>They are to provide those who live or work near them a snack safe space. >"I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't vend that to you. Would you like a Dr. Pepper or

>They are to provide those who live or work near them a snack safe space. >"I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't vend that to you. Would you like a Dr. Pepper or Pepsi instead?" I realise this was humour, but you framed the problem as I see it perfectly. I don't feel safe if I don't know Hal's code, especially if he's talking to all the other Hal's (be they other vending machines or information aggregating corporations). And what are the odds that these things will be open source?