Amazon’s monopoly is squeezing your public library, too – The Washington Post

Friday, March 12, 2021

Want to borrow that e-book from the library? Sorry, Amazon won’t let you. Its monopoly is stopping public libraries from lending e-books and audiobooks from Mindy Kaling, Dean Koontz, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Trevor Noah, Andy Weir, Michael Pollan and a whole lot more Listen to article 10 min (Andrea Chronopoulos for The Washington Post) By Geoffrey A. Fowler Technology columnist March 10, 2021 at 7:00 a.m. EST

Amazon’s monopoly is squeezing your public library, too – The Washington Post\

# – # – # – # – #

Sounds like this might draw some anti-trust action!

—30—

Leave a Comment » | ADHOC | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

An important mistake in President Biden’s speech | Sharyl Attkisson

Friday, March 12, 2021

President Biden made an important and potentially dangerous mistake in his first national address Thursday night.

An important mistake in President Biden’s speech | Sharyl Attkisson

# – # – # – # – #

Seems like a big oversight by the Ministry of Truth.

—30—

1 Comment | ADHOC | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

NEWJERSEY: State Gooferment goes rogue

Friday, March 12, 2021

https://bearingarms.com/ba-contributor/2021/03/10/nj-man-arrested-unlawful-possession-breaks-no-laws-n41980

NJ Man Arrested for Unlawful Gun Possession, Breaks No Laws
By Bearing Arms Contributor | Mar 10, 2021 9:00 PM ET

*** begin quote ***

With last year’s U.S. Supreme Court mooting the NYSRPC v. City of New York case and rejecting to hear a dozen other 2A cases — many of which dealt with the right to carry firearms outside the home — the legal issue of possession of firearms outside the home remains a battle. But if states like New Jersey wish to lean on the narrow provisions pronounced in Heller and McDonald, then they should not be allowed to arrest honest citizens for having arms within their residences as specifically protected under Heller and McDonald.

*** end quote ***

I’m not surprised.  It’s the bluest of blue states where the elite hates liberty.

—30—

Leave a Comment » | NEW JERSEY | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

NOTRECOMMENDED: Google Pay

Friday, March 12, 2021

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/03/the-new-google-pay-repeats-all-the-same-mistakes-of-google-allo/

PLEASE STOP —
The new Google Pay repeats all the same mistakes of Google Allo
For P2P users, the new app has fewer features, is less convenient, and has more fees.
RON AMADEO – 3/7/2021, 9:30 AM
 

*** begin quote ***

For long-term Google users, the new Google Pay is yet another annoying transition they’ll have to explain to friends and family. This is an occurrence that’s getting more frequent and more annoying in recent years, thanks to similar Google shutdowns of Google Play Music, Cloud Print, Inbox, Works with Nest, the ongoing Hangouts situation, and many others. That’s to say nothing of the crazy history of this payment service, which used to be Google Wallet, then Android Pay, then Google Pay, and now it’s a totally different Google Pay. Just like we’ve been through a million times now, some people won’t think this is a big deal because their use case is supported on the new product, while for other people, the new Google Pay will be a much bigger deal, because their use cases will be ripped-out from under them and no longer supported.

The worst part of it all is that, like the move from Google Music to YouTube Music, there is no reward at the end of this transition. Google is blowing stuff up and making users switch apps and set things up again only because of internal politics and infrastructure concerns. There aren’t any great new features to sell people on—it’s just Google’s constantly shifting priorities reaching into your life to remind you, “This is what being a Google user is like now. You’d better keep up!” It gets exhausting.

There is one new feature in the new Google Pay. I swear I’m not making this up: new Google Pay is yet another Google messaging app! Once you add someone via their phone number, the three options are “Pay,” “Request,” and “Message.” The “Message” option will bring up a full messaging app with the usual back and forth replies, push notifications, and emoji support. You can even start a group chat!

*** end quote ***

Luckily, I never got into Google Pay. And, I dropped Google Fi for Altice’s unlimited mobile offering.

YMMV

—30—

Leave a Comment » | NOTRECOMMENDED | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

PRODUCTIVITY: Low tech sometimes is better

Thursday, March 11, 2021

https://central.myfax.com/help?mobile=n

I learned a long time ago when being a “patient advocate” that MOST times the best way to communicate with the “medicine men” aka modern day doctors was to use the fax machine.  Now I “know” that HIPPA prevents them from using plain old email; some have portals that they can communicate through, but nothing is as easy as a fax machine.  And, for some reason, perhaps because it’s not used a lot by patients, it seems to get special attention.  For example, when I call to get a prescription refill and jump through all the hoops, sometimes I get my refill.  I never get a call back to say that it’s been sent in; some docs actually tell you via recorded message that they ain’t calling you back. Argh!  (It’s like the unmonitored email boxes that email important info but you’re not important enough to take your reply. Argh!)

My fax is $10 per month and works flawlessly.  I get nothing from them other Han good service YMMV.

So just today, I had another opportunity to show myself the value of this low tech solution.  I had to go to the radiology lab again, never mind why my first visit was screwed up, and, on the prior visit they gave me their SEVEN page form to fill out at home.  Being a high tech guy, I scanned it in and did it “online”.  But, I forgot to print out the results. So today, when I arrived at the lab, I asked for their fax number, bridged my computer to my cell phone, and got my fax to send the complete form into the lab.  Problem solved.

So I recommend keeping this particular “arrow” in your quiver!

—30—

 

Leave a Comment » | Productivity | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

INSPIRATIONAL: Think of “Big Pizza” hanging up the phones … …

Thursday, March 11, 2021

https://ritholtz.com/2021/03/the-landscape

The Landscape
March 7, 2021 10:00am by Bob Lefsetz

*** begin quote ***

COMPLAINTS

Go nowhere today. They’re forgotten. And oftentimes there’s not even anyone to complain to, try tweeting Apple, it cannot be done! Your goal is to improve your own little life. You need to seek out your own answers. Google is your friend. When you don’t know something, immediately go to Google, don’t ask the purveyor, you just look dumb, they put in the effort, why can’t you? Same deal with tech help. Figure it out yourself, once again Google is your friend. This is a huge sea change between the past and the present and future, between the young and the old. If you need to call someone to fix your problem, forget it, you’re already history. If you’re complaining your product didn’t last, you’re forgetting that if it was available at all, in the past it was ten times the price and it doesn’t pay to repair it.

*** end quote ***

I think this bit of realization is earth-shaking.

When I reflect on my efforts this week, I recognize this wisdom in my interactions:

  • Trying to get a vax appointment for an 81 year old with health problems is a giant waste of time.  And, the frustration of hearing that a healthy 21 year old girl got one with ease just sends me into a spiral.
  • Attempting to get my mortgage paid automagically from my bank into my credit union led to an inane email response from my credit union which was just a cut ’n’ paste from their help screen.
  • My ongoing fight about some doors with transparent “opaque” doors continues with a letter from my credit card company asking for more details. Argh!
  • My car tire has a slow leak that the dealer has “fixed” at least twice.  This morning the tire is nearly flat. I can’t just put air in it; it’s nitrogen.
  • Recently I showed up for an MRI, only to find out I need to prep for it.  No one eve mentioned that fact, but I did get two tests and two emails about Covid safety. Argh!
  • I got a bill for a recent ER visit.  What little that was itemized was for labs.  You know the ones that I asked for copies before I left the ER, was promised, but never received. When I called about the bill, I was referred to another number.  Voice mail!
  • Don’t ask about my gal pal’s ongoing frustration with Optimum.

In short, this snippet is insightful.

—30—

Leave a Comment » | INSPIRATIONAL | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

NEWJERSEY: Unlike Florida, we have a “King”!

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

https://patch.com/new-jersey/southbrunswick/s/hgq4i/nj-bars-restaurants-others-to-expand-to-50-percent-amid-covid?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert

NJ Bars, Restaurants, Others To Expand To 50 Percent Amid COVID

Gov. Phil Murphy is expected to announce he’s loosening coronavirus restrictions following the release of new CDC guidance, sources say.
Alexis Tarrazi, Patch Staff
Posted Wed, Mar 10, 2021 at 12:18 pm ET|Updated Wed, Mar 10, 2021 at 12:22 pm ET

*** begin quote ***

Murphy took the steps after he said on Tuesday that New Jersey will follow “to some degree” new guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that addresses one of the fastest-growing groups the Garden State: the fully vaccinated. Read more: NJ To Follow New CDC Vaccine Guidance ‘To Some Degree:’ Murphy

*** end quote ***

The arrogance of “King Murphy” is stunning.

Some one please point him to Florida!

—30—

Leave a Comment » | NEW JERSEY | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

GUNS: Montana Colleges Scramble To Adjust To Constitutional Carry – Bearing Arms

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

And it requires the Montana University System to drop its restrictions on campus carry by June 1.

Montana Colleges Scramble To Adjust To Constitutional Carry – Bearing Arms

# – # – # – # – #

Constitutional carry is long overdue back in the USA.

—30—

Leave a Comment » | GUNS | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

Piers Morgan QUITS GMB over claims Meghan Markle lied as Ofcom launches probe | Daily Mail Online

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Piers Morgan quits GMB: Cancel culture claims morning TV star in week he scored record ratings after social media campaign whips up 41,000 complaints to Ofcom because he said he didn’t believe a word Meghan said  Piers Morgan faced a social media campaign over comments he made about Harry and Meghan’s interview  He faced a huge online backlash after he said he ‘didn’t believe a word’ of the Duke and Duchess’ Oprah talk  Twitter users responded by sharing links to Ofcom and gave instructions on how to complain to TV regulator  Ofcom today announced it was launching an investigation following the raft of complaints from Twitter users  MailOnline editor at large, who has helped show to record ratings, had blazing row with Alex Beresford today They were discussing the Sussexes’ interview with Oprah, where the couple accused Royal Family of racism  It comes after the show had a world exclusive interview with Meghan’s father Thomas Markle earlier today  The GMB host returned to the set after the ad break, acknowledging the issue had ‘raised a lot of emotions’  ITV today released statement saying it was parting company with host but said it would not comment further By JAMES ROBINSON and HENRY MARTIN and JACK ELSOM FOR MAILONLINE PUBLISHED: 13:35 EST, 9 March 2021 | UPDATED: 21:16 EST, 9 March 2021

Piers Morgan QUITS GMB over claims Meghan Markle lied as Ofcom launches probe | Daily Mail Online

# – # – # – # – #

I’ve never been his biggest fan. But, maybe begrudgingly in the past, I’ve found things to agree with him on.

I’ll defend his right to say what he believes. To say that he was heartless or wrong about suicidal feelings is merely a cover to punish him for his opinions. No one in their right mind mind would use a suicidal individual to get any necessary help.

I agree with him that if Meghan expressed those feeling to some on in the family or on staff and was told about “image”, then that’s the real problem. Not Morgan’s opinion of Meghan’s truthfulness.

I agree with Michael Malice’s observation that the Firm is more upset about the racism charge than having a pedophile in the Firm!

So, while England doesn’t have a First Amendment to protect Piers from the FIrm’s wrath, he should be welcomed to the USA to ply his craft here. I’m sure that he’ll find our politicians and bureaucrats as great targets for his pen. If he’s looking for liars, then we have more than enough for him to wrote about.

As far as the Sussexes, I care not that they have hurt feelings. I do care that they distract us from our important problems.

Congrats to Oprah for demonstrating why the British Royal Family is a too expensive luxury for the British Taxpayer and the World.

—30—

Leave a Comment » | ADHOC | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

POLITICAL: Trump’s Last-Minute Pardons Highlight the Problem of Staggering Medicare & Medicaid Fraud | Cato @ Liberty

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

https://www.cato.org/blog/trumps-last-minute-pardons-problem-medicare-medicaid-fraud

*** begin quote ***

President Trump granted full pardons to Todd Farha, Thaddeus Bereday, William Kale, Paul Behrens, and Peter Clay, former executives of a healthcare maintenance organization….In 2008, Messrs. Farha, Bereday, Kale, Behrens, and Clay were criminally prosecuted for a state regulatory matter involving the reporting of expenditures to a state health agency. The expenditures reported were based on actual monies spent, and the reporting methodology was reviewed and endorsed by those with expertise in the state regulatory scheme. Notably, there was no evidence that any of the individuals were motivated by greed…

*** end quote ***

Inexcusable!

—30—

Leave a Comment » | CORRUPTION, Political | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »