Virtual Police

 
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You don’t need to spend too much time reading the papers to know that it’s getting harder for organizations to hire good people. Baby boomers are retiring, and there just aren’t enough Canadians willing to fill the jobs. It’s especially tough for the public sector. Nurses, politicians, civil servants, er — public radio hosts — not exactly glamorous jobs. Which is why one public organization in this country is taking a rather unique approach to recruiting folks from the digital generation. The CBC’s technology columnist Tod Maffin explains.

For some reason, this file seems to be 10% slower. I have no idea why. Some weird-ass MP3 conversion problem I guess. <sigh> Why can’t this stuff be easy?

Posted June 20, 2007 Comments

Shaw Digital Phone — I’m impressed

A lot of time I gripe about companies and bad customer service, so I do try to give kudos when it’s appropriate.

I got Shaw’s digital phone installed yesterday, and I’m impressed. Took four days to get a technician appointment (not bad) and he enabled all the outlets in my place. Unlike VoIP programs, you don’t see the digital box — it’s hidden away. You literally just plug any phone into any normal telephone outlet.

The only things you can’t do with the Shaw digital phone service is receive collect calls or place 1-900 calls. Quality is fine, just like a traditional landline. They have two packages:$29 for the basic service which includes a few phone features, or the $55 package which is pretty much the works (voicemail, call display, three-way calling, call waiting, etc.) and unlimited free long distance anywhere in North America plus 1,000 minutes per month of international long-distance calling to 50 countries in the U.K., Europe, Asia Pacific and South America. And free 411 service.

Posted June 9, 2007 Comments

Learning and Technology

 
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It may have been a long time since you’ve been in a classroom. And it may not surprise you to know things have become more high tech. But how are today’s students of the video game generation forcing their schools to keep up? The CBC’s technology columnist Tod Maffin explains.

Links: BCIT and nGrain.

Posted June 6, 2007 Comments