My Career as a Gunslinger

My career as a gunfighter would have been short. This has become obvious because the time required for me to retrieve my cell phone from its belt holster has not significantly improved over this first month. The scenario is rather like this
* cell phone rings
* ears alert brain, which says "what's that noise?"
* brain eventually remembers the cell phone and tells hand, "retrieve phone from belt"
* hand reaches for cell phone, pressing inappropriate buttons during the grab
* cell phone now firmly in grasp, other hand presses correct button, first hand raises phone to ear
In the best case, the time required is small enough that a meaningful conversation with the caller ensues. In a worst case, the call is missed and no message left via the (extra cost) voicemail feature.

I find the cell phone cost exorbitant and the marketing ploys distasteful. This experiment of ours with cell phones is unlikely to lead us to become cell phone converts. Currently I use Skype/VOIP for most distance calls and find the technology deployment marginally satisfactory. Skype on Linux is clearly not a Skype priority and its quality is not impressive. Skype should consider GPL'ing their source code to reach acceptable peformance. Likely, they think such a choice would dry up their potential cash cow.

On the most recent Thursday afternoon/evening, we continued with the sea kayaking course. The winds in the strait were gale force, but expected to abate sightly. Our guide, John Dawson, chose a relatively sheltered wind exposure for us - using the lee side of Departure Bay. All turned out very well; we finished precisely at sunset. We have 3 more weeks and are considering signing up for the next 6 week session.

Richard
2006.09.23