Sunday, February 18, 2007

TV troubleZ

Just after Christmas, I got a request from one of our neighbors to help "lift out" their old CRT TV. He told me it was big and heavy, and more hands were needed than just those of son and wife. Even a cart had been specially built for the removal (very impressing) and although maybe not needed, it certainly did no harm. TV was rolled out into the garage and a day later, the "prime location" now sported a brand new 50" plasma TV.

Since the old TV did not have a home we ended up "taking over" the 37" CRT monster. This big honker would fit perfectly in the emerging media room downstairs, and finally my old Rauna speakers (concrete towers) would come to be used again.

Although impressed by the new LCD/plasma TVs, I am not yet up for the purchase of a large LCD or Plasma model. The 1080p versions are still in the upper price ranges and 1080i or 720p is just an intermediary resolution, not giving THAT much more than what you get from a good CRT TV. It is sort of rushing out and buying an decent VW today, when you can get a great Audi for the same amount of money if you wait a year. Plus, this TV was free. What could be better? OK, maybe it is an American truck, but it still works. And it was free!

After having pulled in new coax and Ethernet cables, it was time to clean up the room. It had been sort of a dead storage type area for years, only being used "treadmilling", or for the occasional summer night when it was too hot to sleep upstairs. In this room has also for years been sitting idle my old TV from Texas and wife's smallish TV/VCR combo. Neither have been used since I won a Dell LCD TV during a promotion about two years ago.

One day while strolling through Costco, we met up with Bob, one of our elderly neighbors out scouting for a new TV. His had died just a few days earlier, and he was now looking to get a new set, although they really were all too pricey for him. Knowing that my old Texas TV was fully functional and likely never to be used again by us, I offered it to him. It would be better used in his house than just collecting dust in our basement. Wife was not really in agreement, but I thought it was a nice gesture, especially since he does not have cable, only "rabbit ears", giving him a limited selection of channels. Also knowing that he certainly could use his money better than spending it on a new TV, it was an easy decision.

"Texas TV" was picked by up Bob a few days later and yet another neighbor helped carrying (w/o a cart) the "obtained" monster TV onto its new stand. All was good. Great picture, and when hooked up to my amplifier, wonderful sound. Almost like being at the movies!

About a month later I was watching the news up in the living room on our old "big" TV, a 32" JVC model that I had bought from a former colleague when he suddenly decided to return to Sweden. It'd been a great champion and a welcome replacement when it took the spot where earlier my meager 20 incher (don't get the wrong ideas here, folks...) had been sitting. The following morning I was to take a peak at the news news but the TV had other ideas. It did not to power up, it was stone dead. Strange, it was working the night before. Maybe it was the curse for keeping the big TV and giving away the "Texas TV".

Of course I got to hear it from the wife as well. "I told you not to get rid of that old TV". My defense was of course that it was a good gesture and it ended up in a home that needed it more than ours. I was still bummed of having to have this (primary) TV repaired, knowing that it'd be at least $200 for someone to look at it and fix it. $200 that better could be used towards a new LCD/plasma down the road.

I sort of did nothing for a few weeks, but one night before calling a TV repair guy, I decided to google the JVC model number. Got a large number of hits, but one stood out. It was to a forum for repair of home electronics, a forum seemingly based in New Zealand. The site was Pechorin.

Upon a little bit of reading and searching, many had had problems with the very same JVC model we now had sitting, stone dead, in the living room. Turns out an electrolytic capacitor just ages prematurely and gives up. The capacitor was C926, a 1000uF 35V capacitor. According to other posters, one would be able to see it "bulging" when it was dead. Soldered it out and went over to RadioShack to pick up a new one. Price $1.73 including WA sales tax.

Upon inspection of the circuit board, one could clearly see that this C926 had been leaking. The circuit board looked "wet", significantly different compared to all other areas in this TV that were just covered with dust (amazing what amounts of dust that actually pile in a TV over the years).

After a bit of "dusting", it was time to solder C926 in position and test TV. After a few seconds of hesitation - long enough for me to utter "darn" - TV powered up like nothing ever had happened. A little cylindrical piece for less than two bucks fixed what certainly would have been a $200 repair job + the hassle of dragging this monster out to the car.

Bottom line, the web is a wonderful thing! It just takes some time to sort all the information and find the really good one.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Seattle Zuper Zonics

Well, it is official. The (new) owner, Clay Bennett (an Oklahoman on top of that...), like to see the taxpayers in Washington State pony up some $300M for a new arena for the Seattle SuperSonics. Folks, that is $300,000,000.00 if you write it out. He has even decided on the location, Renton, even though the owner of that parcel has different ideas (even though I firmly believe it is just a negotiation game) and like to build a mall and condo complex.

Mr. Bennett said in an interview with Seattle Times the other day that "(it) would likely be the most expensive arena in the country". $300M from the state, $100M from the City of Renton, and $100M from Bennett and his co-conspirators would indeed make this an expensive arena. Indeed.
I am not sure that is anything to be proud of, and I am sure it will not help him in getting "us" to fund his pipe dream. An "elaborate" arena, at "low" cost, that'd be something the he could sell! Now he instead is trying to sell a Lexus with a Ferrari price tag.

Mr. Bennett has even publicly said that he does not want the "tax" (funding) of the arena to go to a public vote, but instead hopes lawmakers will do "the right thing". I both hope and think that lawmakers will do the right thing. Lawmakers will send Mr. Bennett (and likely then also the team) all the way home to Oklahoma. He will not be missed!

Who really cares? Well, the people who want to see a professional basketball team in the Seattle area cares. I am not really one of them, but I do not mind a team if we have one. I might even enjoy a game now and then. I am however not ready to pony up big $$$ in some type of corporate welfare, even if it means just "extending" taxes we are already paying (these taxes could better be used for a new 520 bridge, a down town tunnel, new light rail, more marinas, you name it).

If there is a market here for a team, which I firmly believe there is, one will try to establish themselves here once the Sonics are gone. The existing arena (KeyArena for you out-of-towners) is a nice facility smack dab in downtown Seattle. It is also the "anchor" at the Seattle Center, together with the Space Needle. It is really conveniently located for the entire region! And, remarkably, it is not sold out during the current Sonics games. What gives? Maybe the game is not good enough (entertainment)?

Leaving that arena unutilized - which it likely would end up being if another mega arena was built in Renton - is not only bad public policy, it is bad economics. Heck, we have not even paid off the mid-90ies renovation (that was asked for by the basket ball team) of said arena.

Lawmakers; Do not bend over for some pressure from someone who wants a "garage" to park his pro sports team. It is no longer sports, it is (big) business. And like every business owner knows, you need to have a product to sell, a product that is attractive to the market, and buyers willing to pay a price, a price that is above your cost. If the Sonics "do not sell", well I guess then their product is simply not good enough for this (demanding) market, or too expensive! Funding them with tax dollars will not decrease the price.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

World NewZ Today

Today the U.S. stopped. Does not really know why, but I guess it had to do with the sudden death of Anna Nicole Smith.
As tragic her passing is for her family and friends, a few questions has to be asked of the media frenzy around this "case";

1. Was this really "world news" (heck, there is "war" going on, people are dying in masses)?
2. Do people really care (or is this only tabloid news, feeding a starving American public)?
3. How many conspiracy theories will evolve over the next days (I'll help fuel a few)?
  • Was this NASA's doing to divert attention from the mystery surrounding the behavior of Navy Capt. Lisa Nowak?
  • Was she killed (by husband/relative/servant/helper)?
  • Was it suicide?
  • Is there more than we even can think of when it comes to who the real father of her newborn baby is?
  • Was Daniel involved?
Will not waste too much electronic space here, but it is sort of fascinating that ALL news channels can divert ALL attention to this case, ALL day long (or rather, all afternoon long since the news broke after lunch).

Actually, for once Fox News Channel (not one of my favorites) today showed some class and was running a live interview with Clint Eastwood when everyone else had their focus on Florida and the ensuing ANS mystery. In this case it was even more honorable of Fox since Eastwood clearly did not seem to share any of the political views normally broadcast from Fox's headquarters. He instead spoke his mind in regards to the Iraq war, the president, actors speaking up agaist (the war), etc, etc. And, made it again clear that he has no intentions in running for (national) political office.
He is not only a good filmmaker/actor, but also a smart guy. He knows what he does best and sticks with it.

Friday, February 02, 2007

Seattle Boat Zhow

Today I did something I hadn't done in many years, I went to an indoor boat show.

When we were teenagers, Anders, Jan, Jonas, and myself, we used to go to the Gothenburg BoatShow every February. It was almost religion, a highlight in the dull and wet WestCoast winter. Since we were all sailors, we were checking out all the new gear - and there was lots - for our adventures on the race course in the spring. Jonas by the way was the one who most often used to win. I did beat him a few times, but he always had the upper hand when the season ended.

But, back to the Seattle Boat Show. A few reflections;

This is almost focused on power boats. Where are all the sailors?

Most (boat) sales guys are overweight smokers in their 50ies. Does not seem very eager to sell or even demo a boat. Sort of just want to "hang out" and look at the crowds (hopefully) that passes through their "objects". A few exceptions in the highest (most expensive boats) categories where staff was both professional, impeccably attired, and nice.
When visiting the "floating" part of the show down on Lake Union, the sales guys seemed more interested in getting out of the cold and into the bar at nearby Hooters - while there was still a crowd on the docks!

I've worked so many trade shows (telecom equipment/services) and you simply cannot afford NOT to be attentive to the people who actually have taken time out of their busy days (and paying for the privilidge) to visit and look at your products. Out of the most innocent trade show contacts, big business can spur. I can vouche for that!

Back to the boats;
The majority of boats at this show lacked "style", at least "Style" in a traditional sense. There was everything in any shape, as long as it lends itself to be classified as "party boat". Far too many bow riders in all sizes. A few of them actually looked more like landing crafts. Nothing that you'd take out in rough weather, or for a longer trip. I guess people are so tight on time they like hanging around in front of their houses, partying, burning gas - instead of experiencing the wonderful boating waters we are so lucky to have in the Pacific NorthWest.

And, the American boat manufacturers still have not figured out that a carpeted interior ON PLYWOOD is a bad thing in a boat, especially in an open boat. The plywood will eventually get wet, rot, and water will long before that have affected the (wooden) stringers. Why can't you build boats with a fiberglass interior and a snap-in carpet? Or better, fiberglass interior with nice teak trim, even on daily cruisers?

Now to the nice liners at this show;
The new Chris Crafts are a rare exception to the rule of general ugliness. Truly classic "road runners" with soft and gracious lines, new (and odd) colors, and they dare to actually use teak both for trim and utility. OK, these are not the lowest priced boats around, but they are among the few that actually deserve the term "boat". They even manage to stay away from the cheesy fake wood others have on their dashboards, and go for something more neutral instead. Way to go CC. To end it, a focus on Volvo drive packages proves that Chris Craft really are a quality builder. Clearly the best drive package out there today.















Chris Craft aside, most others were "crafts" as in pleasure crafts (or landing crafts), though even the venerable Chris Craft had a line of bow riders (aptly called "Launch"). Hopefully, they will not be too long lived.















Apart from the Mega yachts, some looking unfortunately like floating fridges (just like the Bayliners in the 35-40 foot range), a few of the more utilitarian (=pricey) aluminum boats, and some really nice "Lobster style" boats (VERY pricey), the only thing that grabbed my attention was an offering from a local company in Kent, WA. Their C-Ranger R-25 seem to be a really nice cruiser. Small enough to be fairly economical (Yanmar diesel), but still with seagoing capabilities of a larger vessel, something that could easily be taken all the way up to Alaska and back. Sort of an SUV for the islands. Perfect home for two adults and a couple of dogs. The R-25 looked like it was a solidly built boat with a nice quality of workmanship and more than average use of teak. A minor, but needed, design change, is to lift the helm higher up. As it was now, it was for too deep down into the (very deep) cabin to be practical and even to "feel" good. From the outside, port side had a large window in the cabin, giving it a bit too much look like a house boat. The starboard side was much better with a split window. Should be an easy fix to mimic the nice design from "starboard" even to "port".
Loaded with two mountainbikes and a kayak at an overhead "roof rack", this vessel actually even looked like an SUV. Cool!



And, should not forget to mention the display of some classic James Bond Boats. Fun to see these props IRL. And they actually seem to work. Just too sad this part was sort of stuck in a corner of the show, or more correctly the parking garage. It certainly deserved a better spot and also some more glamour. Now it was just these 4 vessels, and a bucket to drop entry forms in.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Finanzial Izzues



Over the past few months, I've been through some good and some not so good events in the American financial system.

In the fall, I was to wire a substantial amount of money from a bank "down south" to another bank in WA state. I did call to inquire of how this could be done and got a form faxed to me. Filled in said form and then faxed it back to the bank. That was it. The money arrived the same afternoon. No further (security) checks. Not even a phone call to ensure that this was actually a valid transaction, ordered by the account holder. Wow, no security what-so-ever here.

Then, last week I got a mailing from one of my credit card providers. It was a new card. Did put it to the side for a few days, reflecting a bit that it was not that long ago I got a card from those guys, plus also knowing that my current card had still many month before it was getting close to expire.

Well, last night I did call in to activate the new card. In the process I notice that it is not only a new card, it is a NEW card - totally different card number from before. Weird!

Get a "customer care specialist" on the phone and ask him "what is going on". He tells me that one of the merchants that I've done business with has had a "security breach" and that they (card company) pro-actively were closing accounts and replacing them with new cards.

Another wow! That was actually sort of nice, but if they are sending out newer cards pro-actively, it must have been a significant "breach of security". I ask him "who is the problem merchant", only to get a "hu hu" to answer. He was told not to tell, and more likely did not know anyway. Since I insisted in knowing (not eager to do business with companies that sports lax security routines for on-line payments), I was recommended to call the "Security Department" next business day - which I did today.

It was like pulling teeth. They acknowledged that there was a problem and that they did take the unusual step in issuing new replacement cards. But they were not going to reveal the "trouble maker". "Company Policy, we just don't do that. We need to protect the merchant."

While I for sure do appreciate them being pro-active towards the consumer (=me), it would have been nice if they would have:
1) Clearly told me that I got a new card with a NEW number
2) Explained the reason why
3) Revealed the name of the troublesome merchant

But, none of this was addressed in the letter. A letter so generic it eneded up in the shredder. At least I got a new shiny card!