My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on January 4, 2006

My contact at Chrysler indicates that they will be announcing a significant drop in new auto sales for the month of December … somewhere close to 5%. To some this is going to be a surprise, to others it just puts them in line with GM and Ford difficulty in moving new vehicles as promotions can only encourage buyers for so long. My guess is that those who wanted a new car bought during the last go-around.

What’s next in stimulating new car sales when you don’t really have vehicles that compete with the best sellers from Toyota and Honda?

EDIT: The actual number are in and ‘yes’ Chrysler-Mercedes was down for the month of December, but still up 4.2% on the year. Unfortunately the same wasn’t true for Ford (down 5% on the year) and GM (down 4.3% on the year).

Category: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
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Posted By RichC on January 3, 2006

For those of us that enjoy automobiles, January is a big month of the year as auto shows debut with the gigantic North American International Auto Show in Michigan. The automotive journalist will get the first look, followed by the industry folks and finally the doors open to the public on January 14th – 22nd. Approximately 7000 journalist from around the world will cover the event in a few short days followed by an estimated 800 thousand people.

Originally the Detroit Auto Show, the exhibit has been held every year since 1907 with the exception of WWII and several years following; it was only renamed the North American International Auto Show in 1989. The show has been held in the 700,000 square foot area of Cobo Center since 1965 and has grown to include an international audience.

This is a big show and the economic impact to southeastern Michigan is even bigger … second to hosting an Olympics as far as an infusion of dollars. It is bigger than the Superbowl, the World Series, the Kentucky Derby or the Oscars! It even has more economic impact than other well known automotive events like the Daytona or Indianapolis 500. The only other Michigan event that came close was the Ryders Cup which only generates about 1/5 of the revenue. The combined the economic impact of the auto show, along with hosting this year’s Superbowl, will bring approximately 1 billion dollars to southeastern Michigan. (now if I could only aid the ailing American automotive companies … that would really help!)

If you are reasonably close and enjoy cars, consider a trip to the NAIAS this year. Further information in regard to tickets, dates and pricing can be found at the NAIAS website.

Did you know: There is enough carpet used in the displays to cover 750 football fields? Wow!

Category: Automotive, Misc | No Comments »
Tags: autoshow

Posted By RichC on December 31, 2005

I know some might think that I must be struggling through a mid-life crisis for even looking at cars like these, but “a man’s gotta do, what a man’s gotta do.” (go ahead and have a pitty party for me) Dave Lewis, at the Cincinnati BMW Store, ask me to give him a hand putting together a intro video today for an upcoming “Zero to 120” video segment of the Carbuyersnotebook. I looked at it as a just another chance to drive an exceptional piece of engineering … the BMW 650i Coupe.

There is something about the stance of this luxury performance coupe that belongs on the Cincinnati streets … perhaps it is its Bengal stance? (Who dey?) Nevertheless new styling is going to take some time for BMW lovers to appreciate. I can’t say that the 650i’s looks have taken me by storm, but driving it is another story. WOW!

First, it is a luxury car. The power mega-way leather seats adjust quickly to a perfect drivers position for me and I immediately felt comfortable behind the wheel. Controls are not overdone and look very appealing. The “iDrive” system put almost every control at ones fingertips in the wide console between the front seats. It is as easy for the passenger to control the electronics as it is the driver. Dave demonstrated some of the more detailed settings like adjusting the airflow from each vent to calling the BMW emergency help center that interfaces with the cars exceptional GPS unit. (we tried it)

I cornered my way ‘quickly’ through some neighborhood streets, I had forgotten just how much I enjoyed a ‘coupe’ with the longer door and excellent vision to the side as well as rear. The first shock was the lack of a tight turning radius. I haven’t looked up the numbers, but it did surprise me when backing out of a parking place or doing a “legal u-turn” as the GPS lady politely requests. Another item to get use to is the multi stalks on the turn signal side of the steering column. I suppose it just takes a little getting use too?

What doesn’t take getting use to is the powerful 4.8 liter Double-VANOS steplessly variable valve timed V-8; it is a engine that belongs in this Bengal tiger! It accellerates quickly and kept the 18 inch alloy wheels and 245/45R-18 all-season run-flat tires stuck to the pavement … with a little assist from the Dynamic Traction Control. I wasn’t watching the speedo, but the seat of the pant feel confirms the 6-speed SMG transmission rocketed this luxury car to 60 in its stated 5.3 seconds, I think. What stood out most was just how quiet the car was even while accelerating hard as the cabin is best defined as ‘hushed.’ I was shocked several times when I glanced at the tach to see rpm’s up around 5 and 6000 … you couldn’t tell from inside the car. I could continue to rave about all the features that ease the driver’s load, but just check out the list instead.

The car’s exterior is sleek, but nothing extrodinary or obnoxious. The subtle BMW trunk latch insignia and 650i, on the rear and dual chromed exhaust is about all anyone is going to see if I’m behind the wheel …. zoom … it is hard to drive this smooth vehicle slow. The BMW 650i Coupe is truly a well engineered luxury perfomance automobile … although at a $70plus sticker it is what one might expect.

Category: Automotive, BMW | 2 Comments »
Tags: 650i coupe, BMW, test drive

Posted By RichC on December 30, 2005

Take a look at this interesting new webpage building tool. It is ideal for people on the go wanting to put together a ‘dynamic’ homepage or ‘communications’ page … or pages … with only a browser. Protopage unleashes AJAX better than about any other web based tool. I sense we’ll be seeing many more ‘web-software’ tools similar to Protopage.

I’ve been semi-paying attention to what creative web software programs are creating using AJAX which has been explained as as a “web development technique” that assists in interactive internet applications. Companies like 37signals and Protopage are pushing server based programming as are other AJAXy programmers.

Protopage is currently a free service and easy to use. It doesn’t require registration unless you desire a personal ‘url.’ Information ‘sticky notes’ can be dragged around the screen and currently come in four ‘note’ options: 1)RSS reader, 2)sticky note, 3) link panel and 4)a search box. According to one of the founders their will continue to offer the product free and are working on improvements like adding photos. (no built in option to do that at the moment … although I was able to tweak a ‘sticky-note’ with some html code and a photo. See www.protopage.com/richc.us) The background, the stickies, title bars, and text are customizable as far as color, bold, italic, size and links. (similar to blog tools) As your content grows, you can add additional pages, make certain pages private or public and invite friends using a built in ‘marketing’ (I suspect) feature.

From building a personal homepage with personal links and info, to sharing a password with a group and building a ‘space’ together, I’m sure people will fine a multitude of uses for the Protopage concept. After tinkering with it for about and hour I was able to easily create a few pages and run through most of the selectable options. It is easy to modify content on the fly … even from cell phone connected laptops. (works great and seems fast) One major missing option for most of us is the lack of photo and graphics support. A photo uploading and display option and an appointment calendar would complete the current ‘to-do’ list feature. Add an import/export database and contact manager and this would make a great commercial CRM product as well! Protopage is a great environment in which to assemble news, links, and notes although a few more features are needed before it is ready for primetime. Its worth a look!

Category: Misc | No Comments »
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Posted By RichC on December 29, 2005

My wonderful daughter gave me a detailed biography for Christmas that I’ve just started. It is quite long so may take me some time to read and review, although I will eventually post my thoughts in the book catagory of my blog. The preface was a very interesting section from a son, and there is quite a bit of detail about this famous American that I (nor very many others) have known. So far, it is a very facinating biography. I’m purposely not mentioning the person’s real name, instead choosing to stimulate a little intellectual game with readers.

“First” clue: the person in the biography once used an alias: “Max Peck.” Any guesses? (I’ll post a second clue in a few days if this is not enough)

EDIT: Since this “Max Peck” post is still generating traffic a decade after I posted it, I’ll add a link of interest and the photo of Neil Armstrong for posterity.

Category: Books, Space | 8 Comments »
Tags: astronaut, Books, max peck, neil armstrong

Posted By RichC on December 28, 2005

First my apologies for my lack of Christmas blogging for those who might occasionally read my desultory posts … although I can’t imagine why one would miss them.

Here is a VW oriented post to bring in the new year with $50 in VW parts: “Get a Volkswagen Platinum Visa® Card with low introductory rate on balance transfers and purchases for the first six months. And, get points toward free rewards** …like Volkswagen gear, dealer services, even your next Volkswagen. The rewards begin with $50 back to you to use toward Volkswagen Parts or Dealer Services. Just apply online and, upon approval, activate your card within 60 days. See offer here.”

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Posted By RichC on December 21, 2005

On one of the forums I visit, this painful lesson was captured on video. We all need to remember where to attach the tow hook and why not to ‘jerk’ the car out of a snow pile. This kind of mistake could be costly as well as dangerous. (always stand clear)

Thanks to Randy, a VW TDI owner in Columbus for forwarding this short WMV Video Clip. (right click/save as)

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Posted By RichC on December 20, 2005

Originally MyArchive.us was a place to archive documents, photos, etc but eventually became a much more public (yet personal) blog (richc.myarchive.us and finally MyDesultoryBlog.com). As the daily public shares grew, it became difficult to decide what to share and what to exclude. As our family grew older, it became easier to include them in “family” oriented posts and now I’m finding myself updating the archiving bit by bit to include items. Perhaps its the advent of social networking or finding that I’d rather have a few things saved her than go missing. So … I’m archiving two previous, 2005 and 2004, Corbett Christmas Letters.

 
| Corbett Christmas Letter 2005 | | Corbett Christmas Letter 2004 |

Category: Archive, Holiday, Personal | No Comments »
Tags: archive, brenda, Corbett Christmas Letter, family, katelyn, pdf, rich, taylor

Posted By RichC on December 19, 2005

Category: Archive, Holiday, Personal | No Comments »
Tags: archive, brenda, Corbett Christmas Letter, family, katelyn, pdf, rich, taylor

Posted By RichC on December 13, 2005

I’ll make this post brief and point to the Audi R10 link, but this 650 HP 12 cylinder diesel is really impressive. Don’t miss a few of the video clips (live unedited capture) as besides a good look at the car, there are some nice panoramas of Paris, France. If you only have time for a short MP3 clip of the ‘turbine’ whine … play this short audio clip.

There is also a thread about the Audi R10 over at the TDI Club forums and VWLivery posted a good write-up as well. The CarBuyersNotebook has a short entry and links to a variety of sites and video.

The heart of the Audi R10 is a completely new V12 TDI engine with a cubic capacity of 5.5 litres – the maximum permitted at Le Mans. Audi ventures into previously unexplored diesel-engine terrain with power exceeding 650 hp and torque of more than 1100 Newton metres from the V12 power plant.

“This engine is the specifically most powerful diesel there is in the world and, up until now, the biggest challenge that Audi Sport has ever faced in its long history,” explains Ulrich Baretzky, Head of Engine Technology at Audi Sport. “There has never been anything remotely comparable. We started development with a clean sheet of paper.”

The V12 TDI used in the R10 is the first Audi diesel engine with an aluminium crank case. The cylinder-bank angle is 90 degrees. The V12 TDI has, like Audi production car engines, four valves per cylinder and twin overhead camshafts. The fuel induction is made by a modern “Common Rail System”. The injection pressure easily exceeds the 1600 bar achieved in production cars. The ignition pressures also reach values never previously seen in any Audi engine.

The engine’s power and the high torque are available to the driver practically from idling speed – a speciality of diesel technology, to which the Audi drivers must now become accustomed. The usable power band lies between 3000 and 5000 revs per minute.

Category: Misc | 4 Comments »
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