08Apr 2009 by R&O No Comments
The Internet in 1994

The Internet in 1994

Internet, Of Interest, Technology
Back in the early 90's my brother and I started a small business we called The Net Brothers. We offered software installation, configuration and tutorials to help businesses and a few home users access the Internet. It was a tricky business back then and most people that wanted to access the Internet had problems finding software, configuring their dial-up modems and a variety of other technical issues that have since all but disappeared. Things have changed significantly since those early days and the Internet is now accessible by practically everyone, replacing many of the services and products we used and supported back then. There were very few consultants at the beginning of the 90's Internet wave and someone from The Bill Good Show heard me on CBC radio discussing this…
Read More
27Mar 2009 by R&O No Comments

Aboriginal consultation fees

Of Interest, Politics
According to Michael Smyth's column in the March 26 edition of The Province newspaper, the Tsleil-Wauturth Nation (TWN) aboriginal band is demanding 'consultation fees' for "any land development or resource use within the 23 municipalities it regards as its traditional territory". Say WHAT? Let me get this straight...this 447 member band can claim the entire Lower Mainland and start demanding fees for their proposed 'services'? Their consultation fees include $250 per application 'referral set-up fee' and a '$200-$400 'Cultural Heritage Investigation Permit'. According to Mr. Smyth's article "After those fees are paid, any proposed development in the region would be reviewed by the First Nation's staff or their contractors, whose saleries would have to be paid by the applicant. These costs include $50 and hour for 'resource technicians', $75 and…
Read More
24Mar 2009 by R&O No Comments

Backyard pest

Of Interest
Here's a picture of a giant orb web spider eating a bird in a Queensland, Australia backyard. The photos, believed to have been taken earlier this week, show the golden orb spider clenching its legs around a lifeless Chestnut-breasted Mannikin trapped in a web, reports The Cairns Post. You can see all of the pictures HERE. And we thought raccoons were a problem.
Read More