Das Keyboard comes from behind for the win

I recently received a package from Metadot, the creators of Das Keyboard. It contained: Here’s what the enclosed note says: The day before, I’d received another package from them, containing a brand new Das Keyboard. From the “We’re sorry we messed up!” you might suspect that there’s a less positive back story leading up to… Read More »

Why does dealing with the Boston Public Schools always have to be so unpleasant?

To: Acting BPS Superintendent John McDonough Cc: Boston School Committee Cc: City Councillor Mark Ciommo Cc: City Councillor and mayoral candidate John Connolly Cc: Mayoral candidate Charlotte Golar Richie Cc: Mayoral candidate Bill Walczak Dear Superintendent McDonough, Why does it have to be consistently so painful  to deal with the BPS administration? Some of the… Read More »

Canceling my previous recommendation for NoMoreRack.com

I recently recommended a flash charger for cell phones and other devices, being sold by NoMoreRack.com for a great price. I stand by recommendation of that particular product, but I find it necessary to withdraw my recommendation for NoMoreRack.com. They strongly encourage their customers to recommend their site and products to friends and relatives, and… Read More »

Since Diallo Mamadou Oury is so insistent on sharing my personal information, here’s some of his

I have no idea why Diallo Mamadou Oury, who lives in Dakar, Senegal, insists on using my email address to sign up for services and web sites all over the Internet (previous postings). But since he apparently feels entitled to share my personal information without my consent, I have no compunctions about sharing his. Here’s… Read More »

On the rationality and wrong of racism

After George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin, a narrative quickly emerged that Zimmerman “profiled” Martin, that he considered Martin suspicious merely because of the color of his skin and the fact that he was wearing a hoodie. Leaving aside the question of whether that narrative is accurate in the particular case of the Zimmerman / Martin… Read More »

Dear Radio Shack, Please don’t suck so much.

Dear Radio Shack, I understand that there are overhead costs associated with being a brick-and-mortar store that on-line retailers don’t have. I also understand that it’s reasonable to pay a premium to acquire a product immediately rather than waiting several days for delivery. So I could understand if I had paid a bit more for… Read More »

Lowe’s pulls a Home Depot on me

Dear Lowe’s, I like you better than Home Depot because your customer service is better than theirs. Or, at least, I thought it was. Perhaps I was wrong. When a customer orders a product through your web site, it is not OK to wait nine days before calling to inform the customer that the product… Read More »

PayFlex gone bad?

In 2009, I wrote about my positive experience with PayFlex, the company administering my FSA at a former employer. By that time I had experienced several FSA administrators, and PayFlex was in my opinion by far the best. This blog posting is a retraction of that earlier review, which I believe is no longer accurate.

My current take on Boston’s mayoral candidates

I’ve spent some time taking a look at all of the declared candidates for Boston’s mayoral election. Here are my initial reactions, for those who might be curious. People worth considering All of these are people I’d be happy to see elected. John Connolly (Web site.) Current City Councillor. I very much liked what he… Read More »