Slashdot Mirror

Hey Tim,

Yeah I've updated my firmware and it's a little more stable, but I don't have enough confidence that it's going to work 100% of the time. Phones can be such a pain in the butt at times.. haha

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

That's quite possibly true as well. Nobody has successfully stabalised the area in the last 4000 years..

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Well that would be a difference between Australia and the US, because of the fairly uniform tax laws you are going to attract the same amount of tax in just about any state in Australia. There are some exceptions (there always are), but for the most part it doesn't really matter.

Our taxation is worked on a national level, as far as I understand (I'm no accountant or tax law expert, but I do operate 2 of my own businesses). Some taxes like stamp duty on cars and houses go straight to the state. We only have to pay those when there is a transfer of ownership though.

I think Australia may have a simpler tax system, but we also have a lot less people, so it would be easier to govern.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Wow, talk about making things complex for people. That would make most people, technically speaking, tax evaders, something that is illegal in 99.9% of countries in the world.

In Australia you just pay sales tax on something when you buy it, but you don't get taxed for using it. I can go to Melbourne and buy a car or a piece of furniture or whatever and bring it back here to Brisbane and not have to worry about any extra taxes on the product.

I'd hate to have to keep track of everything I bought interstate, I travel frequently for work and buy clothes and electronics while I'm away.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

"California takes the insanity a bit further by having people moving to the state pay sales tax on the cars they bring to the state"

You know what? All of a sudden I love living in Australia a whole lot more. That is absolute insanity, under that reasoning they should also charge the unfortunate person moving into California (I'm sure it's a lovely place) tax on everything else they own and bring into the state, it's the next logical step.

The only things you have to pay for if you move interstate in Australia (which happens a lot, everyone is moving to Queensland, over 1700 per week move here on average) are your moving costs. Sure you have to transfer your car registration across, that does require what we call a "blue safety certificate" basically just a road worthy for your car before you register it, you also have to transfer your licence across, but that's about it.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

I'm hardly an inexperienced user and my Nokia E61 only has the standard image with no extra apps installed. As for the Motorollas, I only started screwing around with them after they were stuffed.
Any apps I installed on those previous to them screwing up were all signed correctly and I verified them to be completely suitable for that particular flavor of Symbian.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

They do industry random audits, they will pick an industry at random and randomly audit people within that industry. I haven't heard of use tax, but I know they don't tax you for stuff you buy inter-state, well other than whatever tax the seller puts on it. Our tax laws are pretty uniform across the country.. but we only have 21 million people, so it's probably an easier prospect than the 300 million+ you have in the US.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

In theory I thought that it would be a good thing. They brought in a 10% Sales Tax (called GST, Goods & Services Tax) on everything, with some obvious things taxed more (alcohol, tobacco and fuel). The only thing is that they barely lowered any of the income taxes.

They tax us for everything here in Australia. Anything you buy attracts a 10% GST, I get taxed roughly 40% of my income as well.
here's how our income tax works:
http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.asp?doc= /content/12333.htm&mnu=5053&mfp=001

I think a fairer way would be to just tax people on things they buy. The only way you could really avoid tax (other than becoming a non-profit organisation) is to just save your money and not buy anything. But that won't happen here in Australia.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Yes I got a massive tax return (like over $10K) at the end of one financial year, they did an audit and went through everything, but it didn't affect purchases made outside their jurisdiction (so to speak), they also worked out that I had paid too much tax and that they still owed me $250... they weren't particularly happy, I keep good books.

We live fairly close to the border between states. On our side of the border we get a 9c per litre subsidy on petrol, we constantly have people driving 5 minutes to our side of the border so that they can save 9c or more per litre on their fuel. The New South Wales government doesn't have any right to try and claim the tax that they have "avoided" on the fuel by buying it over the border though.

It should be the same for things bought over the internet, the same as if you were to travel to the state and buy the product. That said if I try and avoid paying the GST on an item I sell over the internet then they will probably not be very happy and I'd be in trouble. Even then though, if the income on it is less than $5K per year you can class it as a hobby and if your total income is less than $50K per year you don't have to register to collect GST. That would be a very fine line to walk though.

Just my 2c (actually 2.2c including GST.. which is like .0000000000001c in US dollars)

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Lol, I just spotted that spelling mistake and was waiting for someone to pick it up.. haha

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

That is a strange tax law, this is from TFA

"The state also requires its residents to report purchases made over the Internet and pay taxes on them"

How can they enforce that? Our tax laws are pretty uniform across the country, but I buy something from overseas, I don't have to pay our local GST (Goods & Services Tax) of 10% on the item. I may or may not have to pay the import tax to get it through customs, depending on what it is and how it is sent over.

I see buying something over the internet as the same as actually traveling to the state / country where the item is and buying it. As long as the seller obeys local tax laws, who cares what the buyer does?

I may have an overy simplistic view of things though.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

And broken, I've had 4 different Motorolla 3G phones (A920, A925 and A1000) and a Nokia 3G phone (Nokia E61), all with the Symbian OS.

I think Motorolla and Nokia need to get over their fascination with the Symbian OS. In my experience (total of 13 handsets based on SymbianOS) Symbian is a very unstable platform, my phones will randomly restart themselves or turn themselves off, my email and text messages will stop coming in if I don't reboot the phone every 48 hours. I had a bug on my Nokia and my A1000 that stopped me from sending text messages until I installed a hack that cleared out some of the message memory (this is after I had already tried deleting every text message in the phone and installing a 2Gb memory card).

I've had a heap of other problems with Symbian OS too, but this probably isn't the place for this.. Sorry for the rant, but I really don't like SymbianOS at the moment, hopefully they can come up with something more stable soon.

It's pretty pathetic when something that Microsoft makes (Windows Mobile) actually looks stable and useful in comparison. Haha

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

We are hardly a target, we distribute our own recorded seminars, not something that any of the record labels would listen to, let alone try to distribute. Same with my photography business, I'm not about to sell the rights to my photographs so that someone else can distribute them on DVD to my clients.. haha.

That said I can certainly understand where you are coming from, having worked in recording studios in the past. Interesting point, I hadn't actually thought about that side of things.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Sure, next time I see him.. Oh wait.. We have freedom of speech too... funny that.

I have to agree with Prime Minister John Howard on this point (not many of his other points though), Setting a date to pull out of Iraq is insane. The country needs to be properly stabalised first.. That said I think we need to more clearly define our goals in Iraq and one of them should be to pull out of Iraq after certain criteria have been met.

Whether or not he should have said it is up to his PR people to decide I guess.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Lol. ok I deserved that one :)

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Apparently there is no "outside the US" to a lot of American Citizens or their Politicians for that matter.. heh.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

I buy blank CDRs buy the 1000 at the moment. I have a duplicator for CDs.. but I'm not a pirate. We distribute original recorded material on CDs we burn and print on to ourselves. Yet they want to hit us with piracy taxes because apparently the only use for that many CDRs is for piracy.

I also use them in my photography business quite extensively as well as blank DVDs for giving out to clients, are they going to start hitting me with a fee for that too?

Not all bulk use of blank media is for pirating. And not all ipods are used for pirated music either. I unfortunately own a 30Gb ipod, it's alright to use to listen to music, but the main thing I use it for is to download photos from my digital SLR.. I'd rather carry an ipod with me out in the field than I would a laptop.

And I thought Australian taxes and copyright laws were backwards..

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

And some companies don't. I was in a certain company, that will remain unnamed, they treated their IT staff really crap, paid really crap, put closed circuit cameras pointed at the IT staff, not the servers and generally accused us for everything that went wrong in the company. No surprise there was a really high turn over of staff.

The day I finally gave in and resigned (14 months after starting there) the Network Admin and Systems Admin both resigned too. We did nothing to sabotage anything, the company went broke about a month after we left, the people who came in and bought it are still trying to pick up the pieces a year later.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

First of all this is *not* a flamebait, this just a few thoughts that I've had. I think we need to be cautious about Google. Sure I love using the search engine, I already use their apps on my domain, email, calendar, chat, I use their Analytics software to track my traffic and check out where it's coming from.

I am not saying they are a monopoly, because they are far from it at the moment. What I am saying though is that they are quite similar to how Microsoft started. There was a time when you could buy a computer with out Windows loaded.. you still can, it's called a Mac.. or you have to build it yourself, then the computer store people eye you off, thinking you are a pirate because you avoided buying Windows..

I remember a time when there were multiple Office Suites, you could buy several different packages, anyone remember WordPerfect? Anyone used it recently? No.. didn't think so. Lotus also had a product called Word Pro, there are heaps of old word processors around.. Microsoft was once a small player (long time ago I know). They were considered inovative and cutting edge at one point (it was a very small and short point..). They are still cutting edge, just the blade seems to be pointing the wrong way.. towards their customers.

As long as Google can stick it's motto "do no harm" it may be alright, we just need to know who they intend to do no harm to.. it may be that they are referring to themselves and to their stockholders..

Like I said, I'm a fan of Google, I think they have done very well for themselves. I was once a bit of a fan of Microsoft too (long time ago, now I'm happy that they pay my bills), now I just want to see an even playing field where companies (including Microsoft) are forced to compete on the merits of their products, not by strong arming their customers into buying "the next big thing". So far Google haven't used any of these tactics.

Just my 2cents worth (that's about .0000001 US cents, stupid Aussie $)

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Believe it or not, Microsoft started out the same way. I'm not trying to turn them into a monster, because they aren't, they are a great company that is really innovative. I'm glad they are making some serious money.

What is great about google is that they compete for business in a mostly ethical manner, by providing the best product they can produce. Once upon a time Microsoft did the same.. Anyone remember the days where you could choose between Word, Word Perfect and a few other Office applications? Or remember when a computer didn't come preloaded with Windows, because there were other operating systems available to the average user?

We'll see what happens, Google seem to play nicely with or buy others..
haha

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Seriously, is there anything Google either doesn't do, or isn't trying?

I'm beginning to wonder if Google will be the new MS in a couple of years time.

That said, I run google Analytics, google email, google calendar and google talk on my own domain, as well as a few other tools of googles that I use.. they are all great and all free.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

That's true. I know that their next project is to move towards an ODF system.. When will it be implemented?? Who knows.. this is government we are talking about.

Most of their content is using MS Office and Adobe solutions at the moment.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Absolutely, I agree nearly 100% except for the part about seeing MS dumped completely. What I would like to see is a few viable alternatives that are happy to talk to other platforms and OSs, including moving documents and files inbetween each platform.

Also I'd like to see Microsoft forced into competing in terms of putting out a quality product that has to compete with these viable alternatives. Alternatives that the typical end user can use, not tech heads.

Its a big call and is a fair way off at the moment, linux is making some decent progress, but it's a little way off being a completely viable alternative for non-tech people.

I'm not anti microsoft or any other company, I'm happy that a company does well and makes money, but I'd prefer if were done ethically and due to having a quality product that is best value for money.

I guess I'm after a level playing field.. which only exists in sport.. lol

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

I hadn't even really thought about it to that depth, then again I'm just a contractor, the limit of my interaction with the government is paying tax and trying to claim back as much as I can. Although at the moment I'm contracting for the department of education.. I finish wednesday, which I am looking forward to.

Thanks for your comment, gives me something to think about. My previous thoughts were just for posterity, we may need to be able to open these documents in 10 - 15 years time or even longer, we have no idea if MS will even be around then, some would say hopefully not. I would say hopefully, but in a less dominate position, a position where they are forced to actually compete and produce a top quality product to do so.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Lol.. what's even funnier is that here in Australia, VB is a beer.. so the thought that they didn't pass the VB100 is quite amusing...

I'm kind of the opinion of "who cares" as well. Although I did notice that the publishers of this also have their own AV software, no conflict of interest there..

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Nice one.. it was meant to be a general comment, not a specific example.. obviously I used a poor example, because no one is forcing anyone to use a particular format for the ipod, you don't even really have to use itunes with an ipod.

That said, if you buy an ipod, you are pretty much stuck in the ipod hardware in terms of music you have legally downloaded, as itunes sells music in their own format that locks itself to your particular ipod, so if you go and buy another brand music player, you can't easily transfer the music to it. I'm talking about the average user, not tech heads who read slashdot ;)

Overall though, Apple's corporate ehtics aren't all that much better than Microsoft, HP, Dell, Intel or any other major corporation. I'm not defending Microsoft, just pointing out that a lot of other companies use similar tactics to try and lock in their customers.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

I am currently working for the Queensland Department of Education, we are working on implementing a whole of government initiative to move all documents and standards to PDF. I have no news sites to quote or anything of the sort. There is a group called CorpTech that are pushing this initiative. It is a project that is due for completion this year.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

While your comments are highly cynical, they are absolutely true. If not in the US, then definitely here in Australia. We had a government initiative (an oxymoron if I've ever heard one), a few years ago, to move the whole of government over to open source operating systems, including servers. In the state I live in (Queensland, not denial, as many people believe) that's over 400,000 desktops just in the education department, there the rest of the state government as well.

Microsoft had a rethink of the strategy they were using, dropped the prices for the government, threw in some more support for servers and all sorts of other things and all of a sudden, the government has a change of mind and also givs MS some tax breaks.. go figure.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

I have to agree 100%, here in Australia they have just moved to using PDFs for all Government documents and are working on going to completely open documents.

Oh and I love your sig by the way.. :)

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

As much as I like MS (well I like it because all it's problems give me a job, fixing them for various people.. I don't use it at home though.. haha), Open Documents make much more sense, rather than trying to lock users in to using 1 particular package.

Queue MS bashers here.. haha

Can I just say here (to play the devil's advocate) MS isn't the only company that uses Anti-Competitive methods or tries to lock users into their product. ipods anyone?

Things like this keep companies like MS and others on their toes. I also believe that companies have a right to profit from products they create, only if they do it ethically though.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Oh.. I should probably refresh the page sometime before I post my comment, that way I don't repost what someone else has said better than I can.. lol

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

And what if their religion says that they need to influence others into their beliefs? ie - Muslims, Christians, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses. Even football fans argue about teams and try and convince one another that their team is better than another.

You would be imposing your belief upon them by saying not to follow their own beliefs..

There is no such thing as 0 conflict, you can't have all ideas being simultaneously true. It's a nice ideal though :)

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Great, there goes my night out, the only way I can dance is badly.. now someone has gone and copyrighted that..

What I want to know is, how can you issue a takedown notice for someone "incorrectly" copying your pathetic dance? I mean, I was to post up a video of me badly singing a song (I can't sing any other way), there is no way a take down notice would be put into effect. You could probably use the same law that Weird Al Yankovic used to use his parodies.. It might even be considered a new work.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Well that may be true, but you still can't wear a solitary pant out in public(unless you are on a float in certain festivals.. haha).

Thank you for the reference though :)

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

I've often wondered about this and how on earth would you test for it. I tried explaining it to a friend of mine, who just looked at me as if I had lost my mind.. which is probably a very appropriate response.

My dad asked if I was on drugs when I asked him.. somethings just shouldn't be brought up with your parents.. even when you are 25 and married.. lol

thanks for the wording of the question and the perfect explaination.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

You need a tank of methane to do that.. of course no smoking around bubbles.. they are very flamable.. heh

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Maybe get a ringtone on your phone with a subliminal message built in.. like "Adler shut up" or something equally discrete. Maybe even convince Adler to quit his job, or just stop humming.. Then again you could always find a couple of songs you like and get him to hum them by playing them on your phone.. haha

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Haha, I love that book.. Some very creative writing there.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Well of course you have to add a few others like:

- Where do those sneezes go when they don't eventuate??
- How come only your fingers and toes get prune in the shower and nothing else does?
- Why do we say "heads up" when we actually duck?
- If a missing person sees their picture on a milk carton that offers a reward, would they get the money?

And the one that really boggles my mind..

Why are shorts, pants and underpants all referred to as pairs.. in fact they have no singular noun. You can have 1 Pair of shorts, 10 pairs of shorts.. but you can't have 1 short or 1 pant..

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Obviously the situation must be pretty different in Australia. Well for contractors anyway. There is some great money to be made if you are happy contracting. If you go for a permanent position, you will pretty much get shafted by most companies, which further increases the incentive to move to contracting.

I recently attended an interview for a permanent position as a system admin, they were offering less money for a year than I had already earnt in just under 5 months, not much incentive to take the position. I'm happy getting a great hourly rate and a variety of positions, most contracts last a minimum of 3 months with many lasting 6, 12 and 18 months.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

That's pretty much why I'm in the IT industry. I earnt more in 4 months than I would in a whole year if I followed my "passion". Basically it came down to a lifestyle choice. And funnily enough, the more I earn in IT, the more chances I get to follow my passion of photography. There are some blessed people on the planet whose passion and job are one and the same, but generally it's an exception to the rule.

As a society we need people to work in industries that they don't really want to, otherwise we'd have no services.. I mean, really, who wants to drive a garbage truck, mop floors or dig holes? No offense to anyone that does, I'm sure that there are people who enjoy it, but I doubt that it's their passion.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents on the matter. I know here in Australia we have a serious skills shortage in the IT industry, because a lot of our skilled IT workers go to where the money is, the UK or US. Which is fine by me, because the contracting rates are steadily going up here.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Thanks for the info, it is very handy to know.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Funny stuff... my initials are PMP.. imagine the look on people's faces when they see my personalised number plates.. (called vanity plates in the US I think) - paul http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

This is probably a stupid question.. but where would you get a book like that? All my books are normal paperback or hardcover books, none would allow you to change the binding though?

thanks

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/

Ummm, I know the case here in Australia is that they will suspend your licence for not paying parking tickets. Our law is based somewhat on a combination of the UK and US.. then our own bit of weirdness thrown in for fun..

Up until recently it was illegal to create an mp3 or any electronic form of a song, even if you owned the cd. They have now changed it to reflect commonsense.

- paul

http://www.paulpichugin.com.au/