ALEXTEL and other pre-tech toys of mine

ALEXTEL [From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]

Alex was the name of an interactive videotext information service offered by Bell Canada from 1988 to 1994.

The Alextel terminal rented to customers was a NAPLPS terminal with a standard modem for use on regular phone lines. The service could also be accessed with a personal computer with the appropriate terminal software.

Using the service could cost as much as 0.30$CAD per minute, and many users terminated their subscription upon receiving their first invoice.

The advent of the World Wide Web contributed to making this service obsolete. On 1994-04-29, Bell Canada sent a letter to its customers announcing that the service would be terminated on 1994-06-03. In that letter, Mr. T.E. Graham, then Director of Business Planning for Bell Advanced Communications, stated that "Quite simply, the ALEX network is not the right vehicle, nor the appropriate technology, at this time to deliver the information goods needed in our fast-paced society."

The Alextel terminal is reportedly usable as a dumb terminal for VT100 emulation.

Holy schmokes, I HAD one of these things (twice I'm sure!). The first time must have been 1989 or something, and the second time in 1992. I can't remember how much I paid for it on a monthly basis, but I remember talking with some Bell reps from Montreal (they were moderators for the some of the chat rooms). The chat rooms were a step up from the 'party lines' of the late eighties. My cousin and I used to go on them all the time, and met some interesting people out of them. My technology needs seem to have been met throughout my life. [UPDATE: I was saddened to learn that my cousin passed away on her birthday last September, and had missed an opportunity to visit earlier in the summer. I will always have such wonderful memories of the summers we shared. edit: July 28, 2018]

Other tech needs...

I remember using a cell phone in 1991, one of those big humongus ones, then another one - slimmer, smaller, in 1994, buying our first computer in 1995, an IBM Aptiva. That was a major purchase for the time. Hello, AOL! and an introduction to web spaces and chatrooms. Later on in the 90s introduced me to "Eurotrip.com" and travelling abroad solo... 

More another time...

oh my g-d!!! myspace is driving me crazy

I can't believe that I allow this crap to consume every free moment I have. Its ridiculous really! I have only a handful of friends that I communicate with and I am thinking that I might just post my email on the site- because I can't believe that all the bullshit about power outages and databases are the problem. I know there is something else here. I understand NewsCorp purchased this last year, and only in the last part of 2005 did the media start running stories on the success of this social networking community. If this was purchased by such a media mogul, why all the unprofessional and crappy work? Who the hell is working on this - I wouldn't be surprised if they have kids working in basements out in the deep jungles of India or the Siberian wilderness - re-creating this stuff, it doesn't add up. Its quite possible. With MSN and Yahoo and AOL - and Google - all having servers (i think) in the same area, why were they not affected? No, there is much more here, and I am convinced its relocating its shit outside the USA, to be more cost-effective.

mr clean and cancer

I sent a bulletin today regarding without really reading the whole thing, but added a couple of products which I understood to contain harmful chemicals.
I had a friend tell me this was urban legend or rumour, and sent me to a webpage: www.snopes.com. I have included some information from the source where I heard (a CBC news program, the woman battling cancer herself, was doing some investigative journalism on products causing cancer).

WWW.SNOPES.COM -

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/toxins.asp but for the Mr Clean erasers: Mr Clean Erasers

Since I don't want to risk a $300 reprint fee these folks say they'll charge for ANYONE who reprints any information... check the website yourself. Seriously, anyone who would dare to do that - has some serious issues considering they get their info from the spam/emails and inquiries are free from products.

FROM A CANADIAN WEBSITE/CBC NEWSWORLD:

http://leas.ca/CancerSmart-Consumer-Guide.htm
Begin Quote [

Every year, Canadians are exposed to potentially-cancer causing chemicals in the food they eat and in the household products they use — often without any knowledge of that exposure. For example:

* At least nine different consumer pesticide products contain ingredients listed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as possible human carcinogens (IARC Group 2B). Another four products contain ingredients listed in California as “substances known to the state of California to cause reproductive toxicity.” None of the hazards is listed on the product labels.
* Some leading brands of household laundry detergent contain trisodium nitrilotriacetate, another IARC 2B carcinogen, and also a wastewater pollutant.
* Moth balls, widely available in retail stores, contain either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, both of which are IARC 2B carcinogens. A recent U.S. study linked moth ball use to an increased incidence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
* Spray rust paint, a very popular product, often contains toluene and xylene, two chemicals that can have adverse effects on reproduction or cause harm to the developing fetus.
* Many leading perfumes, nail polishes and other cosmetic products sold in Canada contain the endocrine-disrupting phthalates DBP and DEHP, both of which have been banned for use in cosmetic products in European Union countries. ] End Quote

If you went to the snopes site, you would have seen a nice response regarding their product. P&G would say that wouldn't they. Regardless, Smurfette does not use many of these products, relying solely on natural products where possible.

OOC: Recently I did a mini-family tree, and identified diseases that claimed lives in my family. Surprisingly, only two people out of all my relations (close to about 80 that I can document) have died of cancer, and this occurred within the past 30 years. I believe as more of these useless products are made available and used by the general public, more people will suffer from cancer causing illnesses. As well, they do major damage to the environment. Mankind is killing mankind.

Smurfette: We Smurf's are only at risk of being trampled on or captured by Gargamel, oh, but if all the plants and animals die, well, I guess we'd have no place to hide...

I'd be interested in anyone's thoughts...

myspace sucks

I have been experiencing problems for four days now. I am fed up with it. This morning I thought I lost my profile again, but this time, I just changed my 'top 8' and voila, there it was. On Monday, I logged in, and my profile was gone. Absolutely riduculous. Bullshit about the power outage. the fucking idiot that bought myspace is a fucking gazillionaire, no bloody way, it continues to lag in service. Fucking asshole Murdoch. This guy is a first rate capitalist. Have you seen Outfoxed? Watch it and learn...

Eurovision Song Contest 2006 - Israel

Israels entry to the Eorovision Song Contest 2006 Copyright: EBU / NDR / Das Erste / ARD

Philosophy and Zionism and Israel

very good video (apparently)

why do I chose these videos so that after awhile they all get taken down and I am left with a black hole here...

Israel Air Force & Infantry video

6 minutes video i've edited on the Israeli Air Force and 3 infantry units

Israel Air Force - The Final Countdown

Short israel air force movie i've edited with the sound of The Final Countdown

A Good comic video found some where on Net

A Good comic video found some where on Net

UNICEF Advert

Presumably some anti-war thing unless Smurfs are victims of ethnic cleansing I just hadn't heard about it.

Smurfs

Commercial

Unicef Smurfs Commercial

The UN children's agency has launched a hard-hitting ad campaign, involving cartoon legends the Smurfs being blown away in a sudden air strike.

New Music Video From David "The Hoff" Hasselhoff - "Jump In My Car"

That's right, it's Hofficial... your favourite cult icon wants to take you home! The one and only David Hasselhoff of "Bay Watch" and "Knight Rider" fame returns with a cover of the 1975 classic 'Jump In My Car' and its a doozy. Recorded in Sydney last year with the legendary Harry Vanda (AC/DC, The Angels), the Ted Mulry Gang tune has been re-vamped with full Hoff gusto and this music video promises to rock the socks off all his Hofficial fans. Watch it, enjoy it, share it on Google Video, courtesy of Sony BMG Australia. Want more? Buy the buy the track on iTunes Australia by clicking here: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=155871591&s=143460

Paris Hilton's New Music Video "Stars Are Blind"

"Stars Are Blind" is the debut single from heiress, actress, and newly minted pop star Paris Hilton. Watch it now on Google Video, courtesy of Warner Music International. The video was shot on the beach in Malibu, California in May by noted director Chris Applebaum, who also lensed Rihanna's "S.O.S." and Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten," as well as Hilton's high-profile Carl's Jr. campaign. "Stars Are Blind" is the lead-off single from Hilton's self-titled debut album, which is due for release by Warner Bros. Records late summer.

Animusic - Pipe Dream

From the fist Animusic DVD. Pipe Dream has been voted one of the best 3D animation projects ever (by 3D World magazine). Metal balls fly out of PVC pipes, land on percussion and string instruments, and sound out an instrumental piece of music.

vacation abroad

Paris.

It was sadly disappointed this time around.


Lately all my trips abroad have been somewhat disappointing. I guess I really must look at why and what's happening with me? I don't know what's wrong, but nothing seems to be pleasing. It takes a movie or television, or jokes to make me laugh.

My life - I can't find anything that makes me happy. There is definitely something wrong.

Pere Lachaise

I love this headstone.








Allan Kardec:

Jim Morrison:

A Sad State of Affairs

This past week lots of MySpace bulletins were calling for peace in the Middle East, more specific, Lebanon and Israel.

I am not familiar with the history of that region, but at first I guess I was influenced by a comment that Israel should be able to protect itself from terrorists. I had someone else tell me that Israel started it all and that they were at fault. I have no idea what the hell is talking about.

Now, I have decided that I would rather not make comments on that whole sitution nor do I want to hear anything about it from a layman who only preaches one side of the story (esp from a Conservative).


Documentaries:

1. Outfoxed - more bullshit on I can't even remember his name - Rupert something and his domination over the media - biased views, selective, propaganda - what the hell else is new.

2. Hopscotch - several girls from across the globe are showcased and linked by this game of Hopscotch. The first girls highlighted are from India, one 10 year old girl is already engaged and will marry. Really sad.


Both documentaries were interesting.