http://www.andrewwallwork.com/blog I speak 'geek' - I speak 'human' - translating the two in Vancouver, Canada Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:47:17 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Vancouver, like many cities has a pay for parking by phone arrangement as well as at private lots. It's all fine and dandy, I call a number, enter the amount of time I wish to park for and volia, I don't need to go and buy a ticket and put it ... http://www.andrewwallwork.com/blog/2009/11/06/things-that-dont-make-sense-convenience-fees-for-park-by-phone/ Recently my banks have been on a huge push to get me to subscribe to electronic statements (e-statements) for both my bank statements and credit card bills. The reasons for this are plenty, let alone the environmental aspects it's costing them at least 52c in postage, likely 10c ... http://www.andrewwallwork.com/blog/2009/02/19/why-online-billing-will-not-take-off/ I have been reading The Art of Deception: Controlling the Human Element of Security - it is an excellent book which focuses on the weakest link in electronic security - the humans who run the machines. As a result, it has made me see routine interactions in a different ... http://www.andrewwallwork.com/blog/2009/01/05/security-issues-hotel-room-keys/ With both Canada and the United States in the middle of an election campaign it has been interesting to see where the major focus in terms of where the campaigning is happening. Last time around (for both countries) blogging was somewhat new, Wikipedia wasn't the top result on next to every ... http://www.andrewwallwork.com/blog/2008/09/29/technology-and-politics/ Celebration of Light 2008 - China Originally uploaded by andrew.wallwork We have good things coming for the Olympics in a few days with this kind of show. A very Olympic theme and it clicked. http://www.andrewwallwork.com/blog/2008/07/30/celebration-of-light-2008-china/ Celebration of Light 2008 - USA Originally uploaded by andrew.wallwork The USA put on a serious contender too - less of a unified theme with respect to the music but well timed and synchronized The light on the water really makes for a wonderful photo. http://www.andrewwallwork.com/blog/2008/07/28/celebration-of-light-2008-usa/ Celebration of Light 2008 - Canada Originally uploaded by andrew.wallwork Canada's show this year took a totally different theme than we've seen from Canada in the past by using a "Godzilla" theme. Weather conditions were pretty good - a slight wind to blow the smoke away and hence everyone got some pretty ... http://www.andrewwallwork.com/blog/2008/07/24/godzilla-over-english-bay/ Crosswalk Signal Originally uploaded by j_stathakis Usability of minor little things can make a major improvement in our lives by improving the information available to us. The simple crosswalk signal is a great example of where you can make a minor change and improve usability considerably. At present most signals go something like this: Solid ... http://www.andrewwallwork.com/blog/2008/07/21/pedestrian-crosswalk-signals/ Grouse Grind Map Originally uploaded by andrew.wallwork I managed to get an unbroken fix on my hike up the Grouse Grind yesterday - here's the tracklog. Needless to say, I also grabbed an altitude log here - it's a few meters out of calibration but it gives you a good idea of the ... http://www.andrewwallwork.com/blog/2008/07/13/the-grouse-grind-from-the-gps/ In short, they have finally offered an "unlimited" data plan for $30/month. Ok - it's technically not unlimited but given the definition that we have seen by carriers in the US it is more or less. It's a concession but still not perfectly acceptable. The voice plans are still ... http://www.andrewwallwork.com/blog/2008/07/09/rogers-wireless-realizes-that-consumers-are-finally-fed-up/