Protester seen with gun outside Obama town hall

Looks like Obama's health care plan is causing quite a bit of buzz.

http://current.com/items/90661781_protester-seen-with-gun-outside-obama-town-hall.htm

http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/08/11/protester-seen-with-gun-outside-obama-town-hall/

Enjoy.

Telus to consider GSM

I have been a Telus user for quite a few years and when I heard the news that they were considering GSM as their new network technology I was struck with excitement.

Telus is currently using CDMA / 1x for the wireless network. But if they make the move to GSM then they would be a serious rival to Rogers Wireless. So serious that even the rumor of Telus moving to GSM sent Rogers stock down a few points.

By moving to GSM they would be able to position themselves for future partnerships with other cellphone providers and form agreements to allow their users to roam freely around the world without concern of coverage.

It also means that they would be able to provide a larger variety of cell phones to their users.

The only disadvantage of moving to this new wireless network technology would be the change of cell phone towers.

Which in my opinion is a small price to pay for all the greater advantages that GSM would bring.

Reference:

Telus considers dumping its `Betamax' of wireless networks

AT&T to start monitoring user activity

It always comes as a surprised when companies start monitoring user activity. I'm pretty sure companies such as AT&T already record everything you do that day but then dump the records.

It's only a matter of time before all telephone, cellphone and Internet providers track everything we do everyday. All for the purpose of security. But the real question is who is really tracking you and why?

No matter, no matter, we'll all go about our lives like nothing happens anyway right?

AT&T Wants to be Your Big Brother

Blu-ray is winning the battle

When I was on holidays a couple weeks ago I was curious to see if Blu-ray or HD-DVD would make any head way to become the new high-definition DVD format. To my surprise there was not progress what so ever until last week.

Warner Bros. Entertainment announced on January 4th, 2008 that it "will release its high-definition DVD titles exclusively in the Blu-ray disc format beginning later this year" which came as a bit of a shock to Toshiba.

According to Digital Journal other company such as Universal, Paramount, HBO and the adult film business are planning to exclusively support Blu-ray.

It also looks like Sony is evening winning over Microsoft. Reuters reports that Microsoft "could consider Blu-ray support if consumers want it."

Personally I think Blu-ray has enough backing to be consider the new high-definition DVD format standard. It will be interesting to see which companies make the change to exclusively support Blu-ray.

Here are a couple articles that may give you some insight on the high-definition DVD format fight.

With Warner in its corner, Sony has Toshiba on ropes
- The Globe and Mail

Universal, Paramount, New Line & HBO to Drop HD DVD, Porn Biz Also Pulling Out?
- The Digital Journal

Microsoft's Xbox could consider Blu-ray support
- Reuters

Warner Bros. picks Blu-ray over HD-DVD
- Yahoo! News

'Tis the season

To be merry and bright.

I'm feel much better. I've been fighting off this cold for a week and three days. I just have this nasty cough that doesn't want to go away.

I am very happy that this cold hasn't affected my x-mas spirit too much. Today CakeBaker and I sent out our Christmas cards and that raised my Christmas spirit ten fold. But I'm really happy about the fact I have a full week off for Christmas.

Anyway,

I hope the holidays are treating you well.

Cheers.

Activision and Blizzard are merging!

Vivendi announced on Sunday that it will merge Activision and Blizzard to for "Activision Blizzard." The estimated value of this merger is $18.8 billion.

The Globe and Nail and BBC news have more details on the deal.

TTC is getting a technology boost

The Globe and Mail has a couple articles talking about the new technologies and vehicles the TTC is going to get.

It would the TTC starting to get the pictures. Customers need their information faster so they can change their routes in the event that something goes wrong or customers can plan there morning better if they know the transport vehicles are running on time.

I think one of the biggest improvements for customers service would be providing cellphone services on subway cars and platforms. Which they are apparently looking into.

Well see what unfolds in the next couple years.

The TTC needs improvement

At least 5 days a week I use the TTC to travel around Toronto. Since I live in the east end of the city I have to take at least two, if not three, different methods of public transportation get to my destination.

The travel time to get downtown (Yonge & Queen) from my neighborhood (Victoria Park & Eglinton) takes approximately 45 minutes. Which in my opinion is too long. I say this because if I drive to the same destination in my car it takes 25 to 30 minutes.

I feel that the TTC can improve their system by increasing route frequency, building more subway lines and increasing the size of their vehicles to accommodate more passengers. That last option may not be viable but maybe it's time to consider other vehicles that can accomplish this task.

Don't get me wrong. The TTC is a much better public transport system in comparison to the public transport systems in the GTA (i.e. Oakville or Burlington).

But for a city that is as large and encompassing as Toronto the public transport system requires great improvement. Especially considering the single, daily, weekly, and monthly fare prices.

That being said the TTC will raise the fare prices on tokens, tickets, weekly and monthly passes. This increase takes effect on Nov 4th, 2007.

I hope that this increase will be recycled into the system to help improve it.

We can only hope.

Web 2.0 and Business.

Some of you my be into the hype of Web 2.0 and some of you may not. Personally I believe that as long as technology helps to enhance our lives the hype surrounding said technology doesn't really matter.

Take a look at the business point of view and how Web 2.0 will enhance business.


Perspective: Web 2.0 and the CEO.

But there's always a flip side so check out this article.

Attacking Web 2.0 at LinuxWorld.

Peter Moore goes to Electronic Arts

It was a bit of a shocker to hear that Peter Moore left Microsoft and went to Electronic Arts. I guess Peter Moore was unhappy at Microsoft and wanted to expand his vision. The work that he did for the XBOX 360 was great. I wonder what this means for the future generations of the XBOX console.

Check out CNET for more information about Peter Moore leaving Microsoft.

Canada Day Long Weekend.

The Canada day long weekend start tonight!

I can't believe that July almost already here and I still have so much to accomplish this year. There is never enough time to get everything done. Or at least that's the way it seems.

This weekend be sure to take care when you're driving. CTV.ca has already start about up the OPP will be watching the roads and the lakes very closely this weekend.

The most travelling I plan on doing this weekend is out to Bowmanville Ontario to visit with my family.

I hope you all enjoy a great, relaxing and safe Canada Day long weekend.

TTC Light Rail Vehicles Survey

If you have a couple minutes please go here www.mynewstreetcar.ca and fill out the survey. Tell the TTC what you would like to see on the future Light Rail Vehicles.

Anyone that uses the TTC everyday will definitely have a opinion about what the would like to see changed or what improvements should be made.

Young flyers get a temporary ID reprieve

I can't make up my mind on this piece of news. A part of me feels that Transport Canada is doing a good thing by making all the passengers carry identification but another part of me feels that this maybe going to far. Are the children that much of a threat on an airplane?

You can review the article about the temporary ID reprieve here.