iPhone's Canadian debut

I'd like to put something together about this over the weekend. I can say that the Rogers stores (exclusively) were 'understocked'. Reportedly, some as low as 100 per store. Of course when sold out (and they will sell out, there is no doubt), Rogers can then go on to say that they've sold out due to the high demand.

What, too cynical?

Then there were the events of the past few days, as I posted earlier this week.

Tonight though, is my night to shoot some pool and have a couple of pints with some friends. Read More...

Bell and Telus called to task

Calling it "an ill-thought out decision", Federal Industry Minister Jim Prentice has called Bell and Telus to Ottawa demanding an explanation over their decision (as I posted earlier) to begin charging customers for incoming text messages.

While I have no desire to interfere with the day-to-day business decisions of two private companies, I do have a duty as minister of industry, when necessary, to protect the interests of the consuming public...

All over the 'net. Read More...

Fathers

The following is an excerpt from Man Enough: Fathers, Sons, and the Search for Masculinity (Putnam). I 'found' it in Psychology Today, circa 1993. My son was 4 and my daughter but one. At that time I'd made the decision to be a major part of my their lives. Saying it and doing it, well, it's not as simple as that. As they age (and grow... hopefully), it is a parent's 'job' to grow with them. And I wanted it as much as they did.

This article played a role in that decision.

Perhaps it can hold some meaning for you as well.

It was written by Frank Smith Pittman, III,M.D., An American psychiatrist and author.

Fathers & Sons

We know that raising children is the central experience of life, the greatest source of self-awareness, the true fountain of pride and joy, the most eternal bond with a partner. We know that being a father is life's fullest expression of masculinity. So why did so many men forgo this for so long, and will the current crop of post-patriarchal fathers fare any better?

FOR A COUPLE OF hundred years now, each generation of fathers has passed on less and less to his sons--not just less power but less wisdom. And less love. We finally reached a point where many fathers were largely irrelevant in the lives of their sons. The baby was thrown out with the bathwater, and the pater dismissed with the patriarchy. Everyone seemed to be floundering around not knowing what to do with men or with their problematic and disoriented masculinity.

In addition, over the same 200 years, each generation of fathers has had less authority than the last. The concept of fatherhood changed drastically after the Industrial Revolution. Economics suddenly dictated that somebody had to go out from the home to work. Men were usually chosen, since they couldn't produce milk. Maybe they would come home at night or just on weekends.

Please read the entire article at... (links to original article)

Read More...

Internet flaw could let hackers take over the Web

As reported by Tuneraider over at dslreports...

Computer industry heavyweights are hustling to fix a flaw in the foundation of the Internet that would let hackers control traffic on the World Wide Web.

Major software and hardware makers worked in secret for months to create a software "patch" released on Tuesday to repair the problem, which is in the way computers are routed to web page addresses.

And...

The flaw would be a boon for "phishing" cons that involve leading people to imitation web pages of businesses such as bank or credit card companies to trick them into disclosing account numbers, passwords and other information.

Attackers could use the vulnerability to route Internet users wherever they wanted no matter what website address is typed into a web browser.

Story here, here, here and some of the unforeseen effects, here. Read More...

Apple not pleased with Rogers

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple is none too pleased with Rogers iphone pricing packages. So much so that Apple has decided to not stock the iPhone in their corporate stores.

Apple, disgusted with Rogers Wireless for dumping egregious service plans on would-be iPhone 3G buyers, has decided that its Canadian retail stores will have no part in helping the carrier market the new handset to customers...

Blogs and postings on the 'net have slammed Rogers for their pricing models.

With packages starting at CDN $60 for just 400mb of data, and a mandatory 3 year contract, Canadians are so far, not impressed.

Petitions and open letters to Rogers management teams are popping up online. See here and here.

Having met Ted Rogers and had the pleasure of eating at his residence in tony Forest Hill, I can say this; Mr Rogers is no dummy. His son (Edward) though, is another matter. They've set these prices because they figure customers will pay it. This time though, they may be wrong.

Yes, the publicity of late hasn't been glowing.

Stay tuned.

Update: iPhone Atlas is now reporting that not only did Apple not plan to sell the iPhone in their corporate locations in Canada, but, they have/had no plans to sell them at any of their store outside the U.S.

The Apple/Rogers story continues, apparently. Read More...

Throttling 'illegal' says Google

CBC is reporting that Google is calling Bell's traffic management system illegal.

"Bell claims its throttling of peer-to-peer applications is a reasonable form of network management. Google respectfully disagrees. Network management does not include Canadian carriers’ blocking or degrading lawful applications that consumers wish to use," the company wrote in a 15-page submission to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, which was made public over the weekend.

They go on;

"From consumer, competition and innovation perspectives, throttling applications that consumers choose is inconsistent with a content and application-neutral internet, and a violation of Canadian telecommunications law, which forbids unfair discrimination and undue or unreasonable preferences and requires that regulation be technologically and competitively neutral."

I guess its a case of the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

The momentum continues. Read More...

CDN cell carriers to charge for text messages

Yes, you read that right.

According to a story in the Windsor Star, Bell and Telus (and you can bet Rogers won't be far behind) will begin charging for incoming text messages starting next month.

Bell Mobility will begin charging customers 15 cents per incoming text message on Aug. 8. Telus Mobility is moving to the same billing practice effective Aug. 24. Until now, their pay-per-use customers who send text messages have been charged a 15-cent fee per message, but it hasn't cost anything to receive them.

Add this to the latest Rogers iphone pricing fiasco, and it's clear that telecommunications pricing in the Great White North continues to lag behind the ROTW.

with thanks to DR_JAYMAHDI over at dslreports for the heads up!
Read More...

PC Tech's are now P.I.'s... in the deep south

A law recently passed in Texas requires all computer-repair technicians to have a private-investigator license.

?

In order to obtain said license, technicians must receive a criminal justice degree or participate in a three-year apprenticeship. Those shops that refuse to participate will be forced to shut down. Violators of the new law can be hit with a $4,000 dollar fine and up to a year in jail, penalties that apply to customers who seek out their services.

Story here, here, here and the act here.

That's, just crazy.

Update: There is an interesting discussion here. Read More...

UFA signings

NHL free agent updates can be had here at TSN.

UPDATE:
Sundin has reportedly been offered US $20mil on a two-year pact, by the Vancouver Cancucks. As many as three other teams are after the apparent ex-Leaf Captain...

He has since gone on to say, essentially, thanks but no thanks to any and all offers. He remains undecided.

Curtis Joseph has signed a one-year deal with the Leafs for 700 grand.
Good for Cujo, and good on the Leafs...

...and Colorado has signed Darcy Tucker to a 2 year deal worth $4.5-million (which should go along nicely with his 'package' from the Leafs)...

Oh alright... Colorado also signed Andrew Raycroft at $800,000 for one year. Read More...