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Please delete me.
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]]>I never would have guessed, however, that they would do the following:
It's shocking that a company that had such a great membership and community would pull such an insulting move. My time on the network is limited, and I may ask for a refund for the $25 I recently spent for more credits.
The email I received touting the new features follows...
]]> Dear member,The Onion Personals Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to The Onion Personals, the personals for people who don't need personals – it's flirting, redefined. The Onion Personals has gone through a few changes. Below you'll find some of the most commonly asked questions and our best attempts at answering them. You can find answers to most questions in just a few moments. If your question is still unanswered, please contact our Customer Service department.
Let the games begin...
I used to have more than one profile, but now only have one. What happened to the others? Can I get them back?
Our new system offers many more features than the old one did, including various types of social networking. In order to make this possible, each member must have one identity on the site. To these ends, when we migrated your information, we chose your active profile and made that your "handle." Your handle is what you are known by on this site. We believe that by choosing your active profile, we chose the face you were presenting to the world and that you'd want to keep. There's always the chance that you would rather present another face on the site. If you have a problem or question, please contact Customer Service.
In the past, I had contacted people through a different profile name and now they see my emails listed as my current/only profile name. They weren't supposed to know that!
We apologize for any inconvenience that may have been caused by our transition from the old system to the new one. We have made every attempt to retain what was good about the old system while adding more features that members have been requesting. Some members were using multiple profiles on the site, and while we hope that the consolidation of profiles didn't expose anything you meant to keep hidden, we hope that the site is used with the full openness and honesty that makes for a solid foundation for any relationship.
I was able to view unlimited profiles without upgrading to a premium membership but now I can't. What happened?
We think that we've created the best system for meeting people online. It's more than just a way to browse/search for people, but a chance for you to get to know them through our new social networking features. To best take advantage of the new features, we believe that a premium membership is the best way to go, and we've fine-tuned our system for this. To help ease the transition from one system to another, we've allowed each member the chance to use the new system as they used to, but we hope that after getting to know the new site you will want to upgrade to a premium membership.
What is the difference between credits & points?
Our new system uses points instead of credits. They're basically the same, but with a different value per unit. Just like one British Pound has an equivalent value is US Dollars, there is direct relation between points and credits. Any existing credits you had were migrated over and converted to the equivalent number of points (roughly 200 to 1).
Why does it costs me more to email in the new system (by points) than it did before (by credits)?
Our new system uses points instead of credits. We've migrated any existing credits you had to the equivalent cash value in points (roughly 200 to 1), so you didn't lose any money. But if you have seen the pricing chart, you might notice that 200 points costs a bit more than 1 credit did (prices vary with the package you purchase). While we regret the confusion, we think we've provided ways to make up for the difference. First, in the new system in addition to the usual ways to SPEND credits/points, we offer ways to EARN them. By doing things such as uploading photos and referring friends, you can earn points which you can use towards contacting other members. More importantly, we offer premium memberships so that you never have to worry about how many points you have. Even more exciting, we're offering features you currently had to pay for (Instant Messaging) as well as new social networking features which are new to the site. We think that overall you're getting much more for your money.
What's the advantage of upgrading to premium memberships?
In the past, you've had to search very carefully and try to decide who to spend your precious credits on. Almost hoarding them. You just might have let that special someone slip by. But never again! With our new social networking features, you'll have many more chances to get to know other members and you're going to want to send messages to carry on the conversation. Premium memberships give you unlimited access to all the features on this site, so you never have to think about points again.
I'm getting so much more email, what do I do to stop it?
It's a fine line, we know. The old system might have left you with too few emails in your inbox as members hoarded their credits. And now the new system, with premium members' ability to send unlimited* emails, may mean you have too many. While you can't do much to save an empty inbox, we do offer useful tools to help you filter out unwanted emails. The Message Center offers a series of filters that allow you to direct email from unwanted contacts into a "filtered" folder rather than your inbox. Those filters can be part of your Cupid settings (age, weight, height, location, etc.). We give you the power to get it all, yet sift out the good stuff. We're tempted to call it "Panning for Love."
What happened to the "Get Matched" feature?
It's there and improved! Check out Cupid and choose what you're looking for. You now have the ability to apply Cupid settings to filter your search results. Cupid allows you to set many of the same preferences like before, plus you use those same settings to help filter incoming messages, to make sure you get emails from just the people you're looking to meet.
What happened to the people on my Hot List?
People in your Hot List didn't move, but they may be called a different name (handle). Since members now have one profile, some of their less active personas dropped off. For some, that means you can search the listings and find that member to re-add them with their right handle. It could be that the person you had in your Hot List didn't log in for over 12 months. In that case, you can find "new" Hot List-worthy members.
What happened to the "Find Online Matches" feature?
This feature is still there, just called something different. To see online members, just choose "Who's Online Now" on the home page. It's in the "Find Your Special Someone" section of the page. This search, like all others, can be filtered using Cupid settings that include things such as preferred age range, location, etc.
What happened to the "Don't View Again" feature?
It's been improved to cover a wider range of members fitting (or not fitting) certain criteria. When searching, use the Cupid Filters to avoid undesired members. You can also use your Message Center Filters to free your inbox of unwanted messages.
How do I hide my instant chat status?
You don't need to. The new system works a little differently. In the old system, anytime you were logged in, you were "available" for chat. In the new system, you choose when you'd like to chat or message someone. When you've entered those sections of the site, you'll see other members who are ready to chat and they'll see you.
How can I hide my uploaded photos?
Hide those "special" photos or old pictures by setting your profile to "off". For more information, see "How do I temporarily turn my listing off?" in the Help section.
If you have any questions or comments, please logon to the site and click Help.
Thank you!
The The Onion Personals Team!
I am now seeking a better download manager. Firefox does so many things wrong with this, namely:
FlashGot seems to be popular, I don't see the website saying that it does the things I want. That being:
Suggestions?
]]>Since then there has been an incredible outpouring of support from all corners of Kari's and Aaron's lives. I've spoken to Aaron only a few times, but he has told me how many people from his past and present have stepped up to the challenge to be present and to be caring for his and Kari's needs.
We've also set up a blog for friends and family to post and be updated on Kari's and Aaron's status. I have seen names on that blog I haven't thought about for years, but of people I care deeply about. Mrs. Barrett, Ian Garrett, Katie Bost. It's overwhelming how quickly news travels, and to see how much people care.
I'm thankful every day that Aaron and Kari survived this accident, and that they have such an unbeatable support network. The perspective that such a life-changing event provides is a one-of-a-kind feeling. It isn't often that we remember how many people care about us in this world. And it isn't often that we remember how thankful we can be for the health we have.
Kari and Aaron, you guys are serious inspirations.
]]>And so this time I thought I would try Microsoft Money instead. This proved to be an endeavor unto itself. I now present to you a thorough (although not exhaustive) task analysis of downloading Microsoft Money.
Here's a very typical interaction explaining why this is a smart design choice (from Gear Live):
Me: Right click on “My Computer”
Caller: Right?
Me: The right mouse button
Caller: Oh, okay...Now there’s a menu.
Me: Select “Manage”
Caller: okay
Me: Double click on ‘Device Manager’
Caller: Left or right click?
I like seeing this dialog in written form, as I have had the same experience over and over again volunteer-teaching the web in the Tenderloin.
]]>In fact, it was so good that I think The Bad Plus are one of the best performing artists I have seen in a long, long time.
From their website:
"Not exactly a bull in a china shop, more a like a rhino in an outlet mall, The Bad Plus have spent the last few years busting up any and all preconceived notions of what an acoustic jazz trio ought to be."
They have a brilliant visual performing style. David King on drums is so addictive to watch -- he is constantly leaning in and out of his set, and sometimes looks like he's about to strike something with his bald head. Reid Anderson is likewise alternatingly hunched over his bass and provides an intense rhythm. And Ethan Iverson seems so at home on his piano. But one of the best parts of their performance are Ethan's short monologues. Here's one quotation:
"You know, it's remarkable... [long, dry pause]... with the lights of the chandeliers in here... [dry pause again]... how much this place looks like... [one more]... the inside of a spaceship." [Pause in which everyone thinks he's going to say something to justify such a silly statement. The comes no such explanation. Everyone looks at their neighbor and collectively thinks, "what?!"
David King (drummer) is easiest to gush about, so I'm going to do that for a second. He takes his discipline to the next level, and uses every surface of his set to make music. He scratches his cymbals with the blunt end of his drumstick. He taps the sides, bottoms, and edges of his snares. He brings out walkie-talkies and creates feedback between them. He lighly rolls childrens' toys across his snares. This was percussionism of a new type.
Opening for the Bad Plus was Christopher O'Riley, one of the most phenomenal pianists I have ever witnessed. His repertoire consists entirely of Radiohead covers. He did all the big ones: Paranoid Android, Everything in its Right Place, Hail to the Thief, etc. Probably the best part of his performance was how obvious it was how meticulously he reproduced the sounds and tones of the originals. I could tell how hard he tried to imitate Thom Yorke's voice with the piano. He somehow was able to fit in all the amazing layers of Radiohead's music using only the piano.
Thanks to Jackie and Tony for inviting me to the show. Y'all rock.
]]>Thanks for your interest in the early beta preview of the EVDB service. We're going live this evening!
I have been way excited about something like this for a long time. EVDB's main message, "find out what you've been missing," is spot-on. With so many public events and performances happening, it happens quite often to any consumer of culture that an event that would've been great to attend just somehow slips under the radar.
Now that EVDB is in beta, I have tried it out, and I must say I was hoping for so much more. EVDB does not let me create a single calendar for all the events and venues I would ever care about. If it has any recommendation engine-driven aspects, I do not see them, nor do I see any integration with other public data sources such as Audioscrobbler or Flickr. Entering events is difficult and does not sufficiently encourage entry. It has odd interactions, like choosing to delete a smart calendar before you see a list of them.
Ross Mayfield says, "IMHO, Next year's Flickr and icon of obsession." That is my honest hope as well, but I think EVDB has a long way to go.
]]>Yahoo! 360 is only available in a limited beta. And here is a review of it. Knock knock, who will let me in?
]]>As always, well-executed and elegant interaction. A pretty good way to put more properties on the bar above the search box.
Although this seems to be more of a joke than a serious concept for next-gen Google, I think with just a few tweaks it could be a viable interface.
The icons could indicate state like OS X does, and like the current Google home page does. In Google's case, unlike OS X, they could theoretically leave the active icon in the large state to indicate status, unlike the somewhat obtrusive arrow in the OS X taskbar.
All in all, bravo Google.
Update (March 18): Google X is gone.
]]>The map of Cuzco is spread across two pages, so it is nearly impossible to determine how streets continue. Not all the streets are indicated on the map. And my task of walking around to visit the various agencies was next to impossible, as the listing of agencies were at the end of the book, requiring the reader to hold two pages open, and the agencies were not numbered so they could be referenced on the map. And many of the phone numbers were wrong.
I guess all these things are artifacts of the culture with a high uncertainty avoidance factor.
I had dinner at a place called Ccoyllor, which my book recommended. I have been somewhat shamefully abandoning my vegetarian policies in favor of trying local fare. This meal was somewhat bizarre, but still tasty: "Chinese" rice, what seemed to be a Wienerschnitzel (they called it "suprema," a frayed hotdog, and french fries. All that for s/10 (about US$3).
I totally crashed after dinner, which was about 8:30. I slept until 7 o'clock, when breakfast was waiting for me. It was served upstairs in the hotel, where there was a fantastic view of the city. The woman working this morning was charming and served me two normal breadrolls (softer than Brötchen) and one soft slice of cake-like bread. The coffee was amazing -- she said it was a mixture of two different beans, but I didn't catch the name. I also had maté and the most amazing fresh-squeezed orange juice known to man.
Feeling refreshed, and mostly headache-free, I set about finding a way to Machu Picchu. I was propocitioned by a few guys on the street, who dragged me into their agency and proudly showed me the licenses hanging on their wall. Maybe the hard-sell doesn't indicate anything about the credibility of the service, but in my mind it did, so I did not take their offer.
I then went just down the street to InterContinental, where the woman was kind and obviously wanted to help me find a way to get my tour in before I leave on Saturday. Apparently this is very a tight deadline, as they must register you at least two days in advance.
The lady made a few phone calls and was able to arrange for me a trip leaving on Wednesday with a guide. On the third day, which is the day when you usually see the most ruins, I will press on with a porter, but without the tour guide, who is mostly just there to talk about the ruins. I realized this was the best offer I will get, so I took it for a discouted US$160. Based on my rough calculations, that is worth probably about US$500 back in the US. I have decided that I will ask my porter to lead me to a few of the ruins that we would otherwise miss, but not all. I just want a few shots.
Then the rain came. And this was no normal rain: it was torrential. And it hailed. It was hilarious to watch everyone flee the rain. It was clear that it was a somewhat frequent occurence, so everyone was in good spirits. The taxis clogged the roadways and honked more than ever, sloshing the water about that was careening down the edges of the streets.
When I thought it was over, I continued down Avenida del Sol, where it just started to pour again. I took cover for another 20 minutes and continued on.
I just bought my Boleto Turístico, a ticket that is valid for sixteen sites throughout the city. I went to the Museo Histórico Regional, which was okay, but mostly had Spanish art. I found this less interesting than the Peruvian pots and arrowheads. I am looking forward to visiting those tomorrow.
Tomorrow I'm planning on taking a horseback ride to Saqsaywaman (pronounced almost like "sexy woman"), and at 6 o'clock I have to be at the information session for my trip to Machu Picchu.
My headache is nearly a forgotten memory. I think by tomorrow I will be fully aclimatized. See you then.
]]>Leaving San Francisco was relatively unmomentous. I was late by my standards, but got to the airport in plenty of time. I tried to identify people who may be continuing on to Cuzco, but the only people I could identify were two girls wearing North Face jackets, and I haven't seen them since. Guess my vacationdar is off.
The airport in Lima was very attractively done with pleasant yellow signage and gray marble floors. I didn't expect anything different, but it was more European than I had expected.
Arriving in Cuzco brought my first misfortune, albeit a small one. The sternum strap on my brand new Gregory pack was complete in Lima, but only 50% of it arrived in Cuzco. Makes it pretty difficult to trek without full support, as I learned throughout the fitting process. I feel good that this has been the worst of my misfortune -- thus far.
I pored over the tourist books I bought in the plane, and circled several hostels I would stay at. The first one I visited -- Teqsiqocha Hostal -- asked for US$30, although my book says their price is US$15 for a single. I showed the kid at the desk my book and he feigned stupid. He agreed to the $15 and showed me the room, which was actually a double, looked downright dusty and musty, and boasted a team of flies. He offered US$10 and I jetted.
I continued up the hill away from the Plaza de Armas to Hostal Q'aHuarina, which the book claims to be modern, efficient, and to offer only six rooms. My kind of place, I thought, and that it was. The woman was sweet and kind, and asked for US$15, less than the US$18 the book said I should expect to pay.
My room has an attached bathroom, is painted in nice colors, has a few windows, and a decent bed. There is "agua caliente" in my room, but I would soon call it lukewarm at best. The shower was still welcomed.
While I was unpacking, I continually heard some kind of brass band, which I then set off to locate. I thought it must be a church, seeing as how it was Sunday morning, but in fact there was a massive event going on in the square (Plaza de Armas). I made my way back down and took pictures with some discretion, as indigineous Peruvians are that famed culture that thinks that taking a photograph is to steal their soul. But once I saw many others taking photos, I adjusted my policy.
The event was way over the top, complete with sponsorship from the Cuzco beer, Cusqueño; a stand for what seemed like it may have been the mayor; parades of various organizations who carried felt banners; and herds of military men marching in synch. I was able to wander freely about the whole place unscathed. Clearly no one cared where I was. I was even able to go behind the person at the podium without difficulty. It was a pretty amazing environment to be in, where people can be so celebratory and even carefree.
I then went to Trotamundos for a bite to eat, and to continue to watch the procession from the balcony. Turns out at least one of the purposes of the event was the Día de la Mujer (Day of the Woman), which is actually tomorrow, March 8. This all made sense until I saw a float with a sign that read, "Unete a la proteccíon del patrimonio" (unify for the protection of the patrimony). Maybe there was something going on I just didn't catch.
Otherwise, my Spanish is serving me brilliantly. I was able to converse with the taxi driver nearly fluently on our way into the city, and he complimented me profusely on my pronunciation.
And while I sat in the square writing in my paper (!) journal, little kids continually came up to me proffering their goods. I always made an effort to engage in a conversation with them, and in one instance, even gave a geography lesson to a girl and sang her "Wenn ich mal ungedultig werd'." Que spannend!
Plan so far is to hang here until Tuesday and set out on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu on Tuesday. I am counting the hours.
]]>Let me rephrase that: I was beside myself with joy to accept their offer! It took me a day to scream, but I got there. :)
Of course, there is a downside to every change, and that downside is that I will essentially be disappearing from my previously diverse and rich social scene. Ten- to twelve-hour days, plus a 1-hour (or more) commute each way are going to swallow it all whole. But I think it's all going to be worth it to work on such a cool project, and to work directly with a close friend.
I am being tight-lipped about all of this on purpose, as Moonstorm is still in stealth mode. But stay tuned to this space for updates on when I will be announcing to the world the great thing we have been working on six days a week to get done.
And to all my Avenue A | Razorfish friends out there, previous and current, I miss you all.
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