A while ago, several BP petrol stations that I use, started trialing "PumpTalk". This was a highly instrusive and annoying form of advertising, that started blaring audio at you, as soon as you lifted the pump and began filling your car.
My immediate reaction was to stop filling the car, head over to the cash register and politely explain that I wouldn't be using that petrol station again, as long as they were willing to "sell-out their customers and their right to some piece and quiet".
Sadly, I thought that this was going to be the start of an unstoppable new advertising trend, where we'd all suffer increasingly unbearable amounts of noise pollution. After all, petrol stations quite happily surround their service counter with confectionery (whilst obesity is a major problem) and keep cigarettes in plain view, which pretty much sums up what they think of their customers.
Happily, it appears that a significant number of other customers have either complained or moved to other petrol stations ... and that PumpTalk has been turned off (at least, at the petrol stations I visit) ! So, it seems that if we all quietly state our concerns and shop elsewhere, that we can make a difference for the better.
My immediate reaction was to stop filling the car, head over to the cash register and politely explain that I wouldn't be using that petrol station again, as long as they were willing to "sell-out their customers and their right to some piece and quiet".
Sadly, I thought that this was going to be the start of an unstoppable new advertising trend, where we'd all suffer increasingly unbearable amounts of noise pollution. After all, petrol stations quite happily surround their service counter with confectionery (whilst obesity is a major problem) and keep cigarettes in plain view, which pretty much sums up what they think of their customers.
Happily, it appears that a significant number of other customers have either complained or moved to other petrol stations ... and that PumpTalk has been turned off (at least, at the petrol stations I visit) ! So, it seems that if we all quietly state our concerns and shop elsewhere, that we can make a difference for the better.
Just returned from skiing at Mt.Hotham. Close to perfect snow and weather conditions. As well as skiing, we covered all of the important activities, including snowball fights and making snowmen.
Tara's skiing improved at lot this year. With the exception of the most extreme runs, we were able to cover most of the mountain, including Spargos.
Now, it's back to work ... and time to start saving for next year !
Tara's skiing improved at lot this year. With the exception of the most extreme runs, we were able to cover most of the mountain, including Spargos.
Now, it's back to work ... and time to start saving for next year !
One month into my new project ... and times flies when you are having fun. Lots of activity on the iPhone, social networking and home automation scenes.
The iTunes application store brings the same seamless, instant gratification experience to applications that it did for music. Combined with the always connected 3G networking, means it will be a juggernaut that sets a new bar for everyone else. The applications, many of the good ones are free, show a lot of promise, but still lack maturity. These days, I look for networked applications that run (or are accessible) everywhere; in the web browser, on Mac OS X, on Linux, on mobile phone browsers, and native for the iPhone and N95. Nothing less will do !
Social networking is a hot bed of activity, the more you look, the more you find. Providing bridges between the various networks, as well as data portibility is
crucial to prevent massive fragmentation. Everyone needs to be able to communicate with everyone else, regardless of which social network, micro-blog or instant messaging service that they use. Remember Metcalfe's law !
Developments and interest in building automation is gradually increasing. It good to see moves towards a more open and standards based industry and less fragmentation due to proprietary protocols. The recent announcement of Open Remote, which is support by some heavy hitters, will be an interesting development to watch.
Meanwhile, the pair of local magpies that live nearby are visiting on a regular basis, pigging-out on raw meat and preparing for the breeding season. Typically, they'll bring their young fledgling down, once it has learnt to (sort of) fly.
The iTunes application store brings the same seamless, instant gratification experience to applications that it did for music. Combined with the always connected 3G networking, means it will be a juggernaut that sets a new bar for everyone else. The applications, many of the good ones are free, show a lot of promise, but still lack maturity. These days, I look for networked applications that run (or are accessible) everywhere; in the web browser, on Mac OS X, on Linux, on mobile phone browsers, and native for the iPhone and N95. Nothing less will do !
Social networking is a hot bed of activity, the more you look, the more you find. Providing bridges between the various networks, as well as data portibility is
Developments and interest in building automation is gradually increasing. It good to see moves towards a more open and standards based industry and less fragmentation due to proprietary protocols. The recent announcement of Open Remote, which is support by some heavy hitters, will be an interesting development to watch.
Meanwhile, the pair of local magpies that live nearby are visiting on a regular basis, pigging-out on raw meat and preparing for the breeding season. Typically, they'll bring their young fledgling down, once it has learnt to (sort of) fly.
