In a big emergency sometimes even POTS lines can go down (although they are on special telco batteries)
And, even if they don't go down, sometimes the lines are overloaded.
I think the only 'bullet-proof' contact system for distant emergency comms is ham band or SW.
...I was able to connect to my parent's home on 9/11, while not able to talk to their cells...
Where were you and your parents located?
obi boxes let you you use your house's POTS wiring with google voice. It's quite a nice product, at least until Google voice becomes more expensive than free -- though faxing over it can be kind of hit or miss.
Yeah - I'm using GVoice to feed the Obi, but I think the Obi will also work with other phone-over-IP services. (in case GVoice ever goes to a paid model.)
Things I like:
- I was able to move my old phone # to GVoice, so I didn't have to get new business cards, or notify everyone.
- Free - endlessly free..!
- You can route calls through the Obi for long distance cheaper rates if you're away from home.
- I can use my cool vintage telco phones; ringers, dialtone, all work normal. You can even program it to ring 'British style' if you like!
Don't like:
- Setup is a little complex. Your grandma won't be setting it up. (Although, once it's set up, it's bulletproof.)
- No 911 service. Kind of scary.
- Very limited speed-dial memory. And you can't 'see' the numbers, so you have to memorize who is who.
Read the post -- I'd dropped Cable TV long ago -- this was Internet and telephone only.
Why didn't this guy cut his telephone service too?
He could bought an ObiHai for $40 bucks and never paid for phone again.
The ObiHai connects to your router and you can plug your regular POTS phone into it.
No fees like Ooma $3.50/mo, or MagicJack $29.99/yr, or Vonage $12-$55/mo.
The only downside is no direct 911.
ObiHai info: http://www.obihai.com/how-to-g...
Slightly out-of-date chart: http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/to...
Corrected - it's the SET button
...is there a "simple mode" for those times that I just want to pick the camera up and just go shooting or recording with basic automatic settings?
Yes, and it's very easy. Just hold down the SET button when booting, and it boots to Canon factory standard - no ML.
...is there a "simple mode" for those times that I just want to pick the camera up and just go shooting or recording with basic automatic settings?
Yes, and it's very easy. Just hold down the SET button when booting, and it boots to Canon factory standard - no ML.
... I really can't fathom what kind of features might apply in the video realm.
There's quite a bit. You can control multiple mic inputs, manual audio levels, actual HDR video (not just stills!), white balance without referring to a still frame, wide variety of focus assists, DIY reticules (like for custom aspect ratios, title/action safes), much more.
Highly recommend it!!
...is there a "simple mode" for those times that I just want to pick the camera up and just go shooting or recording with basic automatic settings?
Yes, and it's very easy. Just hold down the MENU button when booting, and it boots to Canon factory standard - no ML.
...My Fearless Leaders have proven themselves untrustworthy in regards to Life and Liberty...
...said the guy - posting openly on the information network created by the US DOD.
"The case began when LAPD officers responded to reports of a street robbery near Venice Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue. They pursued a suspect to an apartment building, heard shouting inside a unit and knocked on the door."
This sounds like they had a pretty good reason to search, not like they were just fishing around.
They probably could have pulled a warrant, but the law does allow them to ask permission and enter if granted.
This is the exact same right that says, if I come to visit you (as a friend) and knock on your door, you can give me permission to come in, or tell me to go away.
Police are also people, and you can give them permission to come in, or tell them to go away.
In the latter case, they can elect to pull a warrant with a judge, if they have probable cause, as already defined by law. The judge serves as an oversight to make sure they are not 'fishing.'
While I understand your sentiment, he wasn't arrested for refusing to provide consent for a search - that's still quite illegal. He was 'arrested in connection with the street robbery and taken away.'
Correct. He was not even present when consent was obtained and the search was conducted.
To turn this on its head: if this had NOT been allowed, it would mean that the following could occur:
Police show up at a house and ask the occupant who answers the door if they can search the house. The occupant agrees; they search, and find something illegal.
They get to court and defense says, "Well, one of the residents of the house, who was on a six year vacation in Columbia when this occurred, had objected to a search request back in 1987, so this search was illegal."
If I object to the search then they arrest me and take me away. Then come back and ask my wife if they can search the house... If she objects do they arrest her too or consent...
They can't arrest you for refusing to allow a search.
They don't kill them - they drain a little blood and release them in an area where they won't be picked up again.
There was no emergency situation at the time of the search, it was done after the fact. There was really no excuse for not getting a warrant for the search.
There was no emergency, but they didn't "bust in claiming that it was an emergency."
They knocked on the door and asked Rojas, who lived there, if they could enter. She said they could. So they did.
They didn't force her - they asked her.
If the guy had been home (he wasn't) and he had objected, they wouldn't have entered.
Surprise your boss. Get to work on time.
