What everyone seems to be forgetting is TAXES.... yes, fuel tax that go to pay for those roads these cars will be travelling upon.
Even though they're EV, doesn't mean they float over the road. They'll be doing the same wear and tear that your normal petrol car is doing, just quieter.
We're already hearing governments complaining that improved fuel economies are leading to decreased fuel taxes...and that they want to tax based upon mileage.
Anyway, likely I'll keep my petrol cars only of my usage patterns. Yes, I'm an outlier, deal with it.
Best look at the new technet T&C that were instituted on 16 July....
The software now has gone to the more 'subscription based' model where as if you do not renew, your keys expire (Previously, unrenewed accounts did have keys expire). They've also removed some 'non enterprise' software such as Windows 7 Ultimate, Home Edition, reduced number of keys, etc etc.
It's odd that that is how NetFlix broke out those costs.... I always believed the less expensive cost (streaming) was the value-added service... So really the correct pricing would be 2 DVD by mail for $12, streaming $3 which is the $15 it is now that I pay. The mentality that the reverse is true is truly the definition of convoluted.
But yes, I'm keeping the DVDs by mail; everyone else can have my streaming bandwidth that I wasn't using anyway, and my bill goes down $3 a month -- I'm off to get a latte!
I'm guessing it's buried in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
There are quite a few rules that highway departments have to follow. About the only flexibility is the design on State and local route number signs (County Highway/State Highway) and street signs -- but not how the information is displayed (i.e. font size and proportions).
I'm sure it is the reason you don't SeE StReeT SiGNs LikE THIs... Sure, all uppercase seemed definitive and authoritative and the style of the time. I remember Chicago having all capital lettered street signs, but with the advent of GPS and me knowing where I'm going, I don't remember the last time I looked at one.
Not sure what you're implying, but bacon salt (as well as their other line of products) are fully kosher without a hint of pork.... and looks like less sodium than salt per serving. The salts also have no fat.
Research! Oh wait, I forgot this is Slashdot. We don't do that sort of thing.
I've always found it a bit hypocritical to not allow more bars/pubs/dispensaries in local neighborhoods (at least in the US) because of all the NIMBYs, which makes greater chances that people go out, drink, and drive back home even slightly over the limit.
That, and if you read the arrests for people who actually cause heinous harm, they are far over the "legal limit" for it to matter anyway. I don't think the limit has been 0.16 in over 40 years, but that seems to be the magic number for accidents I've seen ("twice the legal limit").
I'd love to walk to a bar every once in a while, have a couple drinks, and walk home, but the nearest place is 2 miles away and the route is quite literally peppered with cops on the weekends, and it's getting difficult finding a different route these days.
It's more than 50 jurisdictions as it's been pointed out. Different cities, counties, etc. etc. here down the line all add their specific taxes... even down to individual ZIP Codes.
If this continues I see companies like Speedtax coming in to play that say they'll do all this paperwork for the businesses in question and even send in forms "with one click."
SSN - Social Security Number; a unique nine (9)-digit number assigned by SSA to identify an individual when reporting wages, paying taxes and collecting benefits.
It is entirely possible to *legally* have the same SSN as another person, but with a different birth date.
SSN - Social Security Number; a unique nine (9)-digit number assigned by SSA to identify an individual when reporting wages, paying taxes and collecting benefits. - http://www.ssa.gov/employer/ssnvshandbk/glossary.htm
The IRS wouldn't like that very much, since they don't ask for your birthdate on a tax return.
The birthdate is generally used as a secondary qualifier on most SSN checks because the SSN verification system can check the first 5 digits to see when and where a SSN was generated. So if you see a 18-year old from New York use a SSN that was issued in 1968 to someone in California, you might just have a problem. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.14/handbook-1401.html
The Paneras I have gone to have the log-in page prominently display the time limits during peak periods (11am-2pm) and will disconnect you after 30 or 60 minutes, depending on the location.
Honestly, it is evident that people are not eating at McDonalds who are using the WiFi. After eating their garbage, I can barely make it 15 minutes without heading quickly for a restroom.
Another solution would be to print a "passcode" of sorts on the receipt that is good for X-minutes depending on your purchase. Keeps paying customers in, drops the free-loaders out.
I live within the city limits of a suburb outside of Chicago which combined with the one next door, has 300K people.
FOR TEN YEARS I've been living here (some people have been here fifteen) and we still have no DSL... none nada zip zilch.
Comcast knows this, so they charge out the ass for HSI.
My WISP has been there through thick and thin. In 10 years only 2 lightning strikes have hit their tower. We started out on 802.11b and just moved over to Motorola Canopy voodoo... free upgrade to me. Now I'm getting 10M/2M all the time. Online gaming, online music, downloads, and my VoIP all work in harmony.
I couldn't be happier, and for only $60/month (including my publically accessible IP address) I'm pleased.
-- Side note --
My friend was opening a business. He had it all lined up to get AT&T phone+DSL in the new strip mall they were moving in to. Opening day November 1. He needed Internet access to run CC transactions.
AT&T comes in on Oct 28 and says "Sorry, we have no DSL for you here."... get this.... "Go to an AT&T store and get the USB AirCard" He did despite my best arguement against it, and that option failed miserably.
He calls Comcast: "Sorry, we have HSI at the outlot, but we'd have to run a line to the main mall. Can you find 3 customers there that will need it?.... and if you do, it'll be 2 months to pull the line." Fail.
I call my WISP finally on the afternoon of the 30th. "Yeah sure, we can be out there today... oh wait, it's 3PM.... how about first thing tomorrow morning?"
So yeah, no fuss, no muss. Internet was installed on the 31st... up... running... and I got a couple months credit on my bill.
Score one for the little guy doing what the big ones don't want to, or can't.
The race of the Last Wire Mile is a difficult one, and when you can go through the air at the speed of light, WISPs will always win.
I am with you in this. I do not use Sprint Broadband, but a local business that has just recently upgraded to Motorola Canopy at no charge to me. (I previously used their 802.11b offering and was quite content with the 3mbit/3mbit connection with an antenna 5 miles away.) Now the nearest tower is 1.5 miles away and have a 10/3 connection.
The minus is that I do have a 5 foot antenna on my roof and I did have to pay for my own equipment some 6 years ago... at $300 or $400.. but it's so long ago I don't even consider it any more.
However being so close to the towers I never experienced a weather fade and my ping times are always less than 15, sometimes less than 10ms.
Aside from the occasional lightning strike on their side (once every 2-3 years) I've had uninterrupted service.
I'd work from home just to get work done. People trying to bypass the system to get me to work on their problem first, the politics and gossip in the office.
They already pay for my broadband and give me a softphone and VPN. Weeks go by with me wondering why I even come in since there's nothing I can't do remotely.
I won't even want any salary compensation. I'd be happy to save the travel expenses.
Having visited the "Home Office" back in June, I can safely say, I'm glad I'm remote here in the midwest (not Michigan, but a state across Lake Michigan).
I get all the Valley perks, but get to spend midwest dollars.
My co-workers who have yet to strike dot-Com Gold in their previous companies (cash-n-dash and cross the street to a new job), are living in dark, small apartments, hours away (about 3 miles). Meanwhile I have a SV$800,000 house (SiliconValley Dollars) for the low low cost of US$190,000.
The big thing I saw is, coming from a flat, grid-like street system, is that the saying "You can get there if you can see it" is not true. There is always seemingly a body of water or a mountain in the way.
I'm kind of happy I'm not there in the madness, but glad I'm part of the madness with that 2000+ mile buffer zone.
-m
Re:The Problem with American Voters & Candidates
on
Should You Vote?
·
· Score: 1
I was being sarcastic in saying that I thought America was smart. Most are not. They're dumb because they can. I have to deal with them on a daily basis.
I'll say it again, the vast population is a bunch of mind-numbed robots who just vote the way their friends do... milk fed sheeple I said earlier.
Politician is not a dubious title. "Career politician" is. The ones "in it" for the corporate bribes, er, money have lost the fervor and the will to do the best for their "constitutients" (who just vote on name recognition anyway -- anyone remember the name of the dead guy who won a local election?).
I'd like to see what happens if Senator Thurmond dies. It would be interesting to see how many automatons will vote for him if his name was still on the ballot. I'm sure the people in South Carolina are, sadly, no smarter than those anywhere else.
-m
The Problem with American Voters & Candidates
on
Should You Vote?
·
· Score: 2
The problem as I see it is that the majority of Americans are a bunch of milk fed sheeple who will vote, not their conscience, but for whomever their friend does.
Their friend only votes for whomever their friend votes, and so on and so on.
Eventually you reach a point where the Alpha-Voter actually has a reason to vote for that person... they are that person.
The second problem is the candidates. They have turned their public service into a career. We have lawyers becoming congresspersons, senators, and presidents. Does anyone see the problem with this? They're making laws in which they will be prosecuting in court. Talk about a conflict of interest. Also, as you have career politicians, they start voting in order to *STAY* in office... not for the *BEST* of their community. Most likely for the *BEST* of their biggest supporters. With *CASH* they can *BUY* their votes. Joe Sixpack doesn't *SUPPLY* the *CASH* necessary to win.
If a qualified candidate came down the pike who has swatched a path of change in their wake, America might finally wake up.
But what am I saying. I'm actually thinking the populous is smart. I'm actually thinking someone qualified who actually cares and shows it will step forward with a giant silver sword and destroy the old codgers currently getting off on being popular and constantly winning the popularity contest, boosting their egos.
...and don't even get me started on the idiocy called the Electoral College...
One vote make a difference? Hardly... but you can get the good feeling that you voted for whomever you wish -- not for whomever your friend wished.
You think your telephone sucks now? Sure do. I don't answer it at all. And if someone got my # from DC, they won't get me at all. They'll get my ISDN secondary line, which is always busy.:)
As for coupons, the more the better. I've mostly scanned empty beer containers:)
Slashdot Mirror
What everyone seems to be forgetting is TAXES.... yes, fuel tax that go to pay for those roads these cars will be travelling upon.
Even though they're EV, doesn't mean they float over the road. They'll be doing the same wear and tear that your normal petrol car is doing, just quieter.
We're already hearing governments complaining that improved fuel economies are leading to decreased fuel taxes...and that they want to tax based upon mileage.
Anyway, likely I'll keep my petrol cars only of my usage patterns. Yes, I'm an outlier, deal with it.
To be fair, May is the only one of the three that has driven on an active volcano in the second Hilux (the production vehicle used for the Pole trip).
He even built a tire cooling system for it.
He's clearly the most qualified. Godspeed Captain Slow!
-m
Best look at the new technet T&C that were instituted on 16 July....
The software now has gone to the more 'subscription based' model where as if you do not renew, your keys expire (Previously, unrenewed accounts did have keys expire). They've also removed some 'non enterprise' software such as Windows 7 Ultimate, Home Edition, reduced number of keys, etc etc.
List of software offered on first tab, list of 'retired' software on second tab: http://download.microsoft.com/download/C/7/8/C78DB720-88CB-455E-AA0E-A087CB332A23/TechNet_Product_List.xlsx
Are you better off? Probably if you use it to its full extent "for testing purposes" but you won't get 5 keys unless you go Pro, I believe.
Cheers
-m
It's odd that that is how NetFlix broke out those costs.... I always believed the less expensive cost (streaming) was the value-added service... So really the correct pricing would be 2 DVD by mail for $12, streaming $3 which is the $15 it is now that I pay. The mentality that the reverse is true is truly the definition of convoluted.
But yes, I'm keeping the DVDs by mail; everyone else can have my streaming bandwidth that I wasn't using anyway, and my bill goes down $3 a month -- I'm off to get a latte!
-m
...to share a birthday with Mr Shatner.
Happy Birthday, Bill.
-m
I'm guessing it's buried in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
There are quite a few rules that highway departments have to follow. About the only flexibility is the design on State and local route number signs (County Highway/State Highway) and street signs -- but not how the information is displayed (i.e. font size and proportions).
I'm sure it is the reason you don't SeE StReeT SiGNs LikE THIs... Sure, all uppercase seemed definitive and authoritative and the style of the time. I remember Chicago having all capital lettered street signs, but with the advent of GPS and me knowing where I'm going, I don't remember the last time I looked at one.
For those interested the latest MUTCD is online.... http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2009/pdf_index.htm
Enjoy.
Not sure what you're implying, but bacon salt (as well as their other line of products) are fully kosher without a hint of pork.... and looks like less sodium than salt per serving. The salts also have no fat.
Research! Oh wait, I forgot this is Slashdot. We don't do that sort of thing.
I've always found it a bit hypocritical to not allow more bars/pubs/dispensaries in local neighborhoods (at least in the US) because of all the NIMBYs, which makes greater chances that people go out, drink, and drive back home even slightly over the limit.
That, and if you read the arrests for people who actually cause heinous harm, they are far over the "legal limit" for it to matter anyway. I don't think the limit has been 0.16 in over 40 years, but that seems to be the magic number for accidents I've seen ("twice the legal limit").
I'd love to walk to a bar every once in a while, have a couple drinks, and walk home, but the nearest place is 2 miles away and the route is quite literally peppered with cops on the weekends, and it's getting difficult finding a different route these days.
-m
It's more than 50 jurisdictions as it's been pointed out. Different cities, counties, etc. etc. here down the line all add their specific taxes... even down to individual ZIP Codes.
If this continues I see companies like Speedtax coming in to play that say they'll do all this paperwork for the businesses in question and even send in forms "with one click."
Try again?
http://www.ssa.gov/employer/ssnvshandbk/glossary.htm
SSN - Social Security Number; a unique nine (9)-digit number assigned by SSA to identify an individual when reporting wages, paying taxes and collecting benefits.
-m
It is entirely possible to *legally* have the same SSN as another person, but with a different birth date.
SSN - Social Security Number; a unique nine (9)-digit number assigned by SSA to identify an individual when reporting wages, paying taxes and collecting benefits. - http://www.ssa.gov/employer/ssnvshandbk/glossary.htm
The IRS wouldn't like that very much, since they don't ask for your birthdate on a tax return.
The birthdate is generally used as a secondary qualifier on most SSN checks because the SSN verification system can check the first 5 digits to see when and where a SSN was generated. So if you see a 18-year old from New York use a SSN that was issued in 1968 to someone in California, you might just have a problem.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.14/handbook-1401.html
-m
The "middle 2" are assigned in a non-sequential way http://www.ssa.gov/history/ssn/geocard.html
The SSN wasn't required by a child until the 1980's when it was required to be used as a identifier on the tax return to claim as a deduction.
-m
The Paneras I have gone to have the log-in page prominently display the time limits during peak periods (11am-2pm) and will disconnect you after 30 or 60 minutes, depending on the location.
Honestly, it is evident that people are not eating at McDonalds who are using the WiFi. After eating their garbage, I can barely make it 15 minutes without heading quickly for a restroom.
Another solution would be to print a "passcode" of sorts on the receipt that is good for X-minutes depending on your purchase. Keeps paying customers in, drops the free-loaders out.
-m
I'll chime in for my WISP.
I live within the city limits of a suburb outside of Chicago which combined with the one next door, has 300K people.
FOR TEN YEARS I've been living here (some people have been here fifteen) and we still have no DSL... none nada zip zilch.
Comcast knows this, so they charge out the ass for HSI.
My WISP has been there through thick and thin. In 10 years only 2 lightning strikes have hit their tower. We started out on 802.11b and just moved over to Motorola Canopy voodoo... free upgrade to me. Now I'm getting 10M/2M all the time. Online gaming, online music, downloads, and my VoIP all work in harmony.
I couldn't be happier, and for only $60/month (including my publically accessible IP address) I'm pleased.
-- Side note --
My friend was opening a business. He had it all lined up to get AT&T phone+DSL in the new strip mall they were moving in to. Opening day November 1. He needed Internet access to run CC transactions.
AT&T comes in on Oct 28 and says "Sorry, we have no DSL for you here." ... get this .... "Go to an AT&T store and get the USB AirCard" He did despite my best arguement against it, and that option failed miserably.
He calls Comcast: "Sorry, we have HSI at the outlot, but we'd have to run a line to the main mall. Can you find 3 customers there that will need it?.... and if you do, it'll be 2 months to pull the line." Fail.
I call my WISP finally on the afternoon of the 30th. "Yeah sure, we can be out there today... oh wait, it's 3PM.... how about first thing tomorrow morning?"
So yeah, no fuss, no muss. Internet was installed on the 31st... up... running... and I got a couple months credit on my bill.
Score one for the little guy doing what the big ones don't want to, or can't.
The race of the Last Wire Mile is a difficult one, and when you can go through the air at the speed of light, WISPs will always win.
-m
CompUSA isn't gone... I believe they were purchased by TigerDirect in some deal... (TD has their naysayers but I've never had a problem with them.)
Fortunately too, I can just go to one of their warehouses and my item is always in stock...
-m
Some cities (Chicago being one) tax bottled water.
Next you'll be saying to drink it from a tap.
I am with you in this. I do not use Sprint Broadband, but a local business that has just recently upgraded to Motorola Canopy at no charge to me. (I previously used their 802.11b offering and was quite content with the 3mbit/3mbit connection with an antenna 5 miles away.) Now the nearest tower is 1.5 miles away and have a 10/3 connection.
The minus is that I do have a 5 foot antenna on my roof and I did have to pay for my own equipment some 6 years ago... at $300 or $400.. but it's so long ago I don't even consider it any more.
However being so close to the towers I never experienced a weather fade and my ping times are always less than 15, sometimes less than 10ms.
Aside from the occasional lightning strike on their side (once every 2-3 years) I've had uninterrupted service.
-m
I'd work from home just to get work done. People trying to bypass the system to get me to work on their problem first, the politics and gossip in the office.
They already pay for my broadband and give me a softphone and VPN. Weeks go by with me wondering why I even come in since there's nothing I can't do remotely.
I won't even want any salary compensation. I'd be happy to save the travel expenses.
-m
To listen to this and think hard about it.
An Iraqi-born American speaks on WLS-AM Radio Chicago Tuesday morning.
...because if I did not, I would not been able to wear my jewelry when we went out together.
We came to an agreement, though. My total carat weight has to be less than hers. Luckily she has more than the rings.
It pays to have jewelers in the Family.
-m
Having visited the "Home Office" back in June, I can safely say, I'm glad I'm remote here in the midwest (not Michigan, but a state across Lake Michigan).
I get all the Valley perks, but get to spend midwest dollars.
My co-workers who have yet to strike dot-Com Gold in their previous companies (cash-n-dash and cross the street to a new job), are living in dark, small apartments, hours away (about 3 miles). Meanwhile I have a SV$800,000 house (SiliconValley Dollars) for the low low cost of US$190,000.
The big thing I saw is, coming from a flat, grid-like street system, is that the saying "You can get there if you can see it" is not true. There is always seemingly a body of water or a mountain in the way.
I'm kind of happy I'm not there in the madness, but glad I'm part of the madness with that 2000+ mile buffer zone.
-m
I was being sarcastic in saying that I thought America was smart. Most are not. They're dumb because they can. I have to deal with them on a daily basis.
... milk fed sheeple I said earlier.
I'll say it again, the vast population is a bunch of mind-numbed robots who just vote the way their friends do
Politician is not a dubious title. "Career politician" is. The ones "in it" for the corporate bribes, er, money have lost the fervor and the will to do the best for their "constitutients" (who just vote on name recognition anyway -- anyone remember the name of the dead guy who won a local election?).
I'd like to see what happens if Senator Thurmond dies. It would be interesting to see how many automatons will vote for him if his name was still on the ballot. I'm sure the people in South Carolina are, sadly, no smarter than those anywhere else.
-m
The problem as I see it is that the majority of Americans are a bunch of milk fed sheeple who will vote, not their conscience, but for whomever their friend does.
Their friend only votes for whomever their friend votes, and so on and so on.
Eventually you reach a point where the Alpha-Voter actually has a reason to vote for that person... they are that person.
The second problem is the candidates. They have turned their public service into a career. We have lawyers becoming congresspersons, senators, and presidents. Does anyone see the problem with this? They're making laws in which they will be prosecuting in court. Talk about a conflict of interest. Also, as you have career politicians, they start voting in order to *STAY* in office... not for the *BEST* of their community. Most likely for the *BEST* of their biggest supporters. With *CASH* they can *BUY* their votes. Joe Sixpack doesn't *SUPPLY* the *CASH* necessary to win.
If a qualified candidate came down the pike who has swatched a path of change in their wake, America might finally wake up.
But what am I saying. I'm actually thinking the populous is smart. I'm actually thinking someone qualified who actually cares and shows it will step forward with a giant silver sword and destroy the old codgers currently getting off on being popular and constantly winning the popularity contest, boosting their egos.
...and don't even get me started on the idiocy called the Electoral College...
One vote make a difference? Hardly... but you can get the good feeling that you voted for whomever you wish -- not for whomever your friend wished.
-m
You think your telephone sucks now? :)
:)
Sure do. I don't answer it at all. And if someone got my # from DC, they won't get me at all. They'll get my ISDN secondary line, which is always busy.
As for coupons, the more the better. I've mostly scanned empty beer containers
-m
it's about time i read someone else out there is on the same path as i am.
management isn't a curse... really.
and if you're fired, how many managers have you heard were not given at least a "silver" parachute, if not a "golden" one?
now you know why some managers are incompetent -- they're looking to get fired and get paid a bundle in the process.
-m