Status-Q

This might be useful to somebody. I was exporting my contacts from the OS X address book (by dragging them onto the desktop). This creates a vCard file, which I was trying unsuccessfully to import into Evolution on Linux. It turns out that the default vCard format on the Mac is version 3.0, while Evolution only understands 2.1. Fortunately, there’s an option on the Address Book preferences to set the format you want, after which my addresses transferred easily.

[Original Link] London’s contraversial ‘congestion charging’ scheme begins tomorrow. Drivers entering central London will have to pay £5 per day, with the revenues going to fund public transport.

I can understand its unpopularity with most people who go into the capital more frequently than I do, and I don’t like Ken Livingston, the mayor, who’s introducing it. But I have to give him credit for having the courage to do something bold. It was clear that something had to be done, and that half-measures weren’t going to work. It’s also a sad indictment of the current government that they would never have the vision to do something so radical.

A couple of aspects interested me. Firstly that ‘alternative fuel vehicles’ are exempt. A very good idea, and I wonder if people will start returning to horseback? That’s the way I want to go into London.

Secondly, another exempt group are “Disabled people, or institutions for disabled people, who hold a Blue Badge (formerly known as Orange Badge)”. It’s good to see that colour-blindness is finally being taken seriously.

[Original Link] It’s been a good year so far for Apple.
[Meerkat: An Open Wire Service]

[Original Link] Old satellites don’t die. They just lose their pictures.

[Original Link] A very useful primer on the current state of 802.11g by Tim Higgins. How does it work? How fast is it really? How compatible are the products, both with other 802.11g products and with 802.11b? And how come all of this stuff is out there several months before the standard is finalised?

[Original Link] It’s nice to see an encouraging draft directive from the EU which makes some sense. I’m just thinking about the last time I saw one of those. Mmm. Errr. No. Sorry. Can’t remember one.
[Thanks to Adam Curry for the link]

[Original Link] “…in an accident, you and your family are more likely to die if you are riding in an SUV rather than in a car…”

What’s good for General Motors is bad for America. [Thanks to John for the link]

[Original Link] Had to check my calendar to make sure it wasn’t April 1st.

[Original Link] Surveys in todays New York Times report that only a little over half of US students reckon that the loans they had to take out for their education were worth it.

“Indebtedness was becoming more and more of an issue,” said William Wright-Swadel, director of career services at Harvard. “We kept hearing, `I’m going to go work in industry for a few years, then I will return to what I care about.’ Frankly I’m not sure how many of them were able to make the return trip.”

Soon education will be the reward for those who have already had a successful career, rather than the means for achieving one.