Sorry to rant but I got to get this off my chest and I don't Facebook so, where we go.
My local cable company is experiencing issues, the networks are all raising their fees to be so high that only the major corporate broadcast companies can afford them. Therefore squeezing out all of the independent providers. We lost NBC a few months ago to a %400 price increase and poised to loose all Viacom networks. (I may be mistaken but I think Viacom is now part of NBC/Universal World Group. Oops correction, it appears Viacom owns NBC/Universal as of late 2012.) That of course is to set up a system where, though legally not a monopoly, they will have one hand that is always washing the other. Eg. Network A, (who no doubt has some money tied up into Broadcaster B), sells rights to Broadcaster B. So in essence they pay themselves to carry their own signal. This is a push by corporate media in an attempt to be in total control of broadcasting.
It appears they are trying to set the prices so high that the only players that will be left are, AT&T, Comcast, Time/Warner, Direct TV and the Dish Network.
And although history is filled with examples, stories, books and movies that illustrate the negative implications that this would have on society, they still insist on attempting this. Maybe those guys should take a brake from counting their money and watch a little of their programming to see just what happens when there are too few people involved in any large organization. Maybe a little Keanu a-la Johnny Nemonic would be a good starting look at a world with too few businesses.
In the end I guess it doesn't matter. They got their money either way so why should they care?
Sorry to rant but to be honest the reason I'm with my cable company is because 1: They offer the best internet in my area. Others have made the claim but no one has matched their level of service in my area. I get a much better signal and WAY better service from them as opposed to AT&T or Direct TV. (I've had TV through both and internet from AT&T. Very let down with both.) 2: Customer Service. At least in my area, if you have AT&T issues, you may as well get out your tool belt and start figuring it out yourself because it will be days before they get to you and you have to be there the whole day in order to not miss them and get put in the back of the queue. In fairness this was all over 5 years ago and I've refused to use AT&T anything as much as possible since so, maybe things are better. But, I doubt it.
It just sucks that I'm probably going to loose my reliable local company and end up with an (IMHO) inferior corporate provider for just as much if not more money. To my local I'm 1 in 500,000. To AT&T, Time and Comcast, I'd be 1 in 5,000,000. To my company I'm a valued customer and worth their time. To the big boys, I'm chump change and, in the past, have been tossed in a jar just like all of other chumps. Now that they have even more customers than they did then, I don't see that trend swinging toward my favor.
Once again, sorry to rant. -"Snatch your brain back zombies." -Jbone.
I'm not pissed and I still don't think this ez forum is the place to discuss cell phone bills. However if this is the way you guys want to use this forum provided by EZ Robot go right ahead. Stonwolf's right; I don't need to visit and take part in the discussion. I'll keep to myself. You guys turn this form into what ever you want. Enjoy.
Sorry dude... didn't mean to speak for you... my apologies...
No worries my friend. We're all good here. You guys do what you feel best with the forum (and what EZ Robot will let you get away with).
Like I said, I was just shearing my thoughts and feelings. It's an community we all need to coexist here. I'm not going anywhere but I will stop commenting on this topic as I've already spoken my mind.
Peace, Dave
I'm sorry Dave, I didn't intend for this to get so much attention. My only defense is that I did post it in General Discussions. I was a little miffed at the state of affairs and blew off some steam to my EZ Robot friends. I thought it might be something they could possibly relate to, in general. And I say friends whole heatedly. I'd do what ever I can to the best of my ability for everyone in this community and, I really do feel that most would do the same for me. Some have.
I'm mostly upset that you seem a little upset. You and I often share viewpoints and opinions and I really like you and take a general interest in what ever you have to say so, to know I've upset you kinda hurts. I'm sorry. If EZ-R Co. wants to just delete this out and we can just all move on and forget all about it, I'd be very happy with that. I don't want to damage any relationships with you or anyone else here.
I have to say I agree with Dave to be honest. Personally I see this forum as a place strictly for discussing EZ-Robots and the EZ-B rather than for social interaction etc. (that's what email is for IMO).
I just don't want the forums to become more about social discussions than EZ-Robots.
That's not to say I'm upset this topic exists or that you shouldn't have posted it, I just don't think it belongs here, one man's opinion. As far as I'm concerned the forum is for showcasing projects, asking/offering advice and tutorials for robot stuff and asking questions. Email, facebook, twitter, blogs etc. are for the rest. I often have various general discussions with community members via email, things that don't belong here.
IF general, off topic chat is going to begin to be permitted here I would like to suggest to EZ-Robot that those topics are not included in the latest topic on the right hand side of the main community forum page though, that way only the important stuff like questions or showcased robots/products can be in the spotlight without general jibber jabber getting in the way.
I can see good arguments for both view points, strictly robotics and General " off topic" posts. I have been guilty a number of times for posting off topic threads most recently " New Zealand" and felt a twinge of " inappropriateness ......To preserve the purity of Robot posts yet be able to reach out to Community members for interesting off topics I would like to see the Web person Chrissy? create a new tab for any off topic threads, as Rich had mentioned above in his last paragraph. According to Community people (Rich), before my time , there was a " chat" tab! Perhaps that could be reintroduced
A chat tab would be the best place to "blow off steam or just say hey if your passing by my neck of the woods , stop by and have a beer and not talk robots
Holy cats Antron007 eek I never intended to sound upset. That's the problem with typed words, I gotta be real careful how I put things. I'm not upset at all. Lord knows I've been known to stray off topic at times so I have no right throwing stones. However I do feel like Rich put it. He was able to put my feelings words more elegantly then I could have ever been able to.
This Forum IMO has the best decorum of any others that I have been on.! Considering the angst that this Community has been enduring its freaking amazing how civil and mature members are
That's a tribute to our robot building passion