You're taking the viability of your computer's data into your own hands when visiting any retail outlet. Anywhere. These people are not smarter than the average geek, not specially trained other than perhaps an A+ cert (which, by the way, seems to focus on feel good customer skills rather than technical competence), and most certainly do not have a vested interest in your data. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT and I say NOT EXPERTS. If you must go to the Best Buys or the Apple Stores for repair and salvage, then be sure to explicitly state any required conditions before surrendering your hardware. Meaning: If for any reason you cannot repair my computer without formatting (usually the first choice of in-store techs) then stop and return it to me and we will discuss what options there are. To me, it's a lot like the hippocratic oath - do no harm. It is astoundingly easy to salvage corrupt data. Do not settle for less.

Did you ever notice that the person that follows up a couple quick jabs with a long, wordy, seemingly agreeable yet totally ironic post filled with exaggerated anecdotes is usually a borderline socialist liberal? Yeah. I hate that too. And no, "irony" is not "having iron-like qualities."

Ah haha hahah ha hah ah ahaaaa! Good one, I hate that sh*t! How about MLB Baseball?

Exactly, exactly. See, the trick here is - we CAN'T use historical data because our own history doesn't go back anywhere NEAR far enough - 200,000 years that we've been here out of 4.5 billion? Intelligent enough to record data for what, 2000 years max? God, it's such an arrogant attitude it kills me. What percentage of CO2 do we produce compared to the ocean? This planet will "shake us off like a bad case of fleas" to quote Carlin. Look at the sun, my friend, the one and only natural force powerful enough to affect our climate as quickly as we see. Remember, I'm not necessarily disputing climate change, only the cause. Adapt or die. Think for yourself. Don't be a sheep.

I hate both "irregardless" and "for all intensive purposes"