There has been some fuss of late from folks who get a huge mobile phone bill by not noticing and reporting when a phone gets stolen and missused. This can be prevented ..
When I bought a phone for use by a family member the best deal was pay by monthly bill with a generous call&txt allowance. To stop huge bills through misuse and in case phone was stolen and not noticed, I insisted that there is a max credit limit on the bill of £60. If this credit limit is ever reached outgoing calls are blocked.
This is the answer to prevent a huge unexpected bills from a loosely controlled or lost phone. The phone provider was 3 in the UK. If your provider will not impose an agreed credit limit to cap your liabaility, move to a provider that will. You can take you number with you so the hastle factor of moving is quite low.
Gannett
Random Squawking - more of a really slow blog - various topics from coding to living. Lets just see how it goes.
Saturday, 29 March 2008
Saturday, 8 March 2008
Insurance Trap for post-Learner drivers, Tell your insurance company you passed
My friend the student driver, with whom I made the agreement below, took her test last week and I am happy to report passed at the first attempt. What's more she scored only 3 "minors" during the test. A great achievement and congratulations are fully in order to both her and her principal driving instructor.
A friend had said that we should phone the drivers insurance company and tell them of the pass as the driver would now be driving around on her own and may be doing more mileage. I did call but the stinger is that they wanted a further £30 Premium. I though this unfair for a couple of reasons
* When the insurance plan was taken out the company knew that the person was a learner driver and the premium set accordingly high. Nowhere in the documents does it say that there would be a further premium to pay when the person passes the test.
* Nowhere in the documents does it say that you have to tell them when the test is passed but the consequences of not doing so are very serious.
Now I understand that the risk profile changes unfavourably between a supervised and unsupervised driver but it also changes between a brand new driver, a person who repeatedly fails to reach test passing standard and someone who has passed a test. The insurance company did not require to be told when a test was failed.
The more I dug into the situation the more outrageous it became; by failing to inform test-passing drivers to notify the insurance company and adjust the policy the insurance company allows the just passed driver to be at risk of driving without valid insurance. I worked this through with the insurance agent it was confirmed that the insurance policy only covered the driver while they were a learner and accompanied.
This could have led to the following situation :
Police stop the just-passed driver and ask for documents, Driver hands over pass certificate, and details of insurance. Police call insurance company who say driver has policy as provisional driver only. Police charge driver with "Driving without insurance cover." This results in .. "The penalties for driving without insurance against third party risk are a maximum fine of £5,000, the automatic endorsement of an offender's licence with 6-8 penalty points and possible disqualification. " The car involved can also be seized. UK driving law says that 6 penalty points on a licence in the first two years can result in the licence being revoked and the driver having to retake the test. As a cherry on the top having lost both licence and car, the insurance company involved said that "We do not insure people who have been caught driving without insurance."
Now that would have been a very difficult situation for a young driver. Such a driving conviction would have hung like a vulture over their record for many years to come, causing vastly increased insurance premiums.
The failure to provide clear notice when a policy is issued to a known learner driver that the policy was only valid until the test is passed, is a in my opinion a negligent failure by the insurance company.
You have been warned, when you pass your test, call your insurance company, pay the "fine", then and only then go enjoy the freedom of the road.
Gannett
PS: Click here for more of these frightening stats:
Increasing the number of young passengers increases the likelihood of a crash. One passenger makes it twice as likely, 2 or more, 5 times as likely.
The accident rate to novice drivers drops by 30% after the first year of experience and by another 17% after the second year.
Take care out there.
A friend had said that we should phone the drivers insurance company and tell them of the pass as the driver would now be driving around on her own and may be doing more mileage. I did call but the stinger is that they wanted a further £30 Premium. I though this unfair for a couple of reasons
* When the insurance plan was taken out the company knew that the person was a learner driver and the premium set accordingly high. Nowhere in the documents does it say that there would be a further premium to pay when the person passes the test.
* Nowhere in the documents does it say that you have to tell them when the test is passed but the consequences of not doing so are very serious.
Now I understand that the risk profile changes unfavourably between a supervised and unsupervised driver but it also changes between a brand new driver, a person who repeatedly fails to reach test passing standard and someone who has passed a test. The insurance company did not require to be told when a test was failed.
The more I dug into the situation the more outrageous it became; by failing to inform test-passing drivers to notify the insurance company and adjust the policy the insurance company allows the just passed driver to be at risk of driving without valid insurance. I worked this through with the insurance agent it was confirmed that the insurance policy only covered the driver while they were a learner and accompanied.
This could have led to the following situation :
Police stop the just-passed driver and ask for documents, Driver hands over pass certificate, and details of insurance. Police call insurance company who say driver has policy as provisional driver only. Police charge driver with "Driving without insurance cover." This results in .. "The penalties for driving without insurance against third party risk are a maximum fine of £5,000, the automatic endorsement of an offender's licence with 6-8 penalty points and possible disqualification. " The car involved can also be seized. UK driving law says that 6 penalty points on a licence in the first two years can result in the licence being revoked and the driver having to retake the test. As a cherry on the top having lost both licence and car, the insurance company involved said that "We do not insure people who have been caught driving without insurance."
Now that would have been a very difficult situation for a young driver. Such a driving conviction would have hung like a vulture over their record for many years to come, causing vastly increased insurance premiums.
The failure to provide clear notice when a policy is issued to a known learner driver that the policy was only valid until the test is passed, is a in my opinion a negligent failure by the insurance company.
You have been warned, when you pass your test, call your insurance company, pay the "fine", then and only then go enjoy the freedom of the road.
Gannett
PS: Click here for more of these frightening stats:
Increasing the number of young passengers increases the likelihood of a crash. One passenger makes it twice as likely, 2 or more, 5 times as likely.
The accident rate to novice drivers drops by 30% after the first year of experience and by another 17% after the second year.
Take care out there.
Saturday, 1 March 2008
The biggest file in Leopard, Alex's Voice
Update : Dec 2019 - Disk space visualisation program on mac is now called Grand Perspective and on PC WinDirStat
From 2008:
I was having a dig around looking for some space on the root file system using a rather great filesystem viewing tool called "Disk inventory X" and leaping out from the picture was a single 670MB file. This single file accounts for about 18% of the size of Leopard.
Tucked away in the Alex voice Speech library folder was the data definition for the new very smooth Alex voice. Do try it out using the System preferences -> Speech -> Alex just to hear how much an improvement the voice is over the previous very robotic attempts.
The techical details are ...
Macintosh: $ ls -l /System/Library/Speech/Voices/Alex.SpeechVoice/Contents/Resources/PCMWave
-rw-r--r-- 1 root wheel 701743856 24 Sep 02:06 /System/Library/Speech/Voices/Alex.SpeechVoice/Contents/Resources/PCMWave
The amusing bit is the file data type identifier at the start of the file which is
Macintosh:Resources $ od -c PCMWave | head
0000000 meow \0 001 \0 006 \0 \0 \0 0 002 303 Q 000
[Removing voice file instructions removed - May 2010]
This file was trimmed down for Snow Leopard which as a % of the size of HDs is not so bad.
Gannett
PS I later found this Blog entry of Billyoregon who previously discovered this file using the same technique.
From 2008:
I was having a dig around looking for some space on the root file system using a rather great filesystem viewing tool called "Disk inventory X" and leaping out from the picture was a single 670MB file. This single file accounts for about 18% of the size of Leopard.
Tucked away in the Alex voice Speech library folder was the data definition for the new very smooth Alex voice. Do try it out using the System preferences -> Speech -> Alex just to hear how much an improvement the voice is over the previous very robotic attempts.
The techical details are ...
Macintosh: $ ls -l /System/Library/Speech/Voices/Alex.SpeechVoice/Contents/Resources/PCMWave
-rw-r--r-- 1 root wheel 701743856 24 Sep 02:06 /System/Library/Speech/Voices/Alex.SpeechVoice/Contents/Resources/PCMWave
The amusing bit is the file data type identifier at the start of the file which is
Macintosh:Resources $ od -c PCMWave | head
0000000 meow \0 001 \0 006 \0 \0 \0 0 002 303 Q 000
[Removing voice file instructions removed - May 2010]
This file was trimmed down for Snow Leopard which as a % of the size of HDs is not so bad.
Gannett
PS I later found this Blog entry of Billyoregon who previously discovered this file using the same technique.
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Had a better week Mac wise
Defiantly had a better week last week and got a few long standing issues resolved.
Firstly I have a Mustek A3 USB Scanner that had been stuck on an old Mac G3 B&W. I Finally found a blog which guided the way to get the SANE drivers and files needed to get it up an running. Ok so the blog references a previous ( now defunct ) blog but thats was all I needed. See PJ Holdens blog. The scanner works OK on 150 dpi but scrubs on higher resolutions. Integrated into Photoshop CS as File -> Import -> SANE. Sorted.
Secondly Creating Disk Images on OSX for use as bundled backup files. Found the Application DropDMG at $20. Neatly packaged, command line options and quite configurable.
Also found the code hackable BuildDMG.pl perl module over at this location. It needed a bit of work, mostly to swap out /Developer/Tools/CpMac and replace it with /bin/cp that preserves special Mac file attributes from OSX 10.4 onwards. Find this bit in the perl an change to the following ...
# copy the files onto the dmg
# use /bin/cp rather than /Developer/Tools/CpMac Only works on OSx > 10.4.x and beyond
print "Copying files to $dest...\n";
print "> /bin/cp -R $files \"$dest\"\n" if $debug;
$output = `/bin/cp -R $files \"$dest\"`;
$err = $?;
Put the perl in /Applications/BuildDMG/BuildDMG.pl then you can create a script+crontab to build the images on demand and drop them on your backup drive. A kind of TimeCapsule if you like :-) Have not yet managed to figure out how to drive it for directories with spaces in the name yet.
Thirdly since installing Leopard I have been suffering panic on wake-up. Let the system drift off to deep sleep then 1 time in 4 it will system panic on wake up. Looks like a USB or IO stack and It's all documented on the support boards here but not really made much progress. The solution is not green, but sometimes you have to give something away to get what you want. In this case I wanted "no panics" so installed Folding_At_home and donated a CPU. The distributed science application has a small memory footprint and is niced down so gets out the way when you need the horsepower.
And finally found a really good Mac based uk Tivo file extractor. The Java based TySuite has gui & command line & web interfaces and will pull as MP2 ready for conversion to MP4/AVI. Not quite as convienet as TivoTool but is better on Leopard and can pull Mode 0 recorded files at 720 * 576.
Cheers
Gannett
Firstly I have a Mustek A3 USB Scanner that had been stuck on an old Mac G3 B&W. I Finally found a blog which guided the way to get the SANE drivers and files needed to get it up an running. Ok so the blog references a previous ( now defunct ) blog but thats was all I needed. See PJ Holdens blog. The scanner works OK on 150 dpi but scrubs on higher resolutions. Integrated into Photoshop CS as File -> Import -> SANE. Sorted.
Secondly Creating Disk Images on OSX for use as bundled backup files. Found the Application DropDMG at $20. Neatly packaged, command line options and quite configurable.
Also found the code hackable BuildDMG.pl perl module over at this location. It needed a bit of work, mostly to swap out /Developer/Tools/CpMac and replace it with /bin/cp that preserves special Mac file attributes from OSX 10.4 onwards. Find this bit in the perl an change to the following ...
# copy the files onto the dmg
# use /bin/cp rather than /Developer/Tools/CpMac Only works on OSx > 10.4.x and beyond
print "Copying files to $dest...\n";
print "> /bin/cp -R $files \"$dest\"\n" if $debug;
$output = `/bin/cp -R $files \"$dest\"`;
$err = $?;
Put the perl in /Applications/BuildDMG/BuildDMG.pl then you can create a script+crontab to build the images on demand and drop them on your backup drive. A kind of TimeCapsule if you like :-) Have not yet managed to figure out how to drive it for directories with spaces in the name yet.
Thirdly since installing Leopard I have been suffering panic on wake-up. Let the system drift off to deep sleep then 1 time in 4 it will system panic on wake up. Looks like a USB or IO stack and It's all documented on the support boards here but not really made much progress. The solution is not green, but sometimes you have to give something away to get what you want. In this case I wanted "no panics" so installed Folding_At_home and donated a CPU. The distributed science application has a small memory footprint and is niced down so gets out the way when you need the horsepower.
And finally found a really good Mac based uk Tivo file extractor. The Java based TySuite has gui & command line & web interfaces and will pull as MP2 ready for conversion to MP4/AVI. Not quite as convienet as TivoTool but is better on Leopard and can pull Mode 0 recorded files at 720 * 576.
Cheers
Gannett
Labels:
disk images,
folding at home,
Mac,
mustek A3 scanner,
OSX,
timecapsule,
tivo
Lost a bet on Superbowl Sunday
Was chatting with a colleague on Saturday about the upcoming game and he outrageously went for "Giants by 2".
Never, no way not in your wildest dreams ...
So now I own him some beers, but thanks to the Internet I have located a local FL store that stocks the delightful Newcastle Brown Ale so all the remains is to get the beer vouchers sent over with directions to the store.
Cheers - Go Giants
Gannett
Never, no way not in your wildest dreams ...
So now I own him some beers, but thanks to the Internet I have located a local FL store that stocks the delightful Newcastle Brown Ale so all the remains is to get the beer vouchers sent over with directions to the store.
Cheers - Go Giants
Gannett
Sunday, 30 December 2007
Student/Leaner driver agreement
Hi,
I am helping out a teenager to learn to drive. They are having professional lessons, so this is just practice time. However this can be a stressful and fraught time for both helper and student. After a few sessions I decided to form this agreement to help reset the right expectations .... Lets see how this goes
Student driver agreement
I the undersigned student driver agree the following :
1) When I am driving and parking, I will be in complete control of the car at all times and I am responsible for road positioning, speed, direction, lighting and engine control.
2) Guidance, hints, tips and advice are NOT personal criticism and will be received in a accepting and positive manner.
3) The actions of others are not in my control but how I react to the actions of others are fully my responsibility. I will try to anticipate situations but will always be ready to react to the unexpected.
4) Anger, impatience, stress and annoyance have no place in my vehicle or mind. My positive attitude and relaxed but alert state of mind are an important factors for driving success.
6*) I acknowledge that these are the most common mistakes that new, and particularly, young drivers make:
• Not slowing down in complex road situations
• Not looking around or using mirrors enough
• Overconfidence
So I will always be ready to listen for guidance on these and any other driving matters.
NAME: ___________________________
DATE :___________________________
* Partly from the helpful http://www.talk-driving.co.uk/privatepractice.php
Cheers
Gannett
I am helping out a teenager to learn to drive. They are having professional lessons, so this is just practice time. However this can be a stressful and fraught time for both helper and student. After a few sessions I decided to form this agreement to help reset the right expectations .... Lets see how this goes
Student driver agreement
I the undersigned student driver agree the following :
1) When I am driving and parking, I will be in complete control of the car at all times and I am responsible for road positioning, speed, direction, lighting and engine control.
2) Guidance, hints, tips and advice are NOT personal criticism and will be received in a accepting and positive manner.
3) The actions of others are not in my control but how I react to the actions of others are fully my responsibility. I will try to anticipate situations but will always be ready to react to the unexpected.
4) Anger, impatience, stress and annoyance have no place in my vehicle or mind. My positive attitude and relaxed but alert state of mind are an important factors for driving success.
6*) I acknowledge that these are the most common mistakes that new, and particularly, young drivers make:
• Not slowing down in complex road situations
• Not looking around or using mirrors enough
• Overconfidence
So I will always be ready to listen for guidance on these and any other driving matters.
NAME: ___________________________
DATE :___________________________
* Partly from the helpful http://www.talk-driving.co.uk/privatepractice.php
Cheers
Gannett
Labels:
driving,
learner driver,
student driver,
teenage driver
Saturday, 22 December 2007
Does google ignore it's own community ?
I have a small blog - its so far just a colection of random thoughs -
but my friends can find it on google if they look with the right words - Yes ?
Starting at http://www.google.com on 23 Dec 2007
Your search - gannett-hscp blog - did not match any documents.
Your search - "RAND(squawk)" - did not match any documents.
Your search - "rand(squawk)" - found stuff that is not yours...
Your search - blogspot.com gannett-hscp - did not match any documents.
Your search - gannett-hscp.blogspot.com - did not match any documents.
Your search - http://gannett-hscp.blogspot.com - did not match any documents - just how much more specific do you have
to get ?
So whois Domain Name: blogspot.com
Registrar Name: Markmonitor.com
Registrar Whois: whois.markmonitor.com
Registrar Homepage: http://www.markmonitor.com
Administrative Contact:
DNS Admin (NIC-1467103) Google Inc
Does google ignore it's own community ?
Aparently so why waste your electronic breath ?
Gannett
but my friends can find it on google if they look with the right words - Yes ?
Starting at http://www.google.com on 23 Dec 2007
Your search - gannett-hscp blog - did not match any documents.
Your search - "RAND(squawk)" - did not match any documents.
Your search - "rand(squawk)" - found stuff that is not yours...
Your search - blogspot.com gannett-hscp - did not match any documents.
Your search - gannett-hscp.blogspot.com - did not match any documents.
Your search - http://gannett-hscp.blogspot.com - did not match any documents - just how much more specific do you have
to get ?
So whois Domain Name: blogspot.com
Registrar Name: Markmonitor.com
Registrar Whois: whois.markmonitor.com
Registrar Homepage: http://www.markmonitor.com
Administrative Contact:
DNS Admin (NIC-1467103) Google Inc
Does google ignore it's own community ?
Aparently so why waste your electronic breath ?
Gannett
Wednesday, 5 December 2007
A couple of signs you are getting old ..
Its true I had a couple of signs recently that age is crawling on :
Firstly a favorite film "Blade Runner" now has a twenty fifth anniversary edition. Woh hang on a minute, I saw Blade Runner when it came out in '82 it really can't be 25 years since then. I saw a promo reel at an Easter convention back then and went with a crowd of to see it the week it came out. Great then and even better now a film that really moved on the genre.
Secondly you know when your getting old when you get new techno from your kids. litt'n got a new phone when they upgraded to a new contract with twice the minutes and texts ( hopefully not 1/2 the coverage) for the same monthly cost. I get the hand-me-down a deep red and rather smooth Motorola Pbel. That's an upgrade for me, so much better than my 5+ year old basic Nokia from work. I have to say that T-Mobile were OK about providing phone number port code and subsidy code to unlock the Pebl. If it doesn't work out with the new provider we will be back. I also got the knackered Ipod mini for use in the car via direct hook up. Great for Audible books and podcasts on long journeys. I guess that's what goes around cause I bought and set up the old man's PC back in 2001. He still has it Win98, dial up modem and all. Going to have to do something bout that soon.
Cheers
Gannett
Firstly a favorite film "Blade Runner" now has a twenty fifth anniversary edition. Woh hang on a minute, I saw Blade Runner when it came out in '82 it really can't be 25 years since then. I saw a promo reel at an Easter convention back then and went with a crowd of to see it the week it came out. Great then and even better now a film that really moved on the genre.
Secondly you know when your getting old when you get new techno from your kids. litt'n got a new phone when they upgraded to a new contract with twice the minutes and texts ( hopefully not 1/2 the coverage) for the same monthly cost. I get the hand-me-down a deep red and rather smooth Motorola Pbel. That's an upgrade for me, so much better than my 5+ year old basic Nokia from work. I have to say that T-Mobile were OK about providing phone number port code and subsidy code to unlock the Pebl. If it doesn't work out with the new provider we will be back. I also got the knackered Ipod mini for use in the car via direct hook up. Great for Audible books and podcasts on long journeys. I guess that's what goes around cause I bought and set up the old man's PC back in 2001. He still has it Win98, dial up modem and all. Going to have to do something bout that soon.
Cheers
Gannett
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