Wednesday, September 17, 2008
How do you say "Oops!" in Norwegian?
Norway's national tax agency sent CDs containing personally identifiable information (PII) of four million Norwegians to media groups. (The story is here.)
Two numbers stick out in this story: Norway has just 4.6 million inhabitants, and that the CDs were sent to just nine groups. (It would be interesting to know how many send the CDs back, as the agency has asked them to do.)
Two numbers stick out in this story: Norway has just 4.6 million inhabitants, and that the CDs were sent to just nine groups. (It would be interesting to know how many send the CDs back, as the agency has asked them to do.)
Labels: media, Norway, privacy, technology
SF Chronicle's Constitution Day Quiz
I'm proud to announce that I got 8 1/2 out of 10 on the Constitution Day Quiz in today's San Francisco Chronicle.
I got questions 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 correct. On question 4, I narrowed it down to two possible answers, one of which was correct. In a day or two, if I remember, I'll post my answers on questions 3 and 4.
How did you do?
I got questions 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 correct. On question 4, I narrowed it down to two possible answers, one of which was correct. In a day or two, if I remember, I'll post my answers on questions 3 and 4.
How did you do?
Labels: constitution, history, holiday, law, patriotism, surveys, United States
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Quite Possibly the Most Inept Demo Video Ever
I wonder if Buy.com thinks anybody ever watches the homemade demonstration videos for its products. Case in point: the MySoldius1 Solar Charger. Click the "Watch Video" button on the left side of the screen, under the product image.
Between the one-take-is-plenty-but-lighting-doesn't-matter camerawork, the uninformed mumbling voiceover, and the hairy arms that seem to have never handled the product before, it's quite a piece of work.
My favorite lines: "Just plug it in there the right way and you're set to go," and "There's a few instructions on this sheet of paper right here that comes with your solar charger, and a few specifications right there."
Best of all: I bought the device anyway.
Between the one-take-is-plenty-but-lighting-doesn't-matter camerawork, the uninformed mumbling voiceover, and the hairy arms that seem to have never handled the product before, it's quite a piece of work.
My favorite lines: "Just plug it in there the right way and you're set to go," and "There's a few instructions on this sheet of paper right here that comes with your solar charger, and a few specifications right there."
Best of all: I bought the device anyway.
Labels: fun, gadgets, marketing, sales, solar, technology, video
Thursday, September 04, 2008
McCain's "My Friends" Tic
On Slate, Paul Collins has explored why John McCain keeps referring to crowds as "my friends," saying that in American political discourse the phrase hearkens back to William Jennings Bryan.
Personally, I wonder if Senator McCain didn't pick up the habit from another source: Criswell.
Personally, I wonder if Senator McCain didn't pick up the habit from another source: Criswell.
Labels: fun, people, politics, words
Technology Changes
We're trying out some new technology here at the Marble Publishing World Headquarters.
Connectivity: I'm testing out AT&T High Speed Internet Pro here at the home office. I haven't yet turned off my Comcast cable modem service, but expect to soon. Several factors played into this decision: I'm not watching TV anymore so having cable is $1200 a year I don't want to spend; AT&T's service includes use of WiFi at Starbucks; and by consolidating billing I can save a few bucks and simplify paperwork. (I opted not to get the U-Verse service, because [again] I'm not watching TV.) I got the setup kit just before Labor Day and the install worked fine. I left the modem running for the weekend and switched the computer over to the service this morning. The DSL modem (a Motorola MSTATEA) is a tiny thing, just 4.25 x 3.5 inches.
Related question: the DSL modem has a sticker reading: "To maximize connection speed, leave this modem on for 10 days after DSL installation is complete. Please note: You can use your DSL service during this time. It is not necessary to leave your computer on, only the modem." Any idea what that's about?
PDA: I've sprung for an Apple iPod Touch. I got the base model on the Apple Refurb store for $200. (It's been months since my Palm Zire died.) I couldn't justify the monthly charges for an iPhone. So far I'm very, very happy with the Touch. I've got it loaded with music, videos, and photos, along with my calendar and contacts. I'm using it occasionally for email and web surfing (including on the AC Transit M Transbay Bus). I haven't bought any apps yet, but I'm looking at some sort of password database.
Desk phone: Call me old-fashioned, but I still have a landline here at World Headquarters. However, because I consolidated phone numbers (510-538-5263 is no longer connected), I wanted a cordless desk phone with an answering machine and two handsets (one for downstairs). I got a Panasonic KX-TG9342T, and so far I like it very much. (Thought the Talking Caller ID is kinda creepy ...)
Wireless router: I got a Linksys WRT54G2. I haven't had WiFi in the house for a while, and bought this router without a lot of comparison shopping. Perhaps a mistake. It works great with the Touch but not with my old G3 iBook. I have yet to figure out what's up there, but haven't put a lot of effort into it yet. I may end up wishing I had splurged on an Apple Airport with Airtunes, especially once I move more of my music collection in that direction.
Connectivity: I'm testing out AT&T High Speed Internet Pro here at the home office. I haven't yet turned off my Comcast cable modem service, but expect to soon. Several factors played into this decision: I'm not watching TV anymore so having cable is $1200 a year I don't want to spend; AT&T's service includes use of WiFi at Starbucks; and by consolidating billing I can save a few bucks and simplify paperwork. (I opted not to get the U-Verse service, because [again] I'm not watching TV.) I got the setup kit just before Labor Day and the install worked fine. I left the modem running for the weekend and switched the computer over to the service this morning. The DSL modem (a Motorola MSTATEA) is a tiny thing, just 4.25 x 3.5 inches.
Related question: the DSL modem has a sticker reading: "To maximize connection speed, leave this modem on for 10 days after DSL installation is complete. Please note: You can use your DSL service during this time. It is not necessary to leave your computer on, only the modem." Any idea what that's about?
PDA: I've sprung for an Apple iPod Touch. I got the base model on the Apple Refurb store for $200. (It's been months since my Palm Zire died.) I couldn't justify the monthly charges for an iPhone. So far I'm very, very happy with the Touch. I've got it loaded with music, videos, and photos, along with my calendar and contacts. I'm using it occasionally for email and web surfing (including on the AC Transit M Transbay Bus). I haven't bought any apps yet, but I'm looking at some sort of password database.
Desk phone: Call me old-fashioned, but I still have a landline here at World Headquarters. However, because I consolidated phone numbers (510-538-5263 is no longer connected), I wanted a cordless desk phone with an answering machine and two handsets (one for downstairs). I got a Panasonic KX-TG9342T, and so far I like it very much. (Thought the Talking Caller ID is kinda creepy ...)
Wireless router: I got a Linksys WRT54G2. I haven't had WiFi in the house for a while, and bought this router without a lot of comparison shopping. Perhaps a mistake. It works great with the Touch but not with my old G3 iBook. I have yet to figure out what's up there, but haven't put a lot of effort into it yet. I may end up wishing I had splurged on an Apple Airport with Airtunes, especially once I move more of my music collection in that direction.
Labels: Apple, gadgets, Internet, ISP, technology, TV, work
