So, how's life in Cali these days eh? A real urban paradise I'll bet. --->
California power gridlock
At 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, California's total demand for electricity registered 46,396 megawatts. The California Independent System Operator, California's electricity grid manager, was predicting that peak demand would hit 49,105 megawatts, which would be shouting distance from the all-time high of 50,270 registered July 24, 2006. For the second straight day, California ISO issued a "Flex Alert" asking consumers to turn off lights and go easy on the air conditioning. The Associated Press reported that by 4:00, p.m. California power utilities were likely to start cutting off power to large energy consumers "that previously agreed to be the first to lose power during an emergency."
A couple of points to consider:
First, if you're looking for a compelling rationale for investing in energy efficiency and conservation, rather than in new sources of additional power, you can't do better than this quote from a spokesperson for the Independent System Operator, courtesy of the AP:
"Having those customers come off the grid is just as good as adding power," said Stephanie McCorkle...
Second, while a regional heat wave gets the main blame for spiking electricity consumption, the ISO's alert also observes that "Another factor affecting resources is a low hydroelectricity level throughout the state -- about 1,000 megawatts below normal --resulting from this year's dry winter."
It's generally not a good idea to attempt to connect local weather conditions to global climate change trends, but the juxtaposition of a drought and a heat wave, in terms of their impact on energy consumption, are troubling, not just for California, but for anywhere else on the globe that may end up getting hotter and dryer in future decades. Simultaneously suppressing supply and boosting demand is a recipe for pain. And turning up the air-conditioning when temperatures rise will only make matters worse.
At 1:50 p.m, California's total demand for electricity registered 47,100 megawatts.
Just remember those comments the next time you eat a burger or a salad.
What, you think the folks who work to put the food on your table don't deserve a bit of quality service? I seem to recall a time not so long ago when some of our major utility companies were promising us all fiber to our door, if we'd just deregulate them. Well, they got their wish. And we got higher bills. And the fiber is dark.
@ss.
Using your logic we should stop with the subsidies of airports and highways as well.
After all, it's the traveler's choice to fly, they should foot the entire bill. I don't fly and I'm tired of subsidizing it.
Highways should be paid for via a use tax. You use a section of interstate, you pay for the ride. Why should everyone else foot the bill.
Then we'll work on stopping corporate welfare, the biggest subsidy of all.
Then after we're done with all that we'll work on the problem of folks who want services but whine about having to pay the taxes that fund them.
"the most unique feature of the new MGVs is that the traditional engine has been decoupled from the drive train and is used only to recharge the battery and power other systems within the vehicle." Unique? It's been around since at least the 30s in a similar form when gasiline engines where coupled to generators to power electric motors in locomotives. This "unique feature" still burns fossil fuels, still cranks out tons of crap into our atmosphere. And it's still used to help take human lives.
I use eBay for that very reason... buying people's used stuff. For me it's books, LPs and 78s. But you're correct, the proliferation of professional dealers is ruining eBay in the same way professional dealers selling cheap imported crap tools and trinkets have ruined flea markets. This year will be my last on eBay... I've a personal collection to sell off then I'm closing my account.
I created my first eBay account in '99 and recall the incredible deals that I used to get. Mainly because there weren't that many of us bidding I think.;)
I'm slowly migrating towards Craigslist as a replacement venue for buying/selling and swapping.
That's great. AT&T/BS brags that they're rolling out even more toys for the urbans while ignoring the rest of their customers. Hell, I can't even get them to provide me with noise free POTS for my dial-up. Most days it takes a dozen attempts just to negotiate a successful handshake. Pitiful crap. Outdated copper technology and a physical plant that hasn't been updated for well over 30 years, at least around here. I log a repair request every Monday now.
It's a steaming turd with a windows logo on it.
I've been testing Vista in a corporate software development environment since the beginning of last year and the fact that a user has to jump through so many hoops just to get a farking program to run properly should be a clear and obvious warning to those of us who still value our sanity that we need to simply steer clear of this steaming pile called Vista.
Ah Tivo,
Nothing like shelling out a little hard earned cash for the privilege of recording mindless tripe off cable. I mean damn, even Discovery and the History Channel have dumbed down their programming to the point of being so elementary one can learn more from a 25 year old copy of World Book Encyclopedia.
I myself preferr to watch LINK and Free Speech TV. When I see a documentary or interview I like I buy a copy from them, a worthy cause IMO since some of the money I send goes towards supporting their alternative television network.
Multiple years of "higher education" and a wall full of degrees don't mean squat if you don't have common sense, something that is most definately missing from most grads these days.
I save tons of money, and I don't have to spend time and money seaching the internet to do it.
Wanna know my secret?
I refuse to fall for every stupid gadget that some ass from Madison Avenue says I can't live without.
You'd be surprised at how much money you can save by NOT SPENDING IT on useless disposable crud!
Slashdot Mirror
Yeah, I smell another sternly worded letter coming up.
This from someone who's posted as an Anonymouse Coward. Irony is indeed dead.
So, how's life in Cali these days eh? A real urban paradise I'll bet. --->
California power gridlock
At 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, California's total demand for electricity registered 46,396 megawatts. The California Independent System Operator, California's electricity grid manager, was predicting that peak demand would hit 49,105 megawatts, which would be shouting distance from the all-time high of 50,270 registered July 24, 2006. For the second straight day, California ISO issued a "Flex Alert" asking consumers to turn off lights and go easy on the air conditioning. The Associated Press reported that by 4:00, p.m. California power utilities were likely to start cutting off power to large energy consumers "that previously agreed to be the first to lose power during an emergency."
A couple of points to consider:
First, if you're looking for a compelling rationale for investing in energy efficiency and conservation, rather than in new sources of additional power, you can't do better than this quote from a spokesperson for the Independent System Operator, courtesy of the AP:
"Having those customers come off the grid is just as good as adding power," said Stephanie McCorkle...
Second, while a regional heat wave gets the main blame for spiking electricity consumption, the ISO's alert also observes that "Another factor affecting resources is a low hydroelectricity level throughout the state -- about 1,000 megawatts below normal --resulting from this year's dry winter."
It's generally not a good idea to attempt to connect local weather conditions to global climate change trends, but the juxtaposition of a drought and a heat wave, in terms of their impact on energy consumption, are troubling, not just for California, but for anywhere else on the globe that may end up getting hotter and dryer in future decades. Simultaneously suppressing supply and boosting demand is a recipe for pain. And turning up the air-conditioning when temperatures rise will only make matters worse.
At 1:50 p.m, California's total demand for electricity registered 47,100 megawatts.
Just remember those comments the next time you eat a burger or a salad. What, you think the folks who work to put the food on your table don't deserve a bit of quality service? I seem to recall a time not so long ago when some of our major utility companies were promising us all fiber to our door, if we'd just deregulate them. Well, they got their wish. And we got higher bills. And the fiber is dark. @ss.
Using your logic we should stop with the subsidies of airports and highways as well. After all, it's the traveler's choice to fly, they should foot the entire bill. I don't fly and I'm tired of subsidizing it. Highways should be paid for via a use tax. You use a section of interstate, you pay for the ride. Why should everyone else foot the bill. Then we'll work on stopping corporate welfare, the biggest subsidy of all. Then after we're done with all that we'll work on the problem of folks who want services but whine about having to pay the taxes that fund them.
I use eBay for that very reason... buying people's used stuff. For me it's books, LPs and 78s. But you're correct, the proliferation of professional dealers is ruining eBay in the same way professional dealers selling cheap imported crap tools and trinkets have ruined flea markets. This year will be my last on eBay... I've a personal collection to sell off then I'm closing my account. I created my first eBay account in '99 and recall the incredible deals that I used to get. Mainly because there weren't that many of us bidding I think. ;)
I'm slowly migrating towards Craigslist as a replacement venue for buying/selling and swapping.
Vista has all the looks of a new Mustang with the agility and handling of an overloaded Escalade.
That's great. AT&T/BS brags that they're rolling out even more toys for the urbans while ignoring the rest of their customers. Hell, I can't even get them to provide me with noise free POTS for my dial-up. Most days it takes a dozen attempts just to negotiate a successful handshake. Pitiful crap. Outdated copper technology and a physical plant that hasn't been updated for well over 30 years, at least around here. I log a repair request every Monday now.
It's a steaming turd with a windows logo on it. I've been testing Vista in a corporate software development environment since the beginning of last year and the fact that a user has to jump through so many hoops just to get a farking program to run properly should be a clear and obvious warning to those of us who still value our sanity that we need to simply steer clear of this steaming pile called Vista.
Ah Tivo, Nothing like shelling out a little hard earned cash for the privilege of recording mindless tripe off cable. I mean damn, even Discovery and the History Channel have dumbed down their programming to the point of being so elementary one can learn more from a 25 year old copy of World Book Encyclopedia. I myself preferr to watch LINK and Free Speech TV. When I see a documentary or interview I like I buy a copy from them, a worthy cause IMO since some of the money I send goes towards supporting their alternative television network.
And in our "Who gives a shit department ...
Until you can identify yourself, why don't you just shut the hell up.
We may not be funny, but at least we're not afraid to indentify ourselves. Coward.
Multiple years of "higher education" and a wall full of degrees don't mean squat if you don't have common sense, something that is most definately missing from most grads these days.
I really wish you Trek geeks would leave those fine Swedish cars out of your weird discussions.
I save tons of money, and I don't have to spend time and money seaching the internet to do it. Wanna know my secret? I refuse to fall for every stupid gadget that some ass from Madison Avenue says I can't live without. You'd be surprised at how much money you can save by NOT SPENDING IT on useless disposable crud!
I started making housecalls back in 1995, standard company policy. Setup, repair, customer service / operation instruction ... why is this news now?
this was news yesterday. it's history today why did it take 24 hours to get posted to /. ?
*yawn*
Have you checked eBay? They're probably for sale there! Dave