Research on the cellphone thing has been coming along. Luckily, an issue of Consumer Reports just came across our doorstep with a comprehensive article on wireless carriers and phones. From what I understand, Cingular’s network (GSM) is well-suited towards phones with good technology like Bluetooth. However, the type of digital service and lack of analog backup means the coverage is a lot spottier, especially in rural areas. All the decent phone deals they offer (“Free cameraphone!”) are for a 2-year contract which is shit; I want a one-year deal with a good phone for cheap. The storefront sells that Sony Ericsson handset for $99/2-year deal or 199$/1-year deal while online it’s free/2-years; they have a Motorola handset with Bluetooth and a camera for $129/1-year deal. So, in essence:
- If I want a phone that syncs automatically with my computer, I have to use Cingular;
- If I want to use Cingular, I have to put up with spotty coverage in places like mid-Pennsylvannia, and;
- If I want a one-year contract, I’m going to have to pay at least $100 for a phone.
In other news, I’m mucking around with Apple Desktop Client right now-it’s essentially VNC for headless Macs. Very nice, although it’s a bit balky with a 4-year old pair of G3’s. I can share out a bunch of stuff (it’s weird to see the laptop’s screen on the iMac) but I’m having problems taking control of the iMac itself.
My Bad. Perhaps I should clarify my brief comment from yesterday regarding the textbook stickers:
“The schools placed the stickers after more than 2,000 parents complained the textbooks presented evolution as fact, without mentioning rival ideas about the beginnings of life.”
The stickers read, “This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered.”
I understand why these parents were upset, and I can see why the school board chose to put the stickers in the books. I can also see why other parents sued to have the stickers removed. Practice your faith. Teach your children. But please don’t teach them that one God is better than the other, or that somebody else’s faith/belief system is wrong. My personal knee-jerk mistrust colored my original post; My apologies to those I offended. Thanks for the smack upside the head, Dave.