Comments for Sid's Blog http://blog.sidboswell.com Yet another weblog clogging up the internet tubes... Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:40:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Welcome to North Carolina, you can’t drive here by Sid Boswell http://blog.sidboswell.com/2009/08/28/welcome-to-north-carolina-you-cant-drive-here/comment-page-1/#comment-975 Sid Boswell Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:40:17 +0000 http://blog.sidboswell.com/?p=547#comment-975 Granted there are some requirements for the Real ID Act and therefore I had to be verified to get my license. However, if the system is down there are several options ... as a matter of fact they weren't giving me the picture ID so they could have issues a temporary paper permit (which wouldn't get me onto a plane or into a federal building) and if there was a continued problem with SS, they could have asked me to return ... yadda yadda yadda As for proof of insurance, it's a piece of paper not subject to any verification with the exception that it's a piece of paper (no "real" act of any sort). The so called "proof" is anything but proof that my insurance company will honor a claim. If I cancel my insurance the second I walk out the door of the DMV (who even says I didn't cancel it before) is the State of North Carolina going to know that and somehow show up at my house and request my "Real ID?" NO. Also, the problems with Real ID and proving who I am have nothing to do with insurance so my statement of why I needed to provide insurance to provide i *can* drive a car stands. Bringing in a 3rd party into the discussion is irrelevant. It's a law enacted to prevent less fortunate and illegals off the road. What's even more fucked up is that you can't buy a car in North Carolina without a drivers license. See the problem yet? Granted there are some requirements for the Real ID Act and therefore I had to be verified to get my license. However, if the system is down there are several options … as a matter of fact they weren’t giving me the picture ID so they could have issues a temporary paper permit (which wouldn’t get me onto a plane or into a federal building) and if there was a continued problem with SS, they could have asked me to return … yadda yadda yadda

As for proof of insurance, it’s a piece of paper not subject to any verification with the exception that it’s a piece of paper (no “real” act of any sort). The so called “proof” is anything but proof that my insurance company will honor a claim. If I cancel my insurance the second I walk out the door of the DMV (who even says I didn’t cancel it before) is the State of North Carolina going to know that and somehow show up at my house and request my “Real ID?” NO.

Also, the problems with Real ID and proving who I am have nothing to do with insurance so my statement of why I needed to provide insurance to provide i *can* drive a car stands.

Bringing in a 3rd party into the discussion is irrelevant.

It’s a law enacted to prevent less fortunate and illegals off the road. What’s even more fucked up is that you can’t buy a car in North Carolina without a drivers license. See the problem yet?

]]> Comment on Welcome to North Carolina, you can’t drive here by MAGGIE http://blog.sidboswell.com/2009/08/28/welcome-to-north-carolina-you-cant-drive-here/comment-page-1/#comment-974 MAGGIE Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:44:47 +0000 http://blog.sidboswell.com/?p=547#comment-974 Sid, Sid, Sid. The document requirements to get your license in just about any state are deteremined by laws. The Real Id Act is a law that sets out uniform guide lines that states can follow in order to issue a document (ie driver license or ID card) that can be used to gain entry to federal government buildings or military bases or to board an airline, etc. North Carolina is compliant with this law. The "Social Security system" is an online verification system that makes sure that the name, date of birth and Social Security number are all correct, so that someone can't use your SSN with their name. The document requirements are pretty much the same, state to state. Now, that insurance thing... Suppose you are driving down the road and some schmoe runs into you. He is driving his girl friends car. He doesn't have insurance, but she does. But when you go to file a claim against her insurance company, they say, "Tough luck Sid. Her boyfriend wasn't on her policy, so we ain't payin' you a nickel." Fortunately, since he had to get his insurance to get his license, he has his own insurance for you to file against. Now, as for proving whether you can drive or not. How would you suggest we do that. We could have road tested you. It's only a 10 minute ride around the block, but you would have complained that you already have a license so why do you need a road test. and what would a 10 minute ride prove. Or maybe we could increase the length of time you have to spend trying to get a license by requiring a two hour road test or two day, or maybe make you take driver training. See the problem? Sorry if my fellow DMV Ladies and Gents were not friendly. Here's a phrase you should become familiar with. "Bless their hearts." Welcome to North Carolina! Sid, Sid, Sid. The document requirements to get your license in just about any state are deteremined by laws. The Real Id Act is a law that sets out uniform guide lines that states can follow in order to issue a document (ie driver license or ID card) that can be used to gain entry to federal government buildings or military bases or to board an airline, etc. North Carolina is compliant with this law. The “Social Security system” is an online verification system that makes sure that the name, date of birth and Social Security number are all correct, so that someone can’t use your SSN with their name. The document requirements are pretty much the same, state to state. Now, that insurance thing… Suppose you are driving down the road and some schmoe runs into you. He is driving his girl friends car. He doesn’t have insurance, but she does. But when you go to file a claim against her insurance company, they say, “Tough luck Sid. Her boyfriend wasn’t on her policy, so we ain’t payin’ you a nickel.” Fortunately, since he had to get his insurance to get his license, he has his own insurance for you to file against. Now, as for proving whether you can drive or not. How would you suggest we do that. We could have road tested you. It’s only a 10 minute ride around the block, but you would have complained that you already have a license so why do you need a road test. and what would a 10 minute ride prove. Or maybe we could increase the length of time you have to spend trying to get a license by requiring a two hour road test or two day, or maybe make you take driver training. See the problem? Sorry if my fellow DMV Ladies and Gents were not friendly. Here’s a phrase you should become familiar with. “Bless their hearts.” Welcome to North Carolina!

]]> Comment on Eeebuntu NBR on my EeePC by Sid Boswell http://blog.sidboswell.com/2009/03/02/eeebuntu-nbr-on-my-eeepc/comment-page-1/#comment-971 Sid Boswell Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:55:17 +0000 http://blog.sidboswell.com/?p=333#comment-971 I have switched to the standard Ubuntu NBR from eeebuntu. I am stoked about the ubuntu NBR interface. There was a little more configuration required to get everything like I wanted it, but I was tired of waiting for the eeebuntu folks to step up to the plate with 4.0. I have switched to the standard Ubuntu NBR from eeebuntu. I am stoked about the ubuntu NBR interface. There was a little more configuration required to get everything like I wanted it, but I was tired of waiting for the eeebuntu folks to step up to the plate with 4.0.

]]> Comment on Will Comcast’s (and other’s) metered usage backfire? by uberVU - social comments http://blog.sidboswell.com/2009/12/01/will-comcasts-and-others-metered-usage-backfire/comment-page-1/#comment-913 uberVU - social comments Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:58:11 +0000 http://blog.sidboswell.com/?p=584#comment-913 <strong>Social comments and analytics for this post...</strong> This post was mentioned on Twitter by sidboswell: I just blogged about: Will Comcast's (and other's) metered usage backfire? http://bit.ly/7xm1eC... Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by sidboswell: I just blogged about: Will Comcast’s (and other’s) metered usage backfire? http://bit.ly/7xm1eC...

]]> Comment on iCal Server (CalDAV) to Mobile Me and my iPhone by Sid Boswell http://blog.sidboswell.com/2009/02/20/ical-server-caldav-to-mobilem-me-and-my-iphone/comment-page-1/#comment-892 Sid Boswell Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:54:55 +0000 http://blog.sidboswell.com/?p=295#comment-892 Since iPhone 3.1 you no longer need to run this script. "Subscribed" to calendars now sync via iTunes (but not Mobile Me). So you just need to enable your "subscribed" to calendars in the iTunes Info tab and unselect those that are synching via Mobile me so you don't have dups. Then your local calendars sync automagically and your remote calendars sync every time you sync to iTunes. Since iPhone 3.1 you no longer need to run this script. “Subscribed” to calendars now sync via iTunes (but not Mobile Me). So you just need to enable your “subscribed” to calendars in the iTunes Info tab and unselect those that are synching via Mobile me so you don’t have dups. Then your local calendars sync automagically and your remote calendars sync every time you sync to iTunes.

]]> Comment on Why I chose the Honda Fit by Sid Boswell http://blog.sidboswell.com/2009/08/25/why-i-chose-the-honda-fit/comment-page-1/#comment-887 Sid Boswell Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:12:26 +0000 http://blog.sidboswell.com/?p=530#comment-887 I just couldn't get over the Hyundai brand. Everyone I talked to said they have improved, but nobody that I personally know has one and could give me the 1st hand experience. Resale on them sucks, but if they have really improved, that should change over the years. I wasn't looking for an SUV. I was getting rid of one. We have a F-250 if I need something really big. My mom has a CRV and loves it. sid. ---------------------------- Sid Boswell sid@sidboswell.com Stalk me on Twitter... text "follow sidboswell" to 40404 or go to http://twitter.com/sidboswell I just couldn’t get over the Hyundai brand. Everyone I talked to said they have improved, but nobody that I personally know has one and could give me the 1st hand experience. Resale on them sucks, but if they have really improved, that should change over the years.

I wasn’t looking for an SUV. I was getting rid of one. We have a F-250 if I need something really big. My mom has a CRV and loves it.

sid.
—————————-
Sid Boswell
sid@sidboswell.com

Stalk me on Twitter…
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]]> Comment on Why I chose the Honda Fit by Anonymous E-mailer http://blog.sidboswell.com/2009/08/25/why-i-chose-the-honda-fit/comment-page-1/#comment-886 Anonymous E-mailer Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:11:25 +0000 http://blog.sidboswell.com/?p=530#comment-886 I swear, you are bizarro me. Hehheh. That's pretty much the same lineup as what I've been looking at. About the only different things I am considering are the Hyunda Elantra Touring (it's a wagon) and the usual character mini-SUVs (Forester/CRV/RAV4). I want to test drive an Elantra Touring, but the 2010 just came out so there aren't very many around yet. Like you, I have been intrigued by the TDI series. The closest dealer only has one with the DSG (funky automatic transmission) in stock and I just don't like it. Still waiting to try it in a stick. And like you, I've been reading just enough VW stories to make me wary. But wow, great highway mileage and lots of nice torque. Regarding the Roomba...my wife kind of rolled her eyes when it showed up. But now she uses it more than me! I am surprised at how much crap it does pickup. You're right; it's no substitute for a regular vacuum, but for what it is, it works fine. Thanks again for your thoughts. I'll try not to pester you with more questions...but I'll drop you a note when I finally make a decision (might be in 14 years, but hey). Andy I swear, you are bizarro me. Hehheh. That’s pretty much the same
lineup as what I’ve been looking at. About the only different things
I am considering are the Hyunda Elantra Touring (it’s a wagon) and the
usual character mini-SUVs (Forester/CRV/RAV4). I want to test drive
an Elantra Touring, but the 2010 just came out so there aren’t very
many around yet.

Like you, I have been intrigued by the TDI series. The closest dealer
only has one with the DSG (funky automatic transmission) in stock and
I just don’t like it. Still waiting to try it in a stick. And like
you, I’ve been reading just enough VW stories to make me wary. But
wow, great highway mileage and lots of nice torque.

Regarding the Roomba…my wife kind of rolled her eyes when it showed
up. But now she uses it more than me! I am surprised at how much
crap it does pickup. You’re right; it’s no substitute for a regular
vacuum, but for what it is, it works fine.

Thanks again for your thoughts. I’ll try not to pester you with more
questions…but I’ll drop you a note when I finally make a decision
(might be in 14 years, but hey).

Andy

]]> Comment on Why I chose the Honda Fit by Sid Boswell http://blog.sidboswell.com/2009/08/25/why-i-chose-the-honda-fit/comment-page-1/#comment-885 Sid Boswell Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:58:08 +0000 http://blog.sidboswell.com/?p=530#comment-885 Dude - I bought a Roomba on Woot too. However, we love the Roomba. We have three house dogs and a Pot Bellied Pig (new addition to the family) that also comes in the house quite a bit. The Roomba lives upstairs in the bedrooms, but I bring it down on weekends and it does the lower floor. It doesn't do as good of a job as a manual vacuum, but it does a better job than not vacuuming at all. I understand the wishy-washy attitude. My brother-in-law was worse than I was and ended up buying a Volvo, but the decision took months. I read reviews and stuff online for a long time before actually driving the cars and I didn't take a month to make my final decision. I spent most of my time looking at these cars: • Jetta Wagon TDI – 40+ MPG! • Mazda 3 Hatchback • Subaru Impreza • Scion XD • Nisan Versa • Ford Focus It was down to the Jetta Wagon TDI, the Mazda 3, and the Honda. I really liked the Jetta, but was a bit frightened about repairs and the total cost of ownership. Hope that helps. sid. ---------------------------- Sid Boswell sid@sidboswell.com Stalk me on Twitter... text "follow sidboswell" to 40404 or go to http://twitter.com/sidboswell Dude – I bought a Roomba on Woot too. However, we love the Roomba. We have three house dogs and a Pot Bellied Pig (new addition to the family) that also comes in the house quite a bit. The Roomba lives upstairs in the bedrooms, but I bring it down on weekends and it does the lower floor. It doesn’t do as good of a job as a manual vacuum, but it does a better job than not vacuuming at all.

I understand the wishy-washy attitude. My brother-in-law was worse than I was and ended up buying a Volvo, but the decision took months. I read reviews and stuff online for a long time before actually driving the cars and I didn’t take a month to make my final decision.

I spent most of my time looking at these cars:
• Jetta Wagon TDI – 40+ MPG!
• Mazda 3 Hatchback
• Subaru Impreza
• Scion XD
• Nisan Versa
• Ford Focus

It was down to the Jetta Wagon TDI, the Mazda 3, and the Honda. I really liked the Jetta, but was a bit frightened about repairs and the total cost of ownership.

Hope that helps.

sid.
—————————-
Sid Boswell
sid@sidboswell.com

Stalk me on Twitter…
text “follow sidboswell” to 40404 or go to http://twitter.com/sidboswell

]]> Comment on Why I chose the Honda Fit by Anonymous E-mailer http://blog.sidboswell.com/2009/08/25/why-i-chose-the-honda-fit/comment-page-1/#comment-884 Anonymous E-mailer Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:47:08 +0000 http://blog.sidboswell.com/?p=530#comment-884 Thanks for the idea of the Blue Ant system. I think I'm going to get one for my wife. She talks on the phone quite a bit, but is resistant to using bluetooth headsets. I bet I could convince her to use something like the Blue Ant. I've only gotten one thing off of woot...a Roomba. And I'm slightly embarrassed to admit that I bought one. :-) Just out of curiosity, what other cars did you consider besides the Fit and 3? I don't know why, but this car search has found me to be more wishy washy than normal. Whenever one car pulls to the lead, another one piques my interest. Argh! Thanks for the idea of the Blue Ant system. I think I’m going to get
one for my wife. She talks on the phone quite a bit, but is resistant
to using bluetooth headsets. I bet I could convince her to use
something like the Blue Ant. I’ve only gotten one thing off of
woot…a Roomba. And I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I bought
one. :-)

Just out of curiosity, what other cars did you consider besides the
Fit and 3? I don’t know why, but this car search has found me to be
more wishy washy than normal. Whenever one car pulls to the lead,
another one piques my interest. Argh!

]]> Comment on Why I chose the Honda Fit by Sid Boswell http://blog.sidboswell.com/2009/08/25/why-i-chose-the-honda-fit/comment-page-1/#comment-883 Sid Boswell Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:46:32 +0000 http://blog.sidboswell.com/?p=530#comment-883 <a href="#comment-882" rel="nofollow">@Anonymous E-mailer</a> My response: I too listen to NPR and when it's not news, I'm usually listening to NPR podcasts (old version of This American Life and Car Talk are my favorite). I got the navigation system and it does not have bluetooth. Rather, I have a Blue Ant speaker phone that sits on my visor. I got it off of woot when it was dirt cheap (I think I paid $29 + $5 S&H). The fit (as far as I'm aware) doesn't come with bluetooth. It's one of those additions I think they are adding to some of their cars and of course it would be in the Acura line. The navigation system is pretty accurate. It is DVD based so you can upgrade it if you happen to move to Canada or if you want new roads. Of course, you can do the same with Garmin, I recently updated my wife's Garmin for $75 when she realized that it didn't contain a major interstate in our area (part of 440 in Raleigh). It also warns you when you are entering an "unverified" area and I do work in several rural communities in VA where the streets in the navigation system are accurate, but the map data must be suspect. Like you, it was a tossup between the Mazda 3 and the Fit. The clincher for me was mileage, and cargo room. In particular I really didn't like that the Mazda 3 seats don't lay flat. I have three dogs who go everywhere with me and I didn't like the non-flat seat issue. The 3 did have better pickup (117HP in the Fit to 176(?) in the 3), was a bit tighter, and had shorter throws and therefore was more fun to drive. The one I looked at also was loaded with the leather, seat heaters, etc. In the end, it came down to economics (both in terms of mileage and the wallet). Like I said, I was in it for the mileage. Since it's a stick, the Fit isn't boring....but it's not the fun little 3. I also drove the Mazdaspeed 3 hatchback which was a little ROCKET! But I just couldn't stand the mileage and the supreme fuel requirement. sid. ---------------------------- Sid Boswell sid@sidboswell.com Stalk me on Twitter... text "follow sidboswell" to 40404 or go to http://twitter.com/sidboswell @Anonymous E-mailer

My response:
I too listen to NPR and when it’s not news, I’m usually listening to NPR podcasts (old version of This American Life and Car Talk are my favorite).

I got the navigation system and it does not have bluetooth. Rather, I have a Blue Ant speaker phone that sits on my visor. I got it off of woot when it was dirt cheap (I think I paid $29 + $5 S&H). The fit (as far as I’m aware) doesn’t come with bluetooth. It’s one of those additions I think they are adding to some of their cars and of course it would be in the Acura line.

The navigation system is pretty accurate. It is DVD based so you can upgrade it if you happen to move to Canada or if you want new roads. Of course, you can do the same with Garmin, I recently updated my wife’s Garmin for $75 when she realized that it didn’t contain a major interstate in our area (part of 440 in Raleigh).

It also warns you when you are entering an “unverified” area and I do work in several rural communities in VA where the streets in the navigation system are accurate, but the map data must be suspect.

Like you, it was a tossup between the Mazda 3 and the Fit. The clincher for me was mileage, and cargo room. In particular I really didn’t like that the Mazda 3 seats don’t lay flat. I have three dogs who go everywhere with me and I didn’t like the non-flat seat issue. The 3 did have better pickup (117HP in the Fit to 176(?) in the 3), was a bit tighter, and had shorter throws and therefore was more fun to drive. The one I looked at also was loaded with the leather, seat heaters, etc. In the end, it came down to economics (both in terms of mileage and the wallet). Like I said, I was in it for the mileage. Since it’s a stick, the Fit isn’t boring….but it’s not the fun little 3.

I also drove the Mazdaspeed 3 hatchback which was a little ROCKET! But I just couldn’t stand the mileage and the supreme fuel requirement.

sid.
—————————-
Sid Boswell
sid@sidboswell.com

Stalk me on Twitter…
text “follow sidboswell” to 40404 or go to http://twitter.com/sidboswell

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