You know, we've decided that we've been way too hard on Dell lately. For a second, we're going to forget that whole thing about Dell basically using Apple as a free R&D department and then releasing cheap knockoffs with all the style and subtlety of a Yugo crashing into a Wal-Mart. That aside, sure, this is the company that unleashed Steven upon the world and doomed us to the risk of hearing irony-free usage of the word "dude" every time we turn on our beloved television set-- and that was, indeed, an evil, naughty thing to do. But was it as evil and naughty as... international terrorism? (For the sake of taste, don't answer that.)

See, while sticking Steven on the airwaves was inherently wrong and an affront to the Light Side of the Force, Dell is now reportedly working to even up its karma count by doing its part in the fight against terrorism. Faithful viewer merz tells us that The Register keenly discovered Dell's subtle plan to ferret out wrongdoing when it took a peek at the company's online order form in the UK. Try to follow along, here: the fourth question in the Export Compliance section of the form asks customers, "will the product(s) be used in connection with weapons of mass destruction, i.e. nuclear applications, missile technology, or chemical or biological weapons purposes?"

Here's the clever bit: customers will have to check "yes" or "no" in order to proceed. So if any of them are, in fact, international terrorists looking for a Wintel box to help them weaponize anthrax spores or build a nuclear warhead, they're totally screwed-- either they'll have to stop their order and go get a PC from another, less-vigilant vendor, or they'll have to check the "yes" box... at which point we can only assume that Dell will immediately forward all details of the transaction to international authorities who can then apprehend the evildoers and deal with them appropriately.

"But AtAT," we hear you ask, "why couldn't the terrorists simply lie and check the 'no' box, instead?" We're glad you asked that, Timmy. Clearly you're unaware that all international terrorists swear a sacred oath never to lie when filling out an online order form. And that's why Dell's plan is utterly and completely foolproof... or just really, really funny. We're not entirely sure which.