What can Brown do for you?
It's been over four years since I bought a new cell phone, but I finally took the plunge and ordered a smartphone2 from Expansys3. They're a great company to do business with and they even offered to send it via second day air for a discounted rate so that I'd have it before the weekend. That would have been great if some UPS a-hole employee didn't lose the package in transit. The worst part? This is the second item of mine that's gone missing at UPS in the last few months, after a Red Sox jersey4 disappeared a short while back.
So apparently the answer to, "what can brown do for you?" is "lose your stuff." Next time I'll request FedEx5 or DHL6.
Update: Apparently UPS shut down their Kentucky operations for five days after last week's nasty weather, so my package was sitting in a shipping center from Wednesday morning until it left for Massachusetts last night. Now why couldn't the UPS customer service guy just tell me that? Oh right, he was probably in India.
Friday, December 24, 2004 @ 22:07 » 
Comments (4)
I'm Dreaming of an 8bit Christmas
If you've got a thing for Atari 2600s and Christmas music, then I've got the album7 for you. If you're curious what this might sound like, imagine Christmas carols played by Mario and Luigi. Or just go download the tracks yourself ... they're free.
Friday, December 24, 2004 @ 13:00 » Comments
Who are these girls?
My e-mail program8's spellchecker just recommended the word "cooties" when I wrote to someone about some "cuties" ... hrm.
Friday, December 17, 2004 @ 14:38 » Comments (1)
Cab Fare by Phone
You usually read about this kind of thing happening in far-flung Tokyo or something, but a cab company in my neck of the woods (Watertown, MA) is now offering people the option to pay their fare9 by cell phone. You dial up a number, enter a couple of digits, and the fare automagically appears on your monthly bill. This kind of thing is already available all over the place in Japan and Korea (where they can even just swipe their phone over a reader), but I'm pleasantly surprised to see that it's making inroads here.
One critic questions the technology, though, asking, "if I'm trying to pump some gas and there's no [cellphone] coverage? I've just lost my wallet?" This is a fallacy10, though. What if you have an Amex card and they only take Visa? Or you have Visa and they only take cash? I use one specific credit card to make all my purchases, but I still have cash and a debit card if they're needed. The option to use a phone is no different. Some people just have to complain, I guess.
Thursday, December 02, 2004 @ 09:08 » Comments
TinyGPS
There are plenty of privacy advocates up in arms about so-called "location based services" (a euphemistic name for GPS-assisted cellular networks). On the one hand, I don't want to be bombarded with digital coupons every time I walk by a 7-Eleven11, but then again if I'm having a heart attack and manage to call 911 before passing out, I want emergency services to know where to send the medics. Aside from these two oft-cited scenarios, though, I can't wait for the opportunity to take advantage of software like TinyGPS12. Their info page highlights some situations where location data could be incredibly useful, like setting an alarm when the commuter train pulls into the station (regardless of whether it's early or late) or turning off your ringer when you walk into church. This kind of functionality is available in Europe and Asia, but it could be a few years before it comes to the States. I just can't wait for my future smartphone to be, like, you know ... smart.
Thursday, December 02, 2004 @ 08:32 » Comments
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