Category Archives: Uncategorized

Aug 16 0 comments
electronic gadgets, free stuff, it just works, Uncategorized

Google Voice

Google purchased a company many years ago called Grand Central, an aptly named company that gives you a new phone number, performs a few tricks and goes a long way to making your choice of phone company irrelevant.

Not available in Canada (yet) and available in an invitation only mode in the US, Google Voice has made your phone service (be it landline or wireless) a commodity.
4232368305-voice_logo_smMost people who have a phone also have a computer. So why is it that the only integration that exists between your phone and your computer is the fact you can get an email with your monthly bill along with some online account maintenance?

Where’s my Rogers or AT&T voice mail delivered to my email box? It’s 2009 folks!

Why can’t I send an SMS from my computer as if it came from my phone? (I sure can type a LOT faster on my computer than my phone.)

Why can’t I auto-magically send certain callers to voice mail, or certain callers to ring my phone at home?

Google Voice does all of that. For free (for now).

It seamlessly integrates your voice mail, your SMS ‘life’, your address book, the multiple phone lines in your life between your computer and your phone and makes the actual phone companies you use nothing more than a carrier of bits.

The sad part is that the the big wireless customers had the ability to implement many similar services but failed to take advantage of the opportunity.

The cat’s out of the bag. Google Voice — it just works.

Jul 12 0 comments
Uncategorized

Canada – It Just Works

My country was founded on a principal of “Peace, Order, and Good Government.” Seeing my country celebrate it’s birthday a few weeks ago reminded me of an article from the Toronto Star during last year’s federal election. canada_flag

Stephen Harper, then Prime Minister, but in the middle of an election run, attended his high school reunion and gave a poignant speech. It contained a point that we often forget.

As Canadians we may bitch and moan about a lot of things, but we are well reminded that we have for the most part of a government system that works. It’s not perfect, but “It Just Works.”

Politicians in this country, at municipal, provincial and federal are not in it for graft; we’ve managed to ensure that is almost impossible to achieve. We are blessed with individuals from an extremely wide range of backgrounds, races, languages and ages who want to serve their fellow resident. Being a politician is not a slimy occupation, it is now approaching the status of a significant social commitment.

The results of their efforts is a government system that governs reasonably well. People may complain, but have a look in the local newspapers of cities around the world. A handful of countries like Finland or Germany could validly complain less.

We also have an economic system that also works. Canada is continually ranked in the top list of countries in which to do business, earn a dollar and then keep it.

In times of significant economic (and now poltical) uphevals around the world, Canadians can be proud of so many things that just work.

  • Our health care system, often maligned, is the envy of most of the world. We keep more people healthy for *half* the per-capital cost of even the US.
  • Our tax system, often characterized as “high-tax” does truly collect quite a bit of tax, but does so rather efficiently and fairly. Have a look at the US’ IRS if you need comfort.
  • Our education system, manages to educate all comers to a high standard and low cost. Your child’s education is NOT dependent on the local taxes raised, as it is in the US.
  • Our banking system, was universally critiqued as being deadly dull and conservative. The entire world now looks at our system with envy. In the banking world, conservative is where it needs to be.
  • Our security is unquestioned. We have the longest undefended borders in the world and our cities are incredibly safe.

More than anyone in the world I have confidence that my children will be healthy, safe, educated and what they chose to earn will be as financial secure as they wish it to be. This all stems from a system that just works and lives true to the principal of “Peace, Order and Good Government.”

Oh Canada!