"Traffic Monster" written by Jim on estrip.org

06/12/09 01:02 - 65ºF - ID#48896

Traffic Monster

Some kid was arrested for making this:

News article:

Permalink: Traffic_Monster.html
Words: 20
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: tech

06/08/09 09:41 - 63ºF - ID#48872

iPhone 3G S

I can't wait to get it, my current phone's battery is starting to die the past month or so, only holds about a day's charge. Didn't want to pay for a new battery in the mean time so I'm glad they're releasing this in June.

I've been using the beta version of the iPhone 3.0 OS for a few months and it rocks, and as always Apple's API's are a joy to use. Since I use it for development I can write off most of the cost of the hardware ;) Now I just have to actually ~~release~~ finish one of the my half finished iPhone apps...

I've heard from a couple people that it's kind of a boring incremental update, but since I have the original version of the iPhone, it's actually a fairly large step up for me. Mostly, due to the 3G network and 4x as much storage. 32gb, yum. Also, the new camera is a huge upgrade, w/ auto-focus and macro. Sick of blurry looking crap photos.

jenks writes at 11:39:57 06/08/09 - Comment #49005: Yeah really. That's about the most retarded reason I've ever heard.

And I'm no computer guy, but- even if they DID have to go manually change a feature on every account, would that really take 2 months? Can't they write some little program that would do it in like 5 min?

And, if they have manually put all iphones on "no MMS" accounts- I wish they would bounce them back to the senders or something.

I mean I can handle not sending MMS myself, for now. But I hate that people send them to me, and they get no error or anything, but I have no clue they've send it, and then they're annoyed that I don't respond. At least bounce back "unable to send, this user cannot receive MMS" or something.

Grr.

And while I'm griping about ATT- do you guys drop calls like ALL THE TIME? For a company whose ad campaign makes such a big deal about 'fewest dropped calls'- I had NEVER dropped a call before switching to ATT. Now it happens OFTEN. Now, I don't know if that's ATT or the iPhone, but I have my hunches.

jim writes at 10:17:39 06/08/09 - Comment #49004: Sorry, $70 for data & tethering - as opposed to just data, which is currently $30 not $60.

jim writes at 10:17:03 06/08/09 - Comment #49003: Supposedly AT&T has manually flagged all iPhone accounts as not capable of receiving MMS messages, and has to manually unflag them all again, hence the delay until late summer.

Seriously. :::link:::

Also in that report, tethering will bring the data cost of the plan to $70 from $60. Yeah right.

AT&T: fuck you and die.

jenks writes at 10:13:54 06/08/09 - Comment #49002: oh yeah and what about push notifications? they mentioned it, but I don't see it listed anywhere on the iphone site.

I was also hoping for a revamped notification manager. Like I only get a popup when I have texts, but not emails? etc.

jenks writes at 10:11:31 06/08/09 - Comment #49001: and still no flash support in mobile safari, too, right?

Not to mention that f**king ATT isn't going to support MMS and tethering right away (see my journal). Blah.

I still want one.

But the 32gb will cost me not 299, but $699, until february when my contract is up. Oy. $400 change?! I can live without video until then. Esp since a lot of what I want (cut and paste, text forwarding, +/-MMS) will be available for free in the software update next week.)

paul writes at 10:02:23 06/08/09 - Comment #49000: Ya that is lame, but this is nice :::link::: I imagine my journal will be much more interesting with an app like that.

jim writes at 09:57:10 06/08/09 - Comment #48999: And still no file upload in mobile Safari.

paul writes at 09:55:09 06/08/09 - Comment #48998: The camera is a huge upgrade in that it does video and auto focus but I am really surprised they kept with 3 megapixels when all the high end phones are going 5+.

I definitely will consider getting one seeing as the price is reasonable. What I don't understand is the 7.2mbps HSPDA. Do we have that here? The whole time it is just the phone hardware holding back the speed?

Permalink: iPhone_3G_S.html
Words: 172
Location: Buffalo, NY

06/08/09 06:13 - 61ºF - ID#48870

NY Senate Coup

Well, big news today: two Democratic NYS Senators have agreed to caucus with the Republicans, flipping control of the chamber.

NY Times:

I am disheartened this basically kills my chance of getting married in NY.

I was pleasantly surprised at some of the rule changes that were voted for after the coup (partial list):

- Committee Chairs and Rankers are term-limited to 8 years.

- Proxy voting in committee is eliminated.

- All agendas and voting records will be published on the Senate Website; all committee meetings recorded and webcast. A plan will be put forward by January 1, 2010 to create NY-SPAN statewide broadcast of legislative proceedings similar to C-SPAN for Congress.

- No bill may be introduced without a named Senate sponsor.

- A non-sponsor amendment if successful will retain its place on the calendar for three days and then shall be taken up by the body for final passage, not returned to committee. Messages of Necessity shall only be permitted in cases of actual emergencies.

- A new motion for consideration is created. A sponsor may move to have his or her bill included on the next active list if a majority of members present and voting agree to the motion.

- A petition for consideration is also created, which allows a majority of the members elected to request a bill be put to the floor. If successful, the bill shall be placed on the active list for the next session day. If within the last four days of session, it shall be immediately considered by the body if successful.

- All procedural votes require only a majority of members present and voting, rather than members elected.

- Debate may exceed 4 hours on budget bills, any bill considered pursuant to a message of necessity, or those which appropriate money.

-- source: (via )

Now granted, this is mostly all just so in 2010 when they end up back in the minority they're not locked out of power (demographic shifts virtually guarantee they'll be ousted again shortly). But still.

This also means that the Republicans will be mostly in charge of redistricting NYS Senate districts, which will keep them from losing as much ground in 2010 versus what the NYS Senate Dems would've drawn.

Ah -- one other new rule I just parsed the meaning of: 'Member items will be divided evenly.' -- essentially pork will be able to be given out by the minority and majority equally, so they can keep the folks back home happy.

An interesting day. Well played, Tom Golisano.

Wasn't he supposed to be in Florida by now?

Permalink: NY_Senate_Coup.html
Words: 452
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: life

06/05/09 02:26 - 73ºF - ID#48845

Boston?

I may have a chance to permanently transfer to Boston, MA, for my company... it wouldn't happen for a few or six months.

Has anyone here lived in Boston? Should we stay or should we go? I know it's a very expensive city. Presuming I got a cost-of-living adjustment to Boston wages, is it a fun/cool city to actually live in?

Plus, (e:james) and I could get married there :)

Permalink: Boston_.html
Words: 73
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: economics

06/01/09 08:32 - 46ºF - ID#48810

GM: Goodbye and Hello

The car industry almost single handedly killed universal healthcare in the mid 20th century. They saw that sooner or later everyone would demand it, so they came up with a scheme where health insurance was paid for by the company that the workers worked at.

Which of course ~~just about~~ did kill them when, as technology improved, they had far more retirees then active workers due to efficiency. If they hadn't opposed universal health care, they'd be in fine financial shape. What they fought for has bankrupted them, and so wiped out their shareholders. Opposing universal health care turned out to be a violation of their fiduciary duties, oh irony of ironies.

They fought airbags and seat belts, higher fuel efficiency and safety standards, the classification as SUV's as passenger vehicles instead of commercial trucks.

GM was largely responsible for killing mass transit in the early 20th century. They purchased privately run and profitable intracity train lines only so that they could close them. And they were powerful, so we let them.

I am sorry for the workers who are hurt by this, but this is more of a suicide then a bankruptcy. Here's to hoping for a brand new, 21st century smart company when the dust settles. Think bigger GM! Think long term. I am not holding my breath.