As the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NY) rolls out wireless service at six subway stations, the debate begins. Is the ability to text, talk, tweet, and surf underground a sign of progress or the end of civilization? The New York Times likens it to a “vast social experiment.” Michael M. Grynbaum writes: The contemplative commute couldRead… Read more »
PATCO, which provides rail service between Philadelphia (PA) and South New Jersey, is testing a contactless credit card that customers can use for fare payments and other purchases. To participate in the program, commuters can get a Wave and Pay Anywhere Visa card from PATCO and add value at a designated kiosk. For the firstRead… Read more »
Looking like bus rapid transit vehicle on steroids, the German AutoTram is described as a fully electric, zero-emission light-train on wheels. Said to be as long as a streetcar but as maneuverable as a bus, a new propulsion system sets the vehicle apart. Instead of running on a single charge, Fast Company writes, the prototypeRead… Read more »
There hasn’t been a ton of press about the Open Government Partnership (OGP). This is hardly surprising. The press likes to talk about corruption and bad government, people getting together to talk about actually address these things in far less sexy. But even where good coverage exists analysts and journalists are, I think, misunderstanding theRead… Read more »
When Facebook rolled out its tweaks to its news feed last week, I was first struck by the new larger size of images. I thought “this looks like Tumblr.” I’ll write more on Tumblr later, but the point here is that Facebook appears to have learned something Tumblr has known for a while: people likeRead… Read more »
First off, yes, I have a virtual assistant. Maybe you’ll ask me “What the heck do I need a virtual assistant for?” Well, I need one because I want one. It’s convenience. I only have so much time in the world. It’s like when a small business hires its first employee — its Sterling, Inc.Read… Read more »
I post to this blog a couple of times a week. I just throw whatever I have on my mind out there, and people, a few thousand a month, come by and read it, mostly without commenting. Occasionally I wonder who these people are, and whether I’m affecting them at all. Mostly I have noRead… Read more »
I herby declare, “arguments not aphorisms” to be my new aphorism (not argument). Tom Coates Original post
Higher premiums, fewer options await FEHBP enrollees Health care premiums under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program will increase an average of 3.8 percent in January – a significant hike for federal employees and retirees who are enduring frozen wages and cost-of-living adjustments, American Federation of Government Employees National President John Gage said today. ThisRead… Read more »
I feel like I’m watching the biggest game of skittles. My favourite guilty pleasure is a carrot cake cupcake from a place called Huntleys which is a local farm shop which also supplies us with potatoes familiar with soil and bread familiar with real hands. Not as rare up here as some people might likeRead… Read more »