Phone Book

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I moved to a new place in Boston about ten days ago. Yesterday I got my first local phone book, and was surprised to find that it was the Latino edition!

The Latino edition contains all the important phone numbers for Latinos. Which isn't that much considering its about 1/4th the size of major metropolitan yellow pages.

I lived in San Jose, California for 6 years, and I never received a Latino phone book.

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Gmail Controversy

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Google has taken a lot of slack about their new email service called Gmail. Privacy activist have been issuing press releases over the past few weeks about Google posting ads in the email based on the content of the email.

The thing is, Google's new email service is free! Do you really expect privacy from something that you don't pay for? Do people expect Government level email security at no cost? If you do require some form of privacy in your email communications, then pay for an email account.

At some point Google will probably come out with a low cost email service that will be ad free. Until then, privacy groups will continue to hound Google on reading personal emails, that people didn't pay for...

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iPod most popular gift

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According to Filene's website the Apple iPod is the first and second most popular gifts.

I don't know if this is a marketing ploy by Apple computer, as I would suspect most people wouldn't buy technology from a non technical store. I would guess most people would want to buy technology from Best Buy or similar type of store.

Apple Computer has a standard pricing, so it doesn't matter where you buy Apple products, they are the same everyplace. Maybe Filene's has some type of value add.

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Office Move

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Recently my company relocated from Chelmsford, Mass to Waltham, Mass. While the move was fairly smooth there are some lessons that some companies can learn from it.

• Mark all items before moving them. This way you know who's chair belongs to whom.
• Tape down loose parts, like the cover for the fax machine or the laser printer. (Our fax machine cover came loose in the move and several pieces fell out. We ended up buying a new fax machine.)
• Mark the outside of all boxes. This will help movers identify where the boxes should go in the new location.
• Throw things away. Too many companies move unused furniture and end up throwing them away with a couple of weeks after the move. Keep what you need, and throw out the rest.

These seem simple tips, but I have seen several moves become more challenging because they didn't pay attention to the fundamentals.

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Walmart Election

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Today is an importaint election day in Inglewood as the city gets to vote on a measure that would allow Walmart to build a supercenter in their city.

While I am opposed to some of the business practices of Walmart, I am actually siding with Walmart on this issue. Why? Because the Labor Unions are fighting Walmart on this issue, since Walmart is a non union enterprise.

Over the past few years Unions has caused a negative effect on the economy, here are some notable examples:

• In 1998, UPS Union workers went on strike. This caused a huge disruption for small businesses. Federal Express and the United States Post office were benefactors, but many packages were delayed.
• In 2002, the union representing the west coast receivers went on strike in the late summer, causing delays in Imports, and had some inventory effect on the Christmas Shopping season. (Retailers couldn't offer big discounts due to limited inventories)

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iTunes Promotion

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In New England, many stores still do not carry any of the Pepsi Bottles which have the iTunes game piece. I have yet to find a store that has a bottle with a yellow cap in Concord. Several stores in the Chelmsford area are now distributing the game pieces version of Pepsi.

I have bought three 20fl bottles and have 'won' a free iTunes song on two bottles. The average cost is $1.20. I know I am better off just buying the songs and drinking water. But I wanted to at least feel like I am getting something for nothing.

Walmart still hasn't carried any iTunes game pieces. I suspect that it will be cheaper than Stop & Shop, CVS, and the White Hen.

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Widmer Brothers

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Finally my favorite Wheat Beer is available in Massachusetts! Today I purchased a six pack of Widmer Brothers Wheat Beer at the Stop and Shop Plaza in Framingham.

I took a vacation to Portland, Oregon during the July 4th weekend in 2000. It was during this trip that I discovered Widmer Hefeweizen.

If you never had Wheat Beer, I would highly recommend Widmer Brothers Hefeweizen Wheat Beer. Sam Adam's Summer Ale is almost as good, however its only available for a limited time.

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Acclaim Technology Close its Doors

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After 9 years, Acclaim Technology closed its doors. If you never heard of Acclaim, I found the following text in a project proposal:

Acclaim Technology, Inc. (www.acclaimtech.com) is a leading enterprise information technology solutions provider offering sophisticated end-to-end services and comprehensive Internet infrastructure solutions to leading businesses. With an emphasis on consulting and Professional Services, Acclaim Technology, Inc. has the expertise to help our customers build state of the art information systems. Having major clients such as Network Appliance, State of Alaska, Earthlink Networks and Apple Computer, Acclaim Technology, Inc. is the leading source for technology services solutions.

In the next few days, I'll be putting together a special tribute to my former employer. I have lots of photos and cool videos of the company in its prime.

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Popcorn

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This past weekend I saw two movies at a couple of different Regal Entertainment Group theaters in Harwich and Hyannis. My complaint about the theater is the popcorn. I bought a large popcorn for $6. The cost of an extra large is $6.50 and a small cost $5. However, the popcorn is not fresh. The popcorn is pop at a different location and brought to the movie theater in a yellow bag.

If you opperate a movie theater and you want to increase concession stand sales you should consider popping popcorn at the theater. The popcorn smell will encourage customers to buy popcorn while they are walking by the concession stands. Plus, charging $6 for a large bag of stale popcorn isn't good business.

Until Regal Entertainment Group starts making popcorn at their theaters, I would recommend not buying their popcorn.

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Fenway Job Fair

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The Boston Globe had a Job Fair at Fenway Park this afternoon. This attracted as many as 5,000 job seekers and only 50 companies. Currently the employment rate in Massachusetts is 5.4, and Boston is 5.1. The lowest rate was 2.5 which happened in March of 2000.

I ate dinner at Quincy Market, and had some pretty good Whole Fried Clams. However, the clams at Sir Crickets in Orleans are much better. The clams cost $8.95 at one of the booths that has a sign which reads: 'World Famous Fries' (Which I though wasn't good). It was very quiet at 6:30 inside, but the resturants around the Market were pretty busy.

A pint of Sam Adams Summer Ale cost $4.95 at the Old Union Oyster House. I was surprise that they still had the Summer Ale since most stores are now selling the Winter Lager.

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