It certainly has for me. Hardware is all nice and fine, but the informational content of slashdot has had far more profound effect on myself. I don't think I would recognize a version of me that grew up in a universe without slashdot.

Unlike the hardware maker, I think I almost feel a tinge of emotion here.. think I'll go troll on slashdot a bit today, seems like the right thing to do.

I think he was being utterly sarcastic. :-)

I suspected that, but is correct within the context of many communities.