We were talking at some small length about the possibility of this happening over dinner tonight, and then I come home to find this article in my feed reader–Google’s been experimenting with self-driving cars. There was a theory being tossed about at the table tonight that even if vehicles like this were to actually see common use, there’d probably be some version of regulation in place that says the driver (DO they even call them drivers if the car mostly drives itself?) would have to be able to assume manual control in an emergency. The article seems to confirm that, as Google was quick to point out there were always two people in the test vehicles at all times–one to assume control if need be, the other to make sure the software did what it was supposed to. Still, the fact this is being tossed about is rather kind of nifty. Even if that still very likely doesn’t mean I’ll actually be getting behind the wheel of one of those any time soon. And, bonus, they’re already drawing comparisons between this and the “Night Rider” series. It pays to read a bunch of geek blogs.
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Now they’re getting into autopilotted vehicles.
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Google’s Killing my favourite 411 service. Bastards.
By a long shot, better than Bell or Rogers–and they charge, I almost always default to using 1-800-goog-411 for my number hunting efforts. At least, I did until now. As of November 12th, it’s back to Bell and/or Rogers for me–Google’s punched the 411’s ticket. Damn shame, too–it was actually more accurate than that which I’m forced to pay for. Well, it was fun while it lasted. Gonna miss ya, Goog-411.
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Happy Thanksgiving!
That actual, content-filled update I promised a day or two is coming; just not right at this moment on account of in an hour, we’re gone for visits, then to stuff ourselves ’til we explode then stuff ourselves some more. In the meantime, happy thanksgiving for those of you reading this north of the 49th. Hope you’re doing the same today. For those of you on the other side, I hear tell it be Columbus day for you. Happy that. Catch you on the flip side, when this thing stops spinning somewhat chaoticly.
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Maple Leafs 5, Senators 1.
For once, I didn’t sleep through Saturday’s game. Instead quality time was spent with the fiance, who’s only here until this coming Saturday–so hey, it works. Apparently it was a hell of a game I missed most of, though. They were up 4 nothing by the time the third period kicked in. I turned it on just in time for them to be up 5 nothing. Ottawa got one back near to the end of the third, but it was pretty much done in every way but official like. We smacked down Montreal, we stomped on Ottawa. I’d say we’re off to a good start.
- Wins: 2
- Losses: 0
- Shootout Wins: 0
- Shootout Losses: 0
- Points: 4
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there is an update coming.
This thing, however, is little more than a random passing thought. Evenings spent with family, Jessica and awesome food are for the epic win. Now, then. I was going to be stuffed. Exploding, now.
Sent by emoze push mail
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An open letter to Wind Mobile.
I haven’t had much in the way of dealings with Wind Mobile, mostly because they’re not my provider. I’ve thought about switching, though, off and on. Particularly after my well-documented complaints about my current carrier, Rogers. However, this weekend has kind of made me reconsider Wind Mobile as an option for the day when I finally do get fed up enough to switch. Apparently, Wind has a policy in place wherein calls longer than 2 hours are rather abruptly dropped. Now, I’m not exactly one for spending multiple hours on the phone on a regular basis, but there’s times when that’s kind of required. Particularly in situations wherein the first hour is spent on hold and/or being transferred from one department to another–hello, CRA. Jess and I were on the phone with a Wind customer last night, and the night before. Both calls, rather abruptly, got hung up on thanks to Wind Mobile. It’s apparently written into their policies that they have that authority. Just what everyone likes to here, yeah? So after the appropriate amount of WTF, we got it in our heads to actually say something about it.
During the offending conversation in which we were introduced for the second time to the 2-hour cutoff, we pulled wind Mobile into the conversation and the one with the valid account filed a formal complaint. They also received warning there would be an open letter to follow.
In digging up info for a basis for that open letter, we found ourselves another, slightly more irritating, piece of information. Their terms of service, and their offending fair usage policy that was the original spawn for the letter to Wind, are in PDF files. I don’t know how much good or bad luck anyone’s had with PDF files, but depending on the day and which machine I’m sitting behind–hey, some of them aren’t entirely mine–the very act of trying to get into the offending files becomes the source of a whole new brand of headache. So now, Wind Mobile’s Ken Campbell, also known as its CEO, gets a dual-purpose email from me. That email, complete with the newest piece of irritation, finds itself below. Welcome to open communication, wind.
From: James Homuth [mailto:james@the-jdh.com] Sent: October 10, 2010 5:19 PM To: ‘kcampbell@windmobile.ca’ Subject: Re: Wind Mobile’s fair usage policy, and accessibility concerns.
Mr. Campbell,
I’d like to draw your attention to a policy of a somewhat questionable nature. That policy, being your “fair usage” policy, grants Wind Mobile the authority to intentionally drop calls without warning after approximately the 2 hour mark. As a potential customer who has at one time considered switching to Wind Mobile, this policy has served only to confirm that, in the event I am in need of a change of carrier, Wind Mobile will not be on my list of potential alternatives.
In the first, at present you are the only company who currently disconnects customers, with or without warning, for perceived reasons of fair usage. Given how little network resources are actually consumed by a typical call over a typical cellular network, the reasoning behind this policy fails to be anything more than a perception–and, at the moment, not one that has been viewed favourably. In the second, as this restriction also affects users on your unlimitted packages, I believe advertising those unlimitted packages in light of such a restriction is misleading at best, and extremely dishonest at worst. And in the third, you are aware of customers’ genuine disapproval re: the dropping of calls by the major networks, who claim those calls are being dropped accidentally. To then announce in a “fair usage” policy that you will be intentionally dropping those calls indicates to me, as a potential customer of wind Mobile, that you are either ignorant of that fact, or simply unconcerned. In either event, this policy flies in the face of what I believe to be Wind Mobile’s intentions are re: differing themselves from the major carriers. We don’t need a carrier intentionally doing precisely what the major carriers regularly receive criticism for. We particularly don’t need it from a carrier who spent most of its pre-launch marketting time advertising itself as not like the major carriers. I would strongly encourage you to reconsider and correct what I see as a policy malfunction, as I am aware of a growing number of your current customers who, in light of this, are presently reconsidering their decision to remain with Wind Mobile.
My second concern is re: accessibility of information available on your website. Currently, both your terms and conditions and your “fair usage” policy are available only as PDF’s from Wind Mobile’s website. From an accessibility viewpoint, that is simply unacceptable. It is no guarantee that those without disabilities will be able to open and view PDF files, thus rendering them unable to access the afore mentioned documents. It is even less likely that, in the event the system in use is able to open and display the PDF files, a disabled person will even be able to read them. Which, again, virtually guarantees they will not be able to access the documents in question. You are encouraged, strongly, to consider converting the PDF documents to a more readable format, such as HTML, or have an HTML document available–and easily obtainable–in the alternative. Failure to provide this accomodation may leave you in violation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, among other regulations.
Wind Mobile’s available offerings, these limitations notwithstanding, stand head and shoulders above Rogers, Bell and Telus–all of whom I have previously had dealings with. The removal of the restrictions outlined in this communication will, in effect, also remove the last of the major concerns I have re: possibly switching from my current carrier to Wind Mobile. I sincerely hope you will take this under advisement, and I will be available for further questions/comments on the issues addressed in this letter. Please also be advised that, due to the significance of the issues raised, this will be an open communication, viewable publicly at https://www.the-jdh.com. I will continue to address these issues on this website until such time as they are resolved. I look forward to further conversation with you on how best to resolve the issues in question.
Sincerely, James Homuth (Contact info removed–I hate spam)
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Maple Leafs 3, Canadians 2.
Okay, that was kind of nifty. Montreal didn’t have the lead once during the game, no one got their face smashed in–unfortunately, but whatcha gonna do, and they almost appear to be picking up right where they left off during the preseason. All that was missing was Kessel landing one of those near perfect goals. Although, in his defense, Price actually looked semi-coordinated tonight. Still, not a bad way to start off the season.
- Wins: 1
- Losses: 0
- Shootout Wins: 0
- Shootout Losses: 0
- Points: 2
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It’s hockey time in Canada!
Drop the puck, and the gloves. Better than the world series–and only because Toronto hasn’t been there since 93, it’s all about that other major sport they do down there. Yeah, that one. If you’re a CBC fan, it’s about to be taken over by Toronto versus Montreal for the hundred thousandth time since the dawn of HNIC. If we do better than last year, I’ll be extatic. If we make the playoffs, I’ll be through the roof. If we make it to the finals, I’ll be just about in orbit. And if I can remember the number to my pizza joint of choice, I’ll be satisfied–at least for tonight. Hockey is here, folks. And I’ll be putting my team’s entries over here for the curious–it even has its own RSS feed. Now this is how a Canadian winter should be spent. To get you in the mood, have a video, courtesy Toronto’s last preseason game. We’ll call it practice for Montreal tonight.
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Roy does what Roy does, and he does it with a smile.
I missed a lot of Jays games last year. Probably slightly more than the amount I missed this year. I almost always made it a point to watch when Roy Halladay was on the mound, though, regardless to what else I might have missed. Why? Because if ever there was a god of pitching, he’s it. And, once again tonight, the man proves it. In his first postseason start, ever, he officially records the second no-hitter in playoff history. My only complaint is he didn’t get to do it in Toronto. But, still, the man does what he does, and he still does it with a smile. And why not? He’s damn good at it.
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Wo. Rogers and Bell are actually trying something useful.
And they’ve announced it without biting one another’s heads off. have I stepped into an alternate universe? Apparently, they’re both in the starter stages of trying out LTE on their cell networks. For serious. LTE, also known as Long Term Evolution, in Canada? Potentially 100 mbit/sec download speeds–on your freaking cell phone? And just when I actually sort of almost got caught up with current tech trends. Oh, and hey look, we’re actually playing around with something the US hasn’t already had for 5-10 years–Verizon’s only just now rolling theirs out. Yeah, this must be one of those alternate universe things. Now let’s see if in a year I can actually use any of the phones that are supposed to run on this network. But hey, the prospect is kind of halfway to nifty. I think I’ll hang onto that.