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Tuesday, June 10, 2008

I Endorse Things!

Wow! It's been a pretty momentous week over here at Universe HQ. In the space of a week I received two requests for endorsements! I've never been asked to endorse anything before, so who am I to refuse?

Firstly, in response to the recent spate of xenophobic violence that has plagued informal settlements here in South Africa, I've been asked to endorse immigrant amnesty.

This is a tough one. On the surface I like the idea, but it does raise all sorts of questions when it comes to enforceability, border control, administration and that sort of thing.

So while I'm thinking about whether or not I think it's a good idea to endorse it wholly, I suggest you guys hop over to Constant Flux and see what Gustav has to say about it. Let me know what you decide!

The second thing I've been asked to endorse is consumer producty! Awesome!

As you all know, I'm a sucker for an amusing and sarcastic T-shirt. And if that T-shirt also happens to portray a message that coincides to some extent with my world-view, so much the better! Well to my delight I learned that the guys over at Agnostees.com have produced a line of T-shirts (and other goodies) that do just that! Hooray!

So go check it out, and please feel free to buy and send me T-shirts. It's my birthday soon, guys!

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Number Portability

Today I am fearlessly embarking on a journey: I will attempt to port my number from one cellular operator to another.

I know it's possible, but I don't know anyone who has actually done it. I've heard tales of brave adventurers who have tried and failed. But I will succeed where they have not! And you, my beloved readers, will witness it second-hand! Lucky you!

I have been with my current cellular provider for six years now. I originally went with them because they were the only provider at the time who would offer me the handset I wanted (the Nokia 6310) on the package I wanted without having to pay extra.

For most of that time, they've been pretty good to me. But in the last year or so their service levels have gone into a steep decline. I wasn't the least bit surprised to learn that they had rescinded their early upgrade policy that would, under normal circumstances, have allowed me to replace my Nokia 6680 with the Nokia N95 six months ago. Now that my upgrade time has come at last, they are still unable to offer me the Nokia N95 8GB at a reasonable price, so I am left with little option but to take my business elsewhere.

So, I am moving on.

But the fact that I have had the same number for the last six years has made me reluctant to change it now. Those folks who change their numbers every few years annoy me no end. I refuse to be one of those people!

No, I will be brave. I will go where angels fear to tread. I will slay the dragon of number portability!