With the EU’s decision to allow cellphones in-flight most business travelers are caught between two sentiments, the ability to be productive, and the luxury of tranquility and quiet (assuming there are no crying babies sitting next to you, or sports team is onboard). Studies (http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=993187) have shown that one-sided conversations irritate people to a breaking point when a two sided conversation at the same volume would be ignored. Lufthansa for example has already said that it would not allow cell phones (choosing to restart their in-flight high speed internet initiative), while Ryan Air has declared a fleet wide deployment. Since the airplanes would have the telecom infrastructure on board – miro cellular tower connected to a satellite – they would be able to receive roaming charges for calls made (probably split with the operator). There was a decade (the 90s) in which in-flight phones were provided by many airlines, but due to the high call rates nobody used them. From personal experience (novelty factor use) I must say the voice quality was delightful. The EU commission has promised price direction and regulation in this regard.
I have always wondered why passengers could not use private satellite phones, especially since prices have crashed, and now that mobile phones are allowed, will the satellite phone come back in fashion? The earlier issue with mobile phones was them going on overdrive trying to connect to ground stations – which onboard stations and sat phones would avoid. Regardless of the technology, it is clear new rules of etiquette will have to be fashioned for the use. Airlines should consider having “business hours” during long-haul flight where the use of phones would be appropriate, and not interfere in the “normal” flight hours, which people would use for sleeping, resting or watching movies. On short haul flights however, the experience would probably be open and a bit traumatic sounding more like a busy bus or train. That said, normally there are only a few people who use their cellphones on buses and trains, and I am sure many would enjoy the excuse of being out of touch. Another solution could be different sections; “phone and non-phone” akin to smoking preference, or special, “phone areas.” The rollout is probably going to take at least a year or two, perhaps more if there are enough protests. Good luck to us all – one way or the other.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Phones in the Sky!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Cleansing my sins - the old fashioned way
In the Hindu system of things, there is only one way to cleanse your sins - jump into the Ganges river. For deep cleansing you need to jump into the river at a particular point. It was high time that I tried it out, just in case. My journey started from Delhi by car and with a brief stop at new factory construction site, I reached Haridwar by late evening and settled into an old school government guest house that reminded me of both the British and the License Raj. The morning was filled with a prayer ceremony which lasted a couple of hours - most of which the priest had to reexplain to me due to my lack of knowledge of pure sankrit.
Pictured here is the Harki Pardi (incorrect spelling probably) which is the best place for deep sin cleansing.
I must admit the dip into the fast running water was unbelievably refreshing. There was something about that place....something terribly wonderful and enlightening. I managed to get fifteen minutes of meditation while sitting in a shallow part of the river, and dunked myself in a number of times. Once finished I decided to head back to Delhi by airplane.
It took us a while to find the airport, though everyone knew where it was, no one really knew where it was. We found ourselves accidentally entering restricted areas and being scolded and sent back by armed guards until we finally found the entrance. There we discovered that the airport was still under construction, and that I was going to be on the second flight ever to leave there. The terminal is delightful small and well done, though with none of the security systems working they checked the all the bags by hand. Perfume bottles, soft drinks and mineral water were as usual banned from cabin baggage - but everyone agreed my two bottles of holy Ganges water deserved to fly with me in the cabin.
The runway is big for the size of the airport, and surrounded by extremely pretty hills and mountains. The security forces denied my pleas for a picnic while we all waited for the aircraft to land. Upon landing it was sent to the "proper" loading area. Insistent on being a professional airport they decided we needed a bus. After trying to find one for sometime they finally came up with this:
They ignored our pleas to let us walk - they were after all a professional airport, :). After much laughter and a ten second journey we finally arrived at the aircraft:
The ride to Delhi was extremely turbulent, but remarkably fast. The next time I need to cleanse some sins, I would definitely be flying in, hopefully by then the airport would have been built.
Hamburg Airport - Balcony
The first class and Senator Lounge at the Hamburg airport has an amazing balcony that leads out onto the edge of the terminal building just above the airplanes. You can view the entire airport from there while sipping your favorite beverage and enjoying the buffet. (In my case bitter-lemon and a concoction of yogurt and dried fruit).
Crazy trip around Switzerland: From one side to the other and back!
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Crazy trip around Switzerland.
Time Start: 8 AM
Time End: 11 PM
St. Gallen -> Rorschach -> Berne -> Geneva -> Lausanne -> Interlaken -> Grindelwald -> Lucerne -> St. Gallen
Stopping to snack, lake watch and hang around. An impossibly long trip conducted in what was perhaps the worst car designed for it: The ultra small baby Nissan Note which at most times felt as if it was either going to be blown away by the wind or disintegrate spontaneously. My fellow terrified passengers spent a good three hours on the phone trying to see if Sixth could provide us with a 1 series BMW at the worst case (they couldn't at that time).
The highlight of the trip was reaching Grindelwald, where much fondue was enjoyed, and clothes were purchased (cold -- very cold).
Pictures:
(Going up the mountain)
(Grindelwald)Monday, March 24, 2008
The New Laptop
It amazes me how much your productivity can change by the purchase of a new laptop. After several years of touting my Sony Vaio ultra portable as the best thing since sliced bread I had to finally admit it…the machine while small and light is severely underpowered and over burdened. Blame it on the “Vista Capable Logo” or on the massive consumer app focus by Sony that destroyed the performance. My new 15inch Mac Book Pro in comparison is a huge monster, and for a moment I almost regretted and returned it. But then survival instincts of preserving my eyesight and sanity came into play, and I have not looked back. Vmware Fusion system allows me to run a copy of Windows Vista in a window (pun intended), while the Dual Core Intels with 4 GB ram hum away at most things I can throw at them. Battery life is a concern, and I expect to get half the battery life of my Vaio, but these days laptop power charging points are becoming ubiquitous and quite frankly the Vaio was so slow that without the external power connect it was all but useless at normal battery life (laptops decrease performance to increase battery life). So goodbye my good old Sony…hopefully you won't be missed.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Prostitutes, Escorts, Agencies, Hookers - The Horny Politician
The Huffington Post has an incredibly funny satirical article – an advertisement for fractional ownership of mistresses, introducing the concept of NetPets (think NetJets.com). The article does raise a valid point: more and more politicians are being outed as clients to the world’s perhaps oldest profession. This is probably not because there is an increase in politicians seeking sex for money (though many would argue the 21st century is a more lonely one), but due to the fact that it is becoming so much easier to find them out, and subsequently spread the word. Even before PR and crisis management teams can swoop in, the news is out (if you had not noticed yet, sex sells), and can no longer be brushed under the carpet. Thus, the need for discretion is ever more present, and while businesses could cater to this, as public figures with public photographs, the ultimate client name and information is always available to the end service provider. Governments of course have already demonstrated their willingness to cut deals for client information and witness testimony, and for escorts and such to seek out and take such deals -so much for professional integrity.
Unfortunately, for the “horny politician” due to laws which were enacted against organized crime and money laundering, there are extremely few ways left to guarantee the lack of a paper or virtual trail. And as the Emperor’s Club demonstrated, success in this business especially expansion, can have devastating consequences. A quick search of the internet or a look in your local paper will find very public advertisements for this SMB (small and medium business) segment, which quite frankly could be easily followed up and shut down by law enforcement (in those places where it is illegal) should the officers chose to get really serious. Thus the door opens to more ethical and practical debate – Is this a victimless crime at such high levels? Should prostitution be controlled and regulated? What is the definition of informed consent? Don’t the federal government and police have better things to do? Would the same men (and women) seek other less safe or more morally questionable avenues for their desires? What about the handicapped (both physical and social)?
Politicians have not really helped their cause, showing a surprising lack of common sense (just look at ex-governor Spitzer) while indulging in these illegal activities. Basics such as not using public computers and traceable mobile phones, or not using credit cards and bank transfers were not followed, forget about advanced techniques of secure encrypted communication, and rendezvous management. Now that societies are willing to increasingly focus on dampening demand, it will only become more risky for all parties concerned. Women’s groups have certainly played a crucial role in identifying the other victims of the so called victimless crimes, the families and the supporters of these public individuals. However, the argument on the other side goes that better the person pay for entry and exit, rather than try for a more social connection, probably leading to a string of divorced marriages and accompanied drama for all involved. It doesn’t help the cause of anti-prostitution organizations that once their family member is caught, the home victims rarely speak up to voice their personal thoughts. Nothing acts more as deterrent than reminding errant persons the very personal hurt and damage they would cause to their loved ones.
What I find interesting in all this is to see the manner in which this is all evolving. It is a rather rare combination and intersection of everything from society, technology, personal rights, to business. A crime which is not a crime in many parts of the world, a profession that in one circumstance can be high class affair and in one circumstances a despicable act which can know no forgiveness, a profession that employs hundreds of thousands if not millions of workers, a profession which is out in the light and hanging in the shadow at the same time, a profession which has existed since time eternal and shows no sign of ending. There will always be horny politicians; and those willing to address those needs, and there will always be governments and authorities who chose to spend enormous money and resources on the high profile cases, while millions of victims who really need the help and attention get none.
Monday, March 17, 2008
So where is the fiddler?
As Bear’s turns into dust (let the lawsuits begin!), and the financial markets quake and quiver waiting for the next big bank go under, I am inclined to wonder, who is the fiddler? There is always a fiddler, the crazy-eyed fool who fiddled away as everything burned, and everyone is United States is scrambling to say, “Not I!” Certainly Bernanke is doing everything he can to appear to not to be, even GWB declared the US is on top of things and is preparing more unsustainable (yet oddly needed) packages, the central banks are moving afoot, and everyone is screaming terror and foul. Deals are gone, titans have fallen, rivers of green have turned red, egos have been busted, raiders quieted and suddenly Microsoft’s bid for Yahoo looks very good. But then still, where be the fiddler? The CEO of Bear’s who stood by on his pile of cash as behind him a bank run had started certainly may qualify, but not for all and sundry. A friend bet it would be the ECB which stands by and watches like a wise owl which really just needs glasses.
Regardless of the fiddler, the Viking hoard is well known – the sovereign wealth funds – suddenly that Dubai money (Abu Dhabi to be more realistic) looks enchantingly good and squeaky clean.
