Other Gadgets (general gadgets)

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally Posted by taxwonk

I don't know any verizon users here who are happy with their service.

I don't know any cell phone users here who are happy with their service. My wife has Verizon and we've not had a problem with reception. I realize this is regional, but is there really a difference between providers anymore? I thought handset exclusivity was the only thing left that truly differentiated them.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally Posted by Oliver_Wendell_Ramone

Anybody know anything about pianos? And more specifically, buying one? My musical knowledge is limited to being a snobby rawk fan and wannabe critic. No skills with the real deal. But 8-year-old daughter has been in lessons for going on a year, doing well, liking it quite a bit, and outgrowing the non-full-size digital keyboard we borrowed.

I don't own a piano but people close to me are "musical" in the non-homosexual sense. (Others are "musical" in that sense too, but I digress.)

Three major questions will determine nearly everything:

Upright or baby grand? (Serious musicians will tell you it can't be upright, but these people probably have a room dedicated to music, and a learner will find nothing wrong with an upright.)

Heirloom or just-need-it-to-last-until-she-gets-to-college?

Willing to buy a used piano with better fundamentals, or would rather have it new because it will spend its life in a common room where it needs not to stick out in terms of quality of furniture?

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally Posted by Atticus Grinch

I don't know any cell phone users here who are happy with their service.

Indeed. And it's always the service you don't have that seems better.

The disadvantage of Verizon is that its network is more closed than ATT/Tmobile, as phones are harder to buy from third parties. And no overseas roaming.

[bold_n_brazen]

Originally Posted by taxwonk

For me, the big issue is Verizon's exclusivity. I don't know any verizon users here who are happy with their service.

I am quite happy with Verizon. It works great here, works great at the family compound in Colorado (which is a feat) and works at all the airports in between.

All of my friends and family are on Verizon so I talk to everyone for free, all the time.

The only place it hasn't worked the past year that I've been is the Bahamas, and not much works there anyway.

[taxwonk]

Originally Posted by bold_n_brazen

I am quite happy with Verizon. It works great here, works great at the family compound in Colorado (which is a feat) and works at all the airports in between.

All of my friends and family are on Verizon so I talk to everyone for free, all the time.

The only place it hasn't worked the past year that I've been is the Bahamas, and not much works there anyway.

Then from what I saw, it's pretty cool. If AT&T offered it, I'd buy one.

[Gattigap]

Originally Posted by bold_n_brazen

I really want a Blackberry Storm. It's not logical... completely visceral. Me. Want. One.

Anybody have any input/feedback/thoughts?

Be sure to give it a test run at the Verizon store before you buy. I have not yet seen one, but others have told me that while it looks cool, the software seems to have real problems - it gets hung up, takes forever for functions to execute, etc. This is purely anecdotal and second hand, of course, so YMMV.

[bold_n_brazen]

Originally Posted by Gattigap

Be sure to give it a test run at the Verizon store before you buy. I have not yet seen one, but others have told me that while it looks cool, the software seems to have real problems - it gets hung up, takes forever for functions to execute, etc. This is purely anecdotal and second hand, of course, so YMMV.

My boss ordered one since they were all sold out in the stores on Friday. I think I'll see what he thinks of it before I buy one myself.

[Penske_Account]

Originally Posted by Oliver_Wendell_Ramone

Anybody know anything about pianos? And more specifically, buying one? My musical knowledge is limited to being a snobby rawk fan and wannabe critic. No skills with the real deal. But 8-year-old daughter has been in lessons for going on a year, doing well, liking it quite a bit, and outgrowing the non-full-size digital keyboard we borrowed.

Anyone?

Apropos of none of this, other than I will use my blackberry storm to make calls related to the subject matter, looks like I finally got sucked in to HtoC for the '09. I may need to email u for advice.

Currently, most specifically, van rental-do you have knowledge?

eta: this may have been more appropriate for the pm, but I was here and wanted to note the use of the storm thing.

[Oliver_Wendell_Ramone]

Originally Posted by Penske_Account

Apropos of none of this, other than I will use my blackberry storm to make calls related to the subject matter, looks like I finally got sucked in to HtoC for the '09. I may need to email u for advice.

Currently, most specifically, van rental-do you have knowledge?

eta: this may have been more appropriate for the pm, but I was here and wanted to note the use of the storm thing.

I've been lucky enough to escape van responsibilities, but from what I hear, you should be reserving them now. My team was too lazy to get an application in this year; the Mrs. may be running on a womens' team, though.

Being in van 1 gives you a substantial head start on post-race drinking. Something to think about.

[Penske_Account]

Originally Posted by Oliver_Wendell_Ramone

I've been lucky enough to escape van responsibilities, but from what I hear, you should be reserving them now. My team was too lazy to get an application in this year; the Mrs. may be running on a womens' team, though.

Being in van 1 gives you a substantial head start on post-race drinking. Something to think about.

Yes, I hear Portland is sold out of vans. I am the sole PacNW person in the mix and have been hit up to get vans in Seattle. although I am considering spending the week before the race on the coast and thinking maybe I can get vans in Cannon Beach or Seaside or some such place.

And yes, again, from my past experiences in similar races in NorCal and NE, earlier finished and earlier to hitting the bottle is preferential to doing the last leg, notwithstanding the fanfare (which last leg I have done 2x).

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally Posted by Penske_Account

Yes, I hear Portland is sold out of vans. I am the sole PacNW person in the mix and have been hit up to get vans in Seattle. although I am considering spending the week before the race on the coast and thinking maybe I can get vans in Cannon Beach or Seaside or some such place.

And yes, again, from my past experiences in similar races in NorCal and NE, earlier finished and earlier to hitting the bottle is preferential to doing the last leg, notwithstanding the fanfare (which last leg I have done 2x).

Whatever. Was the chick with the sex contract retarded or just borderline retarded? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Penske_Account]

Originally Posted by Atticus Grinch

Whatever. Was the chick with the sex contract retarded or just borderline retarded? Inquiring minds want to know.

which one?

[Icky Thump]

http://www.informationweek.com/news/...it_mostpop#mon

Steve Jobs must be LHAO

[Atticus Grinch]

Notwithstanding the BlackBerry's most famous fan, this new software demonstrates why it is doomed.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

For when RT goes to VOIP:



http://www.everythingusb.com/star-tr...tor-16046.html