LIBERTY: Schneier on Security: Expensive Cameras in Checked Luggage

Saturday, September 23, 2006

Schneier on Security: Expensive Cameras in Checked Luggage

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/09/expensive_camer.html

September 22, 2006
Expensive Cameras in Checked Luggage

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This is a blog post about the problems of being forced to check expensive camera equipment on airplanes:
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I really like the suggestion about packing a starter’s pistol with your expensive camera and declaring it as a firearm!

Typical American solution! Use the “rules” to your benefit! I LUV it.


TECH: RSS and EMail and Outlook

Saturday, September 23, 2006

It’s no secret that I think LookOut, my pet name for Microsoft Outlook, … sucks … it really does. Sorry but I couldn’t think of a polite way to say it. Not only does it lock up from time to time, it’s a hog, does unpredictable things, and puts a obstacles in the way of getting things done. Not only that, BUT, it tends to make one THINK in terms of what it can do; NOT in terms of the things that should be done; or the way things ought to be done; or even the way things should be organized to get things done.

FEEDBLITZ has opened up my thinking to perhaps the best way to “do” rss is not with an aggregator or a reader, but with our old friend email. Hmmm?

Now if we just had a good email client!!!


TECH: Thinking about plogging

Saturday, September 23, 2006

As we enter the “final turn” of the year, the last quarter of the year, I am creating an inventory form my end of year review. (Hey, you have to have something to do during the week between Christmas and New Years!)

Topics:

  • Does my plog (personal web log) “reinke faces life” is this any value?
  • Does vista pretend to offer me any benefit?
  • If we’re going to Linux, what’s the path?
  • How is technology, and my use of it, delivering on its promise of “better”? Better what?
  • Hardware and software rationalization

RANT: I hate lines, or queues, or wasting time waiting!

Saturday, September 23, 2006

Cutting in Line

Cutting in Line
September 21st, 2006

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Imagine yourself waiting in line (queue, if you’re British) and someone cuts in front. This obviously upsets and frustrates you. Why should they be in front when you’ve been waiting longer? Why isn’t anyone doing anything about this line jumper?

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I hate lines! I blame the designer. It should be necessary to have a line. If the service provider staffed properly there should never be a line.

BUT, if there is a line, it should not be possible to jump in front. It should be structurally impossible. Concert goers wrist bands, a doctor’s office sign in sheets, and numbers at a deli all come to mind.

If as a designer or service provider, if you are SO inept as to be unable to figure this out, then I ask what else have you done that impacts me, that I can’t see. I’m probably being hurt even worse!

Supermarket lines are the worst I ALWAYS seem to guess wrong!


MONEY: Wal-Mart to offer $4 generic prescription drugs

Saturday, September 23, 2006

Wal-Mart to offer $4 generic prescription drugs

By ALISON BERT THE JOURNAL NEWS
Powered by Topix.net
(Original publication: September 21, 2006)

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Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club pharmacies will offer 291 generic prescription medicines for $4, the company announced this morning.

The program, which begins in Tampa, Fla., today and in the rest of Florida in January, is slated to be rolled out nationwide next year, said Bill Simon, executive vice president for the professional service divisions at Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

The price is for a 30-day supply.

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Perhaps the American voter should put WalMart in charge of Medicare, as opposed to the gubamint?