AT&T Failure / IPhone4 Pre-Order

So I have never done this before, but I thought I would pre-order the new IPhone 4 from Apple today.  Well its been almost 10 hours and still no luck; so what's worse sitting at my office retrying or waiting in the long line at an Apple store on launch day?    Waiting at the Apple store!!!

When I attempt to connect, I get some many different error message; but now the AT&T wireless site indicates they are performing an upgrade.  I would have thought this was already done, I mean they have seen this before.  Was somebody surprised by the demand?

UPDATE #1 Its almost 9pm on the east coast and still no PRE-ORDER success.  I am now seeing updates on the feeds (RSS, Twitter) that they maybe sold out.  ARGH.

UPDATE #2 So I was finally successful around 10pm, and received confirmation that my order was excepted and will be delivered on June 24th.  WoooHooo....

Our most valuable asset.

Recently I received criticism about my comment that our employees are "our most valuable asset" in forum post http://lnh.litchfieldnhboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=1019&sid=306458a36683ab3f0390bc6ec8c74fe4.  The issue came from my support of a 1.5% increase for our non-union employees.  The poster suggested that we shouldn't pay for skilled workers; when there are others without experience or no history of the operation of the town willing to work for less.  In my mind, this would be a bad decision as the town operates because of the knowledgeable workers we have today.   I agree that we need to watch our spending and invest in areas that will continue to return dividends to our community.  Which is why I believe it makes sense to support our employees; and provide a very small increase.   Just as I do for my private employees that have worked for me and will continue to do so as a manager.   What remains true is the town runs on the backs of these employees, and without there would be no services and empty building shells.

As always, I welcome anyone to call and discuss this issue with me; as I believe I am protecting our town and making good decisions as desired by the majority.

 

Response to the Salary Increase for Town Employees.

I recently received some criticism for my support and bringing forward a "Cost of Living Adjustment" (COLA) for the non-union town employees of 1.5%, which will cost $13,500.00 to fund from the bottom line of the budget.  Due to this my character has been called into question after less than two months on being on the board.  Although I am more than happy to discuss and explain my reasons/actions with anyone will to call or approach me; I will not do it on the so-called "Town Forum".  So I thought I would outline them here:

1. I have indicated many times that I am a conservative; but I have also stated many times I believe we need to invest and protect our town assets and infrastructures.  The employees of this town are a critical asset and are key to the operation of the town's day-to-day; not to mention the services required by the citizens.
2. The non-union employees have not had an increase in a couple of years.
   
   
3. Many of the non-union employees have not received any STEP increases, as they have been working within the town for many years and reached the top of the salary scales.
   
   
4. The town residents authorized many increases to both the town and school budgets to support our employees; so I would assume if there was an increased included in the budget, it would have been approved.
   
   
5. It was the desire of the Board of Selectman (which I was not a member at the time) to provide a 3% increase, which was denied by the Budget Committee and not lower recommendation was allowed.  I certainly agreed that 3% may have been to high for the time, and something less should have been requested.
   
   
6. My recommendation of a 1.5% and not 3% was made to address a problem, recognize the employees for their work and not to impact the tax base. 
   
   
7. I am also not willing to increase TAXES; but we may be forced into it, and it will not be because of a small salary increase.  If I thought it would, I would have not brought it forward.
   
   
8. The town budget represents a small fraction of the income that comes from TAXES, and the employees, leaders, and others have done a great job in controlling spending; and continuing to improve services.  This should be recognized not criticized.

I welcome anyone to reach out and call me to discuss my positions or anything I have done since being elected on the Board of Selectman.  I am here to server the whole community; not just a few that enjoy being on their soapbox and don't have a complete understanding of what's happening behind the scenes.

I think it also important to note, I am a taxpayer also; and experiencing the same issues caused by the economy that my neighbors and friends are.  So any increases in spending I support impacts my family, friends and me also; so I must have a good reason for doing it.

I welcome any feedback; just pick-up the phone and call me at 603.262.3901.

Dilbert - Corporate Credit Cards

This is my life when it comes to my corporate credit card.

Its works!!!!

What else can I say, its just works!!!!! I have been waiting for this solution to my poor AT&T service for over a year. So when I got word it was available, I ran out and dropped the $150.00. I really love my IPhone, but the service from AT&T was just crap; and this was a good solution.

It was simple to hook-up, just un-boxed; plugged into my router and after registering it on the AT&T portal, it was up and running in 15 minutes. After making about dozen calls; no quality issues or disconnects.

Personally, I believe AT&T should provide these devices for FREE to all people who are complaining about service coverage. Having good service will drive up minutes used, and I don't see AT&T losing as we use more services.

Granite State of Mind - Live Free or Die!!!

Worth the view:

TiVo Premiere - I want one!!!

Anybody who knows me; knows that I have been looking to build a home entertainment system that can pulls together my love for Internet streaming and normal TV. Enters TiVo Premiere; which is winning my attention and may actually get me not to invest in the MAC Mini for that function. The TiVo Premiere seems to have everything I want or need; you be the judge. Walter S. Mossberg review on http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20100324/new-tivo-mixes-tv-and-internet-but-falls-short/ is a pretty good review.