Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the Smart Woody.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Do People Want Small Cars?
Do people want small cars? The market research so far says "not really". Paul Eisenstein has a good compact writeup of the issue here.
Will people buy small cars? Yes, they will, and as time goes on, they will have no choice.
I expect the mechanism for this to be pricing. Automakers will have no choice but raise prices on large and thirsty vehicles, and limit production volumes, to encourage people to buy the smaller cars.
Large, high performance vehicles will continue to be sold, but at a significant price premium.
Will people buy small cars? Yes, they will, and as time goes on, they will have no choice.
I expect the mechanism for this to be pricing. Automakers will have no choice but raise prices on large and thirsty vehicles, and limit production volumes, to encourage people to buy the smaller cars.
Large, high performance vehicles will continue to be sold, but at a significant price premium.
Wanted: The Perfect Portable Internet Device
I want someone to make a little computer which has the following specifications. Dell, are you listening?
Something like the Dell 11z or Acer 1410 but in a tablet form instead of notebook form. The Archos 9 is close, but it appears to be under-powered for the task, and early reports are that it struggles with some video files.
Oh, and please get it to market before Apple shows up and ruins the show with their hype.
- Tablet format (hidden or no discrete keyboard)
- 10 or 11" touch screen
- Powerful processor to play video files without stutter (Intel CULV? Ion chipset?)
- 2GB+ RAM
- Bluetooth
- Webcam
- Wi-Fi N
- Windows 7 Home Premium (not Starter)
- 3 hours of battery life using wi-fi or video playback
- Price below $600
Something like the Dell 11z or Acer 1410 but in a tablet form instead of notebook form. The Archos 9 is close, but it appears to be under-powered for the task, and early reports are that it struggles with some video files.
Oh, and please get it to market before Apple shows up and ruins the show with their hype.
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Return of 55mph? Probably Not Yet.
Over at the Examiner, Mark Tapscot is warning that the EPA is going to inevitably mandate a national speed limit, as a result of its CO2 endangerment finding.
I don't think the EPA will do it, in part because I am not sure they can. The EPA has a mandate to regulate major emitters of pollution, and in general works on the large scale industrial policy level. The EPA makes rules on smog forming automobile emissions, also known as Tier II, for example.
Speed limits are locally regulated, on a state-by-state basis. The old 55mph national speed limit was enacted by Congress, and was enforced on the states with the threat of withholding road funding. The EPA doesn't have this budgetary power, and I am not sure if it has the legal authority to impose a national speed limit.
The EPA could, however, publish a rule that requires automakers to add speed related equipment to their vehicles. For example, a GPS system with a database of local speed limits could babysit the driver and make it unpleasant or impossible to speed. At the most extreme, the EPA could mandate a speed control system which simply limits the top speed of a vehicle.
I think it would be an excellent national debate if they tried for it. Let's get it out in the open. Do we believe in man-made global warming, as a nation, or do we not? Do we buy the EPA's ruling that CO2 is a poison, not just a plant food?
I don't think the EPA will do it, in part because I am not sure they can. The EPA has a mandate to regulate major emitters of pollution, and in general works on the large scale industrial policy level. The EPA makes rules on smog forming automobile emissions, also known as Tier II, for example.
Speed limits are locally regulated, on a state-by-state basis. The old 55mph national speed limit was enacted by Congress, and was enforced on the states with the threat of withholding road funding. The EPA doesn't have this budgetary power, and I am not sure if it has the legal authority to impose a national speed limit.
The EPA could, however, publish a rule that requires automakers to add speed related equipment to their vehicles. For example, a GPS system with a database of local speed limits could babysit the driver and make it unpleasant or impossible to speed. At the most extreme, the EPA could mandate a speed control system which simply limits the top speed of a vehicle.
I think it would be an excellent national debate if they tried for it. Let's get it out in the open. Do we believe in man-made global warming, as a nation, or do we not? Do we buy the EPA's ruling that CO2 is a poison, not just a plant food?
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Review: Kirkland Beer (Costco Beer)
At Costco the other day, I saw that they were selling Kirkland branded beer. Kirkland is Costco's store brand. It was reasonably priced for "real beer", about $18 for a case of 24.
Overall, I would say this is a pretty good value for decent beer. I'm not sure it is as good as, say, Bell's, but I am not regretting the purchase.
Four flavors are included, one sixpack each: Hefeweizen, Pale Ale, German Lager, and Amber Ale.
I have tasted each flavor, and they all have similar characteristics. They have a solid hoppy taste, with nice color and a light to medium body. This is relatively light beer, not barley stew, but with a good hop hit.
The Hegeweizen was actually cloudy (see photo), which is sort of neat.
Overall, I would say this is a pretty good value for decent beer. I'm not sure it is as good as, say, Bell's, but I am not regretting the purchase.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Mini-Review: WeatherTech Floor Mats
If you get any auto magazines, such as C&D or AW or MT, you have probably seen the multipage ads for WeatherTech floor mats, the ones that show the ankles and tow cleavage. I decided to order a set of front "semi custom" mats for my car.
While they are expensive, at about $60/pair delivered, they do fit quite well. They have a built in hole to mount on the mat retainer hook. They are made of a nice, heavy rubber with deep grooves and good grip. They fit very well. Overall, I would say they are worth the price. And they are made in the U.S.A., a rare breed nowadays.
*This review was not requested by WeatherTech, and no compensation was given for it.
While they are expensive, at about $60/pair delivered, they do fit quite well. They have a built in hole to mount on the mat retainer hook. They are made of a nice, heavy rubber with deep grooves and good grip. They fit very well. Overall, I would say they are worth the price. And they are made in the U.S.A., a rare breed nowadays.
*This review was not requested by WeatherTech, and no compensation was given for it.
Stolen Cop Car Possibly Used In Detroit Rape
I heard on the radio this morning that a parked unmarked police cruiser, a Dodge Charger, was stolen from Detroit, ironically, from a policeman who was with the auto theft unit. Later, a woman who's car had stalled out on I-94 was raped by two men who drove up in a vehicle that matched the description. The wire story is here.
The stolen car's license plate is 8JP H46.
If you are ever followed by a vehicle that looks like a police car, but is not marked, you are NOT obligated to pull over. If they flash lights at you, and you aren't sure if they are legit or not, do not pull over unless you are in a well lit public area. You can also call 911 and explain what is going on, and they will try figure out what is going on.
The stolen car's license plate is 8JP H46.
If you are ever followed by a vehicle that looks like a police car, but is not marked, you are NOT obligated to pull over. If they flash lights at you, and you aren't sure if they are legit or not, do not pull over unless you are in a well lit public area. You can also call 911 and explain what is going on, and they will try figure out what is going on.
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