Comments for No More Free Passes http://www.nomorefreepasses.com Just another WordPress weblog Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:00:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 Comment on Steve Jobs: “More Affordable” = “An extra $15/month” by Troy http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/tech/apple/21#comment-16 Troy Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:19:46 +0000 http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/tech/apple/21#comment-16 That's just the current consumer culture, right? A low down payment in exchange for higher monthly payments and/or a longer loan term even though just saving up a bigger down payment would save you in the long run. It's definitely somewhat appealing to me. The $200 "down payment" is a lot easier to swallow than $400, while the $10/month is fairly easy to forgive and as you said not really out of line with other unlimited data plans. Still not jumping yet...switching providers is a hassle and frankly 2 years is way too long for an Apple product given how quickly they seem to update their products. I guess I am still holding out for an "open" phone! That’s just the current consumer culture, right? A low down payment in exchange for higher monthly payments and/or a longer loan term even though just saving up a bigger down payment would save you in the long run.

It’s definitely somewhat appealing to me. The $200 “down payment” is a lot easier to swallow than $400, while the $10/month is fairly easy to forgive and as you said not really out of line with other unlimited data plans.

Still not jumping yet…switching providers is a hassle and frankly 2 years is way too long for an Apple product given how quickly they seem to update their products.

I guess I am still holding out for an “open” phone!

]]> Comment on Review: “Little Brother” by Cory Doctorow by Little Brother : Megan Powell . Net http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/reviews/19#comment-14 Little Brother : Megan Powell . Net Mon, 12 May 2008 23:20:23 +0000 http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/reviews/19#comment-14 [...] Important. And Little Brother does have a dual nature—Larry’s already discussed it in his review—but I was pleasantly surprised by how readable a book it is. If it occasionally turned into a [...] […] Important. And Little Brother does have a dual nature—Larry’s already discussed it in his review—but I was pleasantly surprised by how readable a book it is. If it occasionally turned into a […]

]]> Comment on One Obvious Problem with an Armed Populace by Megan http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/uncategorized/16#comment-13 Megan Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:13:05 +0000 http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/uncategorized/16#comment-13 This is what comes of too little RPG experience. Any kid playing D&D knows you can't roll against just any old skill; it has to be the <i>appropriate</i> skill, even if it's based on your dump stat. This is what comes of too little RPG experience. Any kid playing D&D knows you can’t roll against just any old skill; it has to be the appropriate skill, even if it’s based on your dump stat.

]]> Comment on Yup, I’m Playing the Race Card. by Lee http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/political/10#comment-12 Lee Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:30:31 +0000 http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/political/10#comment-12 And what of Hilary and "The Family"? http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080331/ehrenreich And what of Hilary and “The Family”?
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080331/ehrenreich

]]> Comment on “I bet it’s that Pally. He’s been farming Spider Silk for like 10 hours. Nobody needs that much Spider Silk.” by mhpm http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/tech/9#comment-11 mhpm Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:32:47 +0000 http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/tech/9#comment-11 It could be a subtle form of economic terrorism (bilk the newbie $infidel) or fundraising for terrorism. I'm sure the isk is stronger than the dollar. It could be a subtle form of economic terrorism (bilk the newbie $infidel) or fundraising for terrorism. I’m sure the isk is stronger than the dollar.

]]> Comment on “I bet it’s that Pally. He’s been farming Spider Silk for like 10 hours. Nobody needs that much Spider Silk.” by Troy http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/tech/9#comment-10 Troy Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:49:23 +0000 http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/tech/9#comment-10 I don't think it's a big concern. Terrorist Cell Leader: Underling, did you execute that devious terrorist plot like I asked? Underling: So sorry, but I was so close to reaching level 43 that I just *had* to go raiding last night. I think a more believable scenario would be terrorists developing an MMORPG that is *so* addictive that no one can stop playing it. And considering this is the plot of a Star Trek: TNG episode...it's still pretty unbelievable. I don’t think it’s a big concern.
Terrorist Cell Leader: Underling, did you execute that devious terrorist plot like I asked?
Underling: So sorry, but I was so close to reaching level 43 that I just *had* to go raiding last night.

I think a more believable scenario would be terrorists developing an MMORPG that is *so* addictive that no one can stop playing it. And considering this is the plot of a Star Trek: TNG episode…it’s still pretty unbelievable.

]]> Comment on “I bet it’s that Pally. He’s been farming Spider Silk for like 10 hours. Nobody needs that much Spider Silk.” by mhpm http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/tech/9#comment-9 mhpm Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:39:29 +0000 http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/tech/9#comment-9 I dunno. It seems like being a terrorist would involve an awful lot of down time. I dunno. It seems like being a terrorist would involve an awful lot of down time.

]]> Comment on “I bet it’s that Pally. He’s been farming Spider Silk for like 10 hours. Nobody needs that much Spider Silk.” by Lee http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/tech/9#comment-8 Lee Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:51:01 +0000 http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/tech/9#comment-8 Somehow I think we are going to see an influx of characters named Reynard running around. Maybe even Reynard guilds. But would people really spending time in MMO have time to be terrorists? Also I just realized it isn't obvious from the main page that the rants have more content beneath. Somehow I think we are going to see an influx of characters named Reynard running around. Maybe even Reynard guilds.

But would people really spending time in MMO have time to be terrorists?

Also I just realized it isn’t obvious from the main page that the rants have more content beneath.

]]> Comment on “Yes Mr. Jobs. Thank you, Mr. Jobs.” by ldpm http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/tech/apple/5#comment-7 ldpm Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:31:24 +0000 http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/tech/apple/5#comment-7 @Troy, #2: Web based apps are fine, but do you really want to be locked onto the airwaves just to play Lode Runner? What about when you're on a plane? But yeah, between OpenMoko, Android, and all the new sub-sub-notes (e.g. Asus eeePC and OLPC XO laptop), anyone who is actually interested in a free, open, and mobile platform will have plenty of choices. But I don't think it'll stop the fanboyz from worshipping at the altar of St. Steve. @Troy, #2:

Web based apps are fine, but do you really want to be locked onto the airwaves just to play Lode Runner? What about when you’re on a plane? But yeah, between OpenMoko, Android, and all the new sub-sub-notes (e.g. Asus eeePC and OLPC XO laptop), anyone who is actually interested in a free, open, and mobile platform will have plenty of choices. But I don’t think it’ll stop the fanboyz from worshipping at the altar of St. Steve.

]]> Comment on “Yes Mr. Jobs. Thank you, Mr. Jobs.” by Troy http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/tech/apple/5#comment-6 Troy Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:48:21 +0000 http://www.nomorefreepasses.com/rants/tech/apple/5#comment-6 Yes! OpenMoko, Google Android...someone please come save us. I loved (and still love) the Sidekick platform, but when I switched to Windows Mobile I realized that the [manifold] shortcomings of Windows Mobile didn't bother me as much as the closed architecture and how you could only use "approved" software. With the announcement of real Exchange connectivity (I love having my desk and pocket calendars automatically synced), one of the main barriers keeping from the iPhone is soon to be lifted, but I don't like the idea of having no control over which software I can and cannot use. Perhaps web-based apps are the way to go, though? Honestly I'm not so sure why so many businesses seem to fear "user-generated content." Seems like providing a framework and then letting your dedicated users maximize it at little or no cost to you is a smart idea. Yes! OpenMoko, Google Android…someone please come save us. I loved (and still love) the Sidekick platform, but when I switched to Windows Mobile I realized that the [manifold] shortcomings of Windows Mobile didn’t bother me as much as the closed architecture and how you could only use “approved” software. With the announcement of real Exchange connectivity (I love having my desk and pocket calendars automatically synced), one of the main barriers keeping from the iPhone is soon to be lifted, but I don’t like the idea of having no control over which software I can and cannot use. Perhaps web-based apps are the way to go, though?

Honestly I’m not so sure why so many businesses seem to fear “user-generated content.” Seems like providing a framework and then letting your dedicated users maximize it at little or no cost to you is a smart idea.

]]>