Portland Wireless Data Speeds Compared

PC World published a new multi-city survey which shows Verizon's 28% faster here than last year's testing. Here's the results for Portland, showing all four carriers, their data speed and reliability, for both laptops and smartphones:

Put another way, here are bar charts comparing the carriers and their Portland speeds:

It's interesting that T-Mobile outperforms Verizon in download speed, especially given the price differential between the services.

Best Clackamas Broadband Choice Just Got Tougher To Get

Now, I know a few folks who like the Internet.  As you can tell from the prior post, Mrs. Clackablog and Yours Truly just had a leetle problem with our broadband (settled last night after our fifth call to our current provider, who CLEARly had not troubleshot the problem with their equipment well).

So it is with dismay that I read Verizon, the provider of FIOS, is cutting back expansion plans. Verizon serves much of Clackamas County, and their FIOS system is not only technically superior, but also, according to everyone I know who uses it, is purely addictive and the best darned broadband ever.

DSL Reports, a reliable source for broadband industry information, provides cutback details:

Verizon's essentially cutting and running on additional deployment plans, leaving a very large chunk of their footprint on last-generation DSL and copper-based voice networks.

(Industry analyst) Burstein tells Broadband Reports that he doesn't see Verizon expanding any further (with the exception of major cities where they've signed franchise agreements) unless they get money from Uncle Sam (aka, taxpayers). "They want to get on the gravy train, although I think the new, less competitive leadership is the primary explanation," says Burstein when asked why Verizon's shifting tactics. (CEO) Seidenberg, the driving force behind the first wave of FiOS, is on his way out -- and his replacements aren't quite as bullish on angering investors for the sake of this whole "future" thing.

The feds gave major concessions to telephone companies, Verizon included, based on the promises made to the Congress for the Telecommunications Act of 1996, to encourage broadband growth, and although broadband makes money for the phone companies in unexpected ways (see next-to-last paragraph), they haven't delivered on their promises to open up broadband. 


That's why Google is experimenting with high-speed Internet deployment, which Portland will compete for, for Google makes money if the economy booms.


And, if Verizon cuts back on FIOS rollout, that's bad news for Clackamas County.

CLEAR no-speed internet

Beware of CLEAR, they're anything but.

Two days ago: 7AM Thursday, no internet (as per Mrs. Clackablog, who didn't tell me).
Called CLEAR @ 10AM, report problem when I found no dial tone on the phone.
Perform every troubleshooting step, technician diagnoses problem as being in the tower site equipment. Says they will send someone to the site. No idea when that will occur.
Called again Thursday evening, was told once the technician is dispatched, it takes a day for that to occur.

Yesterday: No CLEAR internet service. Mrs. Clackablog called tech support, and was told there was no problem; and then they closed. Unable to chat with their chat system with two cellphones and three cellphone browsers (including Opera Mobile).

Today, day three: No CLEAR internet service. Cycled all equipment, performing all steps prescribed by CLEAR's website:

1. Powered down the modem for 120 seconds.
2. Re-positioned the CLEAR Home Modem until it has 3 light ‘bars’.
3. Shut off the computer.
4. Connected the CLEAR Home modem directly to your computer using the Ethernet cable, bypassing all other devices like wireless routers.
5. Checked cable connections from the modem to computer. The cable fits securely in the sockets and did not wiggle loosely from side to side.
6. Restarted the computer. Still no internet connection.

After a web chat (took a laptop to a hotspot), a chat session with 'Kathy Jetson' was useless (why does CLEAR have their staff use such ridiculous aliases?). I then called CLEAR, at 23 cents/min, and eventually talked with 'Michael' who 'works with' their level two support (after asking for a real supervisor) and was told to go back home and go redo everything we've already done.

My next window to do so is Monday, as although their call center opens at 5AM Pacific, they robotically reject all calls from the Pacific time zone until 0900 (a shining example of customer dissservice in action).

Also, when we signed up for CLEAR internet and voice service, it was with the understanding that CLEAR would port our phone number from Vonage. Well, they didn't, and won't cancel even though that was our reason for signing up for CLEAR VOICE; definitely a lack of honor on their part. 

Fool me once, shame on you. I won't stay with this miserable excuse of a provider past my contract expiration date.

Beware of CLEAR, they're anything but.

Surf the web, see an ad, get a virus

cNET, a web division of CBS, documents how simple it is to get a virus if you use Windows to surf the web.  Web servers from Yahoo, Google and other webvertising companies automatically delivered ads that looked for Windows and out-of-date software, and infected computers automatically:

Users don't need to click on anything to get infected; a computer becomes infected after the ad is loaded by the browser, Avast (Ed. note: A trusted antivirus company) said.

Solution: Get Ubuntu Linux. I just installed the latest version on my PCs, and it automatically found everything in my Lenovo ThinkPad and HP Pavilions, found what space was available for Linux, and left my Windows intact; when I boot, I have a choice of Linux or Windows.

Linux can automatically connect to the Windows side of the hard drive, and use pictures, movies, movies and Office files you created or downloaded previously. It can even run World of Warcraft. Updates are automatically offered, and downloaded when you're ready, also for free.

Free is a very good price for an operating system and all the programs which work on it, and when it protects you from viruses, all the better.

South-Side Amateur Radio Classes and Exams

Amateur radio's evolved greatly in the last century, and in that evolution, saved many lives, and advanced the art of communications. FM, television, digital, Ethernet, satellite radio and cellular are all innovations pioneered by radio amateurs.  A pocket sized two-way amateur radio can talk to all seven continents and the space station.

Amateur radio helps recovery effort today in Haiti and Chile, and provided yeoman's service in the recovery from Hurricane Katrina. When, not if, the major subduction zone strikes the Pacific NW, amateur radio will give communications when cellular and landline phones fail from overload and facility damage.

Local publicly-spirited amateurs are offering two-day classes, free, with the only charge $12 for the Federal Communication Commission to receive the exam result. Pass the test, and you've got the first of three amateur licenses; and there's no Morse code on any exam.

The format and times will be the same, one week apart..

Friday evening runs from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM (perhaps only 9:00 PM, depending on questions posed in the class). Saturday runs from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM; a (BYO) brown-bag lunch break for questions and review, with testing at about 2:00 PM.

Two churches have donated their facilities for these April sessions:

• April 9-10 in Oregon City, at the LDS Church, 15344 S Henrici Rd
• April 16-17 in Tigard, at the LDS Church, 15555 SW 98th Ave

We can't prevent natural disasters, but we can be ready to overcome them. Would you prefer to be a victim, or a survivor?

More proof that Vitamin D is important for your health

http://www.smartplanet.com/business/blog/smart-takes/vitamin-d-its-a-linchpin-to-your-immune-system/4835 offers more proof that Vitamin D is an essential booster for health. It shows Stockholm researchers proved Vitamin D is required so that the T cells of your immune system can do their job.

Many folks don't get enough Vitamin D, for other research revealed Vitamin D amounts in milk and other foods is not enough to do the job.

Vitamin D3, the form best metabolized, is $17 for a 300 cap/2,000mg bottle at Costco; very, very cheap prevention against heart attack, diabetes, colon and breast cancer. Please make sure to show this article to your friends, as this is the best and most effective cancer preventative known.

Global Warming Natural?

Is global warming natural? German and Russian research suggests so. And, Havard researchers have found periods when glaciers covered even the Equator.

Those friendly CO2 emissions may not only not be pollution, contrary to recent EPA fiat, but they might just be holding off the next batch of glaciers.

Macy's latest credit card outrage

http://www.creditbloggers.com/2010/02/new-gimmick-in-credit-cards.html boggles the mind: 219.96% APR on a department store card.  Beware of Macy's!

But it wasn't strictly a subprime mortgage crisis

Robert X. Cringely the Third, who, for a time, lived in Bend and produced technical industry documentaries for PBS (Triumph of the Nerds among others) as well as a column in the influential computer industry trade journal Infoworld, has joined a project focusing on the finance industry. Today's interesting post, titled Panic Attack, explains as per:

a new report from the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Great Recession wasn’t the result of a bursting housing bubble at all but rather a bank panic in the long tradition of American bank panics. Yes, subprime mortgage securitization was a mess -- a house of cards probably doomed to fall -- but subprime by itself simply wasn’t big enough to put the entire financial system at risk. That required a failure of the Renew Sale and Repurchase (REPO) market for collateralized securities that over the last 30 years had quietly come to backstop global finance.

Read the report. It is fascinating and chilling.

Make them no better than us

"An idea whose time has come"

For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress.  Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn't pay into Social Security, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws..  The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform that is being considered...in all of its forms.  Somehow, that doesn't seem logical.  We do not have an elite that is above the law.  I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever.  The self-serving must stop.  

This is a good way to do that.  It is an idea whose time has come.

Have each person contact a minimum of Twenty people on their Address list, in turn ask each of those to do likewise..

In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message.  This is one proposal that really should be passed around.

Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution:

"Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States".

Tips on flying and luggage

http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/ which tracks airfare specials, recently blogged via Yahoo! on the advantages of shipping luggage items by UPS/FedEx instead of the airlines, who have gotten a bit spendy on luggage recently.

But, if you're flying to a state which respects the Second Amendment, or going hunting someplace, the report at http://deviating.net/firearms/packing/report.html explains which airlines freak out, and which airlines actually follow Federal law on transporting guns.

The next time you think our legislature is silly

http://comics.feedtacoma.com/tacomic/tacomic-broke-ass-washington-state-set-give-microsoft/ leads with a cartoon illustrating that, despite a 2.8 gigabuck revenue shortfall, the Washington Legislature is absolving Micro$oft of a billion dollar tax liability.  Explanations (some with language unfit for small children) follow the cartoon.

Mind boggling.

John Kroger wants your help with regulating multi-national banks

Here's an e-mail I received from Oregon's Attorney General, John Kroger. Makes sense to me; hope you ask Martha Schraeder to vote for it. We have a great opportunity to protect Oregon's consumers. The Senate will vote on HB 3706A within the next two days. If approved, this bill will help citizens protect their rights against large multi-national banks. Presently, these institutions are not regulated by any state agency. If an unprincipled lender takes advantage of an Oregon consumer there is very little that we can do.  We need your help to change this.  Almost every business in Oregon falls under the jurisdiction of the Unlawful Trade Practices Act (UTPA). Unfortunately, the UTPA does not apply to loans or extensions of credit. HB 3706A would close this loophole by giving the Oregon Department of Justice the authority to hold lenders accountable when they violate the law, just like any other industry. Last week HB 3706A was passed with strong bipartisan support in the House. Now the bill is headed for a vote on the Senate floor. Please contact your Senator within the next 48 hours and urge them to support HB 3706A. You can locate contact information    for your senator, or email them directly   . The fate of HB 3706A will be decided within the next 48 hours, so please act now. This is a tremendous opportunity to help protect Oregonians from unprincipled lenders. I hope you will join us in this fight.

Be Very Careful at ATMs!

Here's a security blog which shows a very professional 'skimmer'; a device which attaches to an ATM card slot, and both rips off the data from the ATM card magnetic stripe AND the PIN card you punch in. Be VERY careful at ATM machines from now on to make sure it does not have a skimmer attached, and watch your bank account balance diligently!

Haiti Earthquake

Americans in Haiti can Twitter directly to @safeandwell with contact info, how and where you are, to the American Red Cross Safe and Well site:
http://twitter.com/safeandwell or at the Safe and Well website at https://disastersafe.redcross.org/default.aspx

Families in the United States whose U.S. citizen relatives abroad may be directly affected by the crisis can use the website above, or contact the Department of State through the Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management at 1-888-407-4747 or (202) 647-5225.

Planning for closure of Oak Grove Library

The Public Survey Meetings for the new Gladstone Library, which will replace the Oak Grove Library as per the last referendum on our library system, will be held on dates and times shown below. All meetings will have the same survey questions and info, so people need to go to only one of them. Refreshments will be provided by GG's Deli and Restaurant (except Rose Villa will be doing their own).

1/21 Thu 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm , Rose Villa Senior Living Community, 13505 SE River Rd., Oak Grove

1/22 Fri 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Gladstone Senior Center, 1050 Portland Av., Gladstone

2/4 Thu 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Gladstone Comm. School Cafeteria, 18800 Portland Av., Gladstone

2/11 Thu 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm, Clackamas Elementary School, 15301 SE 92nd Av., Clackamas

2/25 Thu 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm, Rex Putnam High School Library, 4950 SE Roethe Rd., Oak Grove

Jewelry thieves working between Milwaukie and Gladstone

Thelma Hagemiller reports:

Another community issue - there are jewelry thieves operating in our area - Milwaukie to Gladstone.

One of our neighbors got hit on Dec 16th, broke out 2 windows to get in, grabbed a pillow case and swept up all the jewelry he could get out of the master bedroom.

He may have been spooked by the resident when they got home or some outside noise.

The Sheriff’s deputy said this has been the pattern.

We need to all keep our eyes open and alert each other if we see suspicious people around etc.

The deputy said a woman on Oatfield got some of her stuff back by visiting the pawn shops along McL. (there are 5-6 of them).

Citizens Informed and Aware meetings

CITIZENS INFORMED and aware (CIA)

seize today!

it will not be repeated!

The CIA Forum Starts at 7:00 pm Wednesday, January 13, 2010

In the Fellowship Hall at Rose Villa Senior Living Community

13505 SE River Road in Oak Grove, OR

(Please do not park on the Rose Villa property itself)

(It is OK to park on either side of River Road or in the lot across River Road from Rose Villa)

==========================================

“Seize Today! It will not be repeated?”

So - What does that mean?

It means that the McLoughin Area Plan (MAP) Citizen Committee is nearing the completion of phase one of their work to arrive at the final "Vision, Values, and Guiding Principles” statements for the MAP planning process. Upon completion and acceptance of these final statements the MAP Citizen Committee will be moving forward into phase two of the MAP planning process. As a Citizen who lives, works, shops and plays in the Oak Grove, Jennings Lodge and Oatfield Ridge areas of Unincorporated Clackamas County, you also have a responsibility to make sure your voice is heard by the MAP Citizen Committee members. Tonight is your last collective opportunity to provide that input!

One of the advantages we cherish as Citizens living in an Unincorporated Area is our independence, but along with that independence comes responsibility. Help maintain that cherished independence by seeing to it that this truly remains a Citizen driven / Citizen guided process. Be involved in this unique opportunity for determining the future design and destiny of our overall Community. Don’t be one of those Citizens who abdicates your Citizen responsibility and goes for the alternative – letting government drive the process and then grousing about it forever after.

==========================================

If there are Land Use Issues to be discussed by the OLCC (Oak Lodge Community Council) a Special Land Use Meeting will be held at Rose Villa after the close of the CIA meeting. The Special Land Use Meeting will not start before 8:30 PM.

==========================================

Please feel free to pass this Email along to your neighbors, friends and relatives and to share this information with other Citizens who might be interested in the CIA Programs. We value each and every one of you and the more, the merrier!

==========================================

Questions may be directed to CIA Program Coordinator - Thelma Haggenmiller at thelma.haggenmiller@oaklodgepost.com or 503/659-5590

We want to be sure this email is being delivered only to Interested Citizens.

If, at any time, you want to be removed from this email list please send such a reply to Thelma.

==========================================

Other Activities / Events of Community Interest

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 7:00 pm

The next Regular Meeting of the JLCPO (Jennings Lodge Community Planning Organization).

At Homewood Heights Assisted Living Center

17999 SE River Rd. in Jennings Lodge, OR

All are welcome.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 7:00 pm

The next Regular Meeting of the OLCC (Oak Lodge Community Council).

In the Fellowship Hall at Rose Villa Senior Living Community

13505 SE River Road in Oak Grove, OR.

All are welcome.

Friday, January 29, 2010 at 7:00 to 10:00 pm

Open Mic Night at the Oak Grove Coffeehouse

2144 SE Oak Grove Blvd in Oak Grove. OR

Everyone is invited to come help build our community spirit.

Open Mic Night is fun, interesting, playful, and warm-hearted.

If you would like to perform, whether it be music, poetry, story-telling or stand-up comedy, contact Edrid at edrid@oakgrovecommons.org or 503 901-3700, or just show up at 7 pm.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 7:00 pm

CIA (Citizens, Informed and Aware

Community Discussion of the Construction Plans for the Trolley Trail

In the Fellowship Hall at Rose Villa Senior Living Community

13505 SE River Road in Oak Grove, OR

Public interview of candidates for County Administrator

A note from the chair of the Oak Lodge Community Council:

Dear Members and Friends of the Oak Lodge Community Council -

Below is a message cut and pasted from the County regarding the hiring process for our new County Administrator.

This is a critical position that affects us all. Please attend the Monday evening event if at all possible.

I have been invited to be one of interviewers for the candidates.

And a reminder that our regular monthly meeting is tomorrow night, Wednesday the 2nd, from 7 to 9 pm in Fellowship Hall at Rose Villa on River Road. Hope to see you there.

Eleanore, Chair
Oak Lodge Community Council


Clackamas County is nearing its completion of a nationwide search for a County Administrator. The county administrator manages the employees and activities of the county by implementing the policies and goals of the Board of County Commissioners.

Members of the public and citizens of Clackamas County are invited to meet the candidates for this important job over coffee Monday, December 7 at the Abernethy Center, 606 15th St. in Oregon City, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The candidates who will be attending are:
· Grace Crunican, director of Seattle’s transportation department, former director of Oregon’s Department of Transportation.
· Christopher Beschler, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Operations for the city of Richmond, Virginia.
· Duncan Ballantyne, County Administrator of Martin County, Florida (ed. note: An area of severe economic contraction, where food stamp use has doubled in two years, as per this map from the NYT).

Steve Wheeler, interim county administrator for Clackamas County, is also in consideration for the job but will not be in attendance.

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet these exceptionally qualified candidates and to offer your feedback and perspective on who will be our next county administrator.

August schedule of meetings and events

Wednesday, August 5, 2009 7:00 p.m.

Youth Involvement ‘Interest’ group – First meeting

Oak Lodge Sanitary District Office

14611 SE River Rd Oak Grove, OR

You are encouraged to join us if Youth Involvement in our Community is one of your ‘Interests’

Friday, August 7, 2009 12:30 p.m.

Annual Banana Split Fundraiser

At the Milwaukie Center 5440 SE Kellogg Creek Dr Milwaukie, OR

Yummy, Yummy!!!

Monday, August 10, 2009 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Light Rail Bridge over Kellogg Lake and McLoughlin Blvd

At the Milwaukie Grange 12018 SE 21st. Milwaukie OR

The key topics of this meeting will include the aesthetics of the structure, potential impacts to Kellogg Lake, potential property and the construction impacts and how the Light Rail Tracks will interact with the Trolley Trail.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009 6:30 p.m.

Oak Lodge Sanitary District – Board of Directors

District Offices 14611 SE River Rd Oak Grove, OR

Join the Elected Officials at their monthly meeting.

Lots of things going on with our Sanitary and Surface Water District and the construction project at the Treatment Plant these days.

Thursday, August 13, 2009 5:00 p.m.

North Clackamas Parks and Recreation - District Advisory Board (DAB)

The DAB meets at Stringfield Park on Naef Road at the Trolley Trail.

Join this County Commissioner Appointed Board for their monthly meeting.

Monday, August 17, 2009 6:00 p.m.

Clackamas County Fire District #1 - Board of Directors

Mt. Scott Fire Station 9339 SE Causey Av Clackamas OR

Join your Elected Officials at their monthly Board meeting.

Have you filled out their Fire District Survey on Open Burning policies?

Please visit the following link to participate: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=sMtgPL7CycVSLwWiJuuIQQ_3d_3d

Also - The regularly scheduled Milwaukie Monthly Light Rail Meeting will take place today at 6 p.m. in the Bridge City Church, located at 2816 SE Harrison

Tuesday, August 18, 2009 7:00 p.m.

Oak Lodge Water District - Board of Directors

District Offices 14496 SE River Rd Oak Grove OR

Join the Elected Officials at their monthly meeting.

Water is our most valuable resource. Find out what they are doing to protect it.

Also – The Clackamas County Fair Opens in Canby at 10:00 a.m. today and runs through Sunday August 24^th.

Thursday, August 20, 2009 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Waste Water 101 Presentation for Elected Officials

Clackamas County - Development Services Bldg (DSB)

150 Beavercreek Rd Oregon City Rm 115 (The Auditorium)

This presentation is directed towards Elected Officials who are being asked, by the County Commissioners, to enter into a Partnership Agreement for future Sanitary Sewer Services.

The meeting is open to any WasteWater “Interested Citizen”.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009 7:00 p.m.

Jennings Lodge CPO (Community Planning Organization) – Regular Monthly Public Meeting

Homewood Heights Assisted Living Center 17999 SE River Rd Jennings Lodge OR

Attend this Regular Meeting of the CPO to find out about the land use and other critical issues that have an impact on our Community.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 7:00 p.m.

OLCC (Oak Lodge Community Council) - Regular Monthly Public Meeting

Fellowship Hall at Rose Villa Senior Living Community 13505 SE River Road Oak Grove, OR

All are welcome to attend this regular monthly meeting and to join in the discussion of land use and other issues going on in our Community.

Saturday, August 29, 2009 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Open Mic Night at the Oak Grove Coffeehouse

2144 SE Oak Grove Blvd. Oak Grove

Help build Community spirit.

Open Mic Night is fun, interesting, playful, and warm-hearted.

If you would like to perform, whether it be music, poetry, story-telling or stand-up comedy, contact Edrid at edrid ayt oakgrovecommons daht org or 503 901-3700, or just show up at 7 pm.

Overnight cooling center opens in Milwaukie - first in area

The white marker in Milwaukie is the first overnight cooling center in the Portland area. Click on any marker at tinyurl.com/PDX-CoolingCenters for more information.


http://tinyurl.com/PDX-CoolingCenters now shows two new cooling centers; one in Oregon City and another in Milwaukie. Centers closing by six are shown in pink; later closing shelters in blue. A dot in the marker shows a center is for seniors only.

Cooling centers in four county area

Click here to visit my first Google Map mash-up,

which shows cooling centers in Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington and Yamhill counties.
Fairly slick, if I do say so myself.

Oak Lodge Community Council agenda

A post from Eleanore Hunter

Dear Members and Friends of the Oak Lodge Community Council -

Here is our agenda for tomorrow evening - 7 pm at Rose Villa.

There will be a brief presentation and query from Barbara Cartmill of Clackamas County, a special report from Scott Weniger regarding the "Learn-to-Burn" incident, and a report from a property owner on his desire for a non-conforming use at 13795 SE Laurie, just north of Courtney.

There will also be some clarification as to the purpose and charge of the Land Use Committee.
Please come contribute your energy, concerns, questions, desires and opinions to your community.

And check out our fab website - www.oaklodgecpo.org