Posted By RichC on September 9, 2011
Like him and his policies or not, it would be great if all politicians were as succinct and committal as Congressman Paul Ryan. His interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box Friday morning after President Obama’s speech was sharp and to the point although respectful toward the president and those holding other ideas. Well worth a listen.
CNBC Rep Paul Ryan – September 9, 2011
Posted By RichC on September 8, 2011
Having just spent the weekend driving the 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI with the DSG gearbox, it is wrong to compare it to a manual transmission. As good as the dual clutch gearbox is in quickly up and downshifting gears, it is not the traditional clutch and stick driving pleasure that traditionalist enjoy. I would say that it has more in common with the ‘slushy’ automatic transmission than with the ‘gear-meshing’ coordination of a manual gearbox. It’s clutch time for the clutch pedal. Fewer than 10% of the cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. last year were equipped with traditional manual transmissions and clutch pedals—even though a manual usually provides better fuel economy. New technology offers the fuel efficiency of a stick shift without the hassle of a clutch. Manual transmissions have been on the decline in the U.S. for years. Now, Ford is launching a new clutchless manual transmission in its Fiesta and Focus lines, that offers stick-shift fuel economy without the inconvenience of a clutch pedal. WSJ’s Joe White reports from Detroit. European car makers for several years have been expanding their use of clutchless, or automated, manual transmissions under various names, responding to consumer demand for fuel-saving technology in a market where fuel is expensive. Now, clutchless manuals are crossing the pond. More at online.wsj.com
via Cars That Let Drivers Shift Gears—Without a Clutch – RichC’s posterous.
Posted By RichC on September 6, 2011
Looks like Sprint and Apple are gearing up for the iPhone5 …
Sprint may have begun installing signal boosting equipment in and around Apple retail stores ahead of the rumored iPhone 5 launch on the carrier in October, according to a new report.
“One thing I can tell you is that the electrical contractor that I work for is contracted to install Sprint “repeaters” at The Domain. There is a Apple Store at The Domain [in Austin, Texas],” a source told Beatweek recently. “One of the “repeaters” is to be installed INSIDE the Apple Store. There is to be a total of 5 “repeaters” installed. The equipment is CDMA and 4G (Sprint).”
… but, a struggling economy is not making conditions any easier for Sprint (S) shareholders.
Posted By RichC on September 5, 2011
It is odd how my “simple mind” works when contemplating a blog post on Labor Day. As I grappled with the history of the holiday, my thoughts drifted to present day directional changes our country is making – some reminiscent of the reasons that triggered our end of summer holiday.
In reading about our nation’s first labor day in 1882 and the eventual national holiday in 1894 after the recession/ depression triggered by The Panic of 1893, I’m seeing similarities that are not all that unlike are current situation … even debates between management and their unionized labor – although benefits seem to be the argument today rather than “low wages and sixteen hour workdays.” LINK
The 1880s were a period of remarkable economic expansion in the United States, an expansion that eventually became driven by railroad speculation. Railroads were over-built, and many companies continued growth by taking over competitors, endangering their own stability.
One of the first signs of trouble was the bankruptcy of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, which had greatly over-extended itself, on February 23, 1893 …
As concern of the state of the economy worsened, people rushed to withdraw their money from banks and caused bank runs. The credit crunch rippled through the economy. A financial panic in the United Kingdom and a drop in trade in Europe caused foreign investors to sell American stocks …
A series of bank failures followed, and [several railroads]. This was followed by the bankruptcy of many other companies; in total over 15,000 companies and 500 banks failed (many in the west). According to high estimates, about 17%-19% of the workforce was unemployed at the Panic’s peak. The huge spike in unemployment, combined with the loss of life savings kept in failed banks, meant that a once-secure middle-class could not meet their mortgage obligations. Many walked away from recently built homes as a result.
As our country evaluates the field of challengers President Barak Obama will be facing in a little over a year, we are faced with a serious philosophical differences when it comes to our some of our successful founding principles. I have little doubt that the social change we have seen since the 2008 election was stimulated by the increase in debt financed war, the housing and banking collapse and ensuing recession. Changes from Democrats and the Obama administration unfortunately have done little to address the core problems of over spending and unemployment, but exacerbated the debt and created an even more expensive government.
Compounding the problem of a bigger and more expensive government is the lack of a growing economy (or partially causing). At the same time, millions more of Americans are becoming reliant on the government due to necessity, generosity or retirement age … and these social “caring” programs are also being used for “political purpose.” From my perspective, very few of the many costly entitlements we’ve pursued can be continued unchanged IF our country is to remain a place where the American Dream is a possibility for every citizen. I’m reminded of a George Bernard Shaw quote, “A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.”
We are nearing that tipping point, where 50% of those who vote are becoming dependent on an entitlement check from the government … no matter how noble the programs we have accepted. At some point, we cannot continue to payout more than we collect in taxes AND in the free market world economy in which we have encouraged necessitates that American companies and our workforce remains competitive. If we don’t, the companies and capital invested that are paying the taxes to support our system will either go elsewhere or go bankrupt (and not all can be “too big to fail.”).
Companies and those with the capital to invest are hoping for change in 2012, in my opinion … and are currently sitting on the sidelines. Many do have the capital, or access to it through Federal Reserve policies of low interest rates and could invest in the US if market conditions change or the cost and uncertainties of of operating were clear. Optimistically, if a government change in 2012 is business-friendly (less regulation, competitive taxes and certainty), we’ll see job growth and expansion – new jobs and a rebounding economy will follow. Pessimistically, if investors and businesses continue to be saddled with more regulation, higher taxes and the uncertainty of a more invasive government … our economy and the American Dream will disappear.
Anyway … how about just wishing a simple Happy Labor Day without over thinking?
Posted By RichC on September 3, 2011
Spent the day enjoying the TDIFest 2011 in Lexington Kentucky on Saturday and wanted to post a few photos. The guys I work with have done an outstanding job and expect that this evening pig roast was a big hit … waiting for an update.
Posted By RichC on September 3, 2011
… we’ll just live on the boat (WSJ video below).
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Posted By RichC on September 2, 2011
For those interested in all things TDI (that’s Volkswagen TDI diesel automobiles), the TDIFest is this weekend in the host city of Lexington KY. Our local CinciTDI club is hosting the TDIClub “fest” and it looks to be a good one. Hopefully the weather and activities will be enjoyable … I know that I’m looking forward to it.
The good folks at NorthlandVW loaned me a dealer demo 2012 VW Passat TDI to take to Lexington so I picked it up tonight and enjoyed the “toasty” 103 degree drive home … really testing the AC in a long traffic delay coming out of Cincinnati. Whew … glad I was in a comfortable car.
Here are a few quick photos and one comment regarding the “jumpy” nature of the diesel engine/transmission while starting from an idle — it lurches. I’ll have to test it a little more, but the DSG transmission seems to let the car lurch when start stopping while sitting in a line of traffic.
Posted By RichC on September 2, 2011
There seems to be a little tarnish on the once high-flying Netflix who has dominated the DVD and streaming movie market since the demise of the big box video rental stores. Their model seemed to be invincible until someone realized that business is only as good as having content … and customers willing to pay the high percentage increase being demanded (change my plan last month). Some might suggest they were getting too big for their britches … and after a major content provider pulled away today, their NFLX stock took another dive. I will be curious to know if management has any plans to prevent a further slide in shareholder value?
Starz to Split From Netflix
Fee Dispute Means Pay-TV Channel’s Programs Won’t Be Available for Streaming
Pay-TV channel Starz has called off talks to renew its streaming deal with Netflix Inc., in a move that could deprive the online video service of one of its richest sources of newer movies.
Although Netflix has brokered several deals over the past year with other content companies, the decision by Starz means Netflix will no longer be able to offer newer movies like "Toy Story 3" and others from the studios of Walt Disney Co. and Sony Corp., the two major studios with which Starz has distribution rights.
MORE (subscription required)
Posted By RichC on September 2, 2011
As the employee of Texas Armoring Corporation comments before firing his AK-47 at his boss, CEO R. Trent Kimball … “don’t try this at home.” Now that CEO is confident that his product will do what it is designed to do … “resist bullets!”
Posted By RichC on September 2, 2011
Google web-based products such a docs and calendar were once upon a time available 
for off line use; thankfully they are now being re-launched. Things are slowly coming back to a more useful state with the new off line viewing (read only) extension for the Chrome browser. I’m looking forward to hopefully once again being able to edit off line as well and to be able to synchronize as with Google Gears.
“Gears no long available after 12/2012.”
I’ve added the new HTML5 extension this week and appreciate having a copy of the docs and calendar available when I’m not at my computer or connected to the Internet … or for that matter, when Google is down.
Available Offline
Offline access is available only for documents and spreadsheets. When you have Google Docs open and have an Internet connection, your most recently opened documents and spreadsheets will sync and become available offline. Presentations, drawings and other items are not currently available offline.
View-Only
At this time, documents and spreadsheets are available in view-only mode. You must restore your Internet connection to make any edits. In addition, you can’t create new Docs while you’re offline.
Browser
Google Docs are available offline only in the Chrome browser.
Security
Offline access is allowed on a computer-by-computer basis. Anyone with access to a computer where you’ve enabled offline access will be able to view your synced documents and spreadsheets when they open Chrome. To protect your data, don’t allow offline access on public or shared computers.
