text:
Agreed. It would be interesting to know if they ran the same test with the data service actually turned off on the phone. Then I'd start to see fault with the carrier.
I've also noticed many phones make it rather easy to accidentally dial numbers.
Oh yeah they totally do this on purpose
Oh yeah they totally do this on purpose
I can't tell if you are being sarcastic, but some of them certainly do; many promotional phones (a.k.a. 'gifts' from some stores) that run a customized version of the OS have some dedicated 'connect' buttons, that are very easy to push, and use dial-up to connect to the net without warning, and with outrageous pricing- even more so if they happen to be pushed while abroad, where roaming surcharges apply.
After the lobbying for effectively banning access to streaming services (as if the providers have always
On the other hand, ATT could claim they are not responsible for Phones sending data, and the user should have checked into that prior to signing-up. Just like the old Dialup ISPs said they are not responsible for long-distance charges incurred.
Reminds me of this story - Verizon Can't Do Math - The operator quoted "point zero zero two cents per kilobyte" * 35,500 KB == 71 cents
Verizon charged 71 dollars.
http://verizonmath.blogspot.com/2006/12/verizon-doesnt-know-dollars-from-cents.html [blogspot.com]
As of august of last year, they were still doing that. I saw it personally.
http://www.rogue-development.com/blog2/2010/08/still-time-to-teach-your-reps-math-verizon/ [rogue-development.com]
I never assumed malice on the phone rep's part.
I tried to explain to her that point zero zero two cents is not what was written. But she just couldn't wrap her head around it.
Extra data, no. Extra charges, yes. I've mentioned elsewhere that I've only come close to the 200MB limit once in 6-7 months of use. I got text messages three times before I hit either 90 or 95% of my usage, notifying me that I was getting close to my limit.
In practice, unless you happen to be in an area with per-MB metered charges(perhaps roaming?), this will affect the very small number of people who are right at their limit each month (190MB+/200 or 1990MB/2000), which if probably a pretty small number.
I have the old unlimited plan and i routinely get more than 350mb a month. just visiting slashdot, ars, and two other tech news sites. no youtube, and very rarely an app download.
I've never had a problem accidentally dialing numbers. I haven't had it happen once despite having a variety of phones, clamshell, candybar and sliders.
What I have noticed, however, is that "dumb" phones, at least on AT&T tend to have the media/internet button in an overly prominent position. It's trivial to hit it accidentally and end up on the web. And since data isn't cheap for those phones I can imagine it adding up. So what I've done is go into the settings so that it can't connect to the web.
As fo
I've also noticed many phones make it rather easy to accidentally dial numbers.
You should see landlines - they don't even require an "OK" or "call" button. Total scam.
This is hard to know. A better test would have been to turn the phone off by pulling the battery. I'm not sure how you do that with the iPhone, but there must be a way.
Void your warranty with a soldering iron.
The article indeed doesn't give much information, but it does say they disabled a bunch of running services on the phone, and left it unattended for only 10 days. 10 days, with no apps on and no user interaction is simply too little to rack up 3 megabytes of data. As a reference point I don't own an iPhone so I don't know how relevant it is, but my N900 only racks up about 25kb-100kb a day at max if I turn off mail-checking, even less if I disable automatic updates. As such I can't help but feel the 3MB of data for 10 days is indeed inflated.
Might depend on how data's billed. Some providers round up to the nearest whatever, and if that whatever is 10kb I could see the occasional 1kb push service handshake message, or something, causing a lot of data usage.
The article indeed doesn't give much information
People like you are the problem with western society today.
You purport strong conclusions based on nothing but your incidental personal anecdotes and "feelings". Assuming your example is even correct at all, you state that your phone uses up to 100 KB/day without mail checking enabled. That is approximately 1 MB over a 10 day period, or about half of what the lawsuit claims the AT&T iPhone used.
Any number of things could account for the iPhone using twice as much data for similar operations. Perhaps App
People like you are the problem with western society today.
You purport strong conclusions based on nothing but your incidental personal anecdotes and "feelings".
How do you not see the irony there?
I should add that underworked attorneys are filing BS lawsuits like this all across the country
Your name wouldn't be Randall Stephenson, would it?
Maybe BS as to who the lawsuit is targeting? Nobody in the article seems to suggest that Apple may be at fault here. The testing method is certainly weak, and if the phone is actually causing the issue, it wouldn't be AT&T's responsibility to warn the user, it would be Apple's.
and it's idiot's like you that give idiots a bad rep. First off, TFA indicates that it's an overage charge by AT&T. In other words, their billing practices are to over charge you for even having the damn thing and as they stated in the summary, it's like going to the store and buying a 2 litre bottle of Cola only to discover that the bottle had 1.8 litre in it.
What the real point these lawyers are looking at is making this a class action lawsuit so they can cash in on the problem instead of the customer
A wise man once said "assume ignorance not malice".
The only point where I would disagree with anything you said is that we are talking AT&T here. Assuming malice when dealing with AT&T (which is no longer the AT&T of old, but was taken over by the onetime Baby Bell SBC, arguably the worst of lot) is actually a good defensive strategy. Those boys rarely do anything by accident, and shafting customers is a fundamental tenet of their business model.
However, given the amount of random traffic that appears anywhere on the Internet a megabyte eithe
I understand what you're talking about but I have no idea why you choose to go off on this poor guy. He stated his opinion, made it clear it was only his opinion and backed it up with some the reasoning behind his statement. He in no way claimed to be absolutely right; in fact, he even pointed out a reason why he might be wrong. Perhaps he was a bit foolish to assume similarities between iPhone and N900 but one is free to draw that conclusion thanks to the information he provided.
In short, he offered
Were the phone and the service sold as separate deals? I think that might be an important point.
Many places in the world iPhones are only sold as a bundled device with a service plan from a specific provider and the phone and service can be seen as 'one product'.
I do not know if that is the case here, but in such a case it does not seem fair that the customer is charged for traffic he did not initiate. The provider who sold him the phone + service plan should be responsible for the behavior of the product a
Not that people need proof or anything to sue these days, but...
I would then take a second group of all the above phones, and a few times a day, send them a phone call (unanswered) and a text message (unread).
(For the sake of cost efficiency, you could use just one phone in all the above states, it'd just take longer)
Ideally, the phones that are off or dead should have no consumption, those that are on or have services running should have more. There's a non-zero chance the off-but-not-dead are in a "vampire" state, and will still draw a trickle of data.
Uh.. the OL seems to be working for me. I'm using FF 3.6
Same configuration here... same result as you.
I'm not clear what your beef is?
The OL seems to be rendering acceptably, even in my antiquated IE7 (except for a minor indent issue, which is hardly worth ranting about...).
If you're going to say something is bad, you should at least say why it's bad....
Not that people need proof or anything to sue these days, but...
I would then take a second group of all the above phones, and a few times a day, send them a phone call (unanswered) and a text message (unread).
(For the sake of cost efficiency, you could use just one phone in all the above states, it'd just take longer)
Ideally, the phones that are off or dead should have no consumption, those that are on or have services running should have more. There's a non-zero chance the off-but-not-dead are in a "vampire" state, and will still draw a trickle of data.
That's a good scientific study. But these are lawyers, at least they have something. For lawyers that's good.
They also missed the obvious test: Two or more *identical* phones with everything tuned off except the basic interface, each on a different network. They way, data sent by the phone even when everything is turned off will be revealed, as will inflation if it happens.
Indent and spacing are off in Opera 11. Still readable.
More of an issue is the fact that I can't log in from the homepage - I have to go into an article, and even then, half the login modal is off-screen.
You would think that a "news for nerds" site would hire better nerds, that actually test in popular browsers other than IE.
This actually sounds to be small enough to be caused by a number of potential software issues with the phone itself.
The consulting firm said it received data charges from 35 data transactions over 10 days, totaling about 2.3 MB.
The only question left is "Did those transactions actually occur?"
If there were indeed 35 data transactions totaling 2.3mb, then this lawsuit is a joke. If some of those transactions didn't happen, then the lawsuit is justified.
So your argument is that if AT&T builds in an app that checks with AT&T for updates, and can't be disabled, AT&T should be able to bill customers for the privilege of having that update checker? Because the phone in question was running no applications whatsoever.
The obligatory car analogy: Do you think it would be ok for automakers to charge customers for the privilege of replacing recalled parts? (especially considering the Fight Club math of cost of recall >= probability of failure * units sold * average court settlement)
So your argument is that if AT&T builds in an app that checks with AT&T for updates, and can't be disabled, AT&T should be able to bill customers for the privilege of having that update checker? Because the phone in question was running no applications whatsoever.
Only if the customer was informed that the phone contained such a "feature". A full disclosure of the device's data usage and appropriate billing for that usage ought to be required. Unfortunately in my experience the carrier will tell you generally that the device will use some data to check for updates, but nobody can actually tell you how much data, when it's used, what it's used for, or how to disable it.
Your basic phone fee should be covering the health and status traffic to your handset. That basic fee covers their fixed infrastructure and handset traffic costs. The advertising for metered data, and the consumer expectation, is that the 200MB (or 2GB) allotment is discretionary, whereas it appears that there may very well be a 5% or greater "overhead" you're getting charged for.
I've come close to my 200MB limit once, when I was on vacation and the hotel wifi was not free. I looked up all the "stuff" the
Carrier sells phone to customer.
Phone has s**twad of carrier apps that do 'update checking, etc...' to generate automatic traffic.
Profit! Profit! Profit!
As a quasi-ludite I have no cell phone, do you mean to tell me that automatic backround data transmissions and their potential impact on the bill are not stated up front in the contract?
Nothing in the article shows how it couldn't have been the phone itself doing it, not AT&T doing it.
I'm guessing you haven't done much business with AT&T? Because this is AT&T that we're talking about. Making up random crap to put on the invoice and then sending you to collections seems to me to be what they're all about!
My daughter was a foreign exchange student in Germany. I signed up for an international calling plan ($5/month, $0.10/min) before calling her. AT&T was nice enough to charge me the $5/month, and then $4.00 per minute, making my $90 bill closer to $4,000.000. (Yes, that's right!) I spent HOURS on the phone with their support reps, with names like "Mike" and "Sally" with barely comprehensible Indian accents and horrid call quality, none of whom seemed able to do anything at all to correct the bill.
After 4 months of angry-looking bills and threats to send to collections, I called AT&T and threatened to quit their service. Guess what? I ended up talking to somebody named "Sally" with an AMERICAN accent who corrected the $4,000 bill in 10 minutes! Thinking balance had been restored to the Universe, I decided to leave it be.
The next month, they overcharged me $20. If you've read this far, you're probably thinking: "Oh, this guy just had a bad experience... this isn't usual"..
There's more!
A few months after all this, my son wanted an iPhone and wanted me to co-sign. So I showed up at the AT&T store to find out that their "co-sign" is better read as "it's my contract". Smarting from the previous experience, I refused to sign, and left the store.
A year later, they sent me to collections for $150 for breach of contract. AT&T sent me to collections for a contract I never even signed. It took another two hours and 6 call transfers to clear this up.
Do you think I *ever* want to do business with AT&T?
you have RTFA
you have RTFA
Well, via Apple Insider [appleinsider.com] I found a more complete detailed account with AT&T's response [macnn.com]:
"Transparent and accurate billing is a top priority for AT&T," an AT&T representative has responded, speaking with MacNN. "In fact, we've created tools that let our customers check their voice and data usage at any time during their billing cycle to help eliminate bill surprises. We have only recently learned of the complaint, but I can tell you that we intend to defend ourselves vigorously."
It is odd that it seems to only be reported by iPhone and iPad users [minyanville.com].
Damn straight we complain. Class actions are a scam. The parties harmed by the action get a pittance while the lawyers get a metric ton of cash. You might look at it not as outrage that lawyers get paid for their work, but outrage that this action is being taken on behalf of us poor iPhone owners. It's being taken by lawyers for lawyers.
I'm calling B.S. I had an AT&T iphone, and even with full bars and every internet app open it takes WAAAAY longer than 10 days to download 2,292 KB on their network.
-Inigo Carmine
What are you calling b.s. to? If at&t charged for 2,292 KB and according to you that can't be done even with all apps open, then att is an even bigger liar and thief.
I know this is about the iPhone but since I have my iPad data plan with AT&T... I had issues with my iPad. I had it turned OFF one weekend. I turned it back on and within 5 minutes I received an email saying my data plan had maxed out after 2 1/2 weeks into the plan (250MB). So I renewed the plan mid month. I wasn't sure what in the world I could have done to cause this as it'd never happened before. I only have two pages of apps, none had notifications turned on, none had 'allow location' , etc. My email was manual only when I'm in mail. I use the iPad when I'm at work to check email once or twice a day and I am sometimes on Yahoo IM. But rarely. I don't stream vids or play online games, etc. Other than that I use the iPad as an ereader and for Pages. No reason at all to cause such data usage. 2 weeks later I'm told my data is out AGAIN. I do a complete reset of the iPad and within 5 days, I received 4 consecutive emails within an hour, one said my data plan had only 20 MB left, one said 18, one said less than 10 and one said out of data. I called AT&T and they suggested I upgrade to the 2GB plan. I said that I had no new apps on the iPad, had done a complete reset, am doing nothing more than I've done with it since May, so there's NO reason for it to all of a sudden suck so much data. We checked notifications, we checked location services, email and could find nothing to cause this. We even called Apple Care. No one could find a reason. And LO! after my complaint to AT&T, I haven't had that problem again even though it's been almost 6 weeks. Even though we changed none of my settings, as they were already turned off. I find that a bit suspect. To their credit, AT&T was gracious enough to give me one month's free iPad and iPhone services 'for my troubles', which was rather decent of them as the gent on the phone heard how irate I was becoming.
Oh, no, it was held. By an intern. For 10 days straight. At $250/hr. Along with the secretary at $150/hr and a junior partner at $350/hr to verify the test. All told, that's $180,000 in billable time right off the bat.
Wait a minute, lawyers are upset about systematic over-billing?
I'd say this is a "the pot calling the kettle black" moment, but it's more like "tar calling granite black."
I have no doubt that the lawyers will bill AT&T for every minute of those 10 days they "monitored" that iPhone...
...but it's more like "tar calling granite black."
What is the color of granite? [answers.com]
Attorneys say they would file to have the case moved to class-action status, which makes the outcome relevant to all of AT&T's iPhone accounts.
It's always the same formula: Big company+lawyers+class action= law firm gets rich on billable hours and I get shit. Sure AT&T gets hurt which is a good thing but seriously there needs to be some sort of legislation on exactly how much law firms can charge when there is a class action suit. Then again I may not be affected as I'm grandfathered into an unlimited data plan. Oh well... Fuck AT&T.
No, AT&T "getting hurt" is not a good thing. People will just pay in the form of higher costs. All of our goods and services have liability costs baked into the pricing. We lose much more than the tiny amounts claimed lost by the "victims".
And that's not a compliment to the plaintiff.
The plaintiff makes essentially 4 claims for relief. They read like a tabloid expose, not what I'm used to from lawyers, stating fact and claims. "Rigged gas pump"? Number 3 in particular is a hoot:
"2. It gets worse. Not only does AT&T systematically overbill..."
Sorry, it gets 'worse'? Asking the court to consider any of your claims lesser than others doesn't seem like a recommended strategy. Making one claim 'worse' risks finding the others 'le
If you read the actual complaint there are three claims. One of them is that data services were charged for were data not requested and that seems to be the one that everyone is focused on. Maybe there's background services, maybe not. However, a better explanation is actually that there is only one issue - the last one in the complaint. This complaint is that charges are not always applied at the same time that the usage occurs. I know that this one is true - I've witnessed it myself, was penalized for it, then AT&T forgave the penalty (more on that in a second).
This billing lag could easily explain why data charges were incurred during a period of time when the phone was supposedly inactive.
My daughter recently got an iPhone with the 200MB plan. We were monitoring her data usage regularly and towards the end of the billing cycle we saw that she would go over if she continued with the same consumption. So she stopped using the data apps... she went over anyway and we were billed for $30 instead of the $15 we had budgeted for. After my daughter swore that she had not used the web in the last week, I called AT&T to find out what the deal was. I was finally able to confirm with a tech that indeed, some data activity might not be billed for days after the usage. He told me that he could confirm that my daughter had actually exceeded her limit a day or so before she ceased activity. AT&T was kind enough to drop the extra $15 since their tool had misguided us. I checked and as far as I can tell, AT&T makes no claims as to whether billing for services rendered occurs at the time of rendering.
It is too bad that there isn't a set of counters to provide information about data usage on each smart phone. Something one could use to form a basis for decisions about how to manage one's data over the network. Something simple that would collect information about network usage for management purposes.
Maybe someday smartphone vendors will provide such a tool. They could call the set of counters something like a Management Information Base, and they could name the protocol used to access these counter
...nature of the filing, does anyone have complete confidence that any automated billing system is 100% accurate or that the system is designed so that when errors occur, they are always in the favor of the customer?
In a past life, I was responsible for a our Qwest billing (formerly Northwestern Bell). Our customer service record was like a stack of paper 40-50 sheets thick, and we weren't really that big of a company.
This leads me to believe that these systems, especially at older companies, are deeply co
"I prefer the blunted cudgels of the followers of the Serpent God." -- Sean Doran the Younger


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The article linked in the summary goes to wrong link (the same we discussed about in September [slashdot.org])
Correct article with info [gizmodo.com]. Picture gallery is here [engadget.com].
I must admit it does look awesome though. It's just perfect for use on sofa, as booklet is held like, well, a book. Laptop nor tablet aren't as nice and comfortable. There's no way I'll be buying the locked down tablet-like iPad when this is coming up.
You are confusing Windows CE and Windows Mobile. They aren't the same thing (not even close in fact). Windows Mobile runs on Windows CE. Windows CE is a kernel + a bunch of modules that you can strip/add depending on your needs for your embedded device.
So Windows CE is like Linux with the standard GNU utilities and Windows Mobile is like Ubuntu.
Sorry to all you Windows geeks out there, but I just thought somebody better put it in a way that the n00bs who don't go messing with their computers can understand it.
You mean all the n00bs who know what "standard GNU utilities" are?
I don't think your analogy is very good but I'd say Windows CE is more like a linux kernel without the standard GNU utilities. I believe most Windows CE software development takes place on a standard PC, not the target environment.
I'm fine with that - I want one of these so bad, you could probably just charge me now
I am a HUGE moleskine nut, and the one-note style interface is great, because I'm a complete one-note addict. This basically pushes all my buttons, which the iPad did not.
We'll see how it translates into reality, of course. That's always different
Is there a particular reason to believe that they WILL lock it down?
I haven't seen any evidence of them doing that with any other platform they've released with the exception of Xbox360 and Xbox Live.
Their Desktop and Mobile operating systems have been paragon's of "openness" from the standpoint of installing applications and I really don't see why they'd change this.
You can accuse me of being an MS FanBoi if you want but this post was typed in a Chrome browser and there is a Moto Droid strapped to my hip.
Even the Xbox 360 (and Zune, which you didn't mention) support homebrew software - mostly, but not entirely, games - via XNA. You're limited to the APIs that XNA provides, but you can compile it for the platform in question, it will run on it. Microsoft even has a supported channel for distribution of XNA games on Xbox Live, although you can also just download the applicaiton off the web (using a PC) and move it to your Xbox 360 or Zune/Zune HD.
Sure, and the tablet PCs are a "me too" to the Newton and eMate, etc. The difference is that you can actually buy iPods and you'll be able to order an iPad next week for delivery about a month from now. These leaks from Microsoft are just an attempt to spread FUD and suppress iPad sales until Microsoft can whip up a competing product. Fortunately, Microsoft's typical "suppress innovation until we're ready with an almost-ran" tactic isn't going to work very well against Apple because of their momentum wit
A Wall Street Journal article quoted Apple as anticipating selling 6 million iPads in the first year. We will see whether or not the can manage that.
MSFT has been doing tablets for almost a decade. however it took apple to design a smart phone with a tablet interface.
the ipad will blow away windows based tablets because you can't take a desktop GUI and shove it onto a tablet and call it a tablet OS. it is something that no one else seems willing to fully do but apple.
It will take MSFt 3 years to duplicate the iphones major interface elements for touch screens. MSFt spends $9 billion in R&D and they get crap for it.
It's all just so much "me too" vapourware from Microsoft
It's definitely not a "me too" device. At least I've not seen anything else in this form factor.
When Microsoft says "late prototype" I read it as "we've got nothing, really, but if we say we're about to release something, a non-zero percentage of the market will sit on their thumbs until we do, instead of buying actual products that are actually available from other sources, because by golly, we're Microsoft."
(Yes, I know, it actually works. And no, I don't think that's a very nice tactic.)
Did we just sink to the level of Apple antipathy/analysis where someone actually states that a Microsoft vaporware project is way ahead of an Apple product that's going to hit the streets in three weeks?
What if I want a Comic Sans?
Well you can't always get what you want. And roving bands of angry, pitchfork-wielding graphic designer vigilantes make sure that fans of Comic Sans never get what they want. They'll be at your door shortly.
What if I want a Comic Sans?
I suspect you will be made to use Arial.
What if I want a Comic Sans?
Call the suicide hotline, or avoid mentioning your desire for the font whose name we don't speak of.
MS's ability to name things has always be bad.
What's wrong with booklet though? I think it's quite illustrative as it has two screens and you hold it like a book, and close the same way too.
What's wrong with booklet though?
The booklet is a Microsoft initiative (no, I won't write "Microsoft" with a dollar sign) and this is Slashdot. This booklet could cost five dollars, include a free phone, cure cancer and have a battery life of 9.5 years on a single charge and it would still be considered the most evil device ever created, ranking right up there with child-maiming landmines.
This booklet could cost five dollars, include a free phone, cure cancer and have a battery life of 9.5 years on a single charge and it would still be considered the most evil device ever created, ranking right up there with child-maiming landmines.
I'm no MS fan, but really?
I mean, if you don't like a company, just don't buy their products. I certainly don't and I can function just fine without them. There are plenty of choices these days.
You may be right, and for good reason - for all those tantalizing features would be paired with equal evils.
- The free phone would only work through MSN.
- The cancers cured would be unpopular, and only those of the target demographic.
- 9.5 years of battery life - when used according to a reverse-engineered use case, derived from massaged statistics. Likely lots of standby and minimal 'push-only' feature use, again through MSN.
Productized technology makes me grimace. I don't want orange juice at an inf
What's wrong with booklet though?
Well, for starters it might be tough to get a trademark on the term "booklet". The term "booklet" is too generic and not distinctive enough that people would associate it with only the Microsoft product of the same name; iPad is a distinctive trademarked term whereas "booklet" is not.
MS's ability to name things has always be bad.
Maybe Microsoft's wit for naming things is rubbing off on Apple. I mean really, iPad!?
Heh, Microsoft could say this is like an iPad, but with wings.
This soon after the iPad is announced, 'Booklet' is considered a bad name? Really?
an inductive pad, like the Palm Touchstone charging dock for Pre.
It's a bad sign that the Palm Pre comparisons have already started. If this thing winds up being to the iPad what the Pre is to the iPhone, it's already dead. It will have great promise and hope that will be dashed as soon as you try to use the thing. Sort of like a Democratic majority in Congress....
Never mind that inductive charging is an inefficient waste of power. I hope the EPA comes down hard on this and denies EnergyStar certification for anyone who attempts this with a full power computer.
It will have great promise and hope that will be dashed as soon as you try to use the thing. Sort of like a Democratic majority in Congress....
Flawed analogy - rational people actually expected the iPad to be useful before we found out the details. I've yet to meet someone rational who actually expected anything worthwhile from a Democratic majority in Congress.
but does it run Linux?
What's it going to cost?
If it weighs in at $1000, I'll pass. $299 and I'll buy three of them. Okay, maybe not, but I'll really want to.
Watching the demo, I just can't understand why Microsoft seems so obsessed with the idea that everybody's going to want to interact with a computer using a pen.
Think about it. Let's say you're collaborating on a project with somebody, and he's done a lot of brainstorming about it. He comes to a meeting with a stack of notebooks where he's written down all his ideas. What's the first thing he says? "Sorry about my handwriting."
Even I apologize for my handwriting, and I have the handwriting of a comic-book letterer -- when I want to. The thing is, writing neatly takes a lot of time. It's much faster to use upper and lower case than block capitals, for starters, and it's faster to use cursive than printing. And even faster than that to just scrawl it out any way you can.
But you know what's even faster than that? Typing on a computer keyboard.
Microsoft first got on this kick with OneNote, its note-taking application, which it seemed to want to market as the killer app for tablet PCs. And by that I mean the first generation of tablet PCs. You know the ones. You didn't buy one. For some reason, Microsoft was pushing really hard for this idea that everybody would be walking around with tablet PCs, scribbling notes into OneNote with pens.
Now, I use OneNote every day. But while I have a nice-sized Wacom tablet sitting right here on my desk, which comes with a very nice, contoured stylus that fits very nicely in my hand, never once have I been inspired to plug the thing in to scrawl off some notes in OneNote. Not when there's a keyboard sitting right in front of me. Not when I know that if I simply type in my thoughts, OneNote won't have to try to OCR my scrawls in order to make the text searchable. Not when I know that storing a bitmap to save a six-word thought is a waste of space.
So in this Courier demo we not only have someone scribbling notes on a notepad -- which conveniently resembles an onscreen Moleskine notebook, because everybody knows people like their computers to model real-life things that are less efficient than computers, even when the computer doesn't much resemble that real-life thing -- but at one point the person draws a box around those notes, taps on it and the box turns into
That might be all well and good if I was a bright-eyed fresh college grad like the eager woman in the demo, and my life was accompanied by a wistful accoustic indie-rock soundtrack. But in real life, if I was being jostled back and forth on the noisy subway on my way home and I drew that box and it popped up on my screen looking all fucked-up like I just drew it, the first thing that would cross my mind would be, "God dammit, why is this computer so stupid that it can't tell I was trying to draw a box just now? Why won't it just make a rectangle? Drawing boxes was so much fucking easier when all I had to do is click my mouse button, hold it and drag."
This UI goes beyond a solution looking for a problem. It's a way of actively making it harder for me to get work done with a computer.
It reminds me of all the VRML hype from years back. People were predicting that in the future, we wouldn't type URLs into a Web browser. We'd fire up our Avatars and fly to places on the Web in 3-D graphics. We would walk through virtual libraries, pulling electronic books off 3-D shelves. We'd ride dragons to meeting rooms where we'd chat with other avatars in real time. And all I could think was, "WTF? So we've just invented the Internet, this miraculous thing that puts the world of information right at your fingertips, no matter where you are, so that all you have to do is type a couple things and the information instantly appears on your screen... and you want to impose a 3-D spatial paradigm on it? Instead of calling up information out of thin air, you want to have to hike down the virtual block to get it? You call that progress?"
Same thing with this tablet idea. People are too stu
If this (potential) future product can do what current products can, handwriting neatness will be of no concern.
My handwriting is so bad that frequently I can't read it myself afterwards. You guess the software can do that for me then?
I just can't understand why Microsoft seems so obsessed with the idea that everybody's going to want to interact with a computer using a pen.
because I could walk around holding the courier with one hand and writing stuff/accessing it with another even if I'm wearing gloves?
virtual keyboards like the iphone/ipad are not very good for using them on the go in my opinion, and a pen-based interface can work a lot better.
I don't think you could. Try it out now. Walking and writing on a paper pad at the same time is going to result in a slow walk and messy writing. An app that has been well designed for the iPad (and other keyboard interfaces) would work with the idea that there is no pen and make it as easy as possible for the user to use them.
As a far-out example, using FCP is a lot easier once you memorise the (thousand or so...) keyboard shortcuts whereas an equivalent app on the iPad wouldn't have you using a virtual keyboard but would make use of the touch and multi-touch features to the best advantage of the user. These are completely different devices to a PC on a desk and so require a developer to, well, Think Different.
Wow, where to begin... This looks good:
It reminds me of all the VRML hype from years back. People were predicting that in the future, we wouldn't type URLs into a Web browser. We'd fire up our Avatars and fly to places on the Web in 3-D graphics. We would walk through virtual libraries, pulling electronic books off 3-D shelves. We'd ride dragons to meeting rooms where we'd chat with other avatars in real time. And all I could think was, "WTF? So we've just invented the Internet, this miraculous thing that puts the world of information right at your fingertips, no matter where you are, so that all you have to do is type a couple things and the information instantly appears on your screen... and you want to impose a 3-D spatial paradigm on it? Instead of calling up information out of thin air, you want to have to hike down the virtual block to get it? You call that progress?"
I wonder if you're familiar with Second Life [secondlife.com]?
And yes, for many, it is considered progress. Or at least it was. I'm not sure how many big corps are still onboard, but there were buzzings of private servers for employee training and the like. Anyway it turns out that while it hasn't applied to the web as a whole, people really did cotton to that idea. Lots of people. Even some important ones.
Same thing with this tablet idea. People are too stupid to use computers, apparently, so you want to use all the power of a computer to enable them to do things like they would if all they had was a stack of paper and a Bic -- because that's what they're supposedly comfortable with.
Taking your finger and pointing it is about as basic as it gets. Using a pen is just an extension of that. Paper made it more portable than cave walls. People aren't all that keen on using keyboards everywhere they go because they're simply not natural. How many of those full-size, fold-able keyboards sold as accessories to cell phones really see any daily use?
I think the device looks like an innovative approach to 'infinite paper', which is basically what the videos bill it out to be. It looks like a huge step beyond what tablets presently mean, and seems to offer it in a better form factor.
Meanwhile your desktop will be right where you last left it, with the keyboard still attached.
I guess I'm not quite sure what you're rambling about, but I'm pretty certain the words you are searching for involve 'kids' and 'off' and 'lawn'.
You speak like someone who has heard of 2nd Life but hasn't used it much. The original poster's point is valid: Try to find some information regarding IBM on the Web - type www.ibm.com Now do the same with SL - go, i'll wait until you come back.
The truth about 2nd life as information medium is encapsulated in your comment "Or at least it was"
Just because someone can see a gimmick is a gimmick doesn't mean that they are involved in protecting their patch of turf.
Like the iPad, it seems to me to be a device in search of a market that doesn't exist. I just don't see the need/demand for something like a laptop, but not a laptop.
I'd represent a small vertical market, but as a teacher, the idea of having something like this that is portable and with the capacity to wirelessly connect to a projector makes me salivate...
I already use a wireless slate connected to a desktop, but my sometimes less-than-legible handwriting and drawings always are more entertaining than the lesson itself. Still, I'm able to sit next to little Billy at the back of the room while taking notes on the "board." That kind of freedom is wonderful.
Connect the abi
And if I want to draw a picture? How do I accomplish that with my keyboard?
How about if I want to "do the math" on an equation where I need to go step by step? What then?
I understand what you're saying but the keyboard isn't the end all device for input. It's not even close to covering many things that people would like to do with their computers.
Sounds like what you want is a laptop. You should buy one of those instead.
This UI goes beyond a solution looking for a problem. It's a way of actively making it harder for me to get work done with a computer.
Yes. This will make most tasks people perform primarily on a desktop/laptop computer more difficult and/or less efficient. However, for those millions of us that find ourselves frequently away from our laptops/desktops, the Courier would seem to provide a great deal of functionality as a simple web browser, notepad, personal calendar, and organizer - but with infinite paper. Basement dwellers need not apply - you'll always have your keyboard within arms reach.
Man.. what a long and pointless rant.
Nobody says handwriting is better/faster. The articles / videos about Courier aren't portraying it to be the next evolution in input devices. It's just a different form factor, and a purpose-built device, and for that purpose the pen works better than a keyboard.
Relax a bit...
I get your point, and it's a good one, I do think you are oversimplifying the input capacity. This is about marketing, so they would show the most "innovative" features that would provide the Wow! factor. I'm hoping they would actually include the capacity for an onscreen keyboard and they just aren't showing it.
Even still, I can think of a lot of situations where this would be a good tool. Keyboards aren't always easy for drawing pictures...or things like that, so there is a place for that type of input. A
But in real life, if I was being jostled back and forth on the noisy subway on my way home and I drew that box and it popped up on my screen looking all fucked-up like I just drew it, the first thing that would cross my mind would be, "God dammit, why is this computer so stupid that it can't tell I was trying to draw a box just now? Why won't it just make a rectangle? Drawing boxes was so much fucking easier when all I had to do is click my mouse button, hold it and drag."
This UI goes beyond a solution looking for a problem. It's a way of actively making it harder for me to get work done with a computer.
I think you're scraping a much bigger problem here that Microsoft totally missed while rushing on creating a competitor to the iPad, even though Apple specifically explained it in their promotional video: The whole user interface isn't intuitive! You actually have to learn where to tap to do what, etc. For example, I would never have expected that dragging a contact to a page shares that page with this person.
The result of this is that the user actually has to get to know the UI. This could be done by a man
I think this device looks very cool, and it solves the iPad/iPod Touch conundrum. The iPad has a nice screen for reading, but you actually read the ipod touch because it fits in your pocket. If I could have the screen of an iPad and put it in my pocket you've got a killer app there.
And before your criticize the "put in your pocket" thing, I get that as the killer feature the ipod touch has from two moms who both use their ipods constantly. The ipad is not so convenient for taking a load of laundry out to the laundry room and checking facebook status updates.
Breaking a screen into two smaller ones and sticking a giant hinge/bezel in the middle isn't an advantage.
Think about watching video on this. You have half the screen and turned sideways.
Even reading a regular text ebook. Two screens aren't an advantage, they are a hindrance.
Now it might be good for a few things where you can flick it between the two small screens, BUT you could easily do the same thing on one bigger screen by creating a software split between the halves.
Now MS may have some good SW ideas, I'll wait until they exist outside of a cartoon to comment on those, but I think they would be better delivered on a one screen device.
Yeah. I'll hold off until the day we have color folding e-ink display that are as vibrant as the 24" Dell IPS panel monitor I am staring at right now.
Breaking a screen into two smaller ones and sticking a giant hinge/bezel in the middle isn't an advantage.
Even reading a regular text ebook. Two screens aren't an advantage, they are a hindrance.
Yes, because that thing called a "printed book" which has that exact same user interface is such a failure...
I would say "prototype" usually means some working hard- and software, a real device. Not in mass production or finally nailed down, but something that really exists and can be touched and basically works.
So, are there pictures of that device? I have seen nothing than renderings and UI mockups yet and people talking of a "prototype" when there is just a "concept" drive me crazy.
And I also don't get it when people talk about "multi-touch" and seem to mean "you can touch and swipe and gesture everywhere and e
Wow, with the Windows-experience wizard and the designers of Xbox and Zune on board, what could possibly go wrong?
This story was posted over an hour ago, and no one has made a joke yet about it being just as fast as a Courier POTS modem from US Robotics.... Man, I'm losing my faith in geek-kind.
Also, you kids get off my lawn!
There certainly is more innovation in the concept than in the iPad -- by a fairly large margin. That doesn't necessarily mean it would be more useful or useable -- but it's enough that iIm very interested to hear more about it. The leaked video from a few months ago was really quite interesting, the only thing we need now is actual details on the operating system, spec, etc. As a concept it's great, but as a reality it might fall short.
If you look, there is no "there" there. As in, nothing physical is being shown at any time. These are not prototypes - they are concepts! They aren't even as real at this stage as the fantasy cars you see at car shows.
So let's see what comes out and WHEN it comes out. Remember that not even Windows Mobile 7 Edition comes out until the end of the year, and it's a lot less ambitious!
Some of the ideas are really interesting, but how much will we see in real life and how practical will it be to use.
This is a special-purpose device. It's competing with paper notebooks and binders, or at best, with a laptop + pen input for specific applications.
This isn't for watching movies, playing games, or *really* browsing the web. It's for taking notes, gathering reference materials, and collaborating.
The question isn't whether it can be a better tablet than the iPad and other coming products, but whether Microsoft can convince people in the design business that this will be quicker/more convenient enough for them than their current way of doing things to justify investing in the device.
For the typical consumer, this will be too expensive and not convergent enough to be worth buying, the question is whether it is useful and divergent enough for the target market.
One thing that Courier nails is the concept of using both fingers and pen. Go ahead, try it. There are two basic pen positions: a "writing" position that uses all five fingers, and a "resting" position where the pen is rotated 90 degrees, and held in place by a single finger, leaving the other fingers free. The writing position is vertical, resting on the edge of the hand. The resting position is horizontal, palm down.
The Courier UI mockup uses both of these hand configurations and orientations. Flat, horizontal motions such as flipping a page or image dragging are done in the resting position. Vertical motions such as drawing and writing are done in writing position. Switching between the two is very fast and natural-feeling.
Having a pen dispenses with the need for a QUERTY keyboard, but block-printing is not the solution either. For one thing, it's too slow: the average printing speed is about 15wpm. A better solution might be a stylus-based keyboard. Several years ago, IBM invented a shorthand named Shark [ibm.com] (commercialized as ShapeWriter [shapewriter.com], I believe) that was extremely effective. After just a few minutes of practice with it, I was able to achieve 40wpm.
Today is a good day for information-gathering. Read someone else's mail file.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Barge mystery solved? Well, not really. But Google finally broke its silence about the two (or more?) barges that it's been fitting with modular structures, saying in a statement Wednesday that it's hoping to use them "as an interactive space where people can learn about new technology."
That's pretty vague. Still, it puts to rest the early speculation about a floating data center. And it's consistent with what we'd heard in recent weeks from officials at the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, who said Google approached them a few months ago to ask about mooring one of the barges at someplace like San Francisco's Fort Mason Center, and using it as a place for teaching about tech.
Whether such an "interactive space" would also be some kind of demonstration venue for Glass and other cutting-edge tech devices is unclear. And whether Google can get a permit to park the barge anywhere in San Francisco Bay is also uncertain.
But here's Google's statement:
"Google Barge … A floating data center? A wild party boat? A barge housing the last remaining dinosaur? Sadly, none of the above. Although it's still early days and things may change, we're exploring using the barge as an interactive space where people can learn about new technology."


text:
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Jason Vonk, the most recent addition to the Yale gymnastics team, brings more than 17 years of coaching experience to the role of assistant coach. Vonk spent the past six years as Team Program Director and owner of Stars National Gymnastics Village in Colorado Springs, Colo. Prior to that, he coached at Colorado Aerials and Gymco in Grand Rapids, Mich.
At Stars, Vonk coached an elite gymnast onto the National Training Squad and to the U.S. Classic. This experience gave him the opportunity to coach at the National Training Center with the USA Gymnastics National Staff and the Women's National Team Coordinator, Marta Karolyi.
In addition, Vonk coached an all-around champion and vault champion at the Western National Championships. He has coached 4 TOPS National Team members and has led numerous teams to state championship titles.
"I am excited to work at one of the world's premier universities with some of the brightest student athletes," said Vonk. "We are shooting for a 15th Ivy Title!"
Head coach Barbara Tonry is pleased to welcome Vonk to the program.
"We are excited about his addition to the varsity team. His knowledge and enthusiasm will make him a welcome presence in the gym," she said.
Report filed by Margaret Greenberg '12, Yale Sports Publicity


text:
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David P. Bergers, the head the Securities and Exchange Commission's Boston office, was named Thursday as acting deputy director of the regulator's enforcement division in Washington.
Bergers, 45, became the SEC's district administrator for the New England area in 2006. He joined the office in 1998 as an enforcement staff attorney, having previously worked as a lawyer in Boston and Philadelphia.
"David is an extremely talented attorney who has a successful track record leading the Boston regional office," said SEC chairman Elisse B. Walter. "Having worked at the SEC for 13 years, he has a deep understanding of the division, agency, and laws we enforce. And, he has a true appreciation for the significant impact that the work of the SEC has on investors."
In the acting deputy role, Bergers will most likely split his time between Washington and Boston. He takes the post at a time of transition at the nation's top securities regulator, following the resignation of SEC chief Mary Schapiro and as President Obama's nominee to take her place, former federal prosecutor Mary Jo White, awaits confirmation.
In addition, the agency's enforcement director, Robert Khuzami has announced that he is stepping down. It is unclear whether Bergers will get a nod for a permanent position in Washington, but his presence there will likely put him in the running.
The SEC also named George S. Canellos acting director; he is currently the deputy.
The past four years have been a challenge for the SEC, which faced sharp criticism for allowing so much risk to build up at investment firms before the financial crisis. The agency was also blamed for having failed to detect the massive fraud perpetrated by Bernard Madoff.
Bergers holds a bachelor's degree from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy and earned his law degree at Yale. In Boston, he is responsible for oversight of more than 1,100 investment advisers, 60 mutual fund firms, and 375 broker-dealers. The agency said he has headed hundreds investigations into investment and financial fraud, insider trading, and other securities law violations.
Secretary of State William F. Galvin, who heads the Massachusetts Securities Division, said he is looking forward to continuing to cooperate with Bergers. "David is an experienced and capable regulator with whom my office has had a close and successful working relationship. I'm sure he'll be as successful in Washington as he was in Boston."Beth Healy can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
|2008-04-10, 18:57
|Link #61
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
We keep our litter box in the house. I guess the only issue is you have to keep up with the cleaning. I am guessing this is not an issue for a cat who does her duty outside.
Although I am not sure how a cat who is used to going outside will take to the litter box. Just put her in there and see what she does. Maybe try it after she eats.
And I have a feeling your cat is going to beg you to let her outside. Both my cats were inside cats to begin with. In fact if I take them outside they stay on our step.
|2008-04-10, 19:34
|Link #62
Seishu's Ace
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kobe, Japan
|2008-04-11, 01:24
|Link #63
The Last Visible Dog
Join Date: Aug 2004
|2008-04-11, 04:37
|Link #65
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
...I found it incredibly boring for the most part. It is actually a mix of pictures and home videos with an ugly looking chi plush making random comments. I'd actually agree with the subbers that it isn't worth the time.
Disclaimer: I am comparing it to random cat vids and pics that can be found on the web, not the series.
|2008-04-13, 22:34
|Link #66
Join Date: Mar 2007
Age: 28
|2008-04-17, 11:07
|Link #70
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Weeel, just to add something:
Kittens don't just "get" the litter box (and there certainly is no "instinct" involved). It really depends where you got your cat from. If they were born in a household with litter boxes - they learn it from their mother from the very beginning and you will never have a problem nor have to train them.
But if you happen to get a stray, who never knew something like a litter box, training can be quite hard (and it really needs patience, as the anime showed) if one doesn't have basic cat behavior knowledge (i.e. never put the litter box near the food etc.).
As for Chi's milk - they actually buy her "real" cat milk later on (at least according to the manga). But yeah...never give your cat cow milk, especially not kittens.
|2008-04-17, 17:33
|Link #71
☆ ポンポンら~♪
Join Date: Mar 2004
Spoiler for chi's sweet home:
|2008-04-17, 17:52
|Link #72
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Although that being said I have friends who brought home stray kittens and they never had to do this extensive training thing with the kitten either. I think it depends on how you introduce the litter to the kitten. It has to know the litter is there and I think it is best to show the kitten the litter around the time it will have to go to the bathroom. And like you said it shouldn't be put near where it eats or sleeps.
But I do think it might be an issue with a cat who has already learned to use the outside.
Last edited by Kirarakim; 2008-04-17 at 20:57.
|2008-04-17, 21:34
|Link #73
Needs a better screenname
And as for the litter box, it definitely isn't instinct. My cat didn't know what a litter box is and thought it was food.
|2008-04-18, 08:52
|Link #74
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Well I did it similar as in Chi's sweet home. I put in a lottle poop and then she got it
It's not thaaat much of a deal if you know how to do it. Some cats of course are more stupid than others lol
@Bloodlust Kid:
It has indigrents which are bad for some animals. Cow milk has lactose (english word?) and lactase is needed for it that it can be digested, so, the lactose/sugar isn't digested and the cat gets diarrieha out of it. Some cats can tolerate a smaaall amount though.
There is cat milk in pet shops though, which has no lactose in it
|2008-04-18, 21:13
|Link #75
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
One easy way to wash a cat
Spoiler for space:
|2008-04-19, 01:28
|Link #77
The Last Visible Dog
Join Date: Aug 2004
Chi missing her mom is sad, but I can't feel too bad, knowing that she's not going to get threatened by dogs, cars, other cats, and malicious people. Please keep your housecats inside everyone.
|2008-04-19, 07:49
|Link #79
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
I would feel really bad to not let my cats out. I actually think it is cruel to keep them locked in. Especially during summer. Of course, this depends where you live. (I would never let my cats go outside if I would live in a city or next to a dangerous road, and I certainly never let my cats outside during the night.).
My cat never really strayed around much anyway, since he was scared of everything. He prefered lying on our huge balcony. Sadly, I still lost him recently to an uncurable sickness (he did not get because he went outside). As one sees, keeping them inside wont insure their survival ,_, *sob*
@Episode 12: Hmm funny. That woman who wanted to take Chi never came in the manga. I hope they'll change more of the story, so it gets more inetresting for those who already read the manga ^^
Last edited by Huscheli; 2008-04-20 at 07:52.
|2008-04-19, 08:47
|Link #80
Join Date: Oct 2007
Episode 10's dream scene was awesome. But this entire show is adorable. One of the best series ever.
Anyway, on cats, litter, milk, etc...
I've had a lot of cats over the years. Always had at least one, often two or three, my entire life. The majority of them have been outdoor cats, though my newest one, I don't let out, at least not often. I take him outside and escort him around my yard, but don't let him get away. My area is full of cats and dogs and I really don't want him getting hurt. >.<
I've also always given my cats milk. Certainly not regularly; they primarily drink water, but giving them milk as a treat from time to time is fine. Never had any issues with it. One of my cats adores strawberry milk, even.
As for litter, every cat I've ever had has naturally used it, if you show it to them once or twice, they'll remember and have no problem with it. That goes for strays and wildcats I've picked up, too. They're naturally very clean and will want to bury their waste, so litter is generally the best option for them. Though I did have one cat, who if she reeeeally had to go and was inside (she was an outdoor cat, no litter) she'd very politely go in the bathtub, making it easy to wash away. ^^;
Anyway, I adore this show due to the beautiful portrayal of kittiness. Absolutely must watch for any cat person.
|children, comedy, family, seinen
|Thread Tools


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As California's public schools continue to grapple with the fallout of $11.6 billion in statewide education funding cuts, educators are looking to Prop 1B on the May 19th ballot to restore $9 billion of the funding cuts to our students that are owed to schools under the state's minimum school funding law.Prop 1B sets out a schedule for repaying our schools, and corrects a manipulation of Prop 98 that shortchanges our students of billions that they are owed. Voters have affirmed their support for the minimum school funding guarantee under Prop 98 time and again, and continue to say that providing adequate funding for our schools is their top priority. With more than 30,000 teachers and administrators already receiving pink slips, and 10,000 school employees laid off, many school districts will be forced to lay off even more educators if the funds to public schools are not restored with the passage of Prop. 1B. Though the federal stimulus funds released this week under the Education Recovery Act will begin to mitigate a portion of the layoff notices over the short-term, Prop 1B will help schools recover from some of the devastating cuts, ensuring that quality educators and support staff can stay in the classroom, and that programs critical to student learning will not be eliminated from our schools.With California ranking nearly last in the nation in per-pupil funding, the Education Coalition has always remained committed to finding long-term solutions to the chronic underfunding of our public schools and addressing the needs of all students, and will continue to do so. California's students are already subjected to the largest class sizes and have access to the fewest librarians, counselors and support staff of any state in the country. Without restoration of the funds, local schools are being forced to make unprecedented cuts that will shortchange an entire generation of students. Excerpts from the articles below illustrate the grave problems and impossible choices currently facing our schools:
In times like these, the Redondo Beach Unified School District is not alone in its budget crunch. In fact, all California schools have been dealt the same grim hand from Sacramento."We're all hit hard and that's the thing that's very disconcerting, that it's the entire state's education system that's at risk — and it's a significant risk," said RBUSD's Chief Business Official Janet Redella.As a result, the School District, which has an approximately $68 million annual budget, has had to take a serious look at its operations.
Conejo Valley Unified School District school board members made their first concrete decision regarding imminent cuts to their budget. CVUSD needs to cut a little more than $5 million from its 2009-10 budget, beginning with the elimination of five district management positions, which will save the district $460,000. $2 million will come from hard cuts to be determined at the board's next meeting on May 5. Class sizes in kindergarten through third grade will likely be increased, as will math and English classes for eighth through 10th-graders.
More than $1.2 million will be cut from elementary education in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, with most of the savings coming from changes in the state's Class Size Reduction program. The current program requires one teacher for every 20.4 students. Next year, class size will increase to 22.4 students per teacher for kindergarten, first grade and second grade, and to one teacher for every 24.9 third graders. This change will eliminate 21 teaching positions. Middle schools and high schools will lose about $473,000, including two high school librarian positions. Restructuring of special education will save more than $1.25 million, though services will increase. More than $1 million will be cut from transportation services with possibly 13 positions eliminated. Nearly $364,000 will be cut from athletics by eliminating transportation to games and offering middle-school athletics through after-school programs. Music education will lose some positions, though more money will be infused into the programs. The district has eight full-time- equivalent music teachers this school year. The changes could eliminate up to two positions.
The positions slated for layoffs range from a custodian to a nurse assistant, three bus drivers, a health aid and various instructional aides throughout the district, Gibson said.
Modesto City Schools trustees Monday night approved a tentative agreement with the Modesto Teachers Association that provides for a slate of reductions in pay, workdays and stipends for the 2009-10 school year. It also increases maximum possible class sizes and the ratio of students per counselor. Officials are staring down $12 million in budget cuts for the next school year. Changes include a 1 percent pay cut for most certificated employees; setting class sizes at a maximum of 38 students in core academic classes, 60 for physical education and 40 in all other classes; and reductions to student activity directors' hours.The Education Coalition represents more than 2.5 million teachers, parents, administrators, school board members, school employees and other education advocates in California. For more information, please visit the Educatoin Coalition website at: www.protectourstudents.org.
Every child deserves a chance to learn and no child succeeds alone.
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Sources for More Information
Bulletin #44: What Ails Your Tree?
There is plenty of help available to anyone interested in identifying, monitoring and controlling insect and disease pests that are impacting urban trees.
Here are two "must have" books for anyone seriously interested in identifying tree pests. Both are nationwide in coverage, highly illustrated and over 500 pages in length. They are published by Comstock Publishing Associates, a division of Cornell University Press. These books are particularly valuable for identifying and learning the life cycles of the pests and tree species associated with each pest. These books do not include control suggestions. For the latter, local sources such as your county extension agent or a reputable arborist are the best places to start.
- Insects that Feed on Trees and Shrubs by Warren T. Johnson and Howard H. Lyon.
- Diseases of Trees and Shrubs by Wayne A. Sinclair, Howard H. Lyon and Warren T. Johnson.
Three others that have been long-time favorites with arborists and provide self-help information useful to nonprofessionals:
- Pirone's Tree Maintenance by John R. Hartman, Thomas P. Pirone and Mary Ann Sall.
- Diseases of Shade Trees by Terry A. Tatter.
- Plant Health Care for Woody Ornamentals edited by John Lloyd.
Note: The above publication includes addresses of public universities that offer pest diagnostic services. This book is available from the International Society of Arboriculutre.
Other Publications
There are many leaflets and booklets available on every insect and disease, usually published by Cooperative Extension or other government agencies. For example, "Pest Alerts" are single-page leaflets covering the major pests currently threatening America's trees. These are published by the U.S. Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry. The annual report by USDA Forest Health Protection scientists is:
Major Forest Insect and Disease Conditions in the United States
Copies are available from:
U.S. Forest Service–Forest Health Protection
1400 Independence Ave. S.W. Stop Code 1110 Washington, DC 20250-1110
An excellent video was produced as a student project and shown at the 2010 Partners in Community Forestry National Conference. Titled Bugged–The Race to Eradicate the Asian Longhorned Beetle, more information and individual copies in DVD format are available from Producer/Director Emily V. Driscoll.
Some Excellent Web Links
- Emerald Ash Borer information–Click on "Insecticide Options" to find the names of insecticides used to control EAB.
- Asian Longhorned Beetle information–This site also includes access to other forest pests.
- APHIS Fact Sheet–Another of the many sites about ALB, including control information.
- Hemlock Woolly Adelgid information–Available from the U.S. Forest Service.
- Good starting points for information about Sudden Oak Death are the California Oak Mortality Task Force and USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service.
- An overview of Thousand Cankers Disease information is available as well as much additional information, including speakers' slide shows presented at the first Thousand Cankers Disease of Black Walnut National Conference held in 2009.
Visit the Arbor Day Foundation Tree Health Guide
An online Tree Care Guide has been developed to help you find immediate access to a network of professional arborists, foresters, and Cooperative Extension agents to provide effective best management practices for insect problems and plant diseases.


text:
Dealing with a city's traffic is never easy (just look at Los Angeles), but SimCity's traffic problem has been a major issue since the game's troubled launch. And no, a patch hasn't really helped matters all that much. Well, seventh time's the charm! EA is ready to deal with SimCity's traffic problem by introducing bridges and tunnels in the upcoming 7.0 patch.
A new video from EA (via Polygon) demonstrates a new height tool, which will allow builders to craft new routes above or underneath other roads. Roads raised high enough will create bridges, while lower ones will create trenches and tunnels. Hopefully, this will solve your city's traffic problem... until a natural disaster hits your bridges and you're stuck cleaning up the piles of rubble.
Update 7.0 is set to arrive later this month.


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Kelly Marie (Wolfley) Timm, 36, LaBelle, Fla., entered into eternal life with the Lord on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 after a courageous battle with melanoma.
Kelly was born on Aug. 20, 1976 along with her twin sister Kimberly in Dixon, to parents Robert and Ingrid Wolfley, Sterling, IL.
Kelly and Joseph Timm were married April 19, 2003 in Fort Myers, Fla.
Kelly graduated from Upper Iowa University in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education.
She devoted her life to educating children.
After receiving her degree she began teaching at Franklin Center Elementary School, Franklin Grove.
She moved to Florida in 2001 and taught at RCMA.
From 2006-2010 she educated first grade students at Moore Haven Elementary School.
In 2011 she taught kindergarten at Country Oaks Elementary School in LaBelle, Fla.
She is survived by her husband, Joseph Timm; son, Wyatt; daughter, Emily; parents, Ingrid and Robert Wolfley, Sterling; grandparents, Robert and Wilma Wolfley, Polo; four sisters, Diana Maul, East Concord, N.Y., Pamela Walberg, North Liberty, Iowa, Kimberly Wolfley, Polo, and Natalie Wolfley, Peoria; 10 nephews and four nieces.
The visitation will be Friday, Feb. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. at Akin-Davis Funeral Home, LaBelle, Fla.
The funeral mass will be Saturday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, LaBelle, with Father Chester Domaszewicz officiating.
Interment will follow at Fort Denaud Cemetery, LaBelle.
In an effort to continue Kelly's devotion in educating children, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Joseph Timm c/o Seacoast National Bank, 17 N Lee St, LaBelle, Fla. 33935 to help support the college education of Wyatt and Emily.
Thank you to friends, family for your support and prayers.
Our children are our future, teach them well.


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Last week we told you about Jeremiah Aguilar and his mastiff, Dutch. The Montrose dog's story got national attention after it was published online.
Dutch bit a woman, and a Montrose judge ordered he be put down. On Thursday, Aguilar takes Dutch to court, hoping the judge will reconsider as the dog is a vital companion to the vet coping with PTSD.
Aguilar is a disabled veteran who says Dutch is a gentle giant who would never hurt anyone unless he was attacked, but the city of Montrose and animal services say the bites the victim suffered show he's too aggressive and his behavior can't be overlooked simply because his story has gone viral.
"Dogs can't speak they don't have a voice, all they have is a mouth, and when you do something to them that they don't like, what do you think they are going to do, they are just going to react, they are in harm, and they are in pain, what do you want them to do?" questioned Aguilar.
In November, authorities say Dutch got in a fight with another dog and the victim tried to break it up. According to Montrose County Animal Services, the woman hit Dutch to make that happen. Later, when she approached the animal to clean blood off of him, he bit her repeatedly. Some bites went to the bone.
"The city of Montrose is interested in public safety, so these decisions are made not in the interest to do away with an animal, but rather to protect the public," city spokesperson David Spear said.
Aguilar and the online dog community say Dutch was provoked, and that the fight and biting incident shouldn't be considered independently of each other.
"Our city ordinance that if a bite is provoked, it is not considered a dangerous animal," Montrose County animal services spokesperson Mike Duncan said.
A judge felt the attack wasn't provoked, and ruled Dutch a dangerous animal, ordering that he be put down. Aguilar was also charged with owning a vicious animal and faces court troubles of his own, ones he will likely have to face without Dutch.
"He helps me out with certain comfort and anxiety, and when I'm feeling down and depressed, he is there for me," Aguilar said.
Montrose officials say they've taken the outpouring of support for Dutch into consideration, but ask also that people remember the victim and severity of injuries she received.
Aguilar and Dutch are back in court Thursday morning where Aguilar will likely have to relinquish Dutch at that point to have him put down.
Also during that hearing, Aguilar will find out whether or not he'll be fined up to $1,000 and could serve up to a year in jail.
KKCO 11 News will keep you updated on this story.


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Looking for some opinions/advice here...
The wife and I are looking to ditch DirecTV and go the Hulu/Netflix/PlayOn route. Basically, we are paying way too much money for something we barely use. One of the main reasons I have any TV provider in the first place is to watch the Pens games, as everything else we watch we can get on Hulu, etc.
My question is, has anyone made the switch from Center Ice to Game Center Live? If so, did you stream the games to an HDTV, and if you did, via what device? How was the quality? I've read testimonials stating that the stream is great, and others stating that it is choppy.
I've had Center Ice for the last 7 years, so you could imagine why I'm a bit apprehensive. What I don't want is to make the change, and then on game one this year I have a horrible visual in front of me (that's not a knock at the team... ).


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GRUNDY CENTER The menu at the East J Caf in Grundy County Memorial Hospital is tempting - shrimp skewers, chicken cordon bleu, and Tuscan vegetable soup are just a few of the items available recently. A lunchtime staple for hospital associates, the salad bar is stocked with a variety of greens, chopped vegetables and healthy salad toppings.
In addition to serving hospital employees and members of the public in the East J Caf, the Food and Nutrition Department of the hospital prepares meals for hospital patients and Long Term Care residents. Close to 280 meals are prepared daily, and the emphasis on fresh and healthy foods is clear with a peek at the menu.
"Our menu choices reflect today's knowledge of what foods are right for a healthy individual, as well as for someone who has a chronic disease to manage, such as diabetes or heart disease," says Food and Nutrition Services manager Crystal Petersen, a registered dietitian who oversees menus for the hospital and Long Term Care.
Chef Breanna Staker, who is a graduate of the culinary program at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, emphasizes fresh in her daily soups, salads and entrees. A glance at the food for today's lunch preparation reveals fresh mushrooms, onions, and peppers waiting to be turned into Tuscan Vegetable Soup. "Fresh tastes so much better," says Chef Bre, who says close to 100% of each hospital meal is made from scratch, using fresh fruits and vegetables rather than canned. Chef Bre's favorite part of meal preparation is creating entres, and she enjoys placing an emphasis on Mediterranean-style dishes that feature intense flavors and bright colors.
To bring attention to the benefits of locally produced food, Petersen and Staker plan a Farmers Market Tour. They'll visit three local Farmers Markets to highlight the fresh foods available, while passing out recipes and tips for using in-season produce. They'll also be purchasing fresh foods to prepare and serve to the public in the East J Caf. The hospital also maintains garden plots in the Grundy Center Community Gardens to provide fresh vegetables and herbs.
"Local food is much tastier because it's grown in its natural climate, and you're purchasing it right from the grower shortly after it is picked," says Chef Bre. She looks forward to the Farmers Market Tour, which has its first stop on Thursday, July 25 at the Grundy County Fair, where the Grundy Center Farmers Market will be set up from 4:30 6:30 p.m. Watch for other Farmers Market Tour dates in Gladbrook and Conrad.
If you'd like to enjoy Chef Bre's fresh menu items, the East J Caf is open to the public Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., serving lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The East J Caf will be serving food purchased at the Farmers Market Tour at the Grundy County Fair in its Friday, July 26 lunchtime menu. The weekly menu can be found on the hospital's website at www.grundycountyhospital.org.


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The Institute communicates its scientific and educational information in a number of ways. One major outlet is peer-reviewed publications and reports. Cary Institute staff regularly publish in the best-rated journals in their respective fields.
Export 1 results:Sort by: Author [ Title] Type Year
Filters: Author is Whitehead, P. [Clear All Filters]
Salting our landscape: An integrated catchment model using readily accessible data to assess emerging road salt contamination to streams", Environ. Pollut., vol. 159, p. 1257-1265, 2011., "


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Standout Celeb Looks Straight From France
Every year, the fashion stakes get higher at the annual Cannes Film Festival in the south of France. After all, it's where some of the world's biggest movie stars and tastemakers flock to attend movie screenings and soirees, all the while dressed in incredibly glamorous ensembles. Over the past twelve days, we've spotted some of our favorite stylephiles on the red carpet at Cannes, such Zoe Saldana, model-of-the-moment Cara Delevingne, and French actress Marion Cotillard, wearing truly breathtaking gowns from esteemed fashion houses like Chanel and Christian Dior. Click through our slideshow to see the 25 best looks from this year's festival.
Roberto Cavalli Dress (price upon request) from the F/W 13 collection.
Burberry dress; Chopard Marquise Cut And Round Cut Diamond Necklace, Triangle Cut And Briolette Cut Diamond Chandelier Earrings, and White Diamond Cocktail Ring (all price upon request, 800.CHOPARD).
Emilio Pucci Powder Pink Lace Long-Sleeve Gown With Plunging Neckline And Chiffon And Crystal Enbrusted Belt from the Pre-Fall 13 collection.
Prada dress.
Giambattista Valli Top In Silk Organza With Black Pearl Beading ($7772) and Skirt In Silk Organza With Tulle ($2972) from the S/S 13 Couture collection; Christian Louboutin shoes.
Dolce & Gabbana Silk Dupion Floral Print Tealength Dress ($8445, available in June) from the Pre-Fall 13 collection.
Valentino dress from the S/S 13 Couture collection.
Alberta Ferretti dress from the F/W 13 collection.
Christian Dior dress from the Resort 14 collection; Chopard Diamond Earrings and Bracelet (all price upon request, 800.CHOPARD) from the Green Carpet Collection.
Valentino dress from the F/W 13 collection; David Yurman baroque pearl and diamond earrings, color change garnet hinged cuff, color change garnet dome ring, and cognac diamond pinky ring.
Chanel Silk Crepon Dress With Black Sequins from the S/S 13 Couture collection.
Stephane Rolland Sand-Colored Chiffon And Jersey Caped Dress With Ostrich Feather Embroidery (price upon request).
Christian Dior dress.
Randa Salamoun Structured Cut Gown With Vintage Inspired Detail ($1800, email firstname.lastname@example.com to purchase) from the F/W 13 collection; Kimberly McDonald jewelry.
Emilio Pucci custom-made Flourescent Pink Pleated Silk Chiffon Gown (price upon request, 212.230.1135) adapted from the S/S 13 collection; Casadei shoes; Chopard Diamond Chandelier Earrings from the Red Carpet Collection and Brown Diamond Cuff (all price upon request, 800.CHOPARD).
Vera Wang dress from the F/W 13 collection.


text: From Coach, a sophisticated silhouette rendered in exotic printed fabric with a discreet logo print trimmed with glossy patent leather. With double handles, detachable shoulder strap, zip closure, gold hardware, plus purple lined interior with zip and cell pockets. Dimensions: 14"L x 4"W x 10"H. 5" handle drop and 12" shoulder strap drop.


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Friday, January 11, 2008
Oliver Twist San Francisco-Style
A giggle of young teen girls loudly entered the drug store behind me. I went about my business and a few minutes later, while I was in line for the checkout counter, they were escorted to the front of the store and delivered to the sidewalk. Meanwhile, several boys of about the same age came running out of a store across the street and jumped into a waiting SUV that was double parked with its engine running.
As one of the drugstore employees said tersely, "Don't ever come back here. We've got your picture," the girls also ran to the SUV, which took off much too fast for a busy street.
All I can think of is that a modern-day Fagin is running a school which teaches children to rip off stores instead of picking pockets.
It was a stunning little vignette, over much too fast to process. I'm not sure what was going on there, but the little angels were not selling Girl Scout cookies.
The drugstore always has a selection of panhandlers outside, most of whom I know by face if not by name.
Today, the man who sits next to the man with the "Just 23 cents" sign who sits next to the "Why lie, need a beer" man who sits next to the woman with the grungy stuffed animals was talking on his cell phone but flashed me a peace sign as I dropped a dollar into his cup.
How can you not support someone who is in thrall to a wireless phone provider? Maybe that's why he's homeless.
The man who wears a gold crown said, "Hey! What about me?"
The two shopping cart gentlemen whipped their heads back and forth like a tennis match and grinned at me toothlessly.
The last time I donated to the king's cause, he complained that it wasn't enough. I'm sure he's forgotten, but I remember. I won't make that embarrassing mistake again.
There is also a man with a sign that says "Fuck you" who yells threats at passing pedestrians. I suspect he doesn't make a very good living.
My neighborhood is also home to many trust funders. There are probably more Ferraris and Maseratis per square foot here than practically anywhere on the planet, most of them driven by people so young that it is highly unlikely they earned them themselves.
Two worlds exist within the same couple of blocks, two worlds so different that it is almost impossible to comprehend that the highly privileged are in fact of the same species as the totally unprivileged.
Meanwhile, a mere four blocks away, another street of luxury shops exists which used to be exactly the same, but which retains its rarefied atmosphere while the one nearby is beginning to look like a slum.
The other street has no panhandlers and also no bars or police presence, while this one has seen several break-ins in recent months and several storefronts smashed by drunks on New Year's Eve.
"The area is changing," said the clerk at a GNC store next to one that lost its front as he swept up broken glass from his own doorway. "There's some really bad energy here now."
I think the neighborhood is expressing entropy, the inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or society.
All matter and energy in the universe tend to evolve toward a state of inert uniformity. It seems that such polarity cannot continue indefinitely. Something's gotta give.
The panhandlers and the drunks are the engines of change and interestingly, they will probably be the survivors. When the neighborhood declines below the level that is acceptable to the Ferrari people, they will leave and the transformation will be complete.
As long as some people have far more material goods than they need while others have much too little, the life force will strive to equalize things.
Until the haves no longer feel more entitled than the have-nots, there will be no lasting peace in the neighborhood and in the world's neighborhoods called countries.
Such disparate entities will never play nicely together.
30 comments:
- RED MOJO said...
Who had on her very well focused observational apperatus today? I believe you are right, and don't have much to add, I like the "will sleep with Britney" sign!
- Jocelyn said...
Our two current posts are sympatico in their overarching poinst, I'd say. Lovely writing, as always.
Your blog makes me feel right.
- Sienna said...
Isn't that incredible Hearts.
Little Oliver Twists. And that someone would think that that is an acceptable lifestyle for kids. (The driver of car).
The gap between the haves and have nots was widening here too, but me the ever the optimist thinks things will be done for all Ozzies now with our change of Gov't, (if inflation doesn't chew up our economy).
Our small country towns out here are really paradise, just a haven, relatively speaking.
- Nick said...
It's sad when a shopping street that was once prospering and lively starts going downhill and there seems to be nothing to do but watch the inevitable decline. Usually in the UK it's because some out-of-town shopping centre has opened and then the local shops gradually lose custom and go out of business.
- furiousBall said...
I think it's great, I love making rich people nervous.
- anne said...
Bravo - really, really well said.
This sort of thing has always bothered me a lot.
- Ian Lidster said...
Oh, you are so quantum, you are, you are. Just a great post, dear heart.
As I stated in my own blog a couple of days ago, I have been contracted to piece together and extensive study of the homeless in our community, and I copied your blog because I just might want to use a couple of your insights.
Alas, however, in terms of street people being survivors. A jouralist friend of mine who just oompleted an excellent and honest series of articles on Victoria's street denizens said that statistically the average life expectancy of a male denizen of the streets is 47 years. I was shocked, though not really surprised at that.
- TIV: the individual voice said...
Shocking that shoplifting the small stuff in drugstores was so organized. I hope they grow out of it and get a conscience, though this sounds more insidious than the type of shoplifting kids grown out of.
- heartinsanfrancisco said...
I like the sign, too. A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.
Yes, they are. I'm entranced by your post on foods, wealth and lifestyles and especially loved your children's comment about the Ecuadorians with hardly anything but great smiles. That says volumes.
I hope your new government lives up to your hopes.
Those small towns sound absolutely lovely, but then I already knew that from your great photos.
In the U.S., the advent of a Wal-Mart invariably destroys small towns, but this is a neighborhood in a fairly major city.
I think that all cities undergo many changes as their populations shift. Various neighborhoods in NYC have changed ethnically over the years, but again, this is not ethnic but economic, and in the most expensive city in America, yet.
It's fascinating to watch.
Of course you do.
Thank you for your visit to my blog neighborhood.
I'm not sure I have any insights, just observations. As in that Peter Sellers movie where he said, "I like to watch."
I didn't mean that the individual panhandlers would survive, though. I know their life expectancy is shockingly limited.
I meant that their culture will outlast the yuppies who share this part of the city. I'm not sure why they come here, rather than other nice neighborhoods -- maybe it's just because they can.
There was an adult facilitator driving the SUV. It really reminded me of Fagin and the children he corrupted.
- Kapuananiokalaniakea said...
"A giggle of young teen girls" Perfect description!
So sad that they had an adult facilitator. Makes me wonder about "my" homeless boy and whether his panhandling has to do with a Fagin of his own.
I think the opposite is happening here in Portland. Yuppies keep coming in and pricing the people of more moderate means right out of the neighborhoods in which they grew up.
It's that there's not enough to go around, scarcity epidemic -- the if-it's-mine-I-have-to-keep-it-'cuz-if-I-share-it-then-it-won't-be-mine-anymore-and-then-you'll-have-it-and-I-won't-and-then-won't-I-feel-stupid-'cuz-I-coulda-had-it-if-I-hadn't-gone-and-given-it-to-you-and-now-there's-no-one-to-give-to-me line of thinking. So twisted really.
- Molly said...
And it's also possible that some of the down-and-outers were once a part of the other group....
- RED MOJO said...
I did not come look at your page before I named you as an award recipient. I now you see you already have it, but consider yourself doubly blessed! It's at Halfabubbleoff.
- the psycho therapist said...
While I thoroughly appreciate your statements and stance on the role homeostasis plays in the organism's drive towards such equanimity, this was the bomb, hands down:
There is also a man with a sign that says "Fuck you" who tends to yell at passing pedestrians. I suspect he doesn't make a very good living.
The prophey disguised as the village idiot. Hey, do you think I could follow him...kinda do a tag team rant?
Liked your post. Got dem dendrites goin' agin.
- heartinsanfrancisco said...
Your homeless friend seems very alone, but it's impossible to know for sure.
I think it's been several decades at least since San Francisco was affordable for people without large disposable incomes. (We could live on a higher scale elsewhere, but it's hard to leave such a beautiful city.)
Good point. There is a whole class of newly homeless people who lost their jobs and then their homes.
Not all those on the streets are drug addicts and alcoholics.
I am indeed doubly blessed. Thank you!!
You could say he's living his truth, untrammeled by irrelevant social conventions, or you could say that maybe he's off his meds.
He certainly is not sucking up to The Man for quarters.
- The CEO said...
As you weave information theory, theoretical physics, urban development, 18th literature and common sense together into cohesive thoughts comprising a working theory I am reminded once again of how woefully underutilized you are. Will you run for vice-president with Crankster when you are both 35?
- Open Grove Claudia said...
When I lived in the Bay Area, I did a photo essay on Homelessness. It was the 80s, Reagan was promising that money would "trickle down" and there were thousands of mentally ill people on the streets. It's amazing to me that now, 25 years later, this still exists.
Amazing. And very very sad.
I've heard it said that society always needs a "poor" so that someone is always on the bottom. Sometimes I think these folks are the most free people in our world.
And truth be told? They are mostly mentally ill. When BS spends all her money, she will most likely join their ranks. It makes individuality look fairly pale to me.
- Maddy said...
In my ignorance, that was what was most shocking to me when I first arrived here. I just couldn't understand 'richest nation in the world' with 'homeless guys' in the same city.
Best wishes
- heartinsanfrancisco said...
"Woefully underutilized." I like that. And let's not forget grievously underpaid.
No offense, but I think the invitation will have to come from Crankster, who will never be 35 at the same time I am. I mean, was.
It's absurd to think that the stream of money won't dry up completely before it "trickles down" to the folks under the bridge.
I think there needs to be a "poor" so that the others can feel superior to someone. There is a lot wrong with a society that treats its mentally ill members so shabbily.
True enough. It's only the richest nation in the world to some people.
Beautiful writing as always.
I hope and pray that some of the "haves" of the world find happiness enough to be willing to share with others.
- Craze said...
I often wonder how or why the haves have no empathy and do consider themselves better than the rest of society. All of our blood is red.
- seventh sister said...
You certainly are blessed with a lot of contrast in your area.
It may not be that the neighborhood is changing in the way you think. The overly prosperous are most likely pushing everyone else out and the edge of the push is temporarily where you see it now. I doubt that living in SF is getting any less expensive and the homeless will be pushed into smaller and smaller areas.
The Austin City Counsel was at one time considering making it illegal to feed people on the streets as several charitalbe organizations and a few individuals do. They dislocated a large part of our homeless population when the new city hall was build so a new homeless services center was built near the police station on the edge of downtown. Of course, that made all of of downtown easily accessible to the homeless people. So the city counsel passed a law that no one can sit or lie down or stand on the street for more than 15 minutes (I think.) We lost the street musicians (in the town that claims to be the live music capital of the world), the chalk artist who's work was amazing, and our local colorful characters (Leslie Cochran, who actually is not homeless) comes to mind.
I am sure that the Farari drivers will prevail upon the local government to do something about the "problem". Good luck when that happens.
- heartinsanfrancisco said...
That's a wonderful twist on the way most people would look at it, but then I expect you to be original.
It would be nice, wouldn't it?
Yes, we are all far more alike than different.
I had to look up Leslie Cochran. (He shares my birthday but not the year.)
The Bay area has always had a large homeless population. People's Park in Berkeley was a tent city for decades.
It's a tricky issue because while they add color, they also negatively impact tourism and commerce, which the city doesn't want. Most of the homeless people seem harmless, and many are victims of the obscene cost of living here.
Yesterday, I donated to a woman whose sign said that her husband had a heart condition and she needed money to take him to the hospital. While I doubted it, it was impossible not to feel bad for anyone standing in the rain with a sign, hoping for handouts.
It's a miserable and dangerous way to live and there should be more options for those who would make use of them.
Later, I wondered if I should have offered to take them to a hospital. It's impossible to know how involved to get in the problems of strangers when we don't know if the problems are even real.
- meggie said...
A very insightful post, & following commentary.
You say there needs to be poor, so the well off can feel superior- or, perhaps show their kindness, by trying to share or better the lot, of the poor of this world.
Not everyone who 'has' is greedy about it. And as Molly said, not all who are poor are to blame, or perhaps began that way.
I suppose every city is different in the way they treat their homeless, & poor.
There are many in Sydney Australia, who refuse offers of homes or help from charities, preferring their beggarly life & routines.
- thethinker said...
We just finished discussing the concept of entropy in Biology. The first thing it made me think of after I read the definition in my textbook is how strange it is that the scientific definition applies to our society just as much as it does to a "closed thermodynamic system".
- Lex said...
This post makes the Best of GWAE, in my humble opinion. It has all the elements that keep me coming back here: wit, a taste of San-Francisco, the perspective of a keen observer of the human condition and hope. I love this post!
As long as some people have far more material goods than they need while others have much too little, the life force will strive to equalize things.
May I always stay in sync with that striving. May I remain aware that there is enough for everyone and sensitive to when I've had my share.
Thanks for this one.
- heartinsanfrancisco said...
I didn't mean that it's a good thing some people are poor, nor did Claudia in her comment.
But as long as there are poor people, there will be other people who feel superior. The truth is that wealth has never been an accurate measure of anyone's "worth."
As always, you are right on. The fact that scientific concepts also apply to social systems seems like evidence of the unity of all things.
You've said a mouthful. If all of us on earth were mindful of when we've had our share, there might, indeed, be enough of everything for everyone.
It's certainly something to strive for.
- jameil1922 said...
talking on his cell phone? nope. i can't even contribute to your cause. put a dollar on MY cell phone bill!!
- heartinsanfrancisco said...
I know!! Talking on a cell phone while begging on a street corner.
What's wrong with this picture?
I was really paying him for the laugh he provided.
- eastcoastdweller said...
Very Steinbeck-y and very true. It seems to be the major problem, for example, in Central and South America, where a middle class barely exists and the haves have to employ extraordinary measures to avoid all contact with the have-nots, lest they be robbed, kidnapped or killed.
I have a relative from one of those places and the word is, you don't even dare dress in anything but your most worn out old clothes in public, unless you want to mark yourself as a target.
Those extremes exist in the US, of course, as you have pointed out, but so far the middle class still exists as a buffer between them.
- heartinsanfrancisco said...
Thank you for even mentioning Steinbeck here. He's one of my favorite writers.
The have-nots who frequent this neighborhood seem mostly harmless, except to themselves. But I have wealthy friends in NYC who dress shabbily on purpose to avoid being robbed, and their house looks quite ordinary on the outside. When you get inside, though, it is magnificent.
It seems that such inequity benefits no one completely. The poor get poorer and the rich worry a lot.