I'll take on your first question. In large part for me, the implications of software patents are becoming an increasingly clear obstacle to individual develope

I'll take on your first question. In large part for me, the implications of software patents are becoming an increasingly clear obstacle to individual developers. We're not talking patents for incredibly complex processes and lawsuits aimed at specific, large companies. Instead, we're facing lawsuits over (arguably) trivial/common features of an app. These can have a very direct negative impact to the individuals that frequent HN.