Switching dsl providers : I've turned in my CANCELation notice to Earthlink, and already signed up for SBC/Yahoo dialup service (free the first month). When Earthlink ever gets around to disconnecting my dsl line, I can then upgrade to SBC/Yahoo dsl. Why the change -? cheaper, faster, better about covers it.
Followup 5/12 : I'm good to go now. I have my News Readers set for SBC News Server(s), and my web site now redirects to GeoCities (provided free as part of SBC/Yahoo), and with Firefox treating the advertising as popups, it doesn't show up, took just a few minutes using the GeoCities FileManager tool, only mildly more difficult than using ftp, which is only allowed on the paid version. A polite goodbye was left behind on the Earthlink webpage.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
REVIEW OS X - Tiger - I've been using OS X 10.4 for almost a week now, and frankly, I'm underwhelmed. I don't see where it's so different from 10.3; I do see my Firefox and Safari crashing about once a day now. Dashboard is very nice, but hardly rates a new version number for the OS. Spotlight again is also a nice add-on. Maybe from now on, I need to just buy every 2nd or 3rd update to OS X.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Combine Websites?: Should I combine billf.net with this Blog, and only have one website to mess with? It might look like this: click here
Friday, April 29, 2005
Google vs Yahoo: Google has long since become my favorite for web searches, and with Yahoo's change in it's news page, I now greatly prefer news.google.com to Yahoo's new news page. Google's news page has no ads, and links you to the web source rather than a Yahoo page that will expire in 30 days, and so is not suitable as a link in a blog.
Even worse is Yahoo's new "My Yahoo" promotion for browsers. It's an abomination, with it's large ugly animated ads at the top of the page. Then Yahoo hides the uninstaller. Took me all of 5 minutes to decide I didnt need animated ads giving me headaches.
Even worse is Yahoo's new "My Yahoo" promotion for browsers. It's an abomination, with it's large ugly animated ads at the top of the page. Then Yahoo hides the uninstaller. Took me all of 5 minutes to decide I didnt need animated ads giving me headaches.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
2005 Version of "Let them (not) eat cake": So the Government (Dept of Agriculture) has a new food pyramid. Too bad nearly no one can see it today (April 19,2005), the web site
mypyramid.gov is overloaded, and no one can get on. Our Government can secretly give commentators $200,000 but they can'y pay Akamai to give them enough bandwidth. The Agriculture Department's regular website has multimegabytes of PDFs separately available for download. Hours of downloads if you have dialup. Let them use Broadband.
FOLLOWUP: At 4 PM I can get to the new web page, but if I try to enter my data to see which of the 12 new pyramids it pulls up as appropriate for me, it pulls up a page with only a header; regardless which of 4 browsers I use. Seems like PPP to me.
mypyramid.gov is overloaded, and no one can get on. Our Government can secretly give commentators $200,000 but they can'y pay Akamai to give them enough bandwidth. The Agriculture Department's regular website has multimegabytes of PDFs separately available for download. Hours of downloads if you have dialup. Let them use Broadband.
FOLLOWUP: At 4 PM I can get to the new web page, but if I try to enter my data to see which of the 12 new pyramids it pulls up as appropriate for me, it pulls up a page with only a header; regardless which of 4 browsers I use. Seems like PPP to me.
Monday, April 18, 2005
Firefox is great, but: Firefox is a great Browser, that I recommend to everyone. Due to getting the bugs out, and removing security holes, they're already at their fourth version, 1.03 (as of April 18, 2005), and there is no inline updating procedure. One needs to find out there's been a new version released, go to their website, download the new version, quit Firefox, and install (same for all platforms). Luckily the Install cleanly installs version over version, leaving shortcuts and bookmarks in place.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
AOL is not safe for your child: News this weekend of an AOL monitor person being caught trying to lure a 15 year old girl for sex. Guaranteed something like that is not an isolated occurance. No more than a problem priest pedophile is an isolated occurance.
Friday, April 15, 2005
Service Level Agreements - Cheating is common: Read this and this. Why put the fox in charge of the henhouse?
Followup April 15: Suppose you've got an SLA to fix the water treatment facilities in an office park within 5 hours of any breakdown 90% of the time. How do you game your system for tracking that, while cutting corners with parts on hand and techs available, so you can underbid competition and still be profittable? Many easy ways. We won't even discuss claiming to use only certified technicians, when maybe only one of four is. Just keep shuffling technician assignments so you can fudge the paperwork. Tricks used to keep solution time within specs include:
1. Train clients to call technician rather than Help Desk, so trouble tickets don't get entered and the clock doesn't start until after problem is solved, even if it's 2 days later. System shows problem solved in 1 hour, rather than actual 2 days. This is done by dumbing down Help Desk, and providing cell numbers of technicians, so clients think they are being smart to call techs directly.
2. Technicians call clients at 12:20 or 4:30 PM, ensuring they'll be out to lunch or gone already, so "clock can be stopped, as "client not reachable" meanwhile tech orders parts for next day delivery. System shows problem solved in 3 hours, rather than the actual 26 hours.
3. If a problem is solved, can it be made into more than 1 ticket, so the duplicate tickets are all solved "in one hour"?
4. The technician creates tickets for trivial matters (that no one called in) that also get solved "in one hour": Preventive Maintainence, Firmware upgrades, etc; further skewing statistics.
Of course these methods are easily transferable to any area of endeavor that may have an SLA for service. This could be NASA or a Refinery or your Plumbing or Internet Connection. In the 21st century American Corporations mistakenly think they are saving by outsourcing such work, not knowing how they are being used, and how the contractors have zero loyalty to them. And then we have shuttle disasters, refinery explosions, network outages, email gone astray or other grief.
Did I mention the contractor saving by providing two technicians/engineers for installing new filtration system, when manufacturer specifies system is so heavy and bulky that four are needed for safe installation? Then there's the old standard of repairing things with refurbished parts or third party parts rather than the new OEM parts the SLA may specify. Or better yet, just dusting things off and charging (T&M) for a out of spec nonwarranty repair when none was made. Any good auto mechanic can charge for at least 10 hours of work in an 8 hour day.
Followup April 15: Suppose you've got an SLA to fix the water treatment facilities in an office park within 5 hours of any breakdown 90% of the time. How do you game your system for tracking that, while cutting corners with parts on hand and techs available, so you can underbid competition and still be profittable? Many easy ways. We won't even discuss claiming to use only certified technicians, when maybe only one of four is. Just keep shuffling technician assignments so you can fudge the paperwork. Tricks used to keep solution time within specs include:
1. Train clients to call technician rather than Help Desk, so trouble tickets don't get entered and the clock doesn't start until after problem is solved, even if it's 2 days later. System shows problem solved in 1 hour, rather than actual 2 days. This is done by dumbing down Help Desk, and providing cell numbers of technicians, so clients think they are being smart to call techs directly.
2. Technicians call clients at 12:20 or 4:30 PM, ensuring they'll be out to lunch or gone already, so "clock can be stopped, as "client not reachable" meanwhile tech orders parts for next day delivery. System shows problem solved in 3 hours, rather than the actual 26 hours.
3. If a problem is solved, can it be made into more than 1 ticket, so the duplicate tickets are all solved "in one hour"?
4. The technician creates tickets for trivial matters (that no one called in) that also get solved "in one hour": Preventive Maintainence, Firmware upgrades, etc; further skewing statistics.
Of course these methods are easily transferable to any area of endeavor that may have an SLA for service. This could be NASA or a Refinery or your Plumbing or Internet Connection. In the 21st century American Corporations mistakenly think they are saving by outsourcing such work, not knowing how they are being used, and how the contractors have zero loyalty to them. And then we have shuttle disasters, refinery explosions, network outages, email gone astray or other grief.
Did I mention the contractor saving by providing two technicians/engineers for installing new filtration system, when manufacturer specifies system is so heavy and bulky that four are needed for safe installation? Then there's the old standard of repairing things with refurbished parts or third party parts rather than the new OEM parts the SLA may specify. Or better yet, just dusting things off and charging (T&M) for a out of spec nonwarranty repair when none was made. Any good auto mechanic can charge for at least 10 hours of work in an 8 hour day.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Hurray for Philadelphia: Philadelphia is establishing free wireless internet connectivity (wifi) Citywide. If you live elsewhere, check here!
Monday, April 04, 2005
Whither SONY : Sony has not been doing as well as it should the last few years. About to lose its Playstation lead to Xbox, never sold PCs or laptops in numbers it would like to, and totally lost out to Apple's iPod.
I thought I had a good deal with a (relatively) low priced Sony 19" LCD monitor, the SDM-S94, but inside of a month it wierded out, and the dealer offered a full refund, and return shipping at the dealer's expense. They agreed so quickly that I concluded it must be a common problem, under a secret recall. Sony tech support was even quicker agreeing to providing an advance replacement, but said it would take 10 days, and didn't/wouldn't specify if the replacement was new or refurbished. So back for a refund the SDM-S94 goes.
Followup 4/9: A 100% credit was quickly issued by ClubMac.
I thought I had a good deal with a (relatively) low priced Sony 19" LCD monitor, the SDM-S94, but inside of a month it wierded out, and the dealer offered a full refund, and return shipping at the dealer's expense. They agreed so quickly that I concluded it must be a common problem, under a secret recall. Sony tech support was even quicker agreeing to providing an advance replacement, but said it would take 10 days, and didn't/wouldn't specify if the replacement was new or refurbished. So back for a refund the SDM-S94 goes.
Followup 4/9: A 100% credit was quickly issued by ClubMac.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
It's so good. This has zero to do with computers, maybe a lot to do with high tech stuff. This product has to be a miracle of modern chemistry, it contains Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate. There I was in the Supermarket today, and I saw a new item. Sugar Free Hawaiian Punch "Fruit Juicy Red" drink mix, next to the zillion varieties of Kool Aid and Crystal Light. Add a pouch of the powder to 2 quarts of water, and (to me) it's 100% as good as the Hawaiian Punch of my teen age years.
YUMMY !
Followup: Turns out it's not made by Hawaiian Punch, it's made by "Jel Sert", the folks who make Wylers drinks, which I always found inferior to other brands. Very Strange: Jel Sert makes this stuff for Mott's, which like Dr Pepper and Hawaiian Punch are all owned by Cadbury-Schweppes. Hawaiian Punch previously being owned by Del Monte and later, Proctor and Gamble.
YUMMY !
Followup: Turns out it's not made by Hawaiian Punch, it's made by "Jel Sert", the folks who make Wylers drinks, which I always found inferior to other brands. Very Strange: Jel Sert makes this stuff for Mott's, which like Dr Pepper and Hawaiian Punch are all owned by Cadbury-Schweppes. Hawaiian Punch previously being owned by Del Monte and later, Proctor and Gamble.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
With computers it should be instantaneous : I keep being amazed at all the things that thanks to computers should be automatic and instantaneous, but are not: Shall I enumerate?:
1. Changing dsl providers. One has to apply to disconnect from first, sign up with second,
wait for installation. Can take over a week.
2. Changing Cellular Carriers. FCC said it should take 3 hours max. Often
it takes days.
3. Changing Registrars for an Internet Domain. Should be instantaneous, but at both ends
there are delays, then further delays for email forwarding and domain forwarding.
1. Changing dsl providers. One has to apply to disconnect from first, sign up with second,
wait for installation. Can take over a week.
2. Changing Cellular Carriers. FCC said it should take 3 hours max. Often
it takes days.
3. Changing Registrars for an Internet Domain. Should be instantaneous, but at both ends
there are delays, then further delays for email forwarding and domain forwarding.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Hybrid Cars: With gasoline rushing past $2.00 a gallon it makes sense to have a car that is a miserly as possible with gasoline. That would be a Hybrid car! Each of my two sons owns and loves their Toyota Prius, the best selling hybrid car currently available.
I have been considering such a car, and also the long promised Ford Escape Hybrid. For three years it was six months off, then announced as available in August, 2004, but I never found a dealer that had received one. Can you say "vaporware"? This week, I finally got a phone call from the Ford dealer I had purchased a 2001 Escape at, and I stopped off at last September when the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid was announced.
"We got one in" he said. "ONE ???", I responded quizically. "We're calling everyone who expressed interest" he said. "Trying to generate demand so you can charge over sticker" I asked. "It'll likely be $3 to $5000 over sticker. I haven't seen the paperwork, but it's likely to be a $30,000 sticker". "Naturally, Detroit sticks it to early adopters by selling gussied up pricey models", I responded. Then I reminded him that 4 years ago when we bought our Ford Escape, the same dealer was charging $3000 over sticker for Chrysler PT cruisers, essentially a Neon station wagon, which was the "in-demand" car at the time. "And they sell for what now?", I asked. "Probabally right at Invoice" was the answer. "I'll wait at least until you have 5 or 6 Hybrid Escapes on your lot, I prefer not to pay OVER MSRP" I finished with.
I have been considering such a car, and also the long promised Ford Escape Hybrid. For three years it was six months off, then announced as available in August, 2004, but I never found a dealer that had received one. Can you say "vaporware"? This week, I finally got a phone call from the Ford dealer I had purchased a 2001 Escape at, and I stopped off at last September when the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid was announced.
"We got one in" he said. "ONE ???", I responded quizically. "We're calling everyone who expressed interest" he said. "Trying to generate demand so you can charge over sticker" I asked. "It'll likely be $3 to $5000 over sticker. I haven't seen the paperwork, but it's likely to be a $30,000 sticker". "Naturally, Detroit sticks it to early adopters by selling gussied up pricey models", I responded. Then I reminded him that 4 years ago when we bought our Ford Escape, the same dealer was charging $3000 over sticker for Chrysler PT cruisers, essentially a Neon station wagon, which was the "in-demand" car at the time. "And they sell for what now?", I asked. "Probabally right at Invoice" was the answer. "I'll wait at least until you have 5 or 6 Hybrid Escapes on your lot, I prefer not to pay OVER MSRP" I finished with.
Tipping point for Blu-ray ? Two competing standards for the next generation of DVD have emerged. hd-dvd, and Blu-ray. With Dell and Apple now on board for Blu-ray, Blu-ray is starting to look like the winner before day one. The hd-dvd web site still says "...coming soon", as of March 11, 2005 anyway. And there is both a .org and a .com Blu-ray site, but no .org hd-dvd site.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Harvard redefines "Hacker": Harvard, caught with web software so poorly written that anyone can navigate to find things Harvard doesn't want one to find, redefines what here to fore would be known as web surfing as "hacking" in a failed attempt at CYA. All the details are here.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Better than Shredco: When Enron declared bankruptcy it was soon found out they they and their Accountants, the late Arthur Andersen had had many important documents illegally shredded by sending off to a commercial shredding service: Shredco. But don't just shred the documents, why not shred your shredder or your Xerox machine? Now that's possible.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
HAPPY BIRTHDAY YAHOO: I remember going to a Mactivity Meeting in 1995, and being told by the presenter about this great new thing: Yahoo. Yahoo is now celebrating it's 10th Birthday.