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By Posted on Posted in Not Workers Compensation, Technobabble Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Jun
6
2009
What has the world come to when Bill Gates is sending spam?
What has the world come to when Bill Gates is sending spam?

A few days ago I posted about how to prevent spam.  That method works in most instances by allowing you to give out fake e-mail addresses.  It also works most of the time against the shadier kinds of people/entities sending out spam.

However, few methods will work that spam is coming from a legitimate source.  A few days ago I received spam about “Bing.”  This is a new MicroSoft search engine, intended to be a competitor to Google.  I’m using the term “competitor” loosely here.  This spam e-mail was from “communications@communications3.msn.com”1

A recent blog post on BoingBoing.net summed up MicroSoft woes.  The “I’m a PC” ads are just not as compelling as the “Mac ads” with Justin Long.  The Zune is a poor shadow of the iPod/iPhone.  Hell, Windows Vista can’t compete with Windows XP.  On top of it all, the recent public interest in cheap laptops/netbooks has made Linux an actual competitor in the marketplace.

But, stooping to spamming?  Can I really expect to be receiving e-mails about MicroSoft along with Nigerian investment oportunities, hot young singles in my area, and erectile dysfunction medication?

  1. Photo courtesy of Annie Mole [↩]

By Posted on Posted in Insurance, PDRater, Workers Compensation Resources Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Jun
5
2009
Workers Compensation Rate Hearing
Do you need protection from the Workers' Compensation Rate Hearing?

Workers’ Comp Executive will be providing a live steaming broadcast of the Workers’ Compensation rate hearings taking place in Sacramento on June 8th, 2009.

Now, don’t mind that funny looking guy yammering on about CompLine. 12 He’ll be replaced with a live streaming broadcast of the rate hearings come Monday afternoon at 12:45pm.3

Will the rates go up?  Will they go down?  Who knows!

  1. I must accept cookie you say?  Twist my rubber arm!  It’s like Friday in Judge Succa’s hearing room! [↩]
  2. CompLine is an “experience mod” tool for insurance professionals. [↩]
  3. Photo courtesy of jspace3 [↩]

By Posted on Posted in Cell Phones, Free, Ogilvie, PDRater, Technobabble, Workers Compensation Resources Tagged with , , , , , , , ,
Jun
5
2009
Riddle me this!
Riddle me this!

Yesterday afternoon in Fresno I showed another attorney how I could perform an Ogilvie calculation on my cell phone using the best workers’ compensation calculator website in the world.

  • He looked at me and asked me, “How much does this cost?”
  • I answered, “They’re free.”
  • He asked me, “Well, why the heck am I paying for _______?”1

I don’t know.2

  1. Oh, YOU know who he was talking about… [↩]
  2. Photo courtesy of Santheo [↩]

By Posted on Posted in PDRater Tagged with , , , , , , , , ,
Jun
4
2009
Fresno Workers' Compensation Appeals Board
Fresno Workers' Compensation Appeals Board
  • Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board – Fresno District Office (FRE)
  • 2550 Mariposa Street
    Fresno, CA 93721
  • Main:  (559) 445-5051
  • DEU:  (559) 445-6427
  • Information & Assistance:  (559) 445-5355

I have to be at the Fresno WCAB this afternoon. 1  Stop by and say hello if you’re in the area.

  1. Photo thanks to Google and their StreetView [↩]

By Posted on Posted in Not Workers Compensation Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
May
30
2009

This weekend I went to the Maker Faire.  Having never been to a Maker Faire before, I described my expectations to a co-worker as it being a cross between the State Fair and the Exploratorium.1  It was way better than that.

Art cars, robots, and all kinds of incredible stuff.  Everything was made by ordinary people who would happily tell you exactly how they made everything you saw.  I also got to see Adam Savage of Mythbusters fame.

The highlight was meeting the guys of MakerBot (Zack “Hoken” Smith, Bre Pettis, and Adam Mayer) and seeing their Cupcake CNC machine in action.  These guys are real-life MacGyver’s and Scotty’s. 2

Their Cupcake CNC is a computer controlled robot that builds a 3D object layer-by-layer using molten plastic.  You can buy a kit or build one from the plans freely available on their site.  Their robot is based upon the incredible work of the RepRap project.  The things it can build are really only limited by your imagination.

  1. I’ve never been to Burning Man, otherwise I would have included it in this hybrid description. [↩]
  2. Minus the mullets and accents. [↩]