Yup - all systems go. Was too busy having fun to have the laptop turned on but it's fired up OK here (yes, Win95 - byte me:)
Next major point will be some time this morning when we cross 00:00 UTC (airtraffic control, etc).
Check out Australia's government Y2K update site for more info. You'll need to follow the link to the public site - they've password protected the main sections.
Well, I managed a 2/3 success rate down here in Australia. I ordered some products from Wishlist.com.au on the 17th and they arrived on the 23rd. I ordered some toys from ToysAndMore.com.au - also around the 17th - again, they arrived on the 23rd.
I struck out, however, with OzBooks.Com - again, I was placing the order around the 17th and was comparing prices with Amazon. If I had ordered from Amazon and taken the 2 week shipping, I'd have missed Christmas but saved about AUS$50 (using 3-4 day shipment meant an extra AUS$40). The indications from OzBooks were that the goods were in stock but would take 3 to 4 days to arrive. I figured I'd take the chance and save some $$$. Sure enough, no sign of it at the office on Friday - word via email from OzBooks were that they were waiting for product from the USA.
Overall, I'd say that Wishlist.com.au has *really* got their act together and I have no hesitation in recommending them. I've purchased from them a number of times and their whole operation comes across as very professional. Emails confirming that an order has been received, processed and despatched (despatch emails usually sent around 3am on the day that I wind up receiving the goods).
ToysAndMore was in a similar situation with good service and an on-line order query feature. Once the goods arrived, they had full instructions on returning them for refunds, etc. Unfortunately, they were shipping with Australia Post so once it was shipped, it was "into the void":)
While OzBooks didn't get here in time, their staff were honest and prompt in their responses via email.
To sum it up, I found on-line shopping to work really well this Christmas, given that I left it late and it only took me a whole 2 hours (while doing other things) The companies I used appeared to have their real-world logistics closely integrated with their web sites (in stock/ship times/etc) and their follow up was excellent. It would have been nice if the books could have arrived, but at least everyone had something to unwrap on "the day":)
Yes, the movie did happen. I watched it when I was a kid in New Zealand in the 70's. I can understand why Lucas would want to destroy it:)
As to The Muppets - yes again. R2D2, C3PO and Luke were on (from memory - can't remember re: the others). Funniest thing was Gonzo playing Darth Vader!:)
Yeah, I'd have to agree with you that if the marketing types are hyping up the internal point-to-point freebies, then Telstra suddenly cutting it off (early/mid contract) is seriously bad.
Of course, did anyone who signed up after hearing the marketing types ensure that it was in the contract that point-to-point was free?
Does the contract allow for cancellation if Telstra changes service? Knowing Telstra, I'd say probably not:)
It seems that Telstra's finally figured out what has been going on for a while now. Last year I remember discussing data comms issues with a number of the multimedia operations in Melbourne. They were connecting to Telstra's cable network and transferring gigabyte files between themselves for free. Basically, Telstra wasn't charging them for any packets that were kept wholly within the cable network. It was only packets that originated from outside the network that were charged for.
Thus, they could transfer to their hearts' content within the loop. I think that this was what the Telstra rep was referring to when they said "used as a data network" - eg: intensive data transfer between points on the cable net.
This is also similar to what happened when some ISP's changed from "all you can eat for $x per month" to time & MB charging. They had profiled their useage and discovered that 80% of their bandwidth useage was consumed by 10% of their clients. At one ISP, one guy was paying AUS$30 per month and sucking AUS$1k per month 'cos he was listening to radio, watching videos, grabbing warez, etc. After they changed to the new billing, the slurpers left (following LOTS of bitching) and their previously congested link suddenly became much more effective:)
Thus, it could be that Telstra have realised that their network is being overloaded and they haven't even reached the majority of the population. If they keep going this way, they'll need to upgrade their infrastructure (which has already cost them a shitload). Thus, they're clamping down on internal "freebies" to ensure that bandwidth is available for charged useage.
How they're doing it may suck, but hey, when you're looking down the barrel of a major infrastructure upgrade vs pissing off a few people - which one do you go for?:)
The MIT Technology Review (May-June 99 issue) covered systems like this, although from the photo it would appear that Olympus/IBM have reduced the form factor still more. The magazine has an article about Steve Mann's work on wearable computers.
Steve's gear is actually built into his clothing and displayed via a pair of heavy glasses. He makes use of wireless networking where-ever he goes so his computer can assist him with info, etc (even to the point of setting up his own transmitters, etc if he's in a convention). With the aid of his system, he can appear to know about almost any topic. Fascinating stuff that's really taking you into Gargoyle land...
The system referred to in the BBC article is still a little too obtrusive/clunky for my liking. Much better than the old Compaq "Portable" that was my first mobile, however:)
Naturally there's a version in Spanish. After all, one of the key rules is to always write your comments in a foreign language. They're there, they're up to date, they're helpfull but they're totally confusing to the poor bastard who winds up maintaining the system.
Did anyone notice the following response posted in Slate's "The Fray" - supposedly from Linus Torvalds: --- Subject: My Visit to Microsoft by Al Gore From: Linus Torvalds Host: karta-exc-int.karta.com Date: Wed Nov 17 14:18:10
What a dweeb......
Is Al Bore for real?.....
Does he really expect to be president?....
May god help us...... --- So, aren't there laws about assuming someone else's identity?:)
I think that Microsoft would be interested in dragging out the case as long as possible. Why? The longer a case drags out, the more money it costs
While this is true from a direct financial sense, it also depends on the information that is "made public" during the process. The indirect costs of bad press for Micro$oft could be worse than just getting the thing sorted out ASAP. Examples of this include falling share prices, change of general public opinion, defecting employees, distraction from core operations, etc).
Jorge Luis Borges. Possibly one of the greatest writers of all time,
Borges is often referred to as "the writers' writer" - if you think the translated works are wild, you should try the original Spanish. My wife is from Argentina and even she winds up reaching for the dictionary every now & then (as for me, I'm doomed - Spanish is not my mother tongue:)
If you like Borges, check out Sabatto and the author (whups, can't remember his name) of "Twelve Wandering Stories" (Doce cuentos peligrinos).
This isn't their first mistake like this either. If memory serves, didn't they "miss a planet" a while back when software on one of their probes used an integer instead of a real number (or insufficient precision, at least) in its navigation system. I can't remember if it was Mars or Venus (ack - could it have been one of the original Surveyor moon probes?)
Don't forget, being 0.1 arc seconds off on your course is acceptable if you're flying around your country. It's somewhat of a disaster if you're travelling significant inter-planetary distances:)
Slashdot Mirror
Yup - all systems go. Was too busy having fun to have the laptop turned on but it's fired up OK here (yes, Win95 - byte me :)
Next major point will be some time this morning when we cross 00:00 UTC (airtraffic control, etc).
Check out Australia's government Y2K update site for more info. You'll need to follow the link to the public site - they've password protected the main sections.
It was mad. I liked it. I couldn't stop laughing at the backgrounds (I lived in Boston for a while in 93-95). Memories!
Keep it running...
(Apologies for posting this way - no email to post direct to Localman).
Well, I managed a 2/3 success rate down here in Australia. I ordered some products from Wishlist.com.au on the 17th and they arrived on the 23rd. I ordered some toys from ToysAndMore.com.au - also around the 17th - again, they arrived on the 23rd.
:)
:)
I struck out, however, with OzBooks.Com - again, I was placing the order around the 17th and was comparing prices with Amazon. If I had ordered from Amazon and taken the 2 week shipping, I'd have missed Christmas but saved about AUS$50 (using 3-4 day shipment meant an extra AUS$40). The indications from OzBooks were that the goods were in stock but would take 3 to 4 days to arrive. I figured I'd take the chance and save some $$$. Sure enough, no sign of it at the office on Friday - word via email from OzBooks were that they were waiting for product from the USA.
Overall, I'd say that Wishlist.com.au has *really* got their act together and I have no hesitation in recommending them. I've purchased from them a number of times and their whole operation comes across as very professional. Emails confirming that an order has been received, processed and despatched (despatch emails usually sent around 3am on the day that I wind up receiving the goods).
ToysAndMore was in a similar situation with good service and an on-line order query feature. Once the goods arrived, they had full instructions on returning them for refunds, etc. Unfortunately, they were shipping with Australia Post so once it was shipped, it was "into the void"
While OzBooks didn't get here in time, their staff were honest and prompt in their responses via email.
To sum it up, I found on-line shopping to work really well this Christmas, given that I left it late and it only took me a whole 2 hours (while doing other things) The companies I used appeared to have their real-world logistics closely integrated with their web sites (in stock/ship times/etc) and their follow up was excellent. It would have been nice if the books could have arrived, but at least everyone had something to unwrap on "the day"
Yes, the movie did happen. I watched it when I was a kid in New Zealand in the 70's. I can understand why Lucas would want to destroy it :)
:)
As to The Muppets - yes again. R2D2, C3PO and Luke were on (from memory - can't remember re: the others). Funniest thing was Gonzo playing Darth Vader!
So, how long until someone puts a targeting recticle on theirs? ( you know, sorta like the big hood ornaments that Mercedes have :)
Yeah, I'd have to agree with you that if the marketing types are hyping up the internal point-to-point freebies, then Telstra suddenly cutting it off (early/mid contract) is seriously bad.
:)
Of course, did anyone who signed up after hearing the marketing types ensure that it was in the contract that point-to-point was free?
Does the contract allow for cancellation if Telstra changes service? Knowing Telstra, I'd say probably not
It seems that Telstra's finally figured out what has been going on for a while now. Last year I remember discussing data comms issues with a number of the multimedia operations in Melbourne. They were connecting to Telstra's cable network and transferring gigabyte files between themselves for free. Basically, Telstra wasn't charging them for any packets that were kept wholly within the cable network. It was only packets that originated from outside the network that were charged for.
:)
:)
Thus, they could transfer to their hearts' content within the loop. I think that this was what the Telstra rep was referring to when they said "used as a data network" - eg: intensive data transfer between points on the cable net.
This is also similar to what happened when some ISP's changed from "all you can eat for $x per month" to time & MB charging. They had profiled their useage and discovered that 80% of their bandwidth useage was consumed by 10% of their clients. At one ISP, one guy was paying AUS$30 per month and sucking AUS$1k per month 'cos he was listening to radio, watching videos, grabbing warez, etc. After they changed to the new billing, the slurpers left (following LOTS of bitching) and their previously congested link suddenly became much more effective
Thus, it could be that Telstra have realised that their network is being overloaded and they haven't even reached the majority of the population. If they keep going this way, they'll need to upgrade their infrastructure (which has already cost them a shitload). Thus, they're clamping down on internal "freebies" to ensure that bandwidth is available for charged useage.
How they're doing it may suck, but hey, when you're looking down the barrel of a major infrastructure upgrade vs pissing off a few people - which one do you go for?
The MIT Technology Review (May-June 99 issue) covered systems like this, although from the photo it would appear that Olympus/IBM have reduced the form factor still more. The magazine has an article about Steve Mann's work on wearable computers.
:)
Steve's gear is actually built into his clothing and displayed via a pair of heavy glasses. He makes use of wireless networking where-ever he goes so his computer can assist him with info, etc (even to the point of setting up his own transmitters, etc if he's in a convention). With the aid of his system, he can appear to know about almost any topic. Fascinating stuff that's really taking you into Gargoyle land...
The system referred to in the BBC article is still a little too obtrusive/clunky for my liking. Much better than the old Compaq "Portable" that was my first mobile, however
Naturally there's a version in Spanish. After all, one of the key rules is to always write your comments in a foreign language. They're there, they're up to date, they're helpfull but they're totally confusing to the poor bastard who winds up maintaining the system.
Ahh, the joys of multi-lingual development teams!
:)
Did anyone notice the following response posted in Slate's "The Fray" - supposedly from Linus Torvalds:
:)
---
Subject: My Visit to Microsoft by Al Gore
From: Linus Torvalds
Host: karta-exc-int.karta.com
Date: Wed Nov 17 14:18:10
What a dweeb......
Is Al Bore for real?.....
Does he really expect to be president?....
May god help us......
---
So, aren't there laws about assuming someone else's identity?
I think that Microsoft would be interested in dragging out the case as long as possible. Why? The longer a case drags out, the more money it costs
While this is true from a direct financial sense, it also depends on the information that is "made public" during the process. The indirect costs of bad press for Micro$oft could be worse than just getting the thing sorted out ASAP. Examples of this include falling share prices, change of general public opinion, defecting employees, distraction from core operations, etc).
Grant
Borges is often referred to as "the writers' writer" - if you think the translated works are wild, you should try the original Spanish. My wife is from Argentina and even she winds up reaching for the dictionary every now & then (as for me, I'm doomed - Spanish is not my mother tongue
If you like Borges, check out Sabatto and the author (whups, can't remember his name) of "Twelve Wandering Stories" (Doce cuentos peligrinos).
This isn't their first mistake like this either. If memory serves, didn't they "miss a planet" a while back when software on one of their probes used an integer instead of a real number (or insufficient precision, at least) in its navigation system. I can't remember if it was Mars or Venus (ack - could it have been one of the original Surveyor moon probes?)
:)
Don't forget, being 0.1 arc seconds off on your course is acceptable if you're flying around your country. It's somewhat of a disaster if you're travelling significant inter-planetary distances