avatar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-header-avatar" onmouseover="Dsq.Post.dropProfile(' + post_id + ')"> \
					<a id="dsq-avatar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-avatar" href="' + userData.url + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">'
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.show_avatar
					? '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.users[_meta.user_key].avatar + '" alt="" />'
					: '')
				+ '</a> \
				</td> \
				<td class="dsq-comment-header-meta"> \
		';

		
		return html;
	};
	
	this.postAppendHeader = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var html;
		var parent_display_name = '';
		
		if(_meta.parent_post_id) {

			var _parent_meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[_meta.parent_post_id];

			if (_parent_meta) {
				var parentUserData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_parent_meta.user_key];
				parent_display_name = parentUserData.display_name;
			}
		}

		html = ' \
		<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/moderator.png" class="dsq-moderator-star" title="Moderator" /> \
		<span class="dsq-comment-header-time"><a href="#comment-' + post_id + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.permalink(' + post_id + ')" title="Permalink">' + (_meta.is_realtime ? Dsq.Strings.JUST_NOW : _meta.date) + '</a></span> '
		+ (_meta.parent_post_id && parent_display_name
			? '<a href="#comment-' + _meta.parent_post_id + '" title="Jump to comment">in reply to ' + parent_display_name + '</a>'
			: '')
		+ '</td> \
		<td id="dsq-like-pts-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-comment-header-likes">'
		+ (_meta.points
			? _meta.points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(_meta.points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this.'
			: '')
		+ '</td> \
		</tr> \
		</table> \
		';
		return html;
	};

	this.preBody = function(post_id) {
		var html = '';
		return html;
	};

	this.postFooter = function(post_id) {
		var html;
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		if(_meta.killed || !_meta.approved) { return ''; }
		
		html = ' \
		<div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-' + post_id + '"> \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer-left">'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator
					? '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.moderateOptions(' + post_id+ '); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.MODERATE + '</a>'
					: '')
				+ '<a href="#" id="dsq-post-report-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-post-report" onclick="Dsq.Post.report(' + post_id + ', false); return false;">' + Dsq.Strings.FLAG + '</a> \
			</div> \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer-right">'
				+ (_meta.votable 
					? '<span id="dsq-like-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-like">'
					+ (!_meta.up_voted
						? '<button type="button" class="dsq-button-small" onclick="Dsq.Post.rate(this, ' + post_id + ', 1)" >Like</button>'
						: 'You liked this.&nbsp;&nbsp;')
					+ '</span>'
					: '')
				+ (_meta.can_reply && !_meta.has_replies && _meta.from_request_user
					? '<button type="button" class="dsq-button-small dsq-post-edit" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + ')" >' + Dsq.Strings.EDIT + '</button>'
					: '')
				+ (_meta.can_reply
					? '<span class="dsq-comment-footer-reply" id="dsq-comment-footer-reply-' + post_id + '" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleReply(' + post_id +', this)"> \
						<button type="button" class="dsq-button-small">' + Dsq.Strings.REPLY + '</button> \
						<button type="button" class="dsq-comment-footer-reply-tab">' + Dsq.Strings.REPLY + '</button><span></span> \
					</span>'
					: '')
			+ '</div> \
		</div> \
		';
		
		return html;
	};



	
	this.showRetweets = function(id, limit, element_id /* Optional */) {
		var source, html = '';

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			if (reaction.id === id) {
				source = reaction.retweets;
			}
		}

		if (source) {
			if (limit === 0) {
				limit = source.length;
			}

			for (var j = 0; j < limit; j++) {
				var rt = source[j];
				html += '<a href="' + rt.url + '">' + rt.author_name + '</a>'	+ ((j === (limit - 1)) ? '.' : ', ');
			}
		}

		if (element_id === undefined) {
			return html;
		}

		var element = document.getElementById(element_id);
		element.innerHTML = html;
		return element;
	};

	this.showMoreReactions = function(reactions, has_more, start, limit) {
		var link = document.getElementById('dsq-show-more-reactions');
		var container = link.parentNode;
		container.removeChild(link);

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = reactions[i]; i++) {
			var el = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (el) {
				container.innerHTML += el;
			}
		}

		if (has_more) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = start;
			var l = limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			container.innerHTML += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions" class="dsq-show-more-reactions"><button type="button" class="dsq-button-small" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</button></li>';
		}
	};

	this.generateReactionHTML = function(reaction) {
		if (reaction.body === null || reaction.body == '') {
			return;
		}

		if (reaction.author_name === '') {
			reaction.author_name = '&nbsp;';
		}

		if (reaction.url === '') {
			reaction.url = reaction.get_service_url;
		}

		var item = '<li class="dsq-comment dsq-reaction" id="dsq-reaction-' + reaction.id + '">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-comment-header"> \
			<table> \
			<tr> \
			<td class="dsq-header-avatar"> \
			';

		if (reaction.author_url && reaction.author_url !== '') {
			item += '<a target="_blank" href="' + reaction.author_url +'" class="dsq-avatar">';
		}

		if (reaction.avatar_url && reaction.avatar_url !== '') {
			item += '<img src="' + reaction.avatar_url + '"/>';
		} else {

			item += '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/noavatar92.png"/>';
		}

		var service_icon = (reaction.get_service_name == 'trackback' || reaction.get_service_name == 'pingback' ? 'rss' : reaction.get_service_name.replace(' ', ''));
		item += (reaction.author_url && reaction.author_url !== ''
				? '</a>'
				: '')
			+ '</td>'
			+ '<td><cite class="dsq-comment-cite">' + reaction.author_name + '</cite> <span class="dsq-comment-header-time">' + reaction.date_created + '</span></td>'
			+ '<td class="dsq-comment-header-likes"></td>'
			+ '</tr></table></div>' // end dsq-comment-header
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-header" \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-reaction-header-left">'
							+ '<img class="dsq-service-icon" src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/reactions/services/' + service_icon + '.png" />'
							+ ' From <a class="dsq-service-name" target="_blank" href="' + reaction.url + '">' + reaction.get_service_name + '</a> '
							+ 'via <a href="' + reaction.source_url + '">' + (reaction.source == 'backtype' ? 'BackType' : 'UberVU') + '</a>'
						+ '</td>'
						+ '<td class="dsq-reaction-header-right">';

			if(reaction.retweets) {
				var num_retweets = reaction.retweets.length;
				if (num_retweets > 0) {
					if (num_retweets == 1) {
						item += 'One more retweet from <a href="' + reaction.retweets[0].url + '">'  + reaction.retweets[0].author_name + '</a>';
					} else {
						item += (num_retweets + ' more retweets from ');
						item += '<span id="dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '">';
						var n_tweets = (num_retweets > 3) ? 3 : num_retweets;
						item += Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(reaction.id, n_tweets);
						if (n_tweets != num_retweets) {
							item += '</span> <a onclick="Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(' + reaction.id + ', 0, \'dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '\');'
								+ 'this.parentNode.removeChild(this); return false;" href="#">Show all</a>';
						}
					}
				}
			}	
			item += '</td></tr> \
			</table> \
			</div>' // end dsq-reaction-header
			+ '<div class="dsq-comment-body"> \
				<div class="dsq-comment-message">' + reaction.body + '</div>'
			+ '</div> \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer"> \
				<div class="dsq-comment-footer-left"> \
				</div>'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator 
					? ' \
					<div class="dsq-comment-footer-right"> \
						<button type="button" class="dsq-button-small dsq-hide-reaction" onclick="Dsq.Reaction.hide(' + reaction.id + ')">Hide</button> \
					</div>'
					: '')
			+ '</div>'
		item += '</li>'; /* Reaction HTML ends */
		return item;
	};

	this.reactions = function() {
		var html, reaction;

		if (Dsq.jsonData.reactions === undefined || Dsq.jsonData.reactions.length === 0) {
			return '';
		}

		html = '';
		for (var i = 0; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			var item = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (item) {
				html += item;
			}
		}

		if (Dsq.jsonData.has_more_reactions) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_start;
			var l = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			html += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions" class="dsq-show-more-reactions"><button type="button" class="dsq-button-small" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</button></li>';
		}

		return '<h3 id="dsq-reactions-title" class="dsq-h3-reactions">Reactions</h3><ul id="dsq-reactions" class="dsq-reactions">' + html + '</ul>';
	};
	
	this._popupGeneric = function(content) {
		return ' \
		<div class="dsq-popup-container"> \
			<table> \
				<tbody> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-tl"></td><td class="dsq-popup-b"></td><td class="dsq-popup-tr"></td> \
					</tr> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-b"></td> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-body"> \
							<div class="dsq-popup-content"> \
								<div class="dsq-popup-title"> \
									<button type="button" class="dsq-button-small" style="float:right" onclick="Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true)">Close</button>'
									+ content['header'] 
								+ '</div>'
								+ content['body']
							+ '</div> \
							<div class="powered-by"><a href="http://disqus.com/comments/">Powered by <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-logo.png" alt="Disqus Comments" style="margin-bottom:-5px" /></a></div> \
						</td> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-b"></td> \
					</tr> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-bl"></td><td class="dsq-popup-b"></td><td class="dsq-popup-br"></td> \
					</tr> \
				</tbody> \
			</table> \
		</div> \
		';
	};



	
	this.chooseSubscribe = function(post_id) {

		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		var menu = Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-menu' + pid);
		
		menu.style.display = menu.style.display == 'block' ? 'none' : 'block';
		
	};
	
	this.setSubscribe = function(value, el, post_id) {

		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		var input = Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-on-post' + pid);
		var select = Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-select' + pid);
		var menu = Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-menu' + pid);
		
		select.innerHTML = el.innerHTML;
		input.value = value;
		this.chooseSubscribe(post_id);
	};
	
	this.getFormFields = function(post_id) {

		var fields = {};
		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		var name = Dsq.$('dsq-field-name' + pid);
		var email = Dsq.$('dsq-field-email' + pid);
		var website = Dsq.$('dsq-field-website' + pid);
		var username = Dsq.$('dsq-field-username' + pid);
		var password = Dsq.$('dsq-field-password' + pid);

		fields = {
			'name': name,
			'email': email,
			'website': website,
			'username': username,
			'password': password
		}
		
		return fields;
	}
	
	this.validateFields = function(post_id) {
		
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) { return true; }
		
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);
		
		var nameField = fields.name;
		var websiteField = fields.website;
		var emailField = fields.email;
		
		websiteField.value = (websiteField.value == Dsq.Templates.placeholder['website']) ? '' : websiteField.value;
		
		var v = [{

			validator: Dsq.Validators.name,
			value: nameField.value
		}, {

			validator: Dsq.Validators.email,
			value: emailField.value
		}, {

			validator: Dsq.Validators.url,
			value: websiteField.value
		}];
		
		return Dsq.Validators.validate(v, function(e) { Dsq.Popup.popModal(e, 'Oops...') } );
	};
	
	this.checkExistingUser = function(post_id) {
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);		
		Dsq.Popup.loading(post_id);
		
		if (post_id) {
			Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id].getUserByEmail(fields.email.value);
		} else {
			Dsq.frames['reply_0'].getUserByEmail(fields.email.value);
		}
	};

	this.validateAuth = function(el_clicked, post_id, auth_choice) {
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);
		var email = fields.email ? fields.email.value : '';
		var username = fields.username ? fields.username.value : '';
		var password = fields.password ? fields.password.value : '';
		
		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(el_clicked, post_id);
		
		if (post_id) {
			Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id].validateAuth(auth_choice, email, username, password);
		} else {
			Dsq.frames['reply_0'].validateAuth(auth_choice, email, username, password);
		}
	};

	this.lightboxUpdateEmail = function(post_id, new_email) {
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);
		fields.email.value = new_email;
	};

	this.lightboxAuthenticate = function(post_id, auth_choice, auth_data) {
		var title, body;
		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';

		if(typeof(auth_data) == 'undefined') {
			var auth_data = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);
		}

		d = auth_data;

		switch(auth_choice) {
			case 'register':
				var suggestedUsername = d.name.value.replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9-]/g,'').toLowerCase();
			
				title = Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post ? 'Optional:' : 'Required:';
				title += ' Register a <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-profile.png" alt=Disqus Profile" />';

				body = ' \
				<ul class="dsq-lightbox-register-reasons"> \
				<li>Verify your comments</li> \
				<li>Edit and delete comments</li> \
				<li>Manage comments and replies</li> \
				</ul> \
				';

				body += ' \
				<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-fields"> \
					<table> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Email</td> \
							<td><input type="text" value="' + d.email.value + '" onchange="Dsq.Templates.lightboxUpdateEmail(' + post_id + ', this.value)" /><div id="dsq-email-errors' + pid + '"></div></td> \
						</tr> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Username</td> \
							<td><input id="dsq-field-username' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + suggestedUsername + '"/><div id="dsq-username-errors' + pid + '"></div></td> \
						</tr> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Password</td> \
							<td><input id="dsq-field-password' + pid + '" type="password" /><div id="dsq-password-errors' + pid + '"></div></td> \
						</tr> \
					</table> \
					<div class="dsq-lightbox-switch-auth"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.lightboxAuthenticate(' + post_id + ',\'login\'); return false">Login instead</a></div> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-lightbox-errors' + pid + '" class="dsq-lightbox-errors"></div> \
				<div class="dsq-lightbox-submit"> \
					<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-post"><button type="button" class="dsq-button" onclick="Dsq.Templates.validateAuth(this, ' + post_id + ',\'' + auth_choice + '\')">Register and Post comment</button></div>'
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
						? '<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-skip"><button type="button" class="dsq-button-small" onclick="Dsq.Templates.postComment(' + post_id + ', this, true)">Just post as a Guest</button></div>'
						: '')
				+ '</div> \
				';
				break;
			case 'login':
				title = Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post ? 'Optional:' : 'Required:';
				title += ' Login to your <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-profile.png" alt=Disqus Profile" />';
				body = '';
				
				if(d.avatar_url) {
					body += '<div class="dsq-lightbox-recognized"><table><tr>';
					body += '<td><img src="' + d.avatar_url + '" alt="" /></td>';
					body += '<td><span class="dsq-badge ' + (d.verified ? 'dsq-badge-verified' : 'dsq-badge-registered') + '">' + (d.verified ? 'Verified' : 'Registered') + '</span></td>';
					body += '<td>Hey <strong>' + d.display_name + '</strong>, is that you? Login below to claim this comment.';
					body += '</tr></table></div>';
				}

				body += ' \
				<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-fields"> \
					<table> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Username or Email</td> \
							<td><input id="dsq-field-username' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + (d.avatar_url ? d.username : '') + '" /></td> \
						</tr> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Password <a href="http://disqus.com/forgot" target="_blank">(cannot log in?)</a></td> \
							<td><input id="dsq-field-password' + pid + '" type="password" /></td> \
						</tr> \
					</table> \
					<div class="dsq-lightbox-switch-auth"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.lightboxAuthenticate(' + post_id + ',\'register\'); return false">Register instead</a></div> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-lightbox-errors' + pid + '" class="dsq-lightbox-errors"></div> \
				<div class="dsq-lightbox-submit"> \
					<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-post"><button type="button" class="dsq-button" onclick="Dsq.Templates.validateAuth(this, ' + post_id + ',\'' + auth_choice + '\')">Login and Post comment</button></div>'
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
						? '<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-skip"><button type="button" class="dsq-button-small" onclick="Dsq.Templates.postComment(' + post_id + ', this, true)">Just post as a Guest</button></div>'
						: '')
				+ '</div> \
				';
				break;
			default:
				break;
		}
		Dsq.Popup.lightbox(body, title, post_id);
		Dsq.$('dsq-field-username' + pid).focus();
	};
	
	this.buttonsToRestore = [];
	this.setLoadingButton = function(btn, post_id) {
		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		if (btn) {

			var loadingBtn = document.createElement('button');
			loadingBtn.id = btn.id + '-loading';
			loadingBtn.innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-lite.gif" alt="" /> ' + Dsq.Strings.JUST_A_MOMENT;
			loadingBtn.className = btn.className + ' dsq-post-loading';
			btn.parentNode.appendChild(loadingBtn);
			btn.style.display = 'none';
			var cancelBtn = Dsq.$('dsq-cancel-button' + pid);
			if(cancelBtn) { cancelBtn.style.display = 'none'; this.buttonsToRestore.push(cancelBtn); }
			this.buttonsToRestore.push(btn);
		} else {

			var buttons = this.buttonsToRestore;
			for(var i = 0; i < buttons.length; i++) {
				buttons[i].style.display = 'inline';
				Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(Dsq.$(buttons[i].id + '-loading'));
			}
		}
		
	};

	this.postComment = function(post_id, el_clicked, force, auth_choice) {
		var append_id = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);

		if (Dsq.Templates.validateFields(post_id)) {

			if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated && !force &&
				((!Dsq.Utils.readCookie('skipped_auth') && !disqus_skip_auth && !Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled) || !Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post)) {
				Dsq.Templates.checkExistingUser(post_id);
				return false;
			}
			var params = [];
			if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {
				params.push(fields.name.value,
					fields.email.value,
					fields.website.value);

				if (auth_choice == 'login' || auth_choice == 'register') {
					params.push({
						auth_choice: auth_choice,
						username: fields.username.value,
						password: fields.password.value,
						email: fields.email.value
					});
				} else {
					params.push(null);
				}

				params.push(null /* sharing options */, Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-on-post' + append_id).value);
			} else {
				var service_checked = function(name) {
					var el = Dsq.$('dsq-sharing-' + name + append_id);
					return (el !== null && el.checked === true) ? '1' : '0';
				};
				params.push(null, null, null, null, {
					tw: service_checked('twitter'),
					fb: service_checked('facebook'),
					tr: service_checked('tumblr'),
					wp: service_checked('wordpress'),
					mt: service_checked('movabletype'),
					tp: service_checked('typepad'),
					yh: service_checked('yahoo')
				});
			}

			var frame = Dsq.frames['reply_' + (post_id ? post_id : 0)];
			frame.post.apply(frame, params);

			if (el_clicked) {
				Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(el_clicked, post_id);
			}
			
			if (force) {
				Dsq.Utils.createCookie('skipped_auth', true);	
			}
			
		} else {
			return false;
		}
	};

	this.editComment = function(el_clicked, post_id) {
		var edited_message = Dsq.$('dsq-edit-textarea-' + post_id).value;

		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(el_clicked, post_id);
		Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id].edit(post_id, edited_message);
	};

	this.toggleEdit = function(post_id) {
		var body = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-body-' + post_id);
		var message = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + post_id);

		if (!Dsq.Post.stateEditToggled[post_id]) {


			message.style.display = 'none';
			if (Dsq.$('dsq-edit-' + post_id)) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-edit-' + post_id).style.display = 'block';
			} else {

				var edit_area = document.createElement('div');
				edit_area.id = 'dsq-edit-' + post_id;
				edit_area.className = 'dsq-edit dsq-textarea';
				edit_area.innerHTML = ' \
				<div class="dsq-textarea-wrapper"> \
					<textarea class="dsq-edit-textarea" id="dsq-edit-textarea-' + post_id + '">' + message.innerHTML + '</textarea> \
				</div> \
				<div class="dsq-save-edit"> \
					<button type="button" onclick="Dsq.Templates.editComment(this, ' + post_id + ')" class="dsq-button-small">Save Edit</button> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-edit-iframe-' + post_id + '" style="display: none"></div> \
				';

				body.appendChild(edit_area);

				if (!Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id]) {
					var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
					Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id] = new Dsq.ReplyFrame(Dsq.$('dsq-edit-iframe-' + post_id), post_id);
					Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id].init();
					Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id].setState(post_id, _meta.depth);
				}
			}
		} else {

			message.style.display = 'block';
			Dsq.$('dsq-edit-' + post_id).style.display = 'none';
		}
		
		Dsq.Post.stateEditToggled[post_id] = !Dsq.Post.stateEditToggled[post_id];
	};
	
	this.edit = function(el, post_id) {

		Dsq.Templates.toggleEdit(post_id);
	};

	this.toggleReply = function(post_id, button) {
		
		if(!this.stateReplyToggled[post_id]) {

			if (Dsq.$('dsq-reply-post-' + post_id)) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).style.display = 'block';
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.postBox(post_id);
				var container = Dsq.$('dsq-textarea-wrapper-' + post_id);
				if (!Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id] && container) {
					var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id] = new Dsq.ReplyFrame(container, post_id);
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id].init(function() {

						Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.postBox(post_id, true);
						Dsq.$('dsq-form-area-' + post_id).innerHTML = '';

						var theme = (typeof disqus_frame_theme == 'undefined') ? 'default' : disqus_frame_theme;
						Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(Dsq.$('dsq-form-area-' + post_id), post_id, {theme: theme});

					});
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id].setState(post_id, _meta.depth);
				}
			}
			Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).className = 'dsq-append-post';
			Dsq.$('dsq-comment-footer-reply-' + post_id).className = 'dsq-comment-footer-reply-active';
			
		} else {

			Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).style.display = 'none';
			Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).className = '';
			Dsq.$('dsq-comment-footer-reply-' + post_id).className = 'dsq-comment-footer-reply';
		}
		
		this.stateReplyToggled[post_id] = !this.stateReplyToggled[post_id];

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie && this.stateReplyToggled[post_id]) {

		}

		Dsq.Events.fire(Dsq.Events.REPLY_IFRAME_TOGGLED, {
			postId: post_id,
			opened: this.stateReplyToggled[post_id]
		});
	};
	
	this.moderateOptions = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		
		if(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator && !Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator) { return false; }

		var html;
		
		html = ' \
		<div class="dsq-moderate-options"> \
		<table>'
		+ (_meta.email ? '<tr><td>Email</td><td>' + _meta.email + '</td></tr>' : '')
		+ (_meta.ip ? '<tr><td>IP address</td><td>' + _meta.ip + '</td></tr>' : '')
		+ '<tr> \
			<td>Actions</td> \
			<td><ul>'
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.moderator_can_edit
				? '<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + '); Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false;">Edit Comment</a></li>'
				: '')
			+ '<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.removePost(' + post_id + ', 1); Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false;">Delete Comment</a></li> \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.reportSpam(' + post_id + '); Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false;">Mark Spam</a></li> \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.blacklist(' + post_id + '); return false">Block User</a></li> \
			</ul></td> \
			</table> \
		</div> \
		';
		
		html += '<p>Go to the full <a href="http://disqus.com/comments/moderate/" target="_blank">moderate panel</a> for more options.</p>';
		
		return Dsq.Popup.popModal(html, 'Moderate Options', post_id);
	};
	
	this.placeholder = {
		'class': 'dsq-placeholder',
		'name': Dsq.Strings.NAME,
		'email': Dsq.Strings.EMAIL,
		'website': Dsq.Strings.WEBSITE + ' (' + Dsq.Strings.OPTIONAL.toLowerCase() + ')'
	};
	
	this.handlePlaceholder = function(evt, el, key) {
		var placeholder = Dsq.Templates.placeholder[key];
		var className = Dsq.Templates.placeholder['class'];
		
		switch(evt.type) {
			case 'focus':
				if(el.value == placeholder) {
					el.value = '';
					el.className = '';
				}
				break;

			case 'blur':
				if(el.value == '') {
					el.value = placeholder;
					el.className = className;
				}
				break;
			default:
				break;
		}
	};
	
	this.paginate = function(page, el_clicked) {

		var extra_params = '';

		if(typeof disqus_per_page != 'undefined') {
			extra_params += '&per_page=' + disqus_per_page;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_sort != 'undefined') {
			extra_params += '&sort=' + disqus_sort;
		}

		Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML += '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
		
		if(el_clicked) {
			Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(el_clicked);
		}
		
		Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/thread.js'
			+ '?slug='	+ 'the_challenge_for_europe_keeping_tech_there_instead_of_the_valley'
			+ '&p='		+ page
			+ extra_params);
	};
	
	
	this.rate = function(el, id, vote) {


		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated || Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_votes) {
			if(vote == 1) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-like-' + id).innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
			}
			Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/vote.js'
				+ '?post_id='    + id
				+ '&vote='        + vote);
		} else {
			Dsq.Popup.login('To rate, please log in');
		}
	};

	this.voted = function(post_id, points, vote) {

		Dsq.$('dsq-like-pts-' + post_id).innerHTML = points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this.';

		if(vote) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-like-' + post_id).innerHTML = 'You liked this.&nbsp;&nbsp;';
		}
	};




	this.postComment_onSuccess = function(response, parent_post_id, post_id) {
		var approved = response.message.post_meta.approved;

		if (parent_post_id) {
			Dsq.Post.toggleReply(parent_post_id);
		}

		Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true);
		
		if (approved) {
			Dsq.Post.incrementPostCount();
			Dsq.Post.outlineComment(post_id);
		} else {			
			var unapproved_msg = 'Thanks for posting!\
	 Your comment must be approved by a moderator before appearing here.\
			';
			Dsq.Popup.popModal(unapproved_msg, 'Comment awaiting approval', post_id);
		}

		var sharing_results = response.message.sharing_results;
		var sharing_errors = '';
		for (var service in sharing_results) {
			if (sharing_results.hasOwnProperty(service) === true) {
				if (sharing_results[service].error === true) {
					sharing_errors += service + ', ';
				}
			}
		}

		if (sharing_results.facebook && sharing_results.facebook.callback) {
			FB.ensureInit(function() {
				FB.Connect.streamPublish('', sharing_results.facebook.attachment);
			});
		}

		if (sharing_errors !== '') {
			var message = 'Your comment was posted, but there were errors sharing with the following connections: ';
			message += sharing_errors.replace(/,\s$/, '');
			message += '<p><a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/profile/connections" target="_blank">Configure your connections here</a></p>'
			Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, 'Sharing options');
		}

		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};

	this.postComment_onFailure = function(response, parent_post_id, post_id) {

		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};
};




// TODO: It might be faster to use string methods to find all <li (...) </li> blocks and pass to Dsq.PostHandler manually.
Dsq.CommentsHandler = function(str, head, post_id, content, tail, offset, s) {
	var prepend_post = Dsq.Templates.prependPost(post_id);
	var append_post = Dsq.Templates.appendPost(post_id);

	content = content.replace(Dsq.POST_RE, Dsq.PostHandler);
	Dsq.Templates.postLoopCounter++;
	head = Dsq.Templates.Filters.commentContainer(post_id, head);
	return prepend_post + head + content + tail + append_post;
};

Dsq.PostHandler = function(str, h_head, post_id, h_content, h_tail, b_head, b_content, b_tail, offset, s) {
	var prepend_header = Dsq.Templates.postPrependHeader(post_id);
	var append_header = Dsq.Templates.postAppendHeader(post_id);
	var prepend_body = Dsq.Templates.preBody(post_id);
	var append_body = Dsq.Templates.postBody(post_id);
	var append_footer = Dsq.Templates.postFooter(post_id);

	b_content = b_content.replace(Dsq.POST_BODY_RE, Dsq.PostBodyHandler);
	return h_head + prepend_header + h_content + append_header + h_tail + b_head + prepend_body + b_content + append_body + b_tail + append_footer;
};

Dsq.PostBodyHandler = function(str, head, post_id, content, tail, offset, s) {
	content = Dsq.Templates.Filters.commentContent(post_id, content);
	return head + content + tail;
};

Dsq.MediaPostHandler = function(str, args, offset, s) {
	args = args.split(' ');
	if(args[0] == 'seesmic') {
		return '<br />' + Dsq.Templates.mediaSeesmic(args[1], args[2]);
	}
	return '';
};


/**
 * Shorcuts
 */
Dsq.$ = function(element) { return document.getElementById(element); };
Dsq.$b = document.body || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0];


/**
 * Dsq.Debug: Logging functions.
 */

Dsq.Debug = new function() {this.log=function(s){};this.profile=function(f){if(typeof f == 'function')return f();else return eval(f);};};


/**
 * Dsq.Urls: URL paths
 */
Dsq.Urls = new function() {
	this.LOGIN = '/profile/login/';
	this.LOGOUT = '/logout/';
	this.REPLY = 'http://scobleizer.disqus.com/the_challenge_for_europe_keeping_tech_there_instead_of_the_valley/reply.html';
	this.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE = '/AnonymousUser/';
	this.REQUEST_USER_AVATAR = 'http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png';
};
// Dsq.Urls

/**
 * Dsq.Validators: Validation for form fields
 */
Dsq.Validators = new function() {
	this.VALID_EMAIL_RE = /^[a-z0-9\-\_\+]+(\.[a-z0-9\-\_\+]+)*\@(([a-z0-9\-\_\+]+(\.[a-z0-9\-\_\+]+)*)+\.[a-z]{2,}|([0-9]+\.){3}[0-9]+)$/i;
	this.name = function(name) {
		var error = false;

		if(typeof Dsq.Templates.placeholder !== 'undefined' &&
		   name == Dsq.Templates.placeholder.name) {
			error = true;
		}
		if(name.length <= 1) {
			error = true;
		}

		if(error) {
			return "Please enter a name to comment.";
		} else {
			return true;
		}
	};
	this.email = function(addr) {
		if(Dsq.Validators.VALID_EMAIL_RE.test(addr)) {
			return true;
		} else {
			return "Please enter a valid email to comment.";
		}
	};
	this.url = function(addr) {
		if(!addr || addr.indexOf('.') != -1) {
			return true;
		} else {
			return "Please check your website URL (this field is optional).";
		}
	};

	this.validate = function(bulk_validation, failure_callback) {
		failure_callback = failure_callback || function(e){ alert(e); };

		for(var i = 0; i < bulk_validation.length; i++) {
			v = bulk_validation[i];
			ret = v.validator(v.value);
			if(ret !== true) {
				failure_callback(ret);
				return false;
			}
		}
		return true;
	};
};

/**
 * Dsq.Utils: Generic utility functions.
 */
Dsq.Utils = new function() {
	this.ie = /msie/i.test(navigator.userAgent) && !/opera/i.test(navigator.userAgent);
	this.ie7 = (document.all && !window.opera && window.XMLHttpRequest) ? true : false;
	this.ie6 = (!window.XMLHttpRequest) ? true: false;
	this.webkit = navigator.userAgent.indexOf('AppleWebKit/') >= 0;
	this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache = {};
	this._styleSheet = null;

	this.gebiFromElement = function(el, id, tag) {
		// This only method only helps IE.
		if(!this.ie) {
			return Dsq.$(id);
		} else {
			var cacheKey = el.id + '-' + tag;
			tag = tag || 'div';
			if(typeof this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache[cacheKey] != 'undefined') {
				collection = this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache[cacheKey];
			} else {
				collection = el.getElementsByTagName(tag);
				this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache[cacheKey] = collection;
			}

			for(var i = 0; i < collection.length; i++) {
				if(collection[i].id == id) {
					return collection[i];
				}
			}
			return null;
		}
	};

	this.execOnReady = function(func) {
		var node = document.createElement('document:ready');
		try {
			node.doScroll('left');
			func();
			node = null;
		} catch(err) {
			setTimeout(function() { Dsq.Utils.execOnReady(func); }, 10);
		}
	};


	// Courtesy of http://www.quirksmode.org/js/cookies.html
	this.createCookie = function(name,value,days) {
		if (days) {
			var date = new Date();
			date.setTime(date.getTime()+(days*24*60*60*1000));
			var expires = "; expires="+date.toGMTString();
		}
		else var expires = "";
		document.cookie = name+"="+value+expires+"; path=/";
	};

	this.readCookie = function(name) {
		var nameEQ = name + "=";
		var ca = document.cookie.split(';');
		for(var i=0;i < ca.length;i++) {
			var c = ca[i];
			while (c.charAt(0)==' ') c = c.substring(1,c.length);
			if (c.indexOf(nameEQ) == 0) return c.substring(nameEQ.length,c.length);
		}
		return null;
	};

	this.eraseCookie = function(name) {
		Dsq.Utils.createCookie(name,"",-1);
	};

	this.deleteNode = function(node) {
		if(node) {
			this.deleteChildren(node);
			if(typeof node.outerHTML != 'undefined') { node.outerHTML = ''; }
			else if(node.parentNode) { node.parentNode.removeChild(node); }
			delete node;
		}
	};

	this.deleteChildren = function(node) {
		if(node) {
			for(var x = node.childNodes.length-1; x >= 0; x--) {
				var childNode = node.childNodes[x];
				if(childNode.hasChildNodes()) { this.deleteChildren(childNode); }
				if(typeof childNode.outerHTML != 'undefined') { childNode.outerHTML = ''; }
				else node.removeChild(childNode);
				delete childNode;
			}
		}
	};

	this.findPos = function(obj) {
		var curleft = 0;
		var curtop = 0;
		if (obj.offsetParent) {
			do {
				curleft += obj.offsetLeft;
				curtop += obj.offsetTop;
			} while (obj = obj.offsetParent);
		}
		return [curleft,curtop];
	};

	this.getWindowSize = function() {
		var windowWidth = -1;
		var windowHeight = -1;

		if(typeof(window.innerWidth) == 'number') { //Non-IE
			windowWidth = window.innerWidth;
			windowHeight = window.innerHeight;
		} else if(document.documentElement) { // IE 6+ in 'standards compliant mode'
			windowWidth = document.documentElement.clientWidth || document.body.clientWidth;
			windowHeight = document.documentElement.clientHeight || document.body.clientHeight;
		}

		return [windowWidth, windowHeight];
	}

	this.getScrollPos = function() {
		var scrollWidth, scrollTop;

		if(document.documentElement && (document.documentElement.scrollTop || document.documentElement.scrollWidth)) {
			scrollWidth = document.documentElement.scrollWidth;
			// IE is weird here.  If no doctype is provided, document.body.scrollTop is 0,
			// otherwise document.documentElement.scrollTop is 0.
			scrollTop = document.documentElement.scrollTop || document.body.scrollTop;
		} else if(document.body.scrollTop && document.body.scrollWidth) {
			scrollWidth = document.body.scrollWidth;
			scrollTop = document.body.scrollTop;
		}

		return [scrollWidth, scrollTop];
	}

	this.addEventListener = function(instance, eventName, listener) {
		var listenerFn = listener;
		if (instance.addEventListener) {
			instance.addEventListener(eventName, listenerFn, false);
		} else if (instance.attachEvent) {
			listenerFn = function() {
				listener(window.event);
			};
			instance.attachEvent("on" + eventName, listenerFn);
		} else {
			throw new Error("Event registration not supported");
		}
		return {
			instance: instance,
			name: eventName,
			listener: listenerFn
		};
	};

	this.removeEventListener = function(event) {
		var instance = event.instance;
		if (instance.removeEventListener) {
			instance.removeEventListener(event.name, event.listener, false);
		} else if (instance.detachEvent) {
			instance.detachEvent("on" + event.name, event.listener);
		}
	};

	this.fixIframesIE = function(id) {
		var disqusThread = Dsq.$(disqus_container_id);
		var iframes = disqusThread.getElementsByTagName('iframe');

		if(id) {
			var container = Dsq.$(id);
		} else {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-content');
		}

		for(i = 0; i < iframes.length; i++) {
			if (container) {
				iframes[i].style.width = container.offsetWidth;
			}
		}
	};

	this.getElementsByClassName = function(oElm, strTagName, strClassName) {
	/* Credit: Jonathan Snook [http://www.snook.ca/jonathan], Robert Nyman [http://www.robertnyman.com] */
		var arrElements = (strTagName == "*" && oElm.all)? oElm.all : oElm.getElementsByTagName(strTagName);
		var arrReturnElements = new Array();
		strClassName = strClassName.replace(/\-/g, "\\-");
		var oRegExp = new RegExp("(^|\\s)" + strClassName + "(\\s|$)");
		var oElement;
		for(var i = 0; i < arrElements.length; i++) {
			oElement = arrElements[i];
			if(oRegExp.test(oElement.className)) {
				arrReturnElements.push(oElement);
			}
		}
		return (arrReturnElements);
	};

	this.postToUrl = function(url, post_data, opt_redirect) {
		var form = document.createElement('form');
		var iframe_container = document.createElement('div');
		var id = 'dsq-temp-iframe-' + (new Date()).getTime();

		form.method = 'POST';
		form.action = url;
		if (!opt_redirect) {
			form.target = id;
		}
		iframe_container.innerHTML = '<iframe style="display:none" name="' + id + '" id="' + id + '"></iframe>';

		for(var key in post_data) {
			if(post_data.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				var input = document.createElement('input');
				input.name = key;
				input.type = 'hidden';
				input.value = post_data[key];

				form.appendChild(input);
			}
		}

		Dsq.$b.appendChild(iframe_container);
		Dsq.$b.appendChild(form);
		form.submit();
	};

	// Strips integer id from id of element in the form ('some-id-###')
	this.extractId = function(e) {
		var chunks = e.id.split('-');
		if(chunks.length <= 1) {
			return 0;
		} else {
			var retval = parseInt(chunks[chunks.length-1]);
			return !isNaN(retval) ? retval : null;
		}
	};

	this.getStyle = function(el, styleProp) {
		if(el.currentStyle) {
			var y = el.currentStyle[styleProp];
		} else if(window.getComputedStyle) {
			var y = document.defaultView.getComputedStyle(el, null).getPropertyValue(styleProp);
		}

		if(y == 'transparent' || y == '') {
			this.getStyle(el.parentNode, styleProp);
		} else {
			return y;
		}
	};

	this.execScript = function(url, append_qs, container) {
		var script = document.createElement('script');
		append_qs = typeof append_qs == 'undefined' ? true : append_qs;
		container = container || Dsq.container;

		if(append_qs) {
			var j = (url.indexOf('?') >= 0) ? '&' : '?';
			url += j + (new Date()).getTime();
		}
		script.type = 'text/javascript';
		script.charset = 'UTF-8';
		script.src = url;
		container.appendChild(script);
		return script;
	};

	this.pluralize = function(num, singular, plural) {
		return (num != 1) ? plural || 's' : singular || '';
	};

	this.getRequestParams = function(queryString /* optional */) {
		var pairs, tuple;
		var params = {};

		queryString = queryString || window.location.search.substring(1);
		pairs = queryString.split('&');

		for (var i = 0, pair; pair = pairs[i]; i++) {
			tuple = pair.split('=');
			params[tuple[0]] = (tuple[1] || true);
		}

		return params;
	};

	this.addCssRule = function(selector, styleText, index) {
		var stylesheet;
		index = index || 0;

		if(!this._styleSheet) {
			var styleEl = document.createElement('style');
			document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(styleEl);
			this._styleSheet = styleEl.sheet;
			if(!this._styleSheet) {
				// IE does not like our newly created stylesheet.
				this._styleSheet = document.styleSheets[document.styleSheets.length-1];
			}
		}
		stylesheet = this._styleSheet;

		if(stylesheet.insertRule) {
			var ruleText = selector + ' { ' + styleText + ' }';
			if(index == -1) {
				index = stylesheet.cssRules.length;
			}
			stylesheet.insertRule(ruleText, index);
		} else if(stylesheet.addRule) {
			stylesheet.addRule(selector, styleText, index);
		}
	};

	this.forEachIn = function(obj, callback) {
		for(var key in obj) {
			if(obj.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				callback(key, obj[key]);
			}
		}
	};

	this._interpolateGlobalContext = {
		// values that get used a lot and are global to the request
		'profile_url': Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE,

		'disqus_url': Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url,
		'media_url': Dsq.jsonData.settings.media_url,
		'request_username': Dsq.jsonData.request.username,
		'request_display_username': Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username,
		'forum_name': Dsq.jsonData.forum.name
	};

	this.renderFromContextStack = function(key, contexts) {
		// Returns the first instance of `key` in the array of objects `contexts` or else ''
		for (var i=0; i<contexts.length; i++) {
			if (contexts[i][key] !== undefined) {
				return String(contexts[i][key]);
			}
		}
		throw new Error('key ' + key + ' not found in context');
	};

	var that = this;
	this.interpolate = function(fmt, opt_localContext) {
		// Interpolate `fmt` named-format string with an assumed global context.
		// Based on `interpolate` in django.views.i18n
		var contextStack = [opt_localContext || {}, that._interpolateGlobalContext];
		return fmt.replace(/%\(\w+\)s/g, function(match){
			return that.renderFromContextStack(match.slice(2,-2), contextStack);
		});
	};

	this.stripTags = function(s) {
		// Removes HTML tags from `s`
		return s.replace(/(<([^>]+)>)/g,"");

	};

	this.assert = function(b) {
		if (!b) {
			throw new Error('Assertion error.');
		}
	};

};
// Dsq.Utils

/**
 * Dsq.Popup: Popup helper functions.
 */
Dsq.Popup = new function() {
	this.timeHide = new Array();
	this.timeShow = new Array();
	this.activePopup = {};
	this.profileCache = {};
	this.statusCache = {};

	this.showTimer = function(post_id) {
		// clear the hide timer
		clearTimeout(this.timeHide[post_id]);

		// start the timer
		if(!Dsq.Popup.profileIsOn && !Dsq.Thread.adminIsOn) {
			this.timeShow[post_id] = setTimeout("Dsq.Popup.popProfile(\"" + post_id + "\")", 400);
		}
	};

	this.hideTimer = function(post_id) {
		// clear the show timer
		clearTimeout(this.timeShow[post_id]);
	};

	this.updateProfile = function(username) {
		// Callback from /embed/profile.js
		if (this.statusCache[username]) {
			var statusEl = Dsq.$('dsq-profile-status-' + username);
			statusEl.innerHTML = this.statusCache[username];
			statusEl.style.display = 'block';
		}

		if (this.profileCache[username]) {
			var _cache = this.profileCache[username];

			var _genhtml = function(text) { return '<span><big>' + text + '</big></span>'; };
			var _no_comments = _genhtml(Dsq.FmtStrings.NUMBER_OF_COMMENTS(_cache.comments_count));
			var _no_likes = _genhtml(Dsq.FmtStrings.NUMBER_OF_LIKES(_cache.likes_count));
			var _no_points = _genhtml(Dsq.FmtStrings.NUMBER_OF_POINTS(_cache.points));

			var statsEl = Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-user-stats-' + username);
			statsEl.innerHTML = '';

			if (Dsq.jsonData.users[username].registered) {
				statsEl.innerHTML = _no_comments + _no_likes;
			}
			statsEl.innerHTML += _no_points;

			var activeSites = '';
			for (var i = 0; i < _cache.active_sites.length; i++) {
				var site = _cache.active_sites[i];
				activeSites += '<li><a href="' + site.url + '"> \
					<img src="' + site.favicon + '"/ width="16" height="16"/></a>\
					<a href="' + site.url + '">' + site.name + '</a></li>';
			}
			if (activeSites !== '') {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-' + username).innerHTML = activeSites;
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-' + username).innerHTML = 'This site.';
			}

			var moderatedSites = '';
			for (var i = 0; i < _cache.moderated_sites.length; i++) {
				var site = _cache.moderated_sites[i];
				moderatedSites += '<li><a href="' + site.url + '"> \
					<img src="' + site.favicon + '"/ width="16" height="16"/></a>\
					<a href="' + site.url + '">' + site.name + '</a></li>';
			}
			if (moderatedSites !== '') {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-moderated-' + username).innerHTML = moderatedSites;
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-moderated-wrapper-' + username).innerHTML = '';
			}
		}

		// Reposition popup after full HTML is rendered
		if(Dsq.Popup.activePopup && Dsq.Popup.activePopup.el) {
			Dsq.Popup.initPopup(Dsq.Popup.activePopup.el, Dsq.Popup.activePopup.id, Dsq.Popup.activePopup.type);
		}

	};

	this.showCookieMsgs = function() {
		var title = '';
		var message = '';
		var numAlerts = 0;

		Dsq.Utils.forEachIn(Dsq.jsonData.cookie_messages, function(k, v) {
			if (!v) return;

			switch(k) {
				// Cookie: Twitter
				case 'post_twitter':
					if (v === 'error') {
						title = 'Twitter Error!';
						message += '<li id="dsq-msg-twitter-error">Oops, we couldn\'t tweet this comment. Please check your <a href="http://disqus.com/account/services">account settings</a>.</li>';
					} else {
						var _msg = v.split(':');
						title = 'Tweeted!';
						message += '<li id="dsq-msg-twitter-success">Your comment was successfully tweeted. <a href="http://twitter.com/' + _msg[0] + '/status/' + _msg[1] + '">Click here to view the tweet</a>.</li>';
					}
					break;
				// Cookie: Unapproved Post
				case 'post_not_approved':
					title = 'Comment awaiting approval by a moderator';
					message += '<li id="dsq-msg-post-not-approved">Your comment must be approved by a moderator before appearing here.</li>';
					break;
				// Cookie: Profile Found
				case 'post_has_profile':
					title = 'Use your existing commenter profile';
					message += '<li id="dsq-msg-post-has-profile">You have just posted your commment as a <span class="dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span>, but you may already have a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile.<br /><br /><a href="http://disqus.com/claim">Log in and claim this comment!</a></li>';
					break;
				case 'user_created':
					var _data = v.split(':');
					title = 'Profile created!';
					message += '<li id="dsq-msg-user-created">You have just created a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile, the best way to claim, manage, and track your comments all over the web. \
					<br /><br />A confirmation is being sent to <strong>' + _data[1] + '</strong>. Please check for this email in order to verify your profile. \
					<ul class="dsq-list-tick"> \
						<li>Your username is <strong>' + _data[0] +'</strong>. <a href="http://disqus.com/people/' + _data[0] + '/" target="_blank">Click here to view your public profile</a>.</li> \
						<li>Be sure to set your profile picture, as well as connect your <span class="dsq-badge-facebook">Facebook</span> and <span class="dsq-badge-twitter">Twitter</span> accounts. <a href="http://disqus.com/account/" target="_blank">Click here for account settings</a>.</li> \
					</ul> \
					</li>'
					break;
				default:
					break;
			}
			numAlerts++;
		});

		if(numAlerts > 1) {
			message = '<ul class="dsq-list-bluebullet">' + message;
			message += '</ul>';
			title = 'Thanks for posting!';
		}
		if(numAlerts > 0) {
			if(typeof(disqus_cookie_msgs) == 'function') {
				disqus_cookie_msgs(message, title);
			} else {
				Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);
			}
		}
	};

	this.helpBadges = function(post_id) {
		var html = ' \
			<ul class="dsq-popup-help"> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-verified">Verified</span> has a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile with a confirmed email address.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span> has a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile, but has not yet confirmed his or her email address.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span> is not logged in with any account and has not claimed his or her comments.</li> \
				<li class="dsq-help-otheraccts">Other accounts</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-facebook">Facebook</span> is using his or her Facebook profile via Facebook Connect.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-twitter">Twitter</span> is using his or her Twitter profile via Twitter Sign-in.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-openid">OpenID</span> is using his or her OpenID.</li> \
			</ul> \
		';

		this.popModal(html, 'Help: Types of Commenters', post_id);
		return;
	};

	this.permalink = function(post_id) {
		var header = 'Link to this comment';
		var body = '<strong>You are anchored to</strong>:<br />' + document.location.protocol + '//' + document.location.host + document.location.pathname + document.location.search + '#comment-' + post_id;

		this.popModal(body, header, post_id);
	};

	this.login = function(header, body) {
		var h = header || 'Login or Register';
		var b = body || '';
		b += Dsq.Templates.frameLogin({id: 'dsq-popup-login'});
		b += '</iframe>'; // HACK: Sometimes there is something funky with the IFRAME SRC that causes no end tag
		this.popModal(b, h, null, true, 'dsq-popup-login');
	};

	this.blacklist = function(id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		var title = 'Add to Blacklist';
		var message = ' \
		Adding this person to the blacklist will block him or her from commenting on this site. Check the following types that you would like to add to the blacklist:'
		+ (userData['registered'] ?
			'<div class="dsq-blacklist-option"> \
				<input id="dsq-blacklist-username" type="checkbox" checked> \
				<label for="dsq-blacklist-username"><strong>Username</strong>: ' + userData['username'] + '</label> \
			</div>'
			: '')
		+ (_meta.email ?
			'<div class="dsq-blacklist-option"> \
				<input id="dsq-blacklist-email" type="checkbox" checked> \
				<label for="dsq-blacklist-email"><strong>Email address</strong>: ' + _meta.email + '</label> \
			</div>'
			: '')
		+ '<div class="dsq-blacklist-option"> \
			<input id="dsq-blacklist-ip" type="checkbox" onclick="Dsq.$(\'dsq-blacklist-ip-warning\').style.display=\'block\'"> \
			<label for="dsq-blacklist-ip"><strong>IP address</strong>: ' + _meta.ip + '</label> \
		</div> \
		';

		message += ' \
			<p id="dsq-blacklist-ip-warning" style="display:none">	\
				Note: Blocking this person\'s IP address may also unintentionally prevent others, who share his/her IP address, from commenting on this site. \
				This may include people who are sharing the same computer, living in the same house, or using the same Internet provider. Only block an IP address as a last resort. \
			</p> \
		';

		message += ' \
			<p style="text-align:center"><button type="button" onclick="Dsq.Post.blockUser(' + id + '); this.disabled=true; this.innerHTML=\'Just one moment...\'">Add to Blacklist</button></p> \
		';

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);
	};

	this.remoteAccountSettings = function() {
		var body = '';
		// Set up IFrame.
		var params = {};
		var base_url = 'http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/_auth/embed/remote_settings/';
		var attributes = {id: 'dsq-popup-account-settings'};
		if (typeof disqus_frame_theme != 'undefined') {
			params['theme'] = disqus_frame_theme;
		}

		body = Dsq.Templates._frameGeneric(base_url, params, attributes);
		this.popModal(body, 'Account Settings', null, true, 'dsq-popup-account-settings');
	};

	this.popModal = function(message, title, post_id, use_listener, extra_classes) {
		var container = document.createElement('div');
		var header, body;

		Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true);

		if(typeof(title) == 'undefined') { title = ''; }
		if(typeof(use_listener) == 'undefined') { use_listener = true; }

		if(post_id) {
			container.id = 'dsq-popup-message-' + post_id;
		} else {
			container.id = 'dsq-popup-message';
		}

		header = title;
		body = message;

		container.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.popupModal(header, body);
		Dsq.Popup.initPopup(container, post_id, 'message', extra_classes);
		if(use_listener) {
			Dsq.Popup.popupListener = Dsq.Utils.addEventListener(document, 'mouseup', Dsq.Popup._closePopup);
		}
	};

	this.popAlert = this.popModal;

	this.loading = function(post_id) {
		var title = Dsq.Strings.JUST_A_MOMENT;
		var body = '<div style="text-align:center; padding: 5px 0 10px 0"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading.gif" alt="" /></div>'
		Dsq.Popup.lightbox(body, title, post_id);
	};

	this.lightbox = function(message, title, post_id) {
		// Wraps Dsq.Popup.popModal

		var overlay = document.createElement('div');
		overlay.id = 'dsq-overlay';
		overlay.className = 'dsq-overlay';
		Dsq.$b.appendChild(overlay);
		
		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title, post_id, false, 'dsq-lightbox');
	};

	this.popProfile = function(post_id, userKey) {
		var post = Dsq.jsonData['posts'][post_id];
		if (post && post.has_been_anonymized) {
			Dsq.Popup.popModal('This message was anonymized by its previous owner.', 'Anonymized', post_id);
			return;
		}

		if(post_id) {
			userKey = Dsq.jsonData['posts'][post_id].user_key;	
		}
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][userKey];
		var elId = 'dsq-popup-profile-' + userKey;
		var container = document.createElement('div');

		if(this.activePopup.el) {
			this._closePopup(null, true);
			if(this.activePopup.linkClicked) {
				this.activePopup.linkClicked = false;
				return;
			}
		}

		container.id = elId;
		container.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.popupProfile(userKey);

		this.initPopup(container, post_id, 'profile');
		this.popupListener = Dsq.Utils.addEventListener(document, 'mouseup', this._closePopup);

		if(!this.profileCache[userKey]) {
			Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/embed/profile.js'
				+ '?username=' + userKey
				+ '&anon=' + (userData['registered'] ? 0 : 1)
				+ '&f=' + Dsq.jsonData['request'].forum);
		} else {
			this.updateProfile(userKey);
		}
	};

	this._closePopup = function(e, force) {
		var activePopup = Dsq.Popup.activePopup.el;
		var id = Dsq.Popup.activePopup.id;
		var link = 'dsq-avatar-' + id; // HACK: Specific to profile toggle target

		// HACK: This event should be gone if there is no active popup.
		if(!activePopup) {
			return;
		}
		if(force || !Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, activePopup.id)) {
			// TODO: This is breaking iE?
			if(Dsq.Popup.popupListener) {
				Dsq.Utils.removeEventListener(Dsq.Popup.popupListener);
			}
			
			// Kill overlay
			var overlay = Dsq.$('dsq-overlay');
			if(overlay) { Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(overlay); }
			
			try {
				Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(activePopup);
			} catch(e) {
				// HACK: IE6 throws an error when using deleteNode() with a node containing a <table> in the html.
				activePopup.parentNode.removeChild(activePopup);
			}
			Dsq.Popup.activePopup = {};
		}

		if(!force && Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, link)) {
 			Dsq.Popup.activePopup.linkClicked = true;
		}

	};

	this.initPopup = function(popup, post_id, type, extra_classes) {
		popup.className = 'dsq-popup dsq-popup-' + type + ' ' + (extra_classes ? extra_classes : '');
		if(Dsq.Utils.ie6 || Dsq.Utils.ie7) {
			// HACK: We can't modify the body before it's ready, so we need
			//       to use an IE-safe "DOMReady" workaround before loading
			//       our popup.
			Dsq.Utils.execOnReady(function() {Dsq.$b.appendChild(popup); });
		} else {
			Dsq.$b.appendChild(popup);
		}

		popup.style.display = 'block';

		var xPos = (Dsq.Utils.getWindowSize()[0] - popup.offsetWidth) / 2;
		var yPos = (Dsq.Utils.getWindowSize()[1] - popup.offsetHeight) / 2;

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) {
			yPos += Dsq.Utils.getScrollPos()[1];
		}

		popup.style.left = xPos + 'px';
		popup.style.top = yPos + 'px';

		Dsq.Popup.activePopup = {
			'el' : popup,
			'id' : post_id,
			'type': type,
			'linkClicked' : false
		};
	};

	this.isClicked = function(e, id) {
		var t = e.target || e.srcElement;
		while(t && t.parentNode) {
			if(t.id == id) {
				return true;
			}

			t = t.parentNode;
		}
		return false;
	};
};
// Dsq.Popup

/**
 * Dsq.Templates
 */
Dsq.Templates = new function() {
	/*
	 * Counter keeping track of the number of posts iterated over.
	 */
	this.postLoopCounter = 0;
	this.filters = {};
	this.addPostContainer = 'dsq-post-add';
	this.textareaContainer = 'dsq-post-add';

	this.registerTemplate = function(name, func) {
		this['$$_' + name] = func;

		if(typeof DsqLocal.Filters != 'undefined'
		&& typeof DsqLocal.Filters[name] == 'function') {
			// Push filters to this.filters to unify code.
			this.filters[name] = this.filters[name] || [];
			this.filters[name].push(DsqLocal.Filters[name]);
		}

		this[name] = function() {
			var ret;

			if(typeof DsqLocal.Templates != 'undefined'
			&& typeof DsqLocal.Templates[name] == 'function') {
				ret = DsqLocal.Templates[name].apply(this, arguments);
			}

			if(ret === undefined) {
				ret = this['$$_' + name].apply(this, arguments);
			}

			if(this.filters[name]) {
				var args = [ret];

				args.push.apply(args, arguments);
				for(var i = 0; i < this.filters[name].length; i++) {
					ret = this.filters[name][i].apply(this, args);
				}
			}

			return ret;
		};
	};

	this.registerFilter = function(name, func) {
		this.filters[name] = this.filters[name] || [];
		this.filters[name].push(func);
	};

	/**
	 * Dsq.Templates.Filters
	 */
	this.Filters = new function() {
		this.commentContainer = function(post_id, s) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
			var classes = [];
			if(Dsq.jsonData.request.page > 1) {
				classes.push('dsq-append');
			}

			//
			// Extra classes used for custom themes
			//

			if(_meta.depth) {
				classes.push('dsq-comment-child', 'dsq-depth-' + _meta.depth, 'dsq-parent-is-' + _meta.parent_post_id);
			}


			//

			if(_meta.author_is_creator) {
				// TODO: We need to deprecate the "special" class since it is not properly prefixed.
				classes.push('special', 'dsq-special');
			}
			if(_meta.author_is_moderator) {
				classes.push('dsq-moderator');
			}
			classes.push(['dsq-odd', 'dsq-even'][Dsq.Templates.postLoopCounter % 2]);

			s = s.substring(0, s.lastIndexOf('>'));
			return s + ' class="dsq-comment ' + classes.join(' ') + '" style="margin-left:' + _meta.depth*30 + 'px">';
		};

		this.commentContent = function(post_id, s) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
			if (_meta.killed) {
				return '<em>Comment removed.</em>';
			} else if (!_meta.approved) {
				return '<em>This comment was flagged for review.</em>';
			}

			s = s.replace(Dsq.MEDIA_POST_RE, Dsq.MediaPostHandler);
			return s;
		};
	};

	//
	// Thread
	//
	// TODO: These need to be stripped of all Django template tags.

	this.authPost = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.context.show_reply) {
			return '';
		}
		var result = [];
		result = result.concat([
				'<div id="dsq-auth"',
						Dsq.jsonData.integration.reply_position ? 'class="dsq-auth-bottom"' : '',
						'>',
					'<div class="dsq-by">',
						'<a href="http://disqus.com" target="_blank">',
							(Dsq.jsonData.integration.disqus_logo ?
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<img src="%(media_url)s/images/embed/by-disqus.png" alt="discussion by DISQUS">') :
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<img src="%(media_url)s/images/embed/dsq-button-120x19.png" alt="discussion by DISQUS">')
							),
						'</a>',
					'</div>',
					'<div class="dsq-auth-header">',
						'<h3 id="dsq-add-new-comment" class="dsq-h3-addcomment">',
								Dsq.Strings.ADD_NEW_COMMENT,
						'</h3>',
						'<div id="dsq-login">',
						(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated && Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
								? '<p class="dsq-login-message" id="dsq-login-message">You are commenting as a <a class="dsq-help" title="Click for more information" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges(); return false">Guest</a>. You may select one to log into:</p>'
								: '')
		]);
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {
			result = result.concat([
							Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
								'<a id="dsq-login-toggle" href="%(disqus_url)s%(login_url)s?next=article:%(thread_id)s" onclick="Dsq.Popup.login(); return false"><img class="dsq-login-icon" src="%(media_url)s/images/dsq-profile-btn.png" title="%(log_into)s" alt="%(log_into)s"/></a>',
								{login_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGIN, thread_id: Dsq.jsonData.thread.id, log_into: Dsq.Strings.LOG_INTO_DISQUS}
								),
							'&nbsp; ',
							(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect ?
								'<div id="dsq-fbc-login" onlogin="DisqusFbcParentController.onLogin()" size="medium" background="light" length="short" style="display:inline; margin-right:7px"></div>' :
								''
							),
							(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_twitter_signin ?
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
									'<div id="dsq-twitter-login" class="dsq-twitter-login" onclick="Dsq.Twitter.startTwitterConnect();" style="display:inline; cursor: pointer"><img src="%(media_url)s/images/twitter-signin-short.png" style="margin-right:7px" /></div>', {}) : ''),
							(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_openid ?
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
									'<div id="dsq-openid-login" class="dsq-openid-login" onclick="Dsq.OpenID.requestURL();" style="display:inline; cursor:pointer;"><img src="%(media_url)s/images/openid-login-button.png"/></div>', {}
								) : '')
			]);
		}
		result = result.concat([
						'</div>', // dsq-login
					'</div>', // dsq-auth-header
					'<div id="dsq-authenticated" class="dsq-authenticated" ',
						Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated ? 'style="display:block"' : '',
						'>',
						'<div class="dsq-authenticated-pic">',
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(url)s" title="%(request_display_username)s">' +
																			'<img class="dsq-post-avatar" src="%(avatar_url)s" alt="" /></a>',
																			{avatar_url: Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_AVATAR,
																			url: (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
																					 ? Dsq.jsonData.request.url
																					 : Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE) }),
						'</div>',
						'<div class="dsq-authenticated-info">',
							'<ul>',
								'<li>',
									(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
										? Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGGED_IN_AS(
												Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(url)s" title="%(request_display_username)s">%(request_display_username)s</a>', {url:Dsq.jsonData.request.url})
										  )
										: Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGGED_IN_AS(
												Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(profile_url)s" title="%(request_display_username)s">%(request_display_username)s</a>')
											)
									),
								'</li>',
								'<li class="logout">',
									(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
										? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<img class="dsq-login-icon" src="%(media_url)s/images/dsqicon12.png" alt="%(logged_in_as)s"/>&nbsp',
											{logged_in_as: Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGGED_IN_AS(Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username)})
										: ''),

									(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
										? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(logout_url)s?ctkn=%(csrf_token)s" title="%(logout_from_disqus)s">',
											{logout_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT, csrf_token: Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN, logout_from_disqus: Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGOUT_FROM('DISQUS')})
										: ((Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain == 'twitter')
												? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('using Twitter (<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(logout_url)s?ctkn=%(csrf_token)s" title="Logout">Logout</a>)',
												 {logout_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT, csrf_token: Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN})
												: ((Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain == 'openid')
													 ? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('using OpenID (<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(logout_url)s?ctkn=%(csrf_token)s" title="Logout">Logout</a>)',
													 {logout_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT, csrf_token: Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN})
													 : ''
													)
											)
									),

									(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote ? Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGOUT_FROM('<span class="logo-disqus">DISQUS</span>') : ''),
									'</a>',
								'</li>',
							'</ul>',
						'</div>',
					'</div>'
		]);
		if (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect) {
			result = result.concat([
					'<div id="dsq-fbc-authenticated" class="dsq-authenticated">',
						'<div id="dsq-fbc-profilepic" class="dsq-authenticated-pic" uid="loggedinuser" type="FB.XFBML.ProfilePic" size="square" facebook-logo="true"></div>',
						'<div class="dsq-authenticated-info">',
							'<ul>',
								'<li>',
									'Logged in as <span id="dsq-fbc-name" uid="loggedinuser" type="FB.XFBML.Name" linked="true" useyou="false"></span>',
								'</li>',
								'<li class="logout">using Facebook Connect <a href="#" onclick="javascript:DisqusFbcParentController.logout();return false;">(Logout)</a></li>',
							'</ul>',
						'</div>',
					'</div>'
			]);
		}
		result = result.concat([
				'</div>', // dsq-auth
				'<div id="dsq-toolbar-items">',
				'</div>'
		]);
		result = result.concat([
					//
					//
					//
				((!Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post && !Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) ?
					// Needs to be translated:
					('<p id="dsq-no-anon-msg">Required: Please log into <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> ' +
					(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect ? 'or connect with Facebook ' : '') +
					(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_twitter_signin ? 'or sign in with Twitter ' : '') +
					(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_openid ? 'or sign in using OpenID ' : '') +
					Dsq.Utils.interpolate('to comment on <strong>%(forum_name)s</strong>.</p>')) :
					''
				),
				'<div id="dsq-post-add"></div>',
				'<div style="margin:10px 0">',
				((Dsq.jsonData.forum.use_media) ?
						'<a href="#" id="dsq-media-link" onclick="Dsq.Post.showMenu(this, false, \'media\'); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.USE_MEDIA + ' <small>&#9660;</small></a>' :
						''),
				'</div>'
		]);
		return result.join('');
	};


	this.header = function() {

		var html = '\<h3 id="dsq-comments-count" class="dsq-h3-commentcount">\
	 <span id="dsq-num-posts">81</span> Comments\
	 &nbsp;\
	 <span class="dsq-item-feed">\
	 <a href="http://scobleizer.disqus.com/the_challenge_for_europe_keeping_tech_there_instead_of_the_valley/latest.rss"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/bullet-feed.png"></a>\
	 </span>\
	 </h3>\
	 <div id="dsq-options" style="margin:15px 0">\
	 <span class="dsq-item-sort">\
	 Sort by\
	 <select id="dsq-sort-select" onchange="Dsq.Thread.sortBy(this.value);">\
	 <option value="hot" selected="selected">Popular now</option>\
	 <option value="best" >Best Rating</option>\
	 <option value="newest" >Newest first</option>\
	 <option value="oldest" >Oldest first</option>\
	 </select>\
	 &nbsp;\
	 </span>\
	 <span class="dsq-item-cp"><a href="http://scobleizer.disqus.com/the_challenge_for_europe_keeping_tech_there_instead_of_the_valley/">Community Page</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>\
	 <span class="dsq-item-subscribe">\
	 <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/email.png" style="width:12px;height:12px;vertical-align:middle">\
	 <span id="dsq-subscribe">\
	 <a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1); return false">Subscribe by email</a>\
	 </span>\
	 </span>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-alerts">\
	 <p>Comments for this page are closed.</p>\
	 </div>\
		';

		

		
		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator) { 
			html = ' \
			<div class="dsq-alert-message dsq-upgrade-message"> \
				<strong>Disqus upgrade available.</strong> Hi ' + Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username + ', this message is being displayed to you because you are a moderator of this site. <a href="#" onclick="Dsq.$(\'dsq-upgrade-message\').style.display=\'block\';this.style.display=\'none\';return false">Click here for details.</a> \
				<div style="display:none; margin-top:10px;" id="dsq-upgrade-message"> \
					A new theme is available with added features. <a href="http://disqus.com/comments/settings/' + Dsq.jsonData.forum.url + '/?p=customize">To change your theme, click here</a> and choose the theme Narcissus. \
					If you do not upgrade, you are missing out on features such as: real-time commenting, new sign-in integrations, and an upgrade interface. \
					<strong>This message will automatically go away in one week.</strong> \
				</div> \
			</div> \
			' + html; 
		}
		return html;
	};

	this.footer = function() {
		var html = Dsq.Templates.pagination();

		
			html += Dsq.Templates.authPost();
		

		html += Dsq.Templates.reactions();

		
			html += Dsq.Templates.trackbacks();
		

		return html;
	};

	this.pagination = function() {
		var html = '';
		
		if (Dsq.$('dsq-pagination')) { Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML = ''; }
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.thread.paginate) { return ''; }

		//
		// TODO: num_paginator still uses the template tag for pagination, 
		// 		while append_paginator does it all in JavaScript.
		//		This should all be in JavaScript.
		//

		if (Dsq.jsonData.thread.num_pages > 1 && Dsq.jsonData.request.page < Dsq.jsonData.thread.num_pages) {
			html = ' \<a class="dsq-paginate-append-text" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.paginate(Dsq.jsonData.request.page + 1, this); return false">Show more comments...</a>\
	 <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small dsq-paginate-append-button" onclick="Dsq.Thread.paginate(Dsq.jsonData.request.page + 1, this);">Load more comments</button>\
			';
		}
		
		if (Dsq.$('dsq-pagination')) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML = html;
			return '';
		} else {
			return '<div id="dsq-pagination" class="dsq-pagination">' + html + '</div>';
		}
	};

	this.trackbacks = function() {
		var html = '';

		if(typeof DsqLocal != 'undefined' && DsqLocal.trackback_url && DsqLocal.trackbacks) {
			var trackbacks = DsqLocal.trackbacks;
			var trackback_url = DsqLocal.trackback_url;
		} else {
			var trackbacks = [
			
			
			];
			var trackback_url = 'http://scobleizer.disqus.com/the_challenge_for_europe_keeping_tech_there_instead_of_the_valley/trackback/';
		}

		html += '<div class="dsq-item-trackback">Trackback URL&nbsp;&nbsp;<input class="dsq-trackback-url" onclick="this.select()" readonly="true" value="' + trackback_url + '"></div>';

		if(trackbacks.length) {
			html += '<ul id="dsq-references">'
			for(var i = 0; i < trackbacks.length; i++) {
				var trackback = trackbacks[i];
				html += '<li><cite><a href="' + trackback.author_url + '" rel="nofollow">' + trackback.author_name + '</a></cite> \
						<p class="dsq-meta">' + trackback.date + '</p> \
						<p class="dsq-content">' + trackback.excerpt + '</p></li>';
			}
			html += '</ul>';
			html = '<h3 class="dsq-h3-trackbacks">Trackbacks</h3>' + html;
		}

		return html;
	}

	this.showRetweets = function(id, limit, element_id /* Optional */) {
		var source, html = '';

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			if (reaction.id === id) {
				source = reaction.retweets;
			}
		}

		if (source) {
			if (limit === 0) {
				limit = source.length;
			}

			for (var j = 0; j < limit; j++) {
				var rt = source[j];
				html += '<a href="' + rt.url + '">' + rt.author_name + '</a>'	+ ((j === (limit - 1)) ? '.' : ', ');
			}
		}

		if (element_id === undefined) {
			return html;
		}

		var element = document.getElementById(element_id);
		element.innerHTML = html;
		return element;
	};

	this.showMoreReactions = function(reactions, has_more, start, limit) {
		var link = document.getElementById('dsq-show-more-reactions');
		var container = link.parentNode;
		container.removeChild(link);

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = reactions[i]; i++) {
			var el = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (el) {
				container.innerHTML += el;
			}
		}

		if (has_more) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = start;
			var l = limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			container.innerHTML += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions"><a href="#" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</a></li>';
		}
	};

	this.generateReactionHTML = function(reaction) {
		if (reaction.body === null || reaction.body == '') {
			return;
		}

		if (reaction.author_name === '') {
			reaction.author_name = '&nbsp;';
		}

		if (reaction.url === '') {
			reaction.url = reaction.get_service_url;
		}

		/* Reaction HTML begins */
		var item = '<li class="dsq-reaction" id="dsq-reaction-' + reaction.id + '">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-header">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-header-avatar">';

		if (reaction.author_url && reaction.author_url !== '') {
			item += '<a target="_blank" href="' + reaction.author_url +'">';
		} else {
			item += '<a target="_blank" href="#" onclick="return false;">';
		}

		if (reaction.avatar_url && reaction.avatar_url !== '') {
			item += '<img src="' + reaction.avatar_url + '"/>';
		} else {
			item += '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/noavatar32.png"/>';
		}

		var service_icon = (reaction.get_service_name == 'trackback' || reaction.get_service_name == 'pingback' ? 'rss' : reaction.get_service_name.replace(' ', ''));
		item += '<img class="dsq-service-icon" src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/reactions/services/' + service_icon + '.png"/>'
			+ '</a></div>'
			+ '<cite><span>' + reaction.author_name + '</span></cite>'
			+ '<span class="dsq-header-meta"><a class="dsq-header-time">' + reaction.date_created + '</a></span>'
			+ '</div><div class="dsq-reaction-body">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-message">' + reaction.body + '</div>'
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-footer">From <a class="dsq-service-name" target="_blank" href="' + reaction.url + '">' + reaction.get_service_name + '</a> '
			+ 'via <a href="' + reaction.source_url + '">' + (reaction.source == 'backtype' ? 'BackType' : 'UberVU') + '</a>'
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator ? '&nbsp;&bull;&nbsp;<a class="dsq-hide-reaction" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Reaction.hide(' + reaction.id + '); return false;">Hide</a>' : '') + '</div></div>';

		if(reaction.retweets) {
			var num_retweets = reaction.retweets.length;
			if (num_retweets > 0) {
				item += '<div class="dsq-reaction-retweets">';
				if (num_retweets == 1) {
					item += 'One more retweet from <a href="' + reaction.retweets[0].url + '">'  + reaction.retweets[0].author_name + '</a>';
				} else {
					item += (num_retweets + ' more retweets from ');

					item += '<span id="dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '">';
					var n_tweets = (num_retweets > 15) ? 15 : num_retweets;
					item += Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(reaction.id, n_tweets);

					if (n_tweets != num_retweets) {
						item += '</span> <a onclick="Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(' + reaction.id + ', 0, \'dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '\');'
							+ 'this.parentNode.removeChild(this); return false;" href="#">Show all</a>';
					}
				}
				item += '</div>';
			}
		}

		item += '</li>'; /* Reaction HTML ends */
		return item;
	};

	this.reactions = function() {
		var html, reaction;

		if (Dsq.jsonData.reactions === undefined || Dsq.jsonData.reactions.length === 0) {
			return '';
		}

		html = '';
		for (var i = 0; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			var item = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (item) {
				html += item;
			}
		}

		if (Dsq.jsonData.has_more_reactions) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_start;
			var l = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			html += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions"><a href="#" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</a></li>';
		}

		return '<h3 class="dsq-h3-reactions">Reactions</h3><ul id="dsq-reactions" class="dsq-reactions">' + html + '</ul>';
	};
	
	this.missingPermissions = function() {
		return '	<p>Comments for this page are closed.</p>\n';
	};

	//
	// Post
	//

	this.prependPost = function(post_id) {
		var html = '<div id="comment-' + post_id + '"></div>';
		return html;
	};

	this.appendPost = function(post_id) {
		var html = '<div id="dsq-comment-reply-' + post_id + '"></div>';
		return html;
	};

	this.postPrependHeader = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];

		var _includeServices = function() {
			var userServices = Dsq.Post.getUserServices(null, post_id);
			var html = '';
			var hiddenThreshold = 3; // Define # of services to show before stuffing them in hidden div

			for(var i = 0; i < userServices.length; i++) {
				html +=
				(i == hiddenThreshold
					? '<li id="dsq-drop-hidden-' + post_id +'" class="dsq-drop-hidden"><ul>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="dsq-drop-services"> \
					<a class="dsq-service-' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" href="' + userServices[i].url + '" target="_blank"> \
						<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/embed/services/' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '.png" alt="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '">'
					+ userServices[i].name
					+ '</a> \
				</li>';
			}

			if(i >= hiddenThreshold) {
				html += '</ul></li> \
				<li id="dsq-drop-more-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-drop-more"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.dropProfileMore(this, '+ post_id + '); return false"><small>&#9660;</small></a></li> \
				';
			}
			return html;
		};

		return ' \
			<div class="dsq-header-avatar" id="dsq-header-avatar-' + post_id + '" onmouseover="Dsq.Post.dropProfile(' + post_id + ')"> \
				<a id="dsq-avatar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-avatar" href="' + userData.url + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">'
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.show_avatar
				? '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.users[_meta.user_key].avatar + '" alt="" />'
				: '')
			+ '</a>'
			+ '</div> \
		';
	};

	this.postAppendHeader = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];

		return ''
			+ (_meta.author_is_moderator
				? '<img class="dsq-mod-star" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/bullet-star.png" title="Moderator" alt="" />'
				: '')
			+ '<span class="dsq-header-meta"> \
				<a id="dsq-time-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-header-time" href="#comment-' + post_id + '" title="Permalink">' + _meta.date + '</a> \
			</span>';
	};

	this.preBody = function(post_id) {
		return '';
	}

	this.postBody = function(post_id) {
		// TODO: Deprecate flagging conditional
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		return ''
			+ (_meta.edited
				? '<p class="dsq-editedtxt">(Edited by a moderator)</p>'
				: '')
			;
	};

	this.postFooter = function(post_id) {
		// TODO: Use media should be conditional
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		if(_meta.killed) { return ''; }

		return ' \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-' + post_id + '"> \
				<div id="dsq-points-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-likedtxt">'
				+ (_meta.points
					? _meta.points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(_meta.points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this comment.'
					: '')
				+ '</div>'
				+ '<ul class="dsq-comment-options dsq-list-style">'
				+ (_meta.votable
					? '<li class="dsq-list-first dsq-rate" id="dsq-rate-cont-' + post_id + '">'
					+ (!_meta.up_voted
						? '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.rate(this, ' + post_id + ', 1); return false;">Like</a>'
						: 'You liked this.') + '</li>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="dsq-report' + (!_meta.votable ? ' dsq-list-first' : '') + '" id="dsq-post-report-' + post_id + '"><a href="#" class="dsq-post-report" onclick="Dsq.Post.report(' + post_id + ', false); return false;">Report</a></li> \
				</ul> \
				<ul class="dsq-list-style">'
				+ (_meta.can_reply
					? '<li class="dsq-list-first"><a href="#" id="dsq-reply-link-' + post_id +'" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleReply(this, ' + post_id +'); return false;">Reply</a></li>'
					: '')
				+ (_meta.can_reply && !_meta.has_replies && _meta.from_request_user
					? '<li id="dsq-edit-el-' + post_id + '"><a id="dsq-edit-link-' + post_id + '" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + '); return false;">Edit</a></li>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="' + (!_meta.can_reply ? 'dsq-list-first' : '') + '" id="dsq-more-el-' + post_id + '"><a id="dsq-more-link-' + post_id + '" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.showMenu(this, ' + post_id + ', \'more\'); return false">More <small>&#9660;</small></a></li>'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.use_media
					? '<li id="dsq-media-el-' + post_id +'" style="display:none"><a id="dsq-media-link-' + post_id + '" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.showMenu(this, ' + post_id + ', \'media\'); return false">Use Media <small>&#9660;</small></a></li>'
					: '')
				+ '</ul>'
				+ '<div id="dsq-reply-bar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-reply-bar" style="display:none"> \
						<div id="dsq-reply-bar-items-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-reply-bar-items"> \
						</div> \
						<div id="dsq-reply-bar-auth-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-reply-bar-auth"> \
							 \
								 \
								 	<a href="#" class="dsq-help dsq-reply-req-opt" title="You are commenting as a Guest. You may choose to log into an existing DISQUS Profile, your Facebook, Twitter or OpenID account to comment on Scobleizer" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges(); return false">Optional:</a> \
								 \
								<img class="dsq-login-icon" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/dsq-favicon-16x16.png" alt="" /> \
								<a id="dsq-reply-login-' + post_id + '" href="http://disqus.com/profile/login/?next=article:18454083" onclick="Dsq.Popup.login(); return false">Login</a> \
								 \
									&nbsp;or&nbsp; \
									<img class="fb_login_image" src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/images/fbconnect/login-buttons/connect_light_small_short.gif" alt="Facebook Connect"/> \
									<a href="#" onclick="FB.Connect.requireSession(DisqusFbcParentController.onLogin); return false;">Connect</a> \
								 \
								&nbsp;or&nbsp; \
									<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/twitter-signin-icon.png" alt="" /> \
									<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Twitter.startTwitterConnect(); return false">Sign-in</a> \
								 \
								 \
							 \
						</div> \
					</div> \
					<div id="dsq-reply-' + post_id + '"></div> \
			</div> \
		';
	};

	//
	// Iframes
	//

	this._makeAttributes = function(attributes) {
		// Makes a tag attributes string out of an object.
		// Caller is responsible for making sure nothing needs to be escaped.
		var result = [];
		for (key in attributes) {
			result.push(' ' + key + '="' + attributes[key] + '"');
		}
		result = result.join('');
		return result;
	};

	this._frameGeneric = function(base_url, params, attributes) {
		if(typeof(disqus_callback_params) == 'undefined') {
			disqus_callback_params = '';
		}

		var default_params = {
			// TODO: These should be moved to Dsq.jsonData.
			'f'				: 'scobleizer',
			't'				: 'the_challenge_for_europe_keeping_tech_there_instead_of_the_valley',
			// Do we need encodeURIComponent here?
			'ifrs'			: encodeURIComponent(disqus_iframe_css),
			'to_redirect'	: encodeURIComponent(window.location),
			'cbp'			: disqus_callback_params,
			'ff'			: Dsq.Thread.ff,
			'fc'			: Dsq.Thread.fc,
			'ac'			: Dsq.Thread.ac,
			'default_text'	: disqus_default_text
		};

		base_url += '?' + (new Date()).getTime();
		// Add params to default_params.
		if(params) {
			for(var key in params) {
				if(params.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
					default_params[key] = encodeURIComponent(params[key]);
				}
			}
		}
		// Build querystring.
		for(var key in default_params) {
			if(default_params[key] && default_params.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				base_url += '&' + key + '=' + default_params[key];
			}
		}

		return [
			'<iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" hspace="0" vspace="0" frameborder="0"',
			(' allowtransparency="true" src="' + base_url + '"'),
			this._makeAttributes(attributes),
			'</iframe>'].join('');
	};

	this.frameLogin = function(opt_attributes) {
		var params = {};
		var base_url = 'http://disqus.com/embed/login.html';
		var attributes = opt_attributes || {};
		attributes['class'] = 'dsq-post-login';

		if(typeof disqus_frame_theme != 'undefined') {
			params['theme'] = disqus_frame_theme;
		}
		return this._frameGeneric(base_url, params, attributes);
	};

	this.frameReply = function(post_id, extra_params, attributes) {
		// Returns the HTML for a reply iframe. Called by Dsq.Iframes.setReplyIframeToContainer
		var _meta = (typeof post_id != 'undefined') ? Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id] : false;
		var base_url = Dsq.Urls.REPLY;
		var params = {
			'def_email'		: disqus_def_email,
			'def_name'		: disqus_def_name
		};
		if(extra_params) {
			for(var key in extra_params) {
				if(extra_params.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
					params[key] = extra_params[key];
				}
			}
		}
		if(_meta) {
			params['parent_post'] = post_id;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_per_page != 'undefined') {
			params['per_page'] = disqus_per_page;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_frame_theme != 'undefined') {
			params['theme'] = disqus_frame_theme;
		}
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {
			attributes['class'] += '-authenticated';
		}
		return this._frameGeneric(base_url, params, attributes);
	};

	this.frameEdit = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = (typeof post_id != 'undefined') ? Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id] : false;
		var base_url = 'http://disqus.com/embed/edit.html';
		var params = {
			'p' : post_id
		};
		return this._frameGeneric(base_url, params, {'class': 'dsq-post-edit', 'name': 'dsq-edit_' + post_id + '-frame'});
	};

	//
	// Menus
	//

	this.menuMore = function(post_id) {
		// TODO: "Remove post" button should hide menu.
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		return ' \
			<li><a href="#comment-' + post_id + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.permalink(' + post_id + ')">Link</a></li> \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">Profile</a></li>'
	+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator
		? '	<li class="dsq-menu-sep"></li>' + (_meta.email ? '<li class="dsq-admin-email">' + _meta.email + '</li>' : '')
		+ '	<li class="dsq-admin-ip">' + _meta.ip + '</li> \
			<li class="dsq-menu-sep"></li>'
		+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.moderator_can_edit
			? ' <li class="dsq-admin-edit"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + '); return false;">Edit Comment</a></li>'
			: '')
		+ ' <li class="dsq-remove"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.removePost(' + post_id + ', 1); return false;">Remove Comment</a></li> \
			<li class="dsq-report-spam"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.reportSpam(' + post_id + '); return false;">Mark Spam</a></li> \
			<li class="dsq-block-user"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.blacklist(' + post_id + '); return false">Block User</a></li>'
		: '');
	};

	this.menuMedia = function(post_id) {
		return ' \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleMediaReply(this, ' + post_id + ', \'seesmic\'); return false;">Record video</a></li> \
		';
	};

	this.dropProfile = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];

		var _includeServices = function() {
			var userServices = Dsq.Post.getUserServices(null, post_id);
			var html = '';
			var hiddenThreshold = 3; // Define # of services to show before stuffing them in hidden div

			for(var i = 0; i < userServices.length; i++) {
				html +=
				(i == hiddenThreshold
					? '<li id="dsq-drop-hidden-' + post_id +'" class="dsq-drop-hidden"><ul>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="dsq-drop-services"> \
					<a class="dsq-service-' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" href="' + userServices[i].url + '" target="_blank"> \
						<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/embed/services/' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '.png" alt="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '">'
					+ userServices[i].name
					+ '</a> \
				</li>';
			}

			if(i >= hiddenThreshold) {
				html += '</ul></li> \
				<li id="dsq-drop-more-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-drop-more"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.dropProfileMore(this, '+ post_id + '); return false"><small>&#9660;</small></a></li> \
				';
			}
			return html;
		};


		var menu = '<li class="dsq-drop-showlnk"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">Expand &#8663;</a></li>';
		var pointsMessage = '';
		if (userData['registered']) {
			pointsMessage = 'with ' + userData['points'] + ' points (more points are better).';
		}

		if (userData['is_remote']) {
			var domain = userData['remote_domain_name'];
			menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' is a ' + domain + ' user ' + pointsMessage + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()">';
			menu += '<span class="dsq-badge-' + domain.toLowerCase() + '">' + domain + '</span></li>';
		} else if (userData['registered']) {
			if (userData['verified']) {
				menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' has a verified commenter profile ' + pointsMessage + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()">';
				menu += '<span class="dsq-badge-verified">Verified</span></li>';
			} else {
				menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' has a registered, but unverified, commenter profile ' + pointsMessage + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()">';
				menu += '<span class="dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span></li>';
			}
		} else {
			menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' has not claimed this commenter profile." onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()"><span class="dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span></li>';
		}

		menu += _includeServices();
		return menu;
	};

	//
	// Popups
	//

	this._popupGeneric = function(content) {
		return ' \
		<div class="dsq-popup-content"> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-top"></div> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-body" class="clearfix"> \
				<div class="dsq-popup-body-padding"> \
					<div class="dsq-popup-header"> \
						<a class="dsq-close-link" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/modal-close.png" alt="" /></a>'
						+ content['header']
					+ '</div>'
					+ content['body']
					+ '<div class="powered-by"><a href="http://disqus.com/comments/">Powered by <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-logo.png" alt="Disqus Comments" style="margin-bottom:-5px" /></a></div> \
				</div> <!-- padding --> \
			</div> <!-- body --> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-bottom"></div> \
		</div> \
		';
	};

	this.popupProfile = function(user_key) {
		var userServices = Dsq.Post.getUserServices(user_key, null);
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][user_key];
		var headerHtml = '';
		var bodyHtml = '';
		var content = {};

		var _includeServices = function() {
			var html = '';
			for(var i = 0; i < userServices.length; i++) {
				html +=
				(i == 0
					? '<h4>Connections</h4><ul>'
					: '')
				+ '<li> \
					<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/embed/services/' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '.png" alt="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" title="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" /> \
					<a class="dsq-service-' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" href="' + userServices[i].url + '" target="_blank">'
					+ userServices[i].name
					+ '</a> \
				</li>'
				+ (i+1 == userServices.length ? '</ul>' : '');
			}
			return html;
		};

		headerHtml = ' \
			<table> \
				<tr> \
					<td> \
						<a class="dsq-profile-userurl" href="' + userData.url + '"><img class="dsq-popup-profile-avatar" src="' + userData['avatar'] + '" alt="" /></a> \
					</td> \
					<td> \
						<div class="dsq-popup-profile-user"> \
							<h3>' + userData['display_name'] + '</h3> \
							<div class="dsq-popup-profile-user-stats" id="dsq-popup-profile-user-stats-' + user_key + '">Loading...</div> \
						</div> \
					</td> \
				</tr> \
			</table> \
		';

		bodyHtml = ' \
			<div class="dsq-popup-profile-state"> \
				This is a&nbsp;<span class="'
					+ (userData['registered']
						? (userData['verified']
							? ' dsq-badge-verified'
							: (userData['is_remote']
								? ' dsq-badge-' + userData['remote_domain_name'].toLowerCase()
								: ' dsq-badge-registered')
							)
							: ' dsq-badge-guest') + '">'
			+ (userData['registered']
				? (userData['verified']
					? 'Verified'
					: (userData['is_remote']
						 ? userData['remote_domain_name']
						 : 'Registered')
					)
				: 'Guest')
			+ '</span>&nbsp;commenter profile.'
			+ '&nbsp;<a class="dsq-profile-userurl" href="' + userData.url + '"><strong>View more comments </strong></a>'
			+ (!userData['points']
				? '<p class="dsq-popup-notice">If this is you, <a href="http://disqus.com/profile" target="_blank">claim it now</a> to manage your comments.</p>'
				: '')
			+ ((userData['registered'] && !userData['verified'] && (Dsq.jsonData.request.username && (Dsq.jsonData.request.username == userData['username'])) && !userData['is_remote'])
				? '<p class="dsq-popup-notice"><strong>Alert</strong>: You have not verified this account. <a href="http://disqus.com/verify">Verify it now.</a></p>'
				: '')
			+ '</div> \
			<div id="dsq-profile-status-' + user_key + '" class="dsq-popup-profile-status" style="display:none"></div> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-profile-snapshot"> \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td> \
							<div id="dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-wrapper-' + user_key + '"> \
								<h4>Most active sites</h4> \
								<ul id="dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-' + user_key + '"> \
									<li>Loading...</li> \
								</ul> \
							</div> \
						</td> \
						<td>'
							+ _includeServices()
							+ '<div id="dsq-popup-profile-moderated-wrapper-' + user_key + '"> \
								<h4>Moderator of</h4> \
								<ul id="dsq-popup-profile-moderated-' + user_key + '"> \
									<li>Loading...</li> \
								</ul> \
							</div> \
						</td> \
					</tr> \
				</table> \
			</div> \
			';

		content = {
			'header': headerHtml,
			'body': bodyHtml
		};

		return this._popupGeneric(content);
	};

	this.popupReblog = function() {
		var headerHtml = '';
		var bodyHtml = '';
		var content = {};

		headerHtml = ' \
			<cite><span>Reblog this comment</span></cite> \
		';

		bodyHtml = ' \
			<div id="dsq-reblog-form" class="dsq-reblog-form"> \
			</div> \
		';

		content = {
			'header': headerHtml,
			'body': bodyHtml
		};

		return this._popupGeneric(content);
	};

	this.popupModal = function(title, message) {
		var headerHtml = '';
		var bodyHtml = '';
		var content = {};

		headerHtml = ' \
			<h3>' + title + '</h3> \
		';

		bodyHtml = message;

		content = {
			'header': headerHtml,
			'body': bodyHtml
		};

		return this._popupGeneric(content);
	};

	this.alertContent = function(name, post_id) {
		var alert = {
			'post_not_approved': {
				'title': 'Comment awaiting approval by a moderator',
				'message': 'Thanks for posting. Your comment must be approved by a moderator before appearing here.'
			},
			'post_has_profile': {
				'title': 'Use your existing commenter profile',
				'message': 'You have just posted your commment as a <span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span>, but you may already have a <span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span> commenter profile.<br /><br /><a href="http://disqus.com/claim">Log in and claim this comment!</a>'
			}
		};
		return alert[name] || false;
	};

	//
	// Actions
	//

	this.voted = function(post_id, points, vote) {
		// Update number of points
		Dsq.$('dsq-points-' + post_id).innerHTML = points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this comment.';

		// Update link text
		if(vote) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-rate-cont-' + post_id).innerHTML = 'You liked this.';
		}
	};

	this.subscribed = function(status) {
		var title, message;

		if(status) {
			title = 'Subscribed!';
			message = 'You have subscribed to this comment thread. New comments will be sent directly to your email inbox, where you may read and respond by email.';
			Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe').innerHTML = ' \
				<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(0); return false">Unsubscribe</a> \
			';
		} else {
			title = 'Unsubscribed';
			message = 'You have unsubscribed to this comment thread. New comments will no longer be sent to your email inbox.';
			Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe').innerHTML = ' \
				<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1); return false">Subscribe by email</a> \
			';
		}

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);

	};
	
	this.highlighted = function() {
		Dsq.Popup.popModal('This comment has been highlighted.', 'Highlighted comment');
	};

	//
	// Media
	//

	this.mediaSeesmic = function(id, thumb) {
		return ' \
			<div id="dsq-seesmic-' + id + '_preview" class="dsq-seesmic-preview"><a href="http://www.seesmic.com/video/' + id + '" target="_blank" class="see_link">&nbsp;</a> \
				<div style="display:block;width:160px; height:120px; border:none; background-image:url(http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/' + thumb + ')"> \
					<div id="dsq-seesmic-' + id + '_hide" class="seePlayOverlay" style="display:none;"><img onclick="see_play_video(\'' + id + '\',false)" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/seesmic/stopOverlay.png" width="50" height="50" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; padding-top: 30px; padding-left: 50px" alt="" /></div> \
					<div id="dsq-seesmic-' + id + '_show" class="seePlayOverlay"><img onclick="see_play_video(\'' + id + '\',true)" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/seesmic/playOverlay.png" width="50" height="50" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; border:none; padding-top: 30px; padding-left: 50px" alt="" /></div> \
				</div> \
			</div> \
			<div id="' + id + '_content" style="display:block; width:100%; padding-top:5px"></div> \
		';
	};

	//
	// Callbacks
	//

	this.postComment_onSuccess = function(parent_post_id) {
		// Increment post count
		var num_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-num-posts');
		var total_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-total-posts');
		
		if (num_posts) { 
			num_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(num_posts.innerHTML) + 1;
		}
		if (total_posts) { 
			total_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(total_posts.innerHTML) + 1;
		}
	};
};
// Dsq.Templates


/**
 * Dsq.Post
 */
Dsq.Post = new function() {
	this.openedMenu = {};
	this.menuEventListener = null;
	this.stateReplyToggled = {};
	this.stateEditToggled = {};
	this.stateRecordLink = {};

	/**
	 * Inserts a new post into the document.
	 *
	 * @param after_id {Number}	Insert a post before specified id.  If after_id
	 *							evaluates to false, then post in the front.  If
	 *							after_id is -1, post at the end.
	 */
	this.insert = function(after_id, id, message, author) {
		// Skeleton template from thread_posts.html.
		var skeleton = ' \
			<li id="dsq-comment-%(id)s"> \
				<div id="dsq-comment-header-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-header"> \
					<cite id="dsq-cite-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-cite"> \
						<a id="dsq-author-user-%(id)s" href="%(author_url)s" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">%(author_name)s</a> \
					</cite> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-comment-body-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-body"> \
					<div id="dsq-comment-message-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-message">%(message)s</div> \
				</div> \
			</li> \
		';
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
		var _user_meta = Dsq.jsonData.users[_meta.user_key];
		var markup = Dsq.Utils.interpolate(skeleton, {
			id: id,
			message: message,
			author_url: _user_meta.blog,
			author_name: _user_meta.display_name
		});
		var div = document.createElement('div');
		markup = markup.replace(Dsq.COMMENTS_RE, Dsq.CommentsHandler);
		div.innerHTML = markup;

		if (after_id === -1) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-comments').appendChild(div);
		} else if (!after_id) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-comments').insertBefore(div, Dsq.$('dsq-comments').firstChild);
		} else if (Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + after_id)) {
			// Get next node after "after_id", so we can insert before it.
			// If "after_id" is the last comment, the target node is the
			// last node.
			
			// var append_post_id = Dsq.Templates.appendPost(after_id).replace('<div id="','').replace('"></div>', '');
			var append_post_id = 'dsq-append-post-' + after_id;
			var node = Dsq.$(append_post_id);
			while (node = node.nextSibling) {
				if (!node || node.nodeType == 1) { // 1 == Node.ELEMENT_NODE
					break;
				}
			}
			if (!node) {
				node = Dsq.$(append_post_id);
			}
			node.parentNode.insertBefore(div, node);
		}
	};

	this.incrementPostCount = function() {
		
		var num_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-num-posts');
		var total_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-total-posts');

		if (num_posts) {
			num_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(num_posts.innerHTML, 10) + 1;
		}
		if (total_posts) {
			total_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(total_posts.innerHTML, 10) + 1;
		}
	}
	
	this.outlineComment = function(post_id) {
		Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + post_id).className += ' dsq-comment-outline';
		setTimeout("(function () { Dsq.Post.clearOutlineComment(" + post_id + ") })()", 3000);
	};
	
	this.clearOutlineComment = function(post_id) {
		Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + post_id).className = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + post_id).className.replace('dsq-comment-outline', '');
	};

	this.showMenu = function(el, id, name) {
		var anchorPos = Dsq.Utils.findPos(el);
		var menu = document.createElement('ul');

		if(this.openedMenu) {
			if(this.openedMenu.linkClicked) {
				this.openedMenu.linkClicked = false;
				return;
			}
		}

		switch(name) {
			case 'more':
				menu.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.menuMore(id);
				break;
			case 'media':
				menu.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.menuMedia(id);
				break;
			default:
				break;
		}

		// Add menu to document body
		menu.id = 'dsq-menu-' + id;
		menu.className = 'dsq-menu';
		Dsq.$b.appendChild(menu);

		// Position and show
		anchorPos[1] += 15;
		menu.style.left = anchorPos[0] + 'px';
		menu.style.top = anchorPos[1] + 'px';
		menu.style.display = 'block';

		// Set global reference
		this.openedMenu = {
			'el' : menu,
			'id' : id,
			'name' : name,
			'linkClicked' : false
		};

		// Set listener
		this.menuEventListener = Dsq.Utils.addEventListener(document, 'mouseup', this._hideMenu);
	};

	this._hideMenu = function(e) {
		var el = e.target || e.srcElement;
		var openedMenu = Dsq.Post.openedMenu.el;
		var id = Dsq.Post.openedMenu.id;

		if(!id) {
			var link = 'dsq-' + Dsq.Post.openedMenu.name + '-link';
		} else {
			var link = 'dsq-' + Dsq.Post.openedMenu.name + '-link-' + id;
		}

		if(!openedMenu) {
			return;
		}

		if(!Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, openedMenu.id)) {
			openedMenu.style.display = 'none';
			Dsq.Utils.removeEventListener(Dsq.Post.menuEventListener);
			Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(openedMenu);

		} else {
			// Hide the menu if a link was clicked inside the menu.  We can't
			// completely remove the menu until the onclick event on the link
			// fires, but the menuEventListener will prevent multiple menus
			// from polluting the DOM.
			if(el && typeof el.href != 'undefined') {
				openedMenu.style.display = 'none';
				Dsq.Post.openedMenu.el = null;
			}
		}

		if(Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, link)) {
 			Dsq.Post.openedMenu.linkClicked = true;
		}
	};


	this.getUserServices = function(user_key, id) {
		if(!user_key && id) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
			user_key = _meta.user_key;
		}
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][user_key];
		var userServices = [];

		// Keep a full list of supported services. This is the order they will display in the drop-profile.
		// Each service must have a corresponding case in _buildServiceUrl()
		var supportedServices = ['blog', 'twitter', 'facebook', 'tumblr'];

		function _buildServiceUrl(serviceName) {
			var data = userData[serviceName];
			var services = {
				blog:		function(d) { return d; },
				twitter:	function(d) { return d; },
				facebook:	function(d) { return d; },
				tumblr:		function(d) { return 'http://' + d + '.tumblr.com'; }
			};
			return services[serviceName](data);
		}

		for(var i = 0; i < supportedServices.length; i++) {
			if(userData[supportedServices[i]]) {
				var serviceUrl = _buildServiceUrl(supportedServices[i]);
				userServices.push({'name' : supportedServices[i], 'url' : serviceUrl});
			}
		}
		return userServices;
	}

	this.dropProfile = function(id) {
		var dp = Dsq.$('dsq-drop-profile-' + id);

		// IE6 needs JS to display/hide. All other browsers use CSS.
		if(dp) {
			if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) dp.style.display = (dp.style.display == 'inline') ? 'none' : 'inline';
			return false;
		} else {
			dp = document.createElement('ul');
		}

		dp.id = 'dsq-drop-profile-' + id;
		dp.className = 'dsq-drop-profile';

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) { dp.style.display = 'inline'; }

		var container = Dsq.$('dsq-header-avatar-' + id);
		dp.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.dropProfile(id);
		container.appendChild(dp);
	};

	this.dropProfileMore = function(el, id) {
		var hiddenItems = Dsq.$('dsq-drop-hidden-' + id);

		hiddenItems.style.display = 'inline';
		el.parentNode.style.display = 'none';
	};

	this._updateReplyLinks = function(el, id) {
		// Update "reply / cancel" links based on state.
		var displayDict = {};

		if(id) {
			if(this.stateReplyToggled[id]) {
				el.innerHTML = 'Cancel';
				displayDict['media'] = 'inline';
				displayDict['edit'] = 'none';
			} else {
				el.innerHTML = 'Reply';
				displayDict['media'] = 'none';
				displayDict['edit'] = 'inline';
			}
		}

		for(var key in displayDict) {
			if(displayDict.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				var	linkEl = Dsq.$('dsq-' + key + '-el-' + id),
					spacer = Dsq.$('dsq-' + key + '-spacer-' + id);

				if(linkEl) {
					linkEl.style.display = displayDict[key];
					if(spacer) spacer.style.display = displayDict[key];
				}
			}
		}
	};

	this._updateMediaLinks = function(el, id) {
		// Update "use media / cancel" links based on state.
		var appendId = (id) ? ('-' + id) : '';
		var link = Dsq.$('dsq-media-link' + appendId);

		if(this.stateRecordLink[id]) {
			link.innerHTML = 'Cancel Media';
			link.onclick = function() { Dsq.Post.toggleMediaReply(link, id); return false; };
		} else {
			link.innerHTML = 'Use Media <small>&#9660;</small>';
			link.onclick = function() { Dsq.Post.showMenu(link, id, 'media'); return false; };
		}
	};

	this.toggleReply = function(el, id) {
		// Create reply IFrame
		if (window.disqus_use_postmessage) {
			if (!this.stateReplyToggled[id]) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id).style.display = 'block';
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'block';
				// Create IFrame if it doesn't exist.
				if (!Dsq.frames['reply_' + id]) {
					var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + id] = new Dsq.ReplyFrame(Dsq.$('dsq-reply-frame-' + id), id);
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + id].init();
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + id].setState(id, _meta.depth);
				}
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id).style.display = 'none';
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'none';
			}
		} else {
			// DEPRECATED
			if(!this.stateReplyToggled[id]) {
				// Reply toolbar
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'block';
				Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainerIfAllowed(Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id), id);
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'none';
				Dsq.Iframes.hideAllInContainer(Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id));
				if(this.stateRecordLink[id]) {
					// HACK: Cancel media before canceling self.
					this.toggleMediaReply(Dsq.$('dsq-media-link-' + id), id);
				}
			}
		}

		this.stateReplyToggled[id] = !this.stateReplyToggled[id];
		this._updateReplyLinks(el, id);

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE('dsq-reply-' + id); }

		Dsq.Events.fire(Dsq.Events.REPLY_IFRAME_TOGGLED, {
			postId: id,
			opened: this.stateReplyToggled[id]
		});
	};

	this.toggleMediaReply = function(el, id, xtype) {
		id = id || 0;
		if(id) {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id);
		} else {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-post-add');
		}

		if(!this.stateRecordLink[id]) {
			Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(container, id, {xtype:xtype}, 'dsq-post-video');
		} else {
			Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(container, id);
		}
		this.stateRecordLink[id] = !this.stateRecordLink[id];
		this._updateMediaLinks(el, id);

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(); }
	};

	this.edit = function(el, id) {
		Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + id).innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.frameEdit(id);
		el.parentNode.style.display = 'none';
		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE('dsq-comment-message-' + id); }
	};

    this.rate = function(el, id, vote) {
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated || Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_votes) {
			if(vote == 1) {
                Dsq.$('dsq-rate-cont-' + id).innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
            }

            Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/vote.js'
                + '?post_id='    + id
                + '&vote='        + vote);

		} else {
			Dsq.Popup.login(Dsq.Strings.TO_RATE_PLEASE_LOG_IN);
		}
    };

	this.report = function(id, confirmed) {
		if(confirmed) {
			Dsq.Utils.postToUrl('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/the_challenge_for_europe_keeping_tech_there_instead_of_the_valley/post_report/', {'post_id': id});
			Dsq.Popup.popModal('Thank you. This comment has been flagged for moderator attention.', 'Successfully flagged');
			Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(Dsq.$('dsq-post-report-' + id));
		} else {
			var title = Dsq.Strings.FLAG_INAPPROPRIATE_COMMENT;
			var message = Dsq.Strings.ARE_YOU_SURE_YOU_WOULD_LIKE_TO_REPORT_THIS_COMMENT_TO_A_MODERATOR + '? \
			<br /><br /> \
			<button type="button" onclick="Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true)"><strong>' + Dsq.Strings.NO + '</strong>, ' + Dsq.Strings.NEVER_MIND + '</button>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<button type="button" onclick="Dsq.Post.report(' + id + ', true);"><strong>' + Dsq.Strings.YES + '</strong>, ' + Dsq.Strings.FLAG_INAPPROPRIATE_COMMENT + '</button><br /><br />'
			+ Dsq.Strings.THIS_WILL_FLAG_COMMENTS_FOR_MODERATORS_TO_TAKE_ACTION + '. \
			';

			Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title, id);
		}
	};



	this.showAlert = function(id, msg) {
		var msgEl = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + id);
		var alert = '<div class="dsq-comment-alert">' + msg + '</div>';

		msgEl.innerHTML = alert + msgEl.innerHTML;
	};

};
// Dsq.Post


/**
 * Dsq.Thread
 */
Dsq.Thread = new function() {
	this.fc = null;
	this.ff = null;
	this.ac = null;

	
	this.adminIsOn = false;

	
	
	

	this.hlComment = null;
	this.hlCommentClass = null;

	this.getNextComment = function(el) {
		var start_id = el.id;
		while(el = el.nextSibling) {
			if(el.id && el.id.indexOf('dsq-comment-') != -1 && el.id != start_id) {
				return el;
			}
		}
		return null;
	};

	this.getActiveCommentId = function() {
		if (document.URL.indexOf('#comment-') >= 0) {
			var anchor = document.URL.slice(document.URL.indexOf('#') + 1);
			return anchor.replace('comment-', '');
		}
		return null;
	};

	this.highlightAnchor = function() {
		var i = this.getActiveCommentId();
		if (i == null) return false;
		var id = 'dsq-comment-' + i;
		var hash = window.location.hash;

		// Toggle the hash incase the comment isn't available when the page loads
		// for WebKit-based browsers.
		if (Dsq.Utils.webkit) {
			window.location.hash = '';
			window.location.hash = hash;
		}

		this.hlComment = Dsq.$(id);
		// Adding this conditional guard pending #289
		if (!this.hlComment) {
			return;
		}
		this.hlCommentClass = this.hlComment.className;
		this.hlComment.className += ' dsq-hl-anchor';

		setTimeout("Dsq.Thread.highlightClear()", 3000);
	};

	this.highlightClear = function() {
		if (!this.hlComment) {
			return;
		}
		this.hlComment.className = this.hlCommentClass;
	};

	this.login = function(toggle) {
		// toggle id is #dsq-reply-login-[id]
		var postId;
		if(toggle.id.indexOf('dsq-reply-login') != -1) {
			postId = toggle.id.slice(16);
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + postId);
		} else {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-post-add');
		}

		if(toggle) {
			if(toggle.className == 'dsq-login-active') {
				Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainerIfAllowed(container, postId);
				toggle.className = '';
			} else {
				Dsq.Iframes.showLoginIframeInContainer(container, postId);
				toggle.className = 'dsq-login-active';
			}
		} else {
			Dsq.Iframes.showLoginIframeInContainer(container, postId);
		}

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(); }
	};


	this.paginate = function(page, el_clicked, per_page) {
		// Use extra_params to pass any override parameters that we need to persist.
		var extra_params = '';

		// "Per page" can either be overriden by providing it as an argument
		// (per-call) or setting the disqus_per_page override variable (global).
		if(typeof per_page == 'undefined') {
			per_page = null;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_per_page != 'undefined' && per_page === null) {
			per_page = disqus_per_page;
		}

		if(typeof disqus_sort != 'undefined') {
			extra_params += '&sort=' + disqus_sort;
		}
		if(per_page !== null) {
			extra_params += '&per_page=' + per_page;
		}

		Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML += '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
		
		if(el_clicked) {
			el_clicked.style.display = 'none';
		}
		
		Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/thread.js'
			+ '?slug='	+ 'the_challenge_for_europe_keeping_tech_there_instead_of_the_valley'
			+ '&p='		+ page
			+ extra_params);
	};

	this.sortBy = function(sort) {
		var disqus_script = document.createElement('script');
		var disqus_date = new Date();

		if (location.hash != '') {
			location.hash = '#disqus_thread';
		}

		if(typeof(disqus_url) == 'undefined') {
			disqus_url = disqus_href;
		}
		disqus_script.type = 'text/javascript';
		disqus_script.src = 'http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/thread.js'
			+ '?slug='	+ 'the_challenge_for_europe_keeping_tech_there_instead_of_the_valley'
			+ '&sort='	+ sort
			+ '&title='
			+ '&'		+ disqus_date.getTime();

		Dsq.$('dsq-comments').innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading.gif">';
		Dsq.container.appendChild(disqus_script);
	};

	this.subscribe = function(status, email) {
		// `status` is an int -- 1 to subscribe, 0 to unsubscribe
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated || email) {
			// If authenticated user OR anonymous email provided

			if(email) {
				Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true);
			}

			Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/subscribe.js'
				+'?status=' 	+ status
				+ '&slug='		+ 'the_challenge_for_europe_keeping_tech_there_instead_of_the_valley'
				+ '&email=' 	+ encodeURIComponent(email));

		} else if(!email) {
			// If anonymous user and no email has been provided yet, prompt for email

			var title = 'Subscribe to this comment thread';
			var message = ' \
				New comments will be sent directly to your email inbox! \
				<div class="dsq-subscribe-submit"> \
					<p><strong>Enter your email address below.</strong></p> \
					<input type="text" id="dsq-subscribe-email"> \
					<button type="button" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1, Dsq.$(\'dsq-subscribe-email\').value)">Subscribe</button> \
				</div> \
			';

			Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);
		}
	};

	this.showSettings = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator) {
			return;
		}

		/* The form has to be re-designed when more options will come out. */
		var html = 'Automatically close comments after <input size="3" id="dsq-thread-days-alive" value="' + Dsq.jsonData.thread.days_alive + '" type="text" /> days. Existing comments will still be displayed.<br /><br />(Using 0 days will disable this feature)<br /><br />'
								 + '<button type="button" onclick="Dsq.Thread.updateDaysAlive();" class="dsq-button-small"><span>Save</span></button>'
								 + '<span id="dsq-thread-settings-status" class="dsq-options-status"></span>';

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(html, 'Settings');
	};

  this.showModeratorActions = function() {
      if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator) {
          return;
      }

      var html = '<div class="dsq-moderate-options"><table><tr>' +
                 '<td>' + Dsq.Strings.ACTIONS + '</td><td><ul>';
      html += '<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.toggleClosed(); return false;">' +
              (Dsq.jsonData.thread.closed ? Dsq.Strings.OPEN_THREAD : Dsq.Strings.CLOSE_THREAD) +
              '</a></li>';
      html += '<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.toggleKilled(); return false;">' +
              (Dsq.jsonData.thread.killed ? Dsq.Strings.RESTORE_THREAD : Dsq.Strings.REMOVE_THREAD) +
              '</a></li>';
      html += '</ul></td></tr></table></div>' +
              '<p>Go to the full <a href="http://disqus.com/comments/moderate-threads/" target="_blank">moderate panel</a> for more options.</p>';
      Dsq.Popup.popModal(html, Dsq.Strings.MODERATE_OPTIONS);
  };

	this.updateDaysAlive = function() {
		  var days = Dsq.$('dsq-thread-days-alive').value;
		  var status = Dsq.$('dsq-thread-settings-status');
		  Dsq.Utils.postToUrl('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/update_days_alive.js', {days:days,thread:Dsq.jsonData.thread.id});
		  status.innerHTML = 'Saved!';
		  window.setTimeout(function() { status.innerHTML = ''; }, 1000);
	};

  this.toggleClosed = function() {
      Dsq.Utils.postToUrl('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/toggle_thread_closed.js', {thread:Dsq.jsonData.thread.id});
      window.setTimeout(function() { window.location.reload(); }, 500);
  };

  this.toggleKilled = function() {
      Dsq.Utils.postToUrl('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/toggle_thread_killed.js', {thread:Dsq.jsonData.thread.id});
      window.setTimeout(function() { window.location.reload(); }, 500);
  };
};
// Dsq.Thread

Dsq.Events = function() {
	var obj = {};

	// Private
	var handlers = {};
	var getHandlers = function(event) {
		if (handlers[event] === undefined) {
			handlers[event] = [];
		}
		return handlers[event];
	};

	// Public
	// Value keys : postId, node, xtype
	obj.REPLY_IFRAME_CREATED = 1;
	// Value keys : postId, opened
	obj.REPLY_IFRAME_TOGGLED = 2;
	obj.fire = function(event, opt_value) {
		if (!event) {
			throw new Error('Unknown event');
		}
		var value = opt_value || {};
		for (var i=0; i<getHandlers(event).length; i++) {
			getHandlers(event)[i](value);
		}
	};
	obj.addHandler = function(event, callback) {
		getHandlers(event).push(callback);
	};

	return obj;
}();

/**
 * Dsq.Realtime
 */
Dsq.Realtime = new function() {
	var initialized = false;
	var interval = null;
	var last_checked = Dsq.jsonData.request.timestamp;
	var new_posts = [];
	var ongoing_request = false;
	var prev_script = null;

	function updateNewPostCount() {
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-alert').style.display = new_posts.length ? 'block' : 'none';

		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-queued').innerHTML = new_posts.length
		+ ' new '
		+ Dsq.Utils.pluralize(new_posts.length, 'comment', 'comments')
		+ Dsq.Utils.pluralize(new_posts.length, ' was', ' were')
		+ ' just posted.';

		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-show').innerHTML = '(' + Dsq.Strings.SHOW + ')';
	}

	function insertNewPosts() {
		var post_id = null;
		var after_id = Dsq.$('dsq-sort-select').value === 'oldest' ? -1 : null;

		for (var i=0; i<new_posts.length; i++) {
			post_id = new_posts[i];
			Dsq.Post.insert(after_id, post_id, Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id].message);
			Dsq.Post.incrementPostCount();
			Dsq.Post.outlineComment(post_id);
		}
		new_posts = [];
	}

	this.enableInterval = function() {
		interval = setInterval(Dsq.Realtime.check, Dsq.jsonData.context.realtime_speed);
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-status').innerHTML = Dsq.Strings.ENABLED;
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-toggle').innerHTML = '(' + Dsq.Strings.PAUSE + ')';
	}

	this.disableInterval = function() {
		if (interval) {
			clearInterval(interval);
			interval = null;
		}
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-status').innerHTML = Dsq.Strings.PAUSED;
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-toggle').innerHTML = '(' + Dsq.Strings.RESUME + ')';
	}

	this.toggleInterval = function() {
		if (!interval) {
			Dsq.Realtime.enableInterval();
		} else {
			Dsq.Realtime.disableInterval();
		}
		return false;
	}

	this.initialize = function() {
		if (!initialized) {
			initialized = true;
			Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-toggle').onclick = this.toggleInterval;
			if (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.streaming_realtime) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-show').onclick = this.show;
				updateNewPostCount();
			}
			if (Dsq.jsonData.thread.realtime_paused) {
				Dsq.Realtime.disableInterval();
			} else {
				Dsq.Realtime.enableInterval();
			}
		}
	}

	this.show = function() {
		insertNewPosts();
		updateNewPostCount();
		return false;
	}

	this.check = function() {
		if (!ongoing_request && Dsq.jsonData.realtime_enabled) {
			if (prev_script) {
				prev_script.parentNode.removeChild(prev_script);
			}
			ongoing_request = true;
			prev_script = Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/18454083/realtime.js?timestamp=' + last_checked);
		}
	};

	this.update = function(timestamp, posts, users) {
		ongoing_request = false;
		last_checked = timestamp;

		if (users) {
			for (var user_id in users) {
				if (users.hasOwnProperty(user_id)) {
					if (!Dsq.jsonData.users[user_id]) {
						Dsq.jsonData.users[user_id] = users[user_id];
					}
				}
			}
		}

		if (posts) {
			for (var post_id in posts) {
				if (posts.hasOwnProperty(post_id)) {
					if (!Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id]) {
						Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id] = posts[post_id];
						new_posts.push(post_id);
					}
				}
			}

			if (Dsq.jsonData.forum.streaming_realtime) {
				insertNewPosts();
			} else {
				updateNewPostCount();
			}
		}
	};

}();

// DEPRECATED
Dsq.Iframes = function() {
	// Different style of object from the above. Hoping to switch to this for some reason.
	var obj = {};

	// Private
	var showIframeInContainer = function(container, id, markup) {
		// Look through container for iframes, hiding them, except show one that matches id
		// If none of them matched id, create a new iframe using markup and insert it.
		// Returns the iframe node if and only if it was newly created.
		var found = false;
		for (var i=0; i<container.childNodes.length; i++) {
			var child = container.childNodes[i];
			if (child.nodeName == 'IFRAME') {
				if (child.id == id) {
					child.style.display = 'block';
					found = true;
				} else {
					child.style.display = 'none';
				}
			}
		}
		if (found) {
			return;
		}
		// The iframe wasn't found, so construct it and add it to the container.
		// Don't use innerHTML because it might reload iframes
		var div = document.createElement('div');
		div.innerHTML = markup;
		var iframe = div.childNodes[0];
		div.removeChild(iframe);
		container.appendChild(iframe);
		return iframe;
	};

	// Public
	obj.makeReplyIframeId = function(opt_postId, opt_xtype) {
		var id = 'dsq-post-add-iframe';
		if (opt_xtype) {
			id += '-' + opt_xtype;
		}
		if (opt_postId) {
			id += '-' + opt_postId;
		}
		return id;
	};
	obj.makeLoginIframeId = function(opt_postId) {
		if (!opt_postId) {
			return 'dsq-login-iframe';
		}
		return 'dsq-login-iframe-' + opt_postId;
	};
	obj.makeReplyIframeName = function(opt_postId, opt_xtype) {
		var name = 'dsq-reply-frame';
		if (opt_xtype) {
			name += '-' + opt_xtype;
		}
		if (opt_postId) {
			name += '-' + opt_postId;
		}
		return name;
	};
	obj.showReplyIframeInContainer = function(container, opt_postId, opt_extraParams, opt_className) {
		// Construct the id so we can check if it's already present.
		// Hide any other iframes we find, and show this one if it's found.
		var params = opt_extraParams || {};
		// use xtype in the id and name so we can distinguish media replies from text replies:
		var id = Dsq.Iframes.makeReplyIframeId(opt_postId, params.xtype);
		var name = Dsq.Iframes.makeReplyIframeName(opt_postId, params.xtype);
		var attributes = {
			'id': id,
			'name': name,
			'class': opt_className || 'dsq-post-reply'
			};
		var markup = Dsq.Templates.frameReply(opt_postId, opt_extraParams, attributes);
		var iframe = showIframeInContainer(container, id, markup);
		// It was newly created
		if (iframe) {
			Dsq.Events.fire(Dsq.Events.REPLY_IFRAME_CREATED, {
				postId: opt_postId,
				node: iframe,
				xtype: params.xtype
			});
		}
	};
	obj.showLoginIframeInContainer = function(container, opt_postId) {
		var id = Dsq.Iframes.makeLoginIframeId(opt_postId);
		var markup = Dsq.Templates.frameLogin({id: id});
		showIframeInContainer(container, id, markup);
	};
	obj.showReplyIframeInContainerIfAllowed = function(container, opt_postId) {
		if (Dsq.jsonData.context.show_reply) {
			obj.showReplyIframeInContainer(container, opt_postId);
		} else {
			obj.hideAllInContainer(container);
		}
	};
	obj.hideAllInContainer = function(container) {
		for (var i=0; i<container.childNodes.length; i++) {
			var child = container.childNodes[i];
			if (child.nodeName == 'IFRAME') {
				child.style.display = 'none';
			}
		}
	};

	return obj;
}();

Dsq.Twitter = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.startTwitterConnect = function() {
		var popupParams = 'location=0,status=0,width=800,height=400';
		that._twitterWindow = window.open(Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/_ax/twitter/begin/', 'twitterWindow', popupParams);
		that._twitterInterval = window.setInterval(that.completeTwitterConnect, 1000);
	};

	this.completeTwitterConnect = function() {
		if (that._twitterWindow.closed) {
			window.clearInterval(that._twitterInterval);
			window.location.reload();
		}
	};
};

Dsq.Yahoo = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.startYahooConnect = function() {
		var popupParams = 'location=0,status=0,width=800,height=400';
		that._yahooWindow = window.open(Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/_ax/yahoo/begin/', 'yahooWindow', popupParams);
		that._yahooInterval = window.setInterval(that.completeYahooConnect, 1000);
	};

	this.completeYahooConnect = function() {
		if (that._yahooWindow.closed) {
			window.clearInterval(that._yahooInterval);
			window.location.reload();
		}
	};
};

Dsq.OpenID = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.requestURL = function() {
		var message = '<table class="dsq-openid-form"><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;" rowspan="2"><img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.media_url + '/images/openid-icon-100x100.png" /></td>';
		message += '<td><label for="dsq-openid-url">OpenID URL:</label></td><td><input type="text" id="dsq-openid-url" /></td></tr>';
		message += '<tr><td><label for="dsq-openid-username">Display name:</label></td><td><input type="text" id="dsq-openid-username" /></td></tr>';
		message += '<tr><td class="dsq-openid-submit" colspan="3"><input type="button" value="Sign in" onclick="Dsq.OpenID.startConnect();" /></td></tr>';
		message += "</table>";

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, 'Sign in using OpenID');
	};

	this.startConnect = function() {
		var isblank = function(str) {
			return /^\s*$/.test(str);
		};

		var openid_url = Dsq.$('dsq-openid-url').value;
		var username = Dsq.$('dsq-openid-username').value;

		if (isblank(openid_url)) {
			return;
		}

		var popupParams = 'location=0,status=0,width=800,height=500';
		var url = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/_ax/openid/begin/' + '?url=' + encodeURIComponent(openid_url) + '&username=' + encodeURIComponent(username);
		that._openidWindow = window.open(url, 'openidWindow', popupParams);
		that._openidInterval = window.setInterval(that.completeConnect, 1000);
	};

	this.completeConnect = function() {
		if (that._openidWindow.closed) {
			window.clearInterval(that._openidInterval);
			window.location.reload();
		}
	};
};

Dsq.Reaction = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.hide = function(id) {
		Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/hidereaction.js?' + 'reaction_id=' + id);
	};

	this.reportMissingReactions = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || !Dsq.jsonData.forum.reactions_enabled) {
			return;
		}

		if (Dsq.jsonData.thread.queued) {
			Dsq.Popup.popModal('Your report has been received. The system will automatically search for new reactions; if any are found, they will be displayed on this comment thread.<br/><br/>Thank&nbsp;you.',
												 'Reported missing reactions');
			return;
		}

		Dsq.Utils.execScript(Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/forums/scobleizer/queueurl.js');
	};
};

Dsq.CNN = function() {
	var obj = {};

	obj.authenticate = function() {
		var url = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + "/saml/cnn/try/";
		Dsq.Utils.postToUrl(url, {'target': document.location}, true);
	};

	return obj;
}();


if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) {
	(function() {
		DSQ_HEADER_AVATAR_RE = /<div class="dsq-header-avatar"(.*?)>/gim;
		Dsq.Templates.registerFilter('postPrependHeader', function(html, post_id) {
			// Add "onmouseout" for dsq-header-avatar for dropProfile
			// functionality since IE6 cannot use :hover.
			function _headerAvatarReplace(content, inner, _unused, html) {
				return '<div class="dsq-header-avatar" '
					+ inner
					+ ' onmouseout="Dsq.Post.dropProfile(' + post_id + ')">';
			}
			html = html.replace(DSQ_HEADER_AVATAR_RE, _headerAvatarReplace);
			return html;
		});
	})();
}





	// TODO: Move Seesmic code outside of the main script.  Don't let this script clobber the global namespace.
	if(typeof seesmic == 'undefined') { var seesmic = {}; }
	seesmic.widget = new function () {
		this.callback = function (data) {
			playerVersion = data.disqusplayer;
		};
	};

	
	var scriptEl = document.createElement('script');
	scriptEl.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript');
	scriptEl.setAttribute('src', 'http://seesmic.com/version.js?callback=seesmic.widget.callback');
	document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(scriptEl);

	
	var scriptEl = document.createElement('script');
	scriptEl.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript');
	scriptEl.setAttribute('src', 'http://media.disqus.com/javascript/library/swfobject.js');
	document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(scriptEl);

	function see_play_video(_videoUri, _add) {
		var swf = !!playerVersion ? playerVersion : 'http://seesmic.com/embeds/StandalonePlayer.swf';

		flashcontentDiv = Dsq.$(_videoUri + '_content');
		previewDiv = Dsq.$('dsq-seesmic-' + _videoUri + '_preview');
		hideDiv = Dsq.$('dsq-seesmic-' + _videoUri + '_hide');
		showDiv = Dsq.$('dsq-seesmic-' + _videoUri + '_show');
		if(_add) {
			// push flash widget
			var so = new SWFObject(swf, 'sotester', '300', '270', '9', '#000000');
			so.addVariable('video', _videoUri);
			so.addParam('allowFullScreen', 'true');
			so.addParam('allowScriptAccess','always');
			so.useExpressInstall('swfobject/expressinstall.swf');
			so.write(_videoUri + '_content');

			previewDiv.style.display = 'none';
			hideDiv.style.display = 'block';
			showDiv.style.display = 'none';
		}
		else {
			flashcontentDiv.innerHTML = '';
			previewDiv.style.display = 'block';
			hideDiv.style.display = 'none';
			showDiv.style.display = 'block';
		}
	};





(function() {
	//
	// Load theme.  This overrides the base templates with template functions
	// from the respective themes.
	//
	if (Dsq.jsonData.integration.theme == 4) {
		var theme = 'narcissus';
		// HACK: Set variable on window to use post message.
		window.disqus_use_postmessage = true;

		
		for(var prop in Dsq.Themes[theme]) {
			if(Dsq.Themes[theme] && Dsq.Themes[theme].hasOwnProperty(prop)) {
				Dsq.Templates[prop] = Dsq.Themes[theme][prop];
			}
		}
		
		for(var prop in Dsq.Post) {
			if(Dsq.Themes[theme] && Dsq.Themes[theme].hasOwnProperty(prop)) {
				Dsq.Post[prop] = Dsq.Themes[theme][prop];
			}
		}
	}

	//
	// Register templates.  This must be done after all themes are loaded.
	//
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<ul id="dsq-comments">\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644692">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644692" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644692" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644692" href="http://www.lostfocus.de/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dominik</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644692" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644692" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m not entirely sure if smoking is really something that can geeks somewhere or not. From my - admittedly European - point of view smoking doesn\'t affect my well being as a geek as long as the smokers follow some basic rules. For example ask before they smoke or step outside the building.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644693">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644693" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644693" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644693" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644693" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644693" class="dsq-comment-message">Dominik: I was in Europe three times over the past year or so. Europeans NEVER asked me before smoking in my face. Every evening we came home totally stinking. See, if you live in such a culture you don\'t even realize how bad it is.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644694">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644694" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644694" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644694" href="http://teethgrinder.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">monk.e.boy</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644694" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644694" class="dsq-comment-message">what is your problem with smoking? Just ignore it. People get so worked up about it, i mean, really, who cares if some guy is smoking next to you? You aren\'t going to instantly die of cancer. And so what if your clothes smell for 10 minutes? Car fumes smell bad. Bad breath smells bad. American SUVs are killing the world for everyone. And we get worked up about smoking? Mental. Just enjoy your life.<br><br>Americans seem to have this ambition to build a company that will out do google (indeed this is waht google did to yahoo etc) where as us Europeans, our pie in the sky ambition is to earn enough money to buy a house, or get a new car. We couldn\'t imagine making anything that grand. It isn\'t possible here.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644682">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644682" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644682" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644682" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644682" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644682" class="dsq-comment-message">It stinks. It\'s pretty obvious you\'re a smoker. If you weren\'t, you\'d be able to smell just how bad it does stink. Especially when you get home at night and you smell it all. PU.<br><br>It doesn\'t just smell for 10 minutes, either. My suitcase smelled for months afterward. I couldn\'t wash it.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644683">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644683" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644683" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644683" href="http://teethgrinder.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">monk.e.boy</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644683" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644683" class="dsq-comment-message">Haha! No its the american atitude to people who choose to do something they disagree with.<br><br>A little arrogant.<br><br>You have to have grown up tollerating poeple who do stuff that you don\'t like or you disagree with (like Europeans have with the americans ;-) (joke) )<br><br>Anyway. I didn\'t smoke for 30 years, now I do ocasionally. Some of my friends do, some don\'t. But I refrane from slagging of an entire continent because some people do smoke.<br><br>Anyway - it\'s your blog. I can\'t win this conversation.<br><br>I concede defeat.<br><br>Lets start by shooting all smokers.<br><br>PS I liked \'you smell PU\' :-) made me chuckle. Would I get away with \'so what fatty\'?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644684">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644684" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644684" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644684" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644684" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644684" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m fat, but my fat won\'t make your clothes smell.<br><br>Well, until you fix your culture you\'ll have smart people moving over here to hang out in San Francisco. That\'s OK too. Makes my life more interesting and we can go and enjoy a nice French dinner without having smoke blown in our faces like we had in Paris on almost every meal.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644686">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644686" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644686" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644686" href="http://teethgrinder.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">monk.e.boy</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644686" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644686" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'ll get right on to fixing our culture for you.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644687">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644687" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644687" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644687" href="http://www.psynixis.com/blog/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Simon Brocklehurst</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644687" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644687" class="dsq-comment-message">Robert,<br><br>I\'m not sure I agree with you about the drivers for companies deciding to locate in Silicon Valley.<br><br>First thing to say is that hiring talent is *always* a challenge, irrespective of geography.  However, there\'s not any particular shortage of developer talent in Europe, compared with the US.  For example,  even in your former company Microsoft has a "geek" research centre in Cambridge, UK.<br><br>What there is a shortage of in Europe, though, is of experienced senior management; and this is one reason why companies sometimes decide to base themselves in the US.  The centre of gravity of a company almost always tends to wherever the CEO is based.<br><br>Other big reasons why companies sometimes like to be based in the US are to do with finance: 1) the truth is, when comparing like with like, US companies have significantly higher valuations than their European counterparts; 2) Attracting VC finance is all about competition for capital - US VC groups tend to have more money, and/or greater ambition than their European counterparts.  US VCs will only lead investments in US companies. 3) US VC groups have a different attitude to stock options than European VCs: in a typical European VC-backed company, it\'s only the CEO who has any worthwhile stock options (and even then, they\'re not that great).  So, with fewer employees properly incentivised in European companies, it\'s genuninely harder to build a great company.<br><br>Given all that, I\'ve often wondered why I base myself in the UK ;-)  Over the years, I\'ve had quite a few offers to go over to the US.  And my answer (to myself) to that question has always been: no amount of money is worth not having control of where you wake up in the morning.  And I like living in the UK!<br><br>As for for the smoking thing, I\'m sorry that people in Europe lit up in front of you without asking, and blew smoke in your face.  That\'s just plain rude.  That kind of behaviour is not considered even remotely socially acceptable in the UK.  And for information, by Summer 2007, a smoking ban in all public places will be in effect throughout the UK.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644685">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644685" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644685" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644685" href="http://acidzebra.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Michiel</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644685" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644685" class="dsq-comment-message">so, aside from the Silicon Valley \'inbreeding\' the problem is smoking?!?<br><br>"If you’re a geek outside of San Francisco or Redmond, it’s hard to get a job in the industry."<br>Not in Europe, bub, that is, if you\'re at all skilled.<br><br>"didn’t see people working on computers in cafes or on the trains the way I do in California — and when I did I never saw someone running a compiler like I find in California or Redmond."<br>That\'s because we know the correct time and place to compile stuff: at 3:00 AM in a dank basement. sheesh. :P</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644689">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644689" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644689" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644689" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644689" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644689" class="dsq-comment-message">Simon: it\'s part of the culture there. Especially in Paris and London. At Paris we were out for very fine dining and smokers were four feet away. It\'s unavoidable. In California that\'s not acceptable, but in most places in the US that kind of smoking still goes on.<br><br>US VCs invested in Skype, which was based in Europe. And in Fon, which is based on Europe. You might check your facts there.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644690">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644690" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644690" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644690" href="http://bedinfamily.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Davide Bedin</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644690" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644690" class="dsq-comment-message">I would say smoking is not one of the biggest problem for the tech industry in Europe. It is a general problem and if you have ahtsma (like me) it\'s not just a problem of bad smell, I completely agree with you.<br>I\'m a small ISV in the north-east of Italy and I know how difficult is to find talented people when you are located far from the biggest point of attraction in your country or region. Milan is the place to work in Italy, as the Valley is in the US.<br>By the way, I agree with monk.e.boy about the aspiration of the average European, culture is different.<br>While Europe count for nothing in the tech industry because of this, not every other aspect of the cultural difference is bad. In Europe (at least Italy) you will not "easily" reach your aspiration but you will never end up thinking about how to survive a financial disaster because you have to undergo an operation.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644681">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644681" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644681" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644681">Andrea Brajuka</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644681" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644681" class="dsq-comment-message">I can obviously speak only about my country, but even for our neighbors things are not quite like you\'re talking about. Sure, there are countries where people can still smoke in restaurants and wherever else, but there are more places than Ireland where you can\'t at all, and not only in Pubs. Tech culture has nothing to do with smoking, at least here. As a proof, I\'ve seen more people smoking and working on their laptops at cafes and restaurants in France than I\'ve ever seen here in Italy, where smoking is not allowed (and tables are usually bigger :). What does it mean ? Nothing. Each European country is different, just take a look at the charts that talk about internet diffusion in each country. A country that is at the bottom for a given technology can be at the top for another one, that\'s it. The only thing we have in common here is that a job in an IT-related field is just like an ordinary job. Nothing special, sometimes even a bit hard to be proud of. Chances to make your ideas come through and be successful ? Yes, maybe, but not always worth it. That\'s why you don\'t sense the same culture here. And maybe that\'s even the reason why a lot of geeks smoke, here... they already know they\'ve no chances to find a good job in Silicon Valley :))</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644688">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644688" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644688" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644688" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644688" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644688" class="dsq-comment-message">Michiel, maybe that\'s it! We don\'t have basements here so we need to go out and meet people while running compilers. Getting the nerds and the geeks to be a little social makes businesses take off! Heheh.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644691">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644691" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644691" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644691" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644691" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644691" class="dsq-comment-message">Andrea, yeah, admittedly I didn\'t get everywhere in Europe. I\'ve been to Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, UK, Ireland, France.<br><br>On my trips we encountered smoking everywhere except for Ireland. France was, admittedly, the worst<br><br>And, admittedly, it is getting better. On my trips through Europe eight years ago I hit more smoking than we did in the past year.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644677">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644677" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644677" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644677" href="http://teethgrinder.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">monk.e.boy</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644677" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644677" class="dsq-comment-message">"admittedly, it is getting better" as fewer people smoke, in your opinion.<br><br>You tend to state your opinion as a fact. In my opinion fewer smokers is less fun.<br><br>For some people the constant moaning of busy-bodies and do-gooders is reducing our fun and freedom.<br><br>Next they\'ll demand that we all stop:<br><br> - drinking<br> - fighting<br> - sex<br><br>And then what would poor folk do for fun?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644678">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644678" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644678" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644678" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644678" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644678" class="dsq-comment-message">Monk.e.boy: well, there\'s always Las Vegas and Amsterdam. Heheh.<br><br>And, I like two of the other three things you listed. So, no need to worry about me coming after you for those.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644680">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644680" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644680" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644680">Ross</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644680" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644680" class="dsq-comment-message">Could you generalise about an entire continent a little more Robert? Since the mini-msft posts you\'ve started to come across as a little arrogant ... just my perception.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644670">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644670" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644670" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644670" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644670" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644670" class="dsq-comment-message">Ross: I\'ve been very specific about where I was and you can look at my pictures from parties, or talk to Maryam, or talk to friends. If telling people about what I think is arrogant, than so be it. Europe\'s smoking stinks.<br><br>Please do let me know where smoking is banned. I\'ll spend more time on my next Europe trip there. For instance, I\'d definitely come and spend my money in Ireland. Had a great time there and had a wonderful meal without smelling smoke.<br><br>But out of the approximately 30 days I\'ve spent in Europe over the past two years that\'s the only place I can say that about. London? Smoky. Brussels? Smoky. Paris? Smoky. Geneva? Smoky. Wales? Smoky. Copenhagen? Smoky.<br><br>I don\'t know about the rest of the continent, but my mom\'s sister says Germany still has smoke in restaurants (she lives in the southern part by Switzerland).<br><br>Maybe you need to come and spend a month with me near San Francisco to understand why I\'m so "arrogant" about such issues? Seems your journalists and leaders are worried about losing business to Silicon Valley.<br><br>And, don\'t take my own words for it. When I got tech leaders apart from the crowds in Europe and talked they complained about smoking too and were looking forward to the coming bans. Maybe you should talk to your own non-smoking citizens.<br><br>My mom\'s sister, who lives in Germany, wishes they\'d ban all smoking everywhere. So I\'m not alone.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644671">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644671" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644671" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644671" href="http://www.looseend.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">John</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644671" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644671" class="dsq-comment-message">Smoking is being banned in all public places in the UK. I remember consulting in an office in Germany and people smoking at their PCs - I\'m glad I was only there for a day!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644672">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644672" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644672" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644672" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644672" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644672" class="dsq-comment-message">John: awesome.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644673">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644673" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644673" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644673">Duncan Smeed</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644673" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644673" class="dsq-comment-message">Robert, Scotland has had a smoking ban in public places in place for the past three months. Let me know when you back over in the UK and I\'ll take you out for dinner in any one of our now smoke free restaurants ;-)<br><br>Like you, I hated going out in the evening to a smoke-filled pub or restaurant. Now it\'s a much more enjoyable experience. Not sure we\'ll see a huge upturn in high-tech inward investment as a result but feel free to put in a good word for Scotland with your SV contacts! We even speak much the same language ;-)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644674">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644674" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644674" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644674">JimCanuck</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644674" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644674" class="dsq-comment-message">First, I worked in California when the anti-smoking referendum was passed (fall 1994). As one who is allergic to cigarette/cigar smoke (and who, while there had to worry about his own laundry), it made a huge difference.<br><br>I also recall my days at AST where smoking was banned in their Orange County facilities (pre-1994); if they smelled smoke in the ventilation system, they sent out search parties to find the culprit. I once saw Safi admonish a visitor for smoking in a reception area.<br><br>But, turning to non-smoking jurisdictions, both Ontario and Quebec have recently (June 1, 2006) implemented anti-smoking laws that are at least as tough as Californias.  Of course, part of the reason was healthcare costs; remember there is "state" healthcare here.<br><br>But, of course, if you are considering these areas, bring along your most fashionable ski jacket! Not Bay Area weather for four months of the year.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644675">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644675" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644675" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644675" href="http://www.psynixis.com/blog/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Simon Brocklehurst</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644675" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644675" class="dsq-comment-message">Robert<br><br>&gt;US VCs invested in Skype, which was based in Europe.<br>&gt;And in Fon, which is based on Europe.<br>&gt;You might check your facts there.<br><br>It\'s not me that needs to check my facts ;-) I said - "US VCs won\'t lead investments in European companies".  That is a true statement. What that means is that in 95% of cases, a European company will not get US VCs to invest without a European VC in there.<br><br>You cite examples of two European companies: Skype and Fon.  I take it you\'re aware that both, in fact, had/have Index Ventures - a European VC group with about $1B under mangement - invested in them.<br><br>In any case, Skype and Fon are pretty unusual companies.  Not typical VC investments at all.  I don\'t think it\'s useful to extrapolate.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644676">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644676" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644676" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644676" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644676" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644676" class="dsq-comment-message">Duncan: and you make great whisky! Maryam and I definitely want to visit Scotland.<br><br>Simon: good point. Thanks for correcting me.<br><br>Jim: did you say "skiing?" I\'m there!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644669">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644669" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644669" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644669">Duncan Smeed</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644669" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644669" class="dsq-comment-message">I look forward to your visit to Scotland. I\'d be happy to arrange some visits for you to distilleries, etc.  For the avoidance of doubt I personally don\'t make great whisky ;-)<br><br>Incidentally, there\'s an official website about the smoking legislation in Scotland - <a href="http://www.clearingtheairscotland.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.clearingtheairscotland.com/</a><br><br>It\'s too soon to say but given the weather in Scotland in the winter I expect a huge upturn in productivity since no-one will want to stand outside their office buildings in order to smoke!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644679">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644679" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644679" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644679">Daniel</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644679" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644679" class="dsq-comment-message">I still think the main thrust of the original article is that Silicon Valley is good at caring about what Silicon Valley is telling itself it is \'about\', at the moment (while telling its investors to "Give us some more money: we\'re \'emergent\'", of course ;)).<br><br>If you tell me that The Valley is full of people who go out of their way to get seen running a compiler on their laptop in public, I\'d agreee with you: most of them are probably trying to get hired.<br><br>However, many of the projects, companies and products that Matt Asay is writing about came up out of Europe and completely blind-sided The Valley - possibly because they didn\'t come from The Valley. Many of them still continue to have a far wider impact on the industry than much of what has come out of The Valley during the same time-span. In fact, I\'d say that for a very long time indeed, The Valley completely failed to see these products, or realise their importance (some still don\'t!).<br><br>For instance, it was only when some of The Valley\'s big hitters started soring their data on MySQL that the others started asking why they were still giving money to Larry Ellison\'s yacht fund. The irony is, that Larry actually "got it", and used some of his Yacht fund to buy a stake.<br><br>I think Asay is just saying that you don\'t need to go to Hollywood to make movies. A lot of movies /do/ come out of Hollywood, but a great many of them are absolute howlers.<br><br>Anyway, if this thread is actually about smoking, I apologise!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644664">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644664" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644664" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644664" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644664" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644664" class="dsq-comment-message">Daniel: they don\'t go out of their way. What you just said demonstrates you never have spent any time here and compared it to living in Europe.<br><br>I\'m not saying that what MySQL has done isn\'t important, but come on, what\'s the biggest thing in business to come along the past few years? Google\'s advertising network. That didn\'t get built in Europe.<br><br>How about Apple iPod? That has been kicking ass in the marketplace. Designed in Cupertino. At least that\'s what it says on the back of mine.<br><br>MySQL? Is that the best you got? At least trot out Nokia! :-)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644666">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644666" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644666" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644666" href="http://www.uebermeister.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Christoph Jaggi</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644666" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644666" class="dsq-comment-message">"US VCs invested in Skype, which was based in Europe. And in Fon, which is based on Europe." Initial funding for Skype came from European VCs (Mangrove Capital of Luxembourg) and European VCs contributed substantially in the follow-on round. Tim Draper just was by far the most vocal of the follow-on investors. In the case of Fon you will also notice that there was at least one European VC (Index Ventures, who also invested in Skype at the same time as DFJ) that invested.<br>The big advantages of the Valley is the local business infrastructure (which includes VCs, lawyers, talent pool and proximity to potential US partners/customers)  and the huge (and relatively simple) US market.<br>The big disadvantage are the limited international know-how, the limited local talent pool, high costs and the initial absolute focus on the US market.<br>Now these are of course generalizations, which do not apply for every case.<br>The Valley is also highly dependent on technology development that takes or took place elesewhere and that serves as foundation for new products. Just a couple of examples: The two core people behind the web were an Englishman and a Belgian working at CERN in Switzerland; most of Intels\' new processor architectures were developed in Israel; The world\'s leading mobile network standard (GSM, 2 billion users) was primarily developed in Europe, etc.<br>The Valley cannot survive without the "outside" world. Although there is  quite some interdependency and finally the world could exist without the Valley, but it probably wouldn\'t work the other way around.<br>Respecting smokers and non-smokers alike is the only way to go. Where non-smokers cannot evade the smoke, smoking should not be permitted. In a restaurant it is fairly easy to have non-smoking and smoking sections and where it is not possible the owner of the place should decide if his place is smoking or non-smoking. Everybody is free to chose the place he/she prefers. As smokers cannot expect to smoke everywhere they are, non-smokers cannot expect every place they want to go to be smoke-free. If it turns out that smoke-free places are more profitable than smoking places, then the market will decide.<br>Live and let live.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644667">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644667" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644667" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644667" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644667" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644667" class="dsq-comment-message">Oh, on other hand, don\'t trot out Nokia. Their best employee now works at Yahoo in Silicon Valley. Heheheh.<br><br>Even Lenn came back (although he does praise Europe a lot). <a href="http://lennpryor.blogs.com/" rel="nofollow">http://lennpryor.blogs.com/</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644668">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644668" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644668" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644668" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644668" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644668" class="dsq-comment-message">&gt;In a restaurant it is fairly easy to have non-smoking and smoking sections and where it is not possible the owner of the place should decide if his place is smoking or non-smoking.<br><br>In my experience this is impossible.<br><br>&gt;As smokers cannot expect to smoke everywhere they are, non-smokers cannot expect every place they want to go to be smoke-free.<br><br>Yes we can and increasingly we will as demonstrated by Scotland and Ireland and Canada.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644662">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644662" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644662" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644662" href="http://crueltobekind.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nicole Simon</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644662" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644662" class="dsq-comment-message">Robert, if smoking would be like the major culprit, you would have more settings on the east coast of the US because that is very far away too - but they are still drawn to Silicon Valley. The weather, the beach helps probably too.<br><br>I would not say I am jeleous about Silicon Valley. It is big enough to talk tech all the time and here in Europe, we don\'t have like those crystalisation points.<br><br>When Rick asked me about where to go to in Europe / Germany to meet geeks, I had to think really hard. It would be about starting something. From scratch.<br><br>London would be a natural choice for some things, but  let me tell you that those are very UK centric as well - they missed the chance to be leading role in Europe. Which has begun of course, at least with the conferences and we will find meetups more and more (<a href="http://upcoming.org" rel="nofollow">upcoming.org</a> with the two groups will help).<br><br>And in the meantime? Do we spend time following the Valley. :)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644663">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644663" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644663" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644663" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644663" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644663" class="dsq-comment-message">Nicole: smoking isn\'t banned on the East Coast in most places. I would never live there. Nice place to visit, but you come home smelling like crap.<br><br>London is pretty nice, the Universities are stunning. If I were a geek that\'d probably be where I would hang out.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644659">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644659" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644659" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644659" href="http://www.podcastdirectory.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Andrew Leyden</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644659" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644659" class="dsq-comment-message">One of the problems I notice in Europe (back when we had offices and employees there) was a general \'lack of drive\' amongst some of the employees.  We have it in the US too, but we often noticed there was a lot of peer pressure on our guys over there to \'get out of the office\' and do this or that, whereas the peer pressure on our US office was to \'stay in the office and get things done and order some pizzas.\'  There was also a culture of jealousy sort of--where the guys who succeeded were sort of ridiculed behind their back ("Look at him, trying to impress the fat Americans").<br><br>That\'s not a universal, just something we picked up.  Our guys in Eastern Europe worked harder than our guys in \'Western\' Europe, but our Western European guys were able to come up with more creative solutions when we hit a wall.<br><br>But in the end it was just a big pain so we went back to using mostly Americans.<br><br>No idea if anybody smoked...</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644661">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644661" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644661" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644661">Daniel</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644661" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644661" class="dsq-comment-message">"At least trot out Nokia!"<br><br>Well, I /could/ trot out Nokia, but I did take the time to notice that the original article was about open source projects :).<br><br>You, meanwhile, trot out "Google’s advertising network"... which runs on MySQL ;).<br><br>"What you just said demonstrates you never have spent any time here and compared it to living in Europe."<br><br>You really do \'generalisation and broad assumption\' from the top drawer, don\'t you? I /have/ been there (I\'ve been there /and/ Redmond, in fact ;)), but, no - you\'re right - I didn\'t compare it to "Europe". I\'ve seen quite a bit of Europe, as well, and from what I\'ve seen it seems to be a pretty big place to try comparing to part of California - albeit a very distinctive part of California.<br><br>In fact, I just don\'t get where you\'re trying to go, with this post, at all. Is this actually about the original article, or are you just looking for ways to tell Europeans that they\'re all stinky smokers, and that\'s why they suck at IT?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644660">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644660" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644660" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644660" href="http://range.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">range</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644660" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644660" class="dsq-comment-message">It\'s been banned in Quebec Canada to, as of this May. Since Quebec is a French based culture, you can see why it took so long here.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644656">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644656" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644656" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644656" href="http://www.uebermeister.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Christoph Jaggi</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644656" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644656" class="dsq-comment-message">"In my experience this is impossible." A lot of restaurants have multiple rooms and can separate smoking and non-smoking.<br><br>"Yes we can and increasingly we will as demonstrated by Scotland and Ireland and Canada." This is called dictatorship of a majority and is a very dangerous thing. If it makes economical sense to have a non-smoking restaurant then owners will immediately convert to non-smoking.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644657">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644657" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644657" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644657" href="http://www.icemark.com/blog" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Wild</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644657" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644657" class="dsq-comment-message">The biggest problem facing the tech industry for europe is investment... most investors over here are risk averse.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644658">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644658" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644658" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644658">vic</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644658" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644658" class="dsq-comment-message">I think the main problem is the culture difference. But I don\'t see that as being due to a general apathy by European workers to get their work done or come up with some new/leading tech.<br><br>The problem as I see it lies in not having a distinct "tech city" which Silicon Valley and Redmond have grown into. At least here in the UK I\'ve yet to hear of a technological hub [I\'d love to be corrected if I\'m wrong]<br><br>I think some government [governments? pan-euro?] incentives to the big companies to relocate to one new area with the infrastructure to support high tech companies would eventually lead to an emergence of geek culture in those areas.<br><br>Something along the lines of whats being tried out in the UAE - with Dubai\'s Internet City [I dont know how succesful that will prove to be - I already have a slight dislike for Dubai\'s culture]</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644654">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644654" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644654" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644654" href="http://www.daviddalka.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">David Dalka</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644654" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644654" class="dsq-comment-message">Chicago finally banned smoking in restuarants and public stadiums and concert halls this year.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644651">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644651" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644651" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644651" href="http://www.atp.ie/blog" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mary Gilmartin</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644651" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644651" class="dsq-comment-message">It great you like the non-smoking policy in ireland. If you are ever in Limerick let me show you and your wife the nicest resteraunts and let me introduce you to our geeks. :)<br><br>Oh and I don\'t smoke. I put up with the smoke but I didn\'t ever like it.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644652">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644652" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644652" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644652">Dmad</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644652" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644652" class="dsq-comment-message">Only 20% of geeks smoke?  Really? Where\'s the data to support this?  Or is this just you pulling some number out of your ass?<br><br>I see this as another opinion based soley on your myopic view of the world.  And, yes I have travelled all over the world, but I would never be so arrogant as to make such sweeping generalizations about people and cultures. And you call yourself liberal?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644655">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644655" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644655" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644655" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644655" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644655" class="dsq-comment-message">Dmad: actually, in Redmond the number is way way way less than that. Why do I know that? Because at Microsoft we have smoking areas and they are rarely used.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644653">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644653" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644653" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644653" href="http://mulley.net/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Damien Mulley</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644653" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644653" class="dsq-comment-message">Robert, smoking is banned anywhere people are employed, not just pubs. The ban is to protect employees from damaging their lungs and health. As a result smoking is banned in all companies. People are free to smoke in public spaces and at home. There are exceptions for hotel rooms if guests want to smoke.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644650">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644650" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644650" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644650">Pepe</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644650" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644650" class="dsq-comment-message">Yep, from my experience - the Valley:<br><br>1. is full of self important people who think that working in the Valley is a ultimate top of everything. People in their 50s wearing logo t-shirts - sorry, get a life, please.<br><br>2. is even full of people who wouldn\'t get a job outside of the Valley, in more tight markets. The advantage of the Valley is that almost anybody can get a job (I\'ve worked in SV for 10 years and I\'ve seen it).<br><br>3. is a place where even the most stupidiest ideas can get a funding.<br><br>4. is a place where you can buy 40 years old paper shack box called a house for 800K.<br><br>5. is a place only for the geeks - don\'t expect any real culture events besides the geek parties. Anyway, why you need any culture events when working 8AM/7PM job (and then sitting with your laptop at Starbucks or talking to other geeks about some technology during weekends)?<br><br>Robert, I crossed US and Europe many times (I\'m actually from Europe) and I can tell you - people don\'t give a shit about SV. They simply don\'t care. Only geeks from SV think that SV and the SV technology is the most important thing under the sun.<br><br>You are years behind a proper public transportation, mobile technology, car efficient technology (no, not talking about those rich gyus trying to make 100 miles on a gallon in a super light cars, I\'m talking about real technologies used in already produced cars), about the solar energy technology for your 300 sunny days per year and so on. The thechnology world is not only about Web 2.0 and other over-hyped technologies.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644633">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644633" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644633" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644633" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644633" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644633" class="dsq-comment-message">Pepe: good points. But on my travels I\'ve found the same to be true most places. The people who work at CocaCola in Atlanta, for instance, think the same things.<br><br>I totally disagree on you about culture. But, can see where you\'re coming from. Who really cares, though? SFO flies everywhere in the world so if you need some culture just head on over to London or Tokyo or Paris for the weekend.<br><br>What I like about the valley is there are about 60 different languages spoken within an hour\'s drive of San Francisco. This means the world\'s culture is brought there. I really miss that in Seattle.<br><br>As to public transport, totally agreed. The valley grew up as a farm town and the farmers never thought that their industry would be gone within 30 years and would be transplanted by something else.<br><br>If you think Silicon Valley is only about Web 2.0 and over-hyped technologies, then I guess you need to move somewhere else for a while. Some of the best genetics research is being done there. Some of the best cancer and other medical research too. Toyota and GM have a huge auto plant there. The best radio station in the Western United States is there. And San Francisco is well known as a musical hotbed. Some of the best movie companies are located within an hour of SF too. And many, many other things (my dad built military satellites there, a friend built radar systems).<br><br>As for not caring about SV? That\'s not my experience at all. In fact, look at the markets. What\'s the hottest companies? They are located in Silicon Valley. If no one cared about SV Google wouldn\'t be at $400+.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644634">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644634" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644634" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644634">Francois Rivest</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644634" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644634" class="dsq-comment-message">As somone else mentionned, people can smoke in public buildings (restaurant, etc..) in Quebec anymore. But I remember that 10 years ago, most geek here were smokers!<br><br>There is also a movement toward working from home here, and hence an increase number of laptops in coffe shop around here... but these are not all geeks. (I still haven\'t see compilers in coffee, except mine.)<br><br>But if you look for workers, migrate your compagny here, we have talented geeks. :)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644635">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644635" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644635" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644635">jonnygoldstein</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644635" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644635" class="dsq-comment-message">Smoking in public indoor spaces (including restaurants and bars) is banned in NYC, Boston, and New Jersey (except in casinos), with pending bans in Philly and DC. That\'s a whole heck of a lot of the East Coast that\'s as smoke free as Cali. I salute the Golden state for leading the way, but we\'re catching up.<br><br>Someone should do a a Google Map of non-smoker friendly states and municipalities if they haven\'t already. And maybe countries while they\'re at it.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644636">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644636" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644636" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644636" href="http://www.richbrownell.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Richard Brownell</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644636" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644636" class="dsq-comment-message">Ironic that the same geeks/companies who are supposedly trying to connect the world and enrich people\'s lives with technology go on and on about how important it is for them to all be located in one exclusive better-than-everywhere-else place.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644637">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644637" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644637" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644637">George Pratt</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644637" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644637" class="dsq-comment-message">Hi Robert, I\'m a new reader and this is the first time I\'ve been motivated to comment. I\'ve lived and worked in Ireland my entire life. and before our nanny state banned Smoking in all public, enclosed spaces I would have been very much in conflict with you about the smoking issue.<br><br>I believed it was a question of freedom of choice and a civil liberty. And up until I recently traveled in europe I still believed that. I have to say having lived in a smoke free enviroment for a few years it was very strange and unpleasant. to have that forced upon me.<br><br>That said, I don\'t understand what that has to do with where geeks live and work and I certainly wouldn\'t try to say that\'s why they gravitate toward the valley and redmond. Might have more to do with the fact that it\'s where the industry began? or the fact that bandwith is a fraction of the price it is in europe, etc. you know real viable business reasons ;)<br><br>As for there not being a geek culture in europe, I have to disagree I\'m a geek dating a geek and almost all my friends are geeks, the reasons you don\'t see us with our laptops out in public are fairly straight forward for the irish anyway, 1. it rains a lot, laptops don\'t like rain 2. there is very little publicly available wireless internet access and what there is very expensive 3. it rains alot 4. we don\'t have to many cafe\'s that people socilise in that tends to be done in pubs, trying getting Guinness out of yer laptop :) oh and did I mention it rains a lot ;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644639">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644639" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644639" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644639">Tim Courtney</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644639" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644639" class="dsq-comment-message">While I doubt smoking is the link here, I\'ll wholeheartedly agree smoking needs to be banned in public.<br><br>I live in Illinois, where things are moving slowly towards a smoking ban. Chicago passed one that\'ll be in effect in 2008, and the suburbs are now passing their own.<br><br>If I move anywhere, it\'ll be to a non-smoking state, like California.<br><br>Besides, there\'s an appropriate time and place for smoking. At 3:00 AM in a dank basement. sheesh. :P</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644640">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644640" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644640" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644640" href="http://jonquil.livejournal.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jonquil</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644640" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644640" class="dsq-comment-message">When I moved here from North Carolina, I reflexively told a restaurant hostess ,"Four, non-smoking, please."  She smiled and said "Dear, you\'re in California."<br><br>It took me twenty years of resistance before I moved to Silly Valley.  It isn\'t just the computer culture that keeps me here, it\'s the overall culture.  I\'ve seen more plays in the last two years than in the previous ten; I go to a farmer\'s market weekly, and to arts and wine festivals all summer.  Hic!  I can\'t imagine moving away (as long as I can afford the mortgage...)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644642">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644642" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644642" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644642" href="http://staticground.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Phil</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644642" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644642" class="dsq-comment-message">I totally agree with 52.<br><br>As far as the smoking goes, it is just something to be expected in europe, although most of the places that I went in London I didn\'t see anyone smoking (except pubs).  Correlating smoking laws with the density of geeks is rather lame.<br><br>As far as getting a job outside of the valley, remember a few years back?  Then it was easier to find a job NOT in the valley, so I don\'t think that it is necessarily harder to find a job outside of the valley.  Now, the number of high tech companies that are in any region is probably smaller than the number of companies in the valley, and if you stay around metro areas you can have a better chance (Raleigh-Durham, Austin, Dallas, Phoenix, Chicago, New York, Boston, Atlanta, etc...).  This is also an industry where your physical location doesn\'t really matter...<br><br>I\'m a geek that lives in the bay area, and I do tend to meet alot of people in software, and it can be nice to talk about business, but for the most part, I think that surrounding yourself with geeks tends to dilute your creative capacities.  Meaning that you can tell how large groups of geeks that work together, that they actually start forming a group mentatlity and they tend to stop innovating.  The valley is a little different in that there are a lot of voices to be heard, but I can definitely see some patterns of people losing their creativity to hive thinking...</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644643">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644643" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644643" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644643">Simon</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644643" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644643" class="dsq-comment-message">Got to disagree with a couple of your assertions, Robert.<br><br>“If you’re a geek outside of San Francisco or Redmond, it’s hard to get a job in the industry.”<br><br>If you were talking just about the States, then I would add Manhattan to that little exclusive list. If you’re smart and you can code then, JP Morgan etc, are going to hire you.<br><br>If “outside of SF or Redmond” is a reference to the rest of the planet then, absolutely, completely, 100% disagree. There are lots of places in the world where developers and techs can get a job and beaver away with other like minded folk in the software industry.<br><br>I work in London in the financial sector, and I promise you that if you can code and deliver you’ll get a job. I worked in one large financial institution where every damn piece of software apart from the OS (Windows) and the database (Sql Server, Oracle) was written from the ground up. Trading systems, risk systems, P&amp;L, confirms, everything. Development teams worked on a giant open plan floor the size of a 1.5 football pitches. 1 in 3 people in the building were Tech. Off the shelf packages were just too generic and the users wanted real control of the development cycle.<br><br>On the smoking generalisation. Well, if I was eating a good meal in a good French restaurant and people were smoking next door to me. Damn, I’d be v.annoyed too. But I would argue that every square inch of Europe is not like this. Situation would not have happened in an equivalent London restaurant, right now it will happen for sure in a London bar. And that’s all changing for London next summer.<br><br>To finish, I’ll make a sweeping generalisation about the US. Terrible food, you can’t get a high quality dinner in the states. I’ve never had good food in the states, despite visiting several times. So it must be true.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644645">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644645" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644645" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644645" href="http://podcast.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kosso</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644645" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644645" class="dsq-comment-message">I smoke. I shouldn\'t. It\'s bad for you. And those around you.<br><br>I am a Geek. I am European.<br><br>Think the WestCoast USA should look out in the mobile space. We have had \'smart\' phones in our pockets for ALOT longer. Devloping apps and systems. Thinking inside and out of the pocket - not just the box. We\'ve been SMS TXTing for as long as I can remember.<br><br>I agree what you say about Europe and smoking - there\'s alot more of it here.<br><br>I\'m amazed phones over here don\'t come with a lighter built in ;)<br><br>But that wouldn\'t be too \'smart\' eh ? ;)<br><br>Hmmm... where\'s my patent attourney?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644646">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644646" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644646" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644646" href="http://www.icemark.com/blog" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Wild</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644646" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644646" class="dsq-comment-message">Simon, I have to take issue with your point:<br><br>"I work in London in the financial sector, and I promise you that if you can code and deliver you’ll get a job."<br><br>I have been a developer for 20 years and have a track record as long as a long thing... and currently I can\'t get any interest at all in London... What I don\'t have is experience working in financial institutions in London, and that seems to be the problem.<br><br>Recruitment for tech is messed up over here; I\'m writing an article about it at the moment. Once your in your in, but it can be damned hard breaking down the doors to get in.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644644">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644644" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644644" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644644" href="http://marcd.spaces.msn.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Marc Dencker</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644644" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644644" class="dsq-comment-message">Robert,<br><br>this must be one of your worst posts ever....<br><br>RE smoking: I am dutch but have been living in the USA on/off the last 9 years.I have never smoked (not even the good stuff ;-) I agree that after living in a smoke free country makes you realize that smoking smells but I have to agree that americans are a bit intolerant to smokers or whatever they deem the norm.<br><br>more importantantly I saw the title of your post and thougth this might be a good topic and then I got utterly disappointed when you went down the smoking drain. (I guess the cool-aid starts to get out of your system)<br><br>I think it is a real issue for Europe to keep tech in europe. Even more so it is an issue for Americans to not let this evolve into a Europe what "is open source" and a USA that is "commercial" (what ever the exact definitions of both are)<br><br>It seems that with the EU/MSFT and France/iTunes-Google issues it starts to become more of a religious trade-war than competition on merits. This is sad and bad for everybody in the long run.<br><br>A lot of europeans move to the USA for careers in software I have seen it at MS but also at other companies. SAP is one of the very few software companies that is european based. It is the concentration of software companie that attracts engineers as it gives them options to move arround for careers.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644618">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644618" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644618" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644618">Simon</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644618" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644618" class="dsq-comment-message">Chris,<br><br>hmm ... I\'m not going to win that argument till I find you a job.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644648">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644648" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644648" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644648" href="http://www.icemark.com/blog" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Wild</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644648" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644648" class="dsq-comment-message">Simon... :)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644647">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644647" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644647" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644647">Christopher Coulter</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644647" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644647" class="dsq-comment-message">So? Lots of industries have hubs or epicenters...just think in terms of airline hubs.<br><br>If you&#8217;re a Film or Screenwriterish type outside of LA (or increasingly Vancover), it&#8217;s hard to get a job in the industry.<br><br>If you&#8217;re a magazineish media-bistro type outside of NYC (or increasingly Miami), it&#8217;s hard to get a job in the industry.<br><br>If you&#8217;re a national Lobbyist type outside of Wash DC, it&#8217;s hard to get a job in the industry.<br><br>If you&#8217;re a national Military contractor type outside of Pentagon City, it&#8217;s hard to get a job in the industry.<br><br>And so on and so forth...don\'t go Insider Valley Smug Elite...you want the widest possible audiences for thy podcasts...<br><br>Agree on the smoking issue tho...Sac and San Fran so breathe easy...</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644649">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644649" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644649" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644649" href="http://taotakashi.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tao Takashi</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644649" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644649" class="dsq-comment-message">Isn\'t the issue more that in Silicon Valley you have such a concentration of tech companies around which naturally attract the geeks? It\'s true that you hardly see anybody here with a laptop in a cafe (esp. in my place) but how is it actually outside Silicon Valley (never been to the US yet) or the bigger cities?<br><br>For me it\'s actually hard to meet geeks in my area esp. in the field of blogging or similar things. So sometimes I have the feeling that I am living in the wrong spot but in the end it still has it advantages ;-) What I actually do for meeting geeks now is to go inside Second Life and they are hanging around there everywhere ;-)<br>(actually London might be a good place for geeky stuff but there I dislike the cameras-everywhere thing ;-)<br><br>I actually doubt that it has anything to do with smoking. I dislike it when people smoke next to me but well, we\'re used to it (and I even did DJ for years and this is nothing where you really avoid smoking people).<br><br>It\'s probably also more a general cultural thing that you don\'t have the maker-feel around and there might also be missing incentives to do a startup and just try things (you know, you might fail...).<br><br>Regarding laptops in cafe\'s: Somehow (at least in my town) people are very reluctant to install e.g. wifi for various silly reasons.. Chains like Starbucks have it but for a far too high fee (plus I dislike their coffee but that\'s another story :-)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644632">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644632" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644632" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644632" href="http://www.jbidwatcher.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">-- Morgan Schweers, CyberFOX!</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644632" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644632" class="dsq-comment-message">Greetings,<br>Mmmm...tasty long comment.  :)<br><br>I live in Issaquah, not too far from Redmond/Seattle where smoking was legal for a long time (it only changed sometime between 1997 and 2000, iirc).  There\'s still a smoker-culture here, and it\'s most visible, nasty, ugly side-effect.  Spitting.<br><br>I don\'t like smoke, but I can deal with it in moderation.  I find spitting a truly nasty habit, and the preponderance of having to avoid little nasty puddles correlates strongly with the number of people smoking in an area.  It\'s been getting better in a lot of places in the Seattle/Eastside metroplex, but I work in Pioneer Square right now, where LOTS of people still smoke, and it\'s a minefield getting in to work.<br><br>Sorry, was venting.<br><br>I used to live in Silicon Valley.  I love it there, it\'s a wonderful place.  Work is plentiful for someone with my skills, and the geek culture is all-encompassing, comfortable, and pleasant.  I\'ve had recruiters overhear my friends and I talking tech at a restaurant, and come over and politely leave their business card for \'any of you that might be looking for a new job\'.<br><br>I gave that up, and moved to Washington, because I can\'t live where \'brown is the new green\' anymore.  I can\'t live with having to have my car\'s air on \'recycle\' all the time because the outside air stinks.  You need some clouds to have a proper sunset...  I missed sunsets, snow, and seasons.  I want to have children, and I can\'t accept what California has to offer for education.  I wanted to buy a house, for my wife, and future children to live in, and I can\'t afford what California has to offer for housing.  Oh, and the California Franchise Tax Board is going to eat a lot of that raise you got yourself...<br><br>Despite all that, I often miss Silicon Valley; being surrounded by the warm embrace of the pervasive maker mindset is truly addicting, and almost inexplicable to people who haven\'t spent a lot of time there.<br><br>Still, to each their own, and for me I\'ve found a better place for myself up here, in the emerald hills that you\'ve abandoned.  :)  There\'s a good bit of that mindset that\'s rubbed off up here, if you frequent the right places.  Enough to ease the itch, and keep me excited.  Add it to the overwhelmingly better surroundings, and it\'s a Good Place.<br><br>I don\'t think smoking/non-smoking is the answer.  I think surrounding yourself with people who love what they\'re doing is the answer.  It brings more people who want to be part of that, and it builds a cycle.  People talk about it, others want to see what it\'s like, they come, they visit, they realize how nice it feels to be surrounded by smart people, and how it ups your own game so you can feel like you\'re also part of the smart culture.  Silicon Valley\'s been doing that for decades now, reinventing itself with every major revolution.  Chips begat hardware begat software begat the internet begat content providers, with many interesting offshoots along the way.<br><br>Who knows what\'s next; but the people in Silicon Valley want to build things (maker mindset), and they love new things (neophilia).  These two attributes mean that whatever the next step is, there\'ll at least be someone in SV working on it with a passion.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644628">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644628" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644628" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644628">dmad</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644628" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644628" class="dsq-comment-message">@44. You still didn\'t answer my question.  How do you support your 20% number?  Look it\'s fine if you say it\'s a number you pulled out of your ass. At least it would give you some credibility in that you would be admitting to making it up.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644629">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644629" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644629" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644629" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644629" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644629" class="dsq-comment-message">Dmad: I counted how many people were smoking at LIFT and Reboot conferences. As a conference planner such minutia interests me. I\'d like to do events again someday and knowing the behavior of your audience is important.<br><br>But, they aren\'t scientific, so, if you want to say I pulled that out of my ass that\'s fine with me.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644631">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644631" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644631" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644631" href="http://blog.nordquist.org" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brett Nordquist</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644631" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644631" class="dsq-comment-message">I agree 100% about the smoking. I could never live where people can just smoke freely like they do much of Europe. I can\'t even stand walking behind or standing behind these people who smoke *outside* while I wait for the train or bus each morning. It\'s a disgusting habit. It only take about 10 seconds standing in a puff of someone else\'s smoke that I come home and my kids ask why I stink.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644630">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644630" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644630" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644630" href="http://www.billbuchan.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wild Bill</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644630" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644630" class="dsq-comment-message">So. "The only place to create technology is Silicon valley".<br><br>And "all Europeans stink of cigarettes".<br><br>Once you have rid all Europeans of Smoking, what next ? Banning obesity ? Moustaches ? People who wear toupees ? Masons ? Gays ? Gypsies ? Jews ?<br><br>Right.<br><br>[For those of the hard-of-thinking, this was an argument type where I demonstrated the complete falicy of the proposition by expanding it to comedic proportions. Of course I would never propose any of these things]<br><br>See where ignoring your own constitution gets you ? See where intolerance gets you ? Right into an unhealthy, ugly place. Racism Central.<br><br>So.<br><br>Does *all* technology come from Silicon valley ? Surprisingly not.<br><br>Choose the industrial revolution. Choose the phone. Choose Capitalism (Adam Smith), Physics (Maxwell), the American Constitution (Based on the declaration of Arbroath), the TV, Radio, Radar, the Diesel engine, Penicillin, Prolog, microcode, The Microwave, DNA-Cloning (Dolly the sheep), MRI scanners. Choose the guys in the Alamo.<br><br>(10 bonus points for spotting the film reference)<br><br>Where did they come from ?<br><br>Oh. Scotland.   Ever been there ? Its cool.<br><br>(I\'ll give you Marconi was an Italian, but he worked in Glasgow).<br><br>Where was the first computer built? The first 10 computers ? Oh. It wasnt the US. It was Bletchey Park in the UK, and it knocked three years off World War 2. It was still secret till the late \'80s\'.<br><br>Alan Turin would possibly (for a given value of "true") turn in his grave listening to your rantings.<br><br>Right. Finished being so quite arrogant and nationalistic/xenophobic yet ?<br><br>Yes - silicon valley has a huge density of geeks &amp; VC\'s - hell - a lot of Scots moved there. What do you expect ? But is it the ONLY place to work ?<br><br>Brownouts, drive by shootings, Web v1.0, hugely expensive property, Earthquakes ? Sold it to me already.<br><br>Whats the biggest computer company in the world?<br><br>[ Not "Whats the biggest software company in the world" - thats your ex-employer - who are NOT based in silicon vallley. ]<br><br>The biggest computer company is IBM. And where do they do the majority of their research ?<br><br>All over the world.<br><br>So. Pleeeeeease. I know your excited about moving back to Silicon Valley. To the extent where you seem to think that all Europeans smoke.<br><br>(They banned smoking in all buildings in Scotland this year - and will follow in Englandshire later this year. Holland. Almost gone. Ireland. Gone. Get the idea ? You choose to socialise with folks who blow smoke in your face and you categorise an entire content ?)<br><br>Get a grip.<br><br>I\'m just about at the stage where I read this blog out of morbid curiosity.<br><br>---* Bill<br><a href="http://www.billbuchan.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.billbuchan.com</a><br><br>P.P.S. On the more positive note, I introduced my father - who is 73 - to the iPod and the idea of Podcasting last week.<br><br>He "got it" in about 3 minutes flat and is desperate to record his band and podcast it. Does this (a) prove that Apple UI design is easy and (b) does this make my old man the oldest of the iPod generation? Oh and (c) he\'s started blogging. No - he\'s not read your book...<br><br>Not bad for an ex trawlerman out of Fraserburgh, eh ?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644626">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644626" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644626" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644626">Simon</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644626" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644626" class="dsq-comment-message">Since Bill is rolling out the big guns...<br><br>I\'ll join him and roll out another one. HTML, WWW &amp; Tim Berners-Lee.<br><br><a href="http://www.w3.org/History/1989/proposal.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.w3.org/History/1989/proposal.html</a><br><br>WWW would not have happened in Silicon Valley.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644627">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644627" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644627" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644627">Mark Marchall</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644627" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644627" class="dsq-comment-message">You do know that Europe has a population of over 700 million in over 50 countries, right? I think you should be a bit careful with making general statements about the European culture. It is quite diverse.<br><br>There are countries in Europe that have _very_ strict bans on smoking, others that are more liberal. There are countries in Europe with a lower percentage of smokers than the U.S., and there are countries with a higher percentage. But you really shouldn\'t draw on your personal experience from a few countries to the whole continent.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644624">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644624" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644624" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644624">dmad</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644624" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644624" class="dsq-comment-message">Scoble, you were that obsessed with figure out who smokes and who doesn\'t?  Scary.  Any other behaviors you disapprove of that you are monitoring?<br><br>The point is, almost every figure you come up with seems to be pulled out of your ass but you seem to want to state it as fact.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644625">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644625" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644625" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644625" href="http://sandeep.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sandeep</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644625" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644625" class="dsq-comment-message">Come to India - the food aint half bad either!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644620">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644620" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644620" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644620">dmad</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644620" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644620" class="dsq-comment-message">@72, and Jonathan Postel did is work at...eek UCLA.. Los Angeles, which is NOT SV.<br><br>LDAP came out of the Univ of Michigan<br><br>And let\'s not forget the ITU.<br><br>I\'m not seeing much history coming out of SV given these last few posts.  Remind me again why it\'s the computing center of the universe?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644621">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644621" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644621" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644621" href="http://www.puls200.de/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">WitweBolte</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644621" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644621" class="dsq-comment-message">Maybe it\'s more about evolution. In short, the evolution towards non smoking environments fosters technical achievements by attracting more capable people. Is that true?<br>I think the attractiveness of a life in the US has much deteriorated in the eyes of many Europeans in recent years. The way you are treated at the airports and by officials for example. But thats just another primitive stereotype growing like that in the original post.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644622">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644622" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644622" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644622" href="http://www.knickersblog.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">nae</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644622" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644622" class="dsq-comment-message">I think the underlying arrogance of this post is what really puts me off.  You say Europe is losing tech people because of its bad cultural choices, but I expatriated from the US for the same reason.  A lot of very bright people will prefer Europe to the US, partly because of the needless arrogance and need for dominance demonstrated here.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644619">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644619" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644619" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644619">Matt</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644619" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644619" class="dsq-comment-message">Got to say the assumption that the only talent is in the Valley is pretty outdated. Irrespective of whether companies should be moving from Europe or not, you have to admit some of the best open source developments have come out of Europe.<br><br>That said, I\'ve created a <a href="http://www.businessreviewonline.com/os/archives/2006/07/where_in_the_wo.html" rel="nofollow">pretty pointless web 2.0 mashup thingy</a> that shows precisely where the current open source vendors are based. One thing it does show is that open source is very much a Silicon Valley phenomenon.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644638">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644638" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644638" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644638">Jim Stanton</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644638" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644638" class="dsq-comment-message">Sorry Robert, but you\'re on crack if you think its hard to get a job outside the valley. Boston is booming again, and my friends in southern california are all fully employed.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644641">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644641" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644641" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644641">Gene</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644641" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644641" class="dsq-comment-message">Robert,<br><br>Let\'s not forget about Northern Virginia/DC Metro Area. 90% of the world\'s (yes, world\'s) Internet traffic passes through NOVA every day. There are as many tech companies here as there are in SV. The pay is the same. There are more Ph.Ds and Masters Degree holders here than anywhere else in the country. The average salary here for geeks is just under 6 figures, many exceeding 200k a year. We\'re talking geeks here. I work in IT security and I personally make 105k a year. Guess what? I\'m moving to the midwest because, Like Pepe so expertly put it, people think their **** doesn\'t stink in places like this and in SV. People go into debt and drive stupidly expensive cars to impress people they don\'t even know. People shop at overproced stores and eat at vastly overpriced restaurants to impress people they don\'t know around them. People do this to show people they don\'t know they\'ve somehow "arrived." Arrived at what? Debt, stupidly high monthly mortgage that exceeds the recommended 20% of one\'s monthly salary, $500 a month car payments, and a whole slew of other dumb things.<br>I want out. I am going to take a $50k a ear job to enjoy my family, no traffic, a nice home in a quiet area, a good church life, etc. There are geeks there. It\'s actually more fun when there are fewer geeks, not more. I work and live next to geeks. I want to talk to the barista chicks, the farmers, the waitress. I want to talk with real people about real issues, not just what stupid browser plug-ins someone uses.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644699">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644699" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644699" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644699">Jamie</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644699" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644699" class="dsq-comment-message">Hm, you got lots of bites on smoking, but not about the location issue.  On the latter, why AREN\'T we as a community evolving more quickly past geo-fixated social networks?<br>  There are lots of businesses now with remote &amp; highly asynch staff.  Modulo a few Gen-X VC influences ("I-don\'t-want-my-money-going-farther-away-than-a 90-minute-drive").  But when describing the ~virtue~ of SV, Rob &amp; commenters here seem to focus on future networking potential.  It\'s OK if my direct reports are in Bangalore and Boston, but I want to be in the same county as my ideal next partner or employer?  Hm, is this more of a "next gig" than a "current gig" thing?<br>   I know some coders in Hungary who are just as sure as you that there\'s no worthwhile geek life outside of one or two places ... but for them, all of them are in Eastern Europe.  Not sure this is a global Valley-centric issue.  Maybe more like a common tendency not to like dealing with unfamiliar environments?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644698">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644698" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644698" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644698" href="http://www.allpointsnorth.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Brennan</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644698" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644698" class="dsq-comment-message">It\'s all about cash. That is all.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644697">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644697" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644697" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9644697" href="http://www.buzzworkers.com/loudblog" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ben Borges</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644697" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644697" class="dsq-comment-message">I like the "fix your culture" when 80% of all tobaccos giants come from your such "clean" country..make me think of Marlboro and all the rest..your comparison is totally irrelevant ! geek are only in SF, for me your read too much fiction !</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644695">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644695" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644695" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644695">Terence</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644695" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644695" class="dsq-comment-message">I think your next step should be claiming a Nobel Prize for your new look at economics. You\'re probably reading too much Freakonomics. Your post is amazingly dumb and self-centered. And since you\'re definitely not a dumb person, I\'m forced to believe you wrote this just to get comments like mine and keep your A-list vanity going on. Which is close to dumb. Oh man, you\'re absolutely omphalocentric. One day you\'ll realize the world out there couldn\'t care less about your babble. I do care, unfortunately - that\'s part of my environment. Just to avoid any attempt at "if you\'re against me, you\'re either a smoker or an "european" (as if there\'s such): I don\'t smoke. I never did. And I\'m neither European nor born in the US.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644696">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644696" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644696" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644696">Terence</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644696" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644696" class="dsq-comment-message">Oh, by the way, you do know there\'s a world out there of development in the mobile field, don\'t you? And that this is led by Japan, South Korea and Europe, don\'t you?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9644700">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9644700" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9644700" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9644700">rick</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9644700" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9644700" class="dsq-comment-message">Complaining about air pollution?<br><br>Own a car?<br><br>Naturally, it\'s much easier blaming smokers for emphysema in schoolchildren rather than internal combustion engines..<br><br>"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother\'s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 </ul>\
';

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			// For Safari bug, detect text node.
			if (target.nodeType == 3) {
				target = target.parentNode;
			}

			if (target.nodeName == 'INPUT' &&
				target.parentNode.className == 'dsq-input-wrapper') {
				var postId = Dsq.Utils.extractId(target);
				Dsq.Templates.postComment(postId, this, false);
			}
		}
	});
}

})();




