Some Podcast Worthy of New iPod

So, you got a new iPod for the holidays?  Need some free content in the format of excellent podcasts?  Everyone has their own favorites, but here are a few of mine to get you started:

Engines of Our Ingenuity (click on the Podcast link)

In Our Time (BBC)

KEXP Music Podcasts (song of the days and music that matters)

Security Now

Planet Money (NPR)

How Stuff Works (will have to go to iTunes to grab the feed)

The Week in Photography

TED Talks (video podcast in iTunes)

You Look Nice Today (best to start at the beginning to understand, but once you do...)

The Week in Tech

All Songs Considered Concerts (NPR)  (again, iTunes for the feed, but good current bands)

Enjoy

An eBay Merchant to Avoid - alpinetopline

I recently needed to replace my batteries for my Canon s500 digicam. Having had success in the past on eBay doing this, I again jumped in. Locating this item:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=370095990310

I bid and won it.

The package arrived 10 days later and appeared to be new batteries; however, after attempting to charge them with the original Canon charger I discovered that they would not hold a charge. Each battery would only provide 5 minutes of use time on the camera. I then attempted contact the merchant to remedy the situation. As you can see below, they were not responsive, and I am out of pocket for $10. Yes, a relatively small amount, but $10 more than I would have wanted to waste on an inferior product.

Let this serve to any others who consider this merchant that the products and service of this merchant are poor.

*** My original message on November 9, 2008 ***

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "eBay Member: bone$head" <member@ebay.ca>
SendTo: suntek.cs2@gmail.com
Subject : Message from eBay Member Regarding Item #370095990310

Dear alpinetopline,

These batteries arrived yesterday, but they will not hold a charge. I am
using the original equipment Canon charger, so clearly they are defective -
both. How do you manage a return? Thanks. Jon
- bone$head Answer the question

Item and user details
Item Title: TWO NB-1LH NB-1L NB1L Battery for Canon Digital Camera
Item Number: 370095990310
Item URL: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370095990310
End Date: 09-Nov-08 15:51:50 EST
From User:

bone$head (82)
100.0% Positive Feedback
Member since 22-Feb-01 in United States
Location: NJ, United States
Activity with bone$head (last 90 days): bone$head has bid on 0 of my items

This message was sent while the listing was closed. bone$head is a winner.

*** The merchant's reply ***

On Nov 14, 2008, at 2:05 AM, suntek.crm.cs3@gmail.com wrote:

Dear friend

Thanks for your email, really sorry to hear that. Would you pls tell us more
detail about the item and your digital and original battery model? Pls send
some photos with the envolope to us as a refernce if it's possible. I just want
to confirm whether it is a defective issue or an incompatibility issue. We will
give a satisfied answer for you immediately after we confirm! Pls don't worry!
Pls don't leave any bad feedback to us during comminication and we will try our
best to make you satisfied! Thanks in advance!!
Sincerely
Roy

*** My reply to "Roy" ***


Roy,

I am not your friend, I am your customer.

I have attached a photo of my camera, charger, original battery, your batteries, and your envelop to me.

I will be satisfied if and when you provide me the new batteries I was promised at NO additional expense to me. I will not pay for additional postage or service fees.

Please provide the procedure for this to be sorted out and live up to your end of the deal and I will leave positive feedback. I expect this to be resolved today.

Thank you,

Jon Bonesteel


*** As of 11/16/08, there has been no reply from Roy or anyone else at the alpinetopline ***

I sent this final request this morning:


Dear alpinetopline,

If I don't hear from you today on my issue, I will post a full account
of your failure to support me and sell inferior goods, and a
negative feedback. Thanks

- bone$head

Slideshow Experiment

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Links for Kevin

The sad sack Bluejays took 3 of 7 points last night securing their place in the cellar of the American division of the Commonwealth Club bowling league.  My pal KC asked for a few links to peruse.  Here's what I pulled together:

Often I'll link in twitter - you can follow above on on the twitter home page.

Other pages in no particular order - 

Wonkette

Digg

Dvorak

Malhalo

Laughing Squid

Make Blog

Pragerpedia (Ask him how's it hanging?)

Boing Boing

There ya go.

Birdie!

See how we made a cheap shuttlecock and got back playing!

Music 4 U

What we listen to -

We serve out our digital tunes at home on the Slim Devices SqueezeCenter and we're big fans of the new wireless remote the Duet offers.

One of the coolest aspects of the SqueezeCenter is the ability to stream net radio. Nothing too fancy about that, but it consolidates many of the different services into the one location on the remote (or web interface). Even before the Duet we were big fans of Radio Paradise and KCRWMusic (both of which can be pulled of course), but we also are really enjoying the NME stream from London. They play an excellent mix of new alternative and older Brit pop.

In the mornings and off the net, we highly recommend WNYE's presentation of "Wake Up NY" produced by KEXP in Seattle.

We also share our MP3s (listening only) with those who we know via Simplify Media. If you use it and want to listen, email us.

Now, a try at adding a sample tune on Blogger since I have never tried...

Thoughts of Sara on the way to work by REM.