Blank CDs & Downloading Music

I just heard the tax (surcharge) on blank media (CDs) in Canada was going up.

If that money is in fact going to artist to cover what they loose in "illegal" downloads then is it really illegal to download music? They're getting paid from my blank CD purchases. I should be allowed to download whatever I want to those "licensed CDs" and not worry about breaking the law. As long as I have all downloads on a CD I should be covered right?

Who's to say I don't have the legal right to download free tracks from the internet. You're paying for it through the blank media you buy regardless of what you actually store on it. Meaning if I buy a CD to store data, musicians get paid for the CD I bought even though no music is involved. Now it's the musicians ripping me off to store my excel spreadsheets. And every time I burn data to a new disc I'll think, "There's the musicians stealing from me again."

Where's the equality?

Why is their creativity worth more than mine in the eyes of the law?

Xmas Time

Merry Xmas everyone!

Things have been great. The LG is magical. I've never enjoyed a phone more.

However, the economy sucks. Anyone know a TV show that needs writers in Toronto? I'm your man!

Toronto taxes are out of control. Or Godfrey for Mayor

I just heard every car in Toronto will cost it's owner $60 a year. Another cheap money grab but the Miller group at city hall. Get rid of them. They charge us for garbage too. How rediculous. That's what municiple taxes are meant to cover.

Is the car tax meant to help roads? Then charge the 905ers $60.

I'm getting really tired of team "Miller time." Stop partying in city hall with your million dollar bathroom renos. If you need to pay for your city hall parties, don't tax me more. Get out of politics and work for a bank. They have money to burn and will gladly pay for "Miller time" parties; I WON'T!!!!!

Just a thought. Paul Godfrey, one of the nicest men I've met has just quit the Blue Jays (he, like myself, doesn't have time for losers.). Think about it: Godfrey for mayor.

I bet you that's why he quit. Let's wait and see if I'm right.

Daily Planet co-hosts are hard to find

Why is so hard for Discovery's "Daily Planet" to find a decent co-host?

I love the network (except Cash Cab - no idea why that's on Discovery). I can't understand why they never look at Canadians to co-host. They seem fixated on foriegn females.

Does the show have to be hosted by a male/female team? I'd gladly take the the cohost job.

And why always women with accents that aren't even Canadian residents? I'd be nice to see them hire locally, accent or not.

Fido Customers: You Can Get the iPhone too!

Good news for Fido users!

Are you a Fido customer and want to get an iPhone?  Locked into a contract?

Good news!!

Although they haven't posted it anywhere, existing Fido costumers can can buy an iPhone without paying a cancellation fee on their current contract.  If you call customer service and ask them, they will (as of July 24th) waive the cancellation fee on your contract and charge you a $35 admin fee to start a new contract for the iPhone.  So you pay the same price as everyone else.

Not bad.  I think it's worth pointing out that at least one mobile company isn't screwing it's customers.

Well done Fido!

Great Article from the Globe

Here's a good overview of the iPhone fiasco from the Globe.

The Globe and Mail

Something big is here!

Well today's the day, and if you're one of the few lucky people not locked into a mobile phone contract you could go out and  buy yourself the iPhone... 

Unless you're boycotting Rogers because of their unfair pricing structures; or if you can't afford the iPhone; or if by the time you get to the store Rogers has already run out of it's limited stock (and claims victory because it has "sold out of iPhones on the first day"); or finally because like so many existing costumers, you are already locked into a contract and can't take advantage of the limited-time price-break on data plans.

What do you then?  Pay a cancellation fee on your existing plan so you can extend your contract with Rogers?  That doesn't make any sense.

That's the situation I've found myself in.  And to add to the frustration, every service rep I talk to, either on the phone or in person at the store, gives me a completely different story.

I've been told I shouldn't pay any cancellation fee, $180 to cancel and start a new contract, and $200 to start a new contract.

I've been told my renewal window starts in October then it was December. I was told to expect a call from a service rep over a week ago to fix the situation but no one has ever called.

And I still don't understand why I have to pay to cancel a contract when I'm actually looking to extend it.  If I add the $30/6GB data plan to my existing contract and sign on to continue both for 3 years why am I being charged up to $200 (or whatever Rogers decide the price is that day) to cancel a contract?  I'm not cancelling, I'm extending my contract.  And it's even worse when the $30 plan is only being offered for 6 weeks until the end of August.  If I wait till to renew at the end of my contract, I'll be forced to get a horribly overpriced data plan.

It doesn't seem like Rogers cares about it's existing costumers.  The focus at HQ must be to sign-up new clients and re-sign ones on expiring contracts.  I'm surprised they have no interest in keeping clients they already have.

I'm starting to think maybe I should just run out my contract and switch to Bell or Telus and sign on to their more reasonably priced data plans and get the Canadian-made Blackberry.

UPDATE:

 I've just heard there is a $35 activation fee for the iPhone.  First I've heard of that.  Great, an other fee.