Nath's assorted ramblings

Channel 9, a bunch of hypocrits!

2006-12-03T18:56:00.000+11:00

First, sorry for the posting delay. Fee has been spamming me so I'll try and start posting again. Hopefuly some of them will even be interesting! This first one however, is another gripe...

Channel 9 were seriously lobbying to keep lots of sport of free-to-air tv. Sounds quite good. Keeps it accesible. The trouble though is quite simple. They have ONE channel (until we drag our sorry behinds out of the dark ages and use the ability of digital TV to deliver multiple screening over the one channel like in the UK it will remain that way). One channel. And ratings and advertising dollars to worry about (this is understandable given it's what keeps them going, but...)

This afternoon, when the cricket hadn't finished, they pulled the plug to go the news. This is a history-shaping test series, one which they fought to keep, and then they won't show it when it's exciting because of other programs. It lacks commitment to the rhetoric they spout about getting every sport under the sun protected so we can all see it. When what they really mean is get every spot under the sun on the list, so they can show whatever bits suit them, when it suits them, simply to make more revenue...

There are two simple solutions to this:

1. Given more and more people are getting digital set top boxes (and they are cheap now - under $100) have a 'press red now' option to keep watching direct telecast of the sport while the news begins on time. The same could be used for Australian Idol and all those other live shows they let run over. Then people actually get choice. And while it will cost a little, it's a lot cheaper than Foxtel.

2. The government should enforce the shows the free channels nomintate to be shown in their entireity, or lose them to Foxtel. Less people can view it, but at least it means if the free-to-air channels pick it up we can have confidence that they will show it!

It's a crazy system where the moment a channel nominates a sporting event they can do things like half hour highlight packages, or not even show it at all, and yet because they picked it up it can't be shown by Foxtel.

First shot for free-to-air tv is one thing, but first shot that also blocks others without the channel having any real intention of showing things properly is just another form of monopoly, only this one is hidden under a banner of 'fair use' to supposedly protect those who can't affod pay TV, but instead is abused simply to maximise profit, and minimise opportunities of other stations to broadcast.

The technology available to us gives us choice, but the major corporations in this country are not interested in leveraging these technologies until they have no choice. It's unbelievable. There are MANY ways we are kept in a technological back-water in this country, and the issue is about corporate control, not necessarily cost. Just like my last post talks about (interesting that since then the Telstra MD has come out and said that Australian broadband is essentially a disgrace...).

Stand up Australia - demand more from those corporations that are more than happy to take your money. Make them realise that we want innovation and a better return on our investments.

In March next year, there will be government reforms on this issue. You can help decide HOW those reforms go. Go to www.fairgosport.com to find out how, read about the issue, and contact your local MP.

Telstra sucks!

2006-10-30T12:56:00.000+11:00

I want to add my voice to the growing chorus of Australians who realise that the big giant Telco in the Sky (Telstra) really does suck, have really been the cause of Australia's useless position in the world telecommunication market place and are extraordinarily guilty of putting NOTHING in front of their own profit and monopoly for too long. And it is all of us that pay the price of that selfishness.

Let me give you my example. I have an ADSL account with a service provider (not Telstra - they are simply a rip-off - and that is easy to prove). Of course, while I am not with them, I still need to use my normal phone copper wiring sent to my home which was done by Telstra. I want ADSL 2+. I want faster internet, pure and simple. Most of the western world has great access to fast internet (this is not a hollow claim, do some research online). We don't.

I rang an ISP who offers ADSL 2+ in my area. The guy on the phone did some checking of my phone number against the Telstra database. That database said that it is unlikely that I can get ADSL 2+. The reason is simple - ADSL 2+ degrades over distance of cable. I'm borderline. I could take the gamble, but it costs money to switch ISP, and the likelihood is once the tests are completed they find I can still only have ADSL 1.

Of course, Telstra won't DO the tests until the switch is made... so it's a gamble I'm not going to take.

So, what's the problem. What's my alternative? Simple. There is no alternative that makes any sense cost-wise. And the future? Still nothing. Why? Because I was told by an ex-Telstra employee that they laid rubbish cable right into the 90's, knowing full well they should be laying data quality cable, but weren't. This is second hand info, so I cannot confirm it, but it certainly lines up with what I can see in my situation.

So I'm stuck. While in Korea I could have easy access to super fast internet at a cheap rate, I'm not. I'm in Australia. Where we have had a monopoly telco provider run by the government until recently that is so backwards in technological terms that getting out of that ditch of short-sightedness may literally take decades!

Couple that with the fact that all their services are over priced compared to the competition and the 'value add' they provide is worthless in most cases, and the situation stinks.

I can tell you one thing. I won't be buying Telstra shares. Not ever. I can't support a company that short sighted that is that disinterested in innovation and helping take forward this country of ours into the technological age.

It's a similar situation to Channel 9 suing ICE TV rather than supporting and embracing new technologies. Short sighted slow moving behemoths that hold all the money and like to throw around legal threats instead of supporting emerging technologies that could secure their business TRULY frustrate me - and they should frustrate you too! Why? Because it effects us all in the long run. Instead of being in the forefront, they lag behind because they don't see what is coming, then they use their position to stifle competition and threaten legal action at every turn because they have the funds to do so. It stinks! It really stinks! Vote with your feet people. Stay away from companies that are more interested in monopoly and law suits than innovation and advancement.

Thanks Telstra. Your disinterest in the country that supports your business, and your lack of care for us is inspiring! Inspiring us to stay away from your company in droves. Here's to hoping more and more people stay away until the big blind juggernaut finally catches on!

End of rant.

Speaking of racial profiling...

2006-10-27T08:34:00.000+10:00

Check this article in The Age today by author Peter Roebuck. Talking about a paranoid world and racial profiling! Talking about no opportunity for someone to be judged on their own merit!

Read it HERE.

Racial profiling...

2006-10-20T13:54:00.000+10:00

I'm posting this without much thought. This may prove dangerous. I may add to it. I may delete it. Who knows...

I'm in a course all week learning about more computer stuff. At times I have to wait for things to happen so I did some surfing and was reading about a bloke in the NFL who was recently shot by an off-duty police officer, and is not doing too well at them moment (might be the three bullets they dug out of him).

Anyway, the claim from the police is the bloke was driving erraticaly, and to cut a long story short he was then followed, and in an exchange that followed was shot. The claim on the other side of the fence is he was targeted because he was black and had a great car - in other words, he could be a drug dealer or something bad at that's the only reason he was followed in the first place. In short, racial profiling. I make no comment on who I support in that specific story - I have no idea what went down and they accounts are so opposed it would be stupid to pick a side.

Now, I'm white, I'm 32, I live in Australia. I'm about the least likely to be racially profiled of just about any group. Therefore, I'm not sure I've ever really experienced it. Yet I want to say something on it anyway.

I HATE racial profiling.

It's everything a Christian should avoid. It cares nothing for who an individual is, and cares everything for a pre-conceived judgement. When I was in New York, Sharon and I dropped in to a factory outlet store near ground zero, where they had VERY expensive items at slightly less expensive prices. You know, $2,000 leather jackets for $1,700. That kind of thing. On the way out a white woman walked past the security guards with a store bag. They looked straight at her, looked at her bag and just let her through. Right behind her was a black 30-something guy. He also had the same bag. You can guess what happened to him. He's black. How could he afford a $2,000 jacket? That type of crap. I was appalled. It made me so angry (and believe me, the guy in question wasn't too happy either...)

So, you may be reading this, may even be getting a little frustrated yourself. Let me leave you with this question. Ever been on a train/bus/tram and a muslim man and woman in full muslim dress got on? Did you get uncomfortable? Even just for a moment? (I am ashamed to say I've caught myself doing that - but it taught me alot)

I hope you get what I'm getting at here. It's easy to be appalled by things like that story I gave about the black guy in New York (at least, I HOPE it is). But often we aren't immune to the prejudices that are relevant to issues in our own society - it gets into us through everything... Propaganda and prejudices are very easy to use to alter peoples' perceptions if we aren't careful. And at it's worst, there are a number of horrible examples in history about what that can lead nations to. Food for thought isn't it?

I guess that's what being "in the world but not of it" is all about.

This NEEDS to be banned!

2006-10-17T21:59:00.000+10:00

I need to start this post with a comment. I'm not perfect. I'm not the world's greatest singer. And our job shouldn't be to judge others...

But...

I also think this. If you vigorously pursue a career in the public eye, in show business, if you bring out singles and albums, if you try to sell a product, then I think you need to prove you are WORTH buying.

We all know about maufactured pop bands. We all hear about how in post-production the engineers work their wizardry and make things sound better than they were. I figured there would be the odd note that was a little out, they'd fix the pitch, and voila!

I didn't think they could do this though... And I didn't think someone THIS bad should be allowed to sell a record at all. Really. Even if they do have really big...

Anyway, you HAVE to listen to these two mp3's. The first is the 'fixed' version - it's just two short extracts I made to give you an idea what a sound engineer can REALLY do. The second is the original recording. It's basically the complete song because you just HAVE to listen all the way through. PLEASE listen right to the end. (Original versions I got were via YouTube - this is just an mp3 recording - go to YouTube and watch it if you like - it's got video too!!!)

One thing it shows is Peter Andre is actually not that bad live. But his wife, Jordan... Well, I won't spoil it, just listen...

Fixed

Original

Bronze... like a primary school medal...

2006-10-10T16:26:00.000+10:00

I got given a framed recognition award at work today. It's called the Bronze Recognition Award, and it says it's in recognition of the fact that I led a project team on a project that brought in over $750K in revenue.

It's kinda nice I guess. We all like recognition. But it also reminded me of those little medals and certificates and thing you got in primary school for swimming in a race. I used to swim in races... If you could call them swimming. It's more like floating and trying to propel myself forwards. Now, before you get the kind of mental image of a beached whale that I reckon you already have let me say a few things. One, I'm talking about primary school, and two, I wasn't overweight back then. That didn't happen until I was about 23 or so. It wasn't a weight thing - I just didn't go forward too well. I could float for hours, and was great in the surf, but put me in a pool and I swam like crazy... and got nowhere. Kinda like Eric the Eel at the olympics... Never could work that one out...

Anyway, I digress... The point of the story is this - I still used to get a piece of paper saying well done. I just can't work out if this thing I got at work is like that or not. I don't want this to sound ungrateful, it really IS nice that the work was noticed and appreciated... I just kind of half expect it to say

This award is presented to NATHAN YOUNG in recognition of trying hard to move forward in the pool and coming second last in the 25m Freestyle.

(It's true. I never came last. There was always at least one kid who couldn't reach the other side and nearly drowned in the process. He made me look good. Thanks kid... If you are still alive and haven't drowned yet...)

Looking back at this post I have no idea why I wrote it now, or what I was on about, but it's better than the crap I've been serving up lately (sorry about that - serious lack of focus!!!)

AKER AKER AKER!!!

2006-10-09T12:19:00.000+10:00

It's done. It's official already! Aker is a Doggie! AND we didn't have to give up Sam Power for him, which I'm pleased about. Aker is a champion, he'll fit in well at the Dogs, ad I think a change in scenery will do him well. Let's hope it does him as well as it did Barry Hall...

PS. Sorry about my photo editing... It was a quick job OK???

Getting better

2006-10-09T12:18:00.000+10:00

Richard 'Hampster' Hammond is recovering well. See my post below for the accident details, but this is great news. To a true legend we all say get well soon! And hope to see you back on Top Gear in the future!

Oh no take ii

2006-09-21T11:16:00.000+10:00

Breakings news is that Richard Hammond is critically injured trying to break the land speed record while filming for Top Gear. (If you have no idea what that show is you are missing out on one of THE most entertaining shows on TV. It might be about cars, but to give you an idea just how entertaining it is, Sharon LOVES it... and so do most other girls that watch it. It's that good) You may also know him as the Brainiac presenter.

Here's to hoping the 'Hampster' as he is affectionately known pulls through this ok.

Oh, and my feet are ok...

oh no!

2006-09-19T22:13:00.000+10:00

In the UK I used to run a bit, especially towards the end of my time there. Once, not long before leaving while we were living with the Thomas family I ran further than usual. A fair bit further. That afternoon my feet started to hurt. The next day I woke up and the outside edge of both my feet were black - top and bottom. And walking literally felt like I was stepping on needles. It was so bad I really didnt walk for nearly a week and they actualy were bruised for a whole month!!!

Tonight I went for a run in the rain and the darkness (the best time to run)... Longer than I have been going by a fair margin... I forgot the feet thing... I got out of the bath just now and my right foot is killing me...

Uh oh...

Beer ads are always the best!

2006-09-17T23:00:00.000+10:00

Lots of companies spend a lot of money on ads. So why are beer ads always the best?

Another classic, this one a flashdance rip-off can be viewed here.

Great job Big Ben!

2006-09-08T10:56:00.000+10:00

This will be reported elsewhere in the Aussie media I'm sure, but just wanted to give props to Ben Graham for making it as one of the NY Jets co-captains for this years American NFL season. This is nothing short of extraordinary! Why? Here's the reasons:

He is only in his second season in the sport
He was the oldest rookie in NFL history (age 31)
It was voted for by the players, not appointed by the coach or match committee
He is possibly the first Aussie to captain an American pro sport team (unconfirmed)
He is most probably the first player in modern professional sport to captain teams in two different sports and is surely the first to have done so on two continents (again, unconfirmed, but quite likely).

This is such an outstanding achievement for a bloke who took a big risk. Good luck with it big fella!

That HAS to be fun!

2006-09-06T08:07:00.000+10:00

If you haven't read Brad's latest post yet, go read it here. That HAS to be one of the best ideas I've ever heard of!

Turns out I like trees...

2006-09-05T15:32:00.000+10:00

So, Sharon and I were talking yesterday, and it turns out owning a home has turned us into people that like trees... I can't explain it much really. It's not that I didn't like nature before - I loved it actually. But I never really noticed Spring in action before... All of a sudden I notice trees that are budding with new Spring growth. I notice flowers and things like I haven't before. I appreciate trees in a way I never did before.

I could always stand on a mountain and marvel at Gods' awesome handiwork, but this is different. Now I can just look at a tree and I get it. I can marvel at the work of the Almighty and pretty damn funky God just by watching a tree in my yard that was last week totally bare all of a sudden spring to life with green everywhere. It knows just when to do it.

I can't see how there couldn't be 'intelligent design' when I see this. My sight is different now. Seriously.

How odd do I feel right now...

*mumbles something about turning into a tree-hugging hippy*

Farewell, mate!

2006-09-04T14:47:00.000+10:00

About 2 hours ago Steve Irwin was killed filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef. Early reports indicate he was stung by a stingray.

Farewell mate. A larger-than-life, over-the-top, fight for all he believes in type of guy that all Australia should be truly proud of for the amount he has achieved for wildlife education and conservation not only in this country but internationally.

You'll be sorely missed by us all.

World Champions

2006-09-02T22:21:00.000+10:00

Here's a thought...

Now that the U.S. basketball team have once again managed to not make it to the Gold Medal game at a major world championship, let alone win the gold medal, would it be too much to hope that they stop calling their club team that wins the NBA title World Champions finally?

Yeh... it'd be too much to ask. Nothing like blind arrogance...

Oh, and I was once told that the World Series in baseball is called that because of some paper or something called The World that was a sponsor or some similar story, so it was literally the 'World' Series. So in baseball I was going to forgive them... Then I started to read up on it, and I think that information was wrong. It seems the history of baseball in the U.S. is just as misguided. And the U.S. last won the actual world championship in baseball in 1974...

I know it seems like I'm yank bashing. I only write this blog because I'm watching the basketball worlds on TV as I write this. And besides, if you make big claims you need to back them up, or you leave yourself open. And I know, I know - one is a country event, the other is a club event. But still, the term World when you don't play other nations' teams is still crazy. The AFL premiers would have a better claim to World Champions as they really WOULDN'T be beaten in that sport, but it just would seem wrong...

What's so bad about 'National Champions'???

Meet Davo!

2006-08-29T15:22:00.000+10:00

Ahhh... it's good to be back!

I know - I've been gone a long time. Maybe even it'll be a while until you check to see if I've posted seeing as I've been away so long... I understand. Sorry about that. I was finishing off working with the last client I had, then I had two weeks off including going to Adelaide, then I was in Sydney on a conference for a week. But enough of me. I DO have a purpose today.

You see, I figured I would blog about something specific.

Brad had Pierre, then he bought Sebastien. He even spelt it like a French tosser - accent, e instead of a *sigh*... (Sorry Brad, but it's true!)

So, it's time for the world to meet Davo (for you non-Aussies out there, pronounce it Dave-oh). Now, the car in the picture is a repoduction of Davo, but Davo is identical. Think of them as identical twins if you will. It's just that I don't pick up Davo probably until Monday next week... Stupid paperwork...

It's time we supported Australian engineering and put something back into the local economy. Yep, no French pretentiousness here, just pure Aussie grunt.

Nice to have you home, Davo - you and your 18" rims. Maybe we should take a spin one day and see if little Seb can keep up...

*mumbles* little French poodle *mumbles*

Quick 2 minutes to check this out.

2006-07-20T14:27:00.000+10:00

Check this out

It'll make you laugh or cry... the dumbest internet business ideas that actually worked. It's good because it shows you anyone can make a million dollars - it's bad because it wasn't you who thought of those goggles for dogs...

Sad, yet strangely funny...

2006-07-14T13:53:00.000+10:00

In The Age today - what are the chances???:

"A police dog left in a truck with the engine running apparently knocked the vehicle into gear and ran down a woman who was walking to her mailbox.

Mary Stone, 41, of Utah in the United States, was expected to remain in hospital with a fractured pelvis and tailbone until at least tomorrow, said her husband, Paul.

The dog, a German shepherd named Ranger, had been left in the truck while its handler responded to a domestic disturbance call, police Lt. Loring Draper said. The truck's engine was on, so Ranger could have air conditioning."

Latte and 3 sugars man...

2006-07-11T15:21:00.000+10:00

Well, I hadn't seen him out in the street since I last posted on him in my blog entry 'What good a cup of coffee???'

And then yesterday, needing a walk to clear my head, I started wandering down Collins St and it started to rain. Picking up the pace to get back to the office, there he was - squatting in the same spot as last time. Only this time he was barely out of the rain. Remembering he liked a latte with three sugars, I went over to the cafe and bought him one. When I went up to him and gave it to him, he was just the happiest bloke on the earth for that moment.

Whether it was that I remembered what he liked, or simply that I was there, it worked. It helped. It was the right thing.

Anyway, his name is Leslie. He stays with the Salvos when he can afford it (they are cheap, but he still is expected to pay something) so comes out and begs when he needs more money to stay in-doors. He's a good bloke. I gave him some cash - I hope he got back inside - it was darn cold last night.

Kinda puts things in perspective doesn't it... And he seemed pretty darn normal. I wonder what his story is...

Miss World and charity

2006-07-06T14:35:00.000+10:00

OK. So get this. Apparently Australia's contestant for the Miss World beauty pageant got the nod without competing! Shock horror! Turns out that the finals in Poland were brought forward, and there was 'no time' to arrange the state competitions without potentially handicapping the girl as she wouldn't be prepared enough. So they gave the job to Australia's runner up from last year.

One of the other potential contestants was quoted in The Age as saying this:

"I am disappointed they cancelled it. It is unfair. I was starting to organise fund-raising for World Vision. I had picked my charity. It is not exactly her fault but she didn't have any competition for this year and there may have been a better person to do the job."

I have one thing to say. Dear Miss disappointed, I hope that this great charity work you started to get organised you will continue with even though you aren't in the competition this year. Why? Well, it struck me as kind of stupid. It reads like she is saying it's not fair because she put in some hard work to do things for a charity, and now there is no point going through with it - as though the only reason to do it is because she might be Australia's contestant. Makes a mockery of it really...

*sigh*

Or am I being too harsh? Is charity from someone who has an alterior motive better than no charity? Take the whole gambling thing. The Salvation Army won't knowingly accept money from TAB and the like because of how the money is gained.

Interested on random thoughts from anybody reading this...

They did it...

2006-07-05T09:36:00.000+10:00

The Azzurri did it. They are through to the World Cup final. Not sure whether to be happy about that (because at least we lost to a finalist) or to be even more annoyed (because I believe we would have done as well against the Ukraine as they did, and therefore would have at least gone through to the last 4 ourselves...).

Well, good luck to them anyway. They did deserve this win - they played better. But MAN do they leave it late. Two goals in the 119th and 120th minutes! I'd be happy with either France or Portugal getting through to play them so we shall see what happens after tonight!

The money thing...

2006-07-04T08:38:00.000+10:00

Was reading a blog on The Age website this morning. It was reporting on some new research done by some very prominent academics, including a Nobel Laureate on whether there was any correlation between more money and happiness.

I almost can't believe people bother with these studies. Don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming the researchers. It's very valuable research. The trouble is that nobody takes any notice. We eat up the latest fad without regard for the realities of life...

Yep, the research found what we all know already. Money really doesn't make people happier. The correlation between more money and greater hapiness was extremely marginal, and often meant people sacrificed more of their day commuting, and less time socialising (trading a great thing for happiness with a terrible thing).

The point the article, and the researchers themselves were making was, have we got it all wrong? Is our focus on money a waste of effort. I don't get it. We all know this already. What worries me is that the focus on more money, more things, more status will not change if we all believe everything we read, everything we watch on tv, read all the trashy magazines so we can find out more about the stars and try and live like they do, or even just covet what they have.

That's the challenge. It's not about selling all we have perhaps, but it IS about trying not to always say to ourselves I need the latest in everything (something I am working on, but sometimes fail at still...)

Here's a challenge for you. Don't get a new mobile phone until you have a real reason (either it doesn't work, or the plan is too expensive). Don't just get one because you want a new one. Sounds simple? I'm not so sure...

No I

2006-07-02T21:40:00.000+10:00

Made t out alve on saturday! Ended up dong about 11 hours, whch was a lot better than last weekend. Spent today just recoverng though as have both a long week ths week and am workng all weekend comng up.

Left the letter out was complanng about n my last post on prncple. Mght make ths post hard to read - sorry about that. Just felt needed to make a stand...

Gven have a thng aganst that letter thought 'd gve an old and stupd joke.

What do you call a deer wth no eyes?
No eye-deer!

Hate that letter rght now!

The letter 'I'

2006-07-01T09:49:00.000+10:00

Well, it starts again. Saturday morning, take II.

Here's to hoping this one is more successful than last weekend! It's 9:30am, I've been in for about 2 hours. It's too early to tell if we are in trouble yet, so cross all of your fingers and toes for me!!!!!

Update 1:

3:oopm. Things are moving. Had a number of scares, but things are definitely moving forward.

I have learnt a valuable lesson. If someone provides you with 1000's of lines of computer code (literally) and the leave the letter 'i' out of those millions of characters worth of information. If that letter 'i' is left out in the wrong spot, it will make EVERYTHING fail... And fail BADLY...

Who'd have thought that the letter 'i' could be such a destructive letter! I'm thinking of banning the letter I in my next blog post just to make a protest against such cruelty!