Magellan Gives Customers the Finger

A crazy thing happened when I went to update my Magellan Maestro 3225 today. I found out that at Magellan, they are trying very hard to steer their loyal customers away to their competition. How else can you explain a $79.95 price tag on a map update? Some might argue that free updates would be the way to go. After all, these updates are gathered for the newer units anyway. Why not show your customers your appreciation for their business? But the reality is that this is a business, and I for one will not fault a company for making a buck where they can. But $79.95? Come on! Here is the email I sent to Magellan:

Why is the maps 2009 update priced so high? You would sell more units and raise profits by selling it at a more consumer friendly price. I think $19.95 is still high, but more reasonable. As a customer, my sense of loyalty to Magellan is shattered by this outrageous price. It will only send your customers to your competition and I'll bet your current sales numbers of this update will confirm it. Better to reduce the price, sell more units, and maintain the satisfaction of your customer base. Do you think I am wrong? If so then please tell me why. As a customer my perception is that this price is set to discourage updates and encourage the purchase of a new unit. That is wrong thinking because the next unit I buy will not be a magellan product.

In this economy how does it make sense to alienate your own customers by pricing them out of the ability to maintain the integrity of the product you sold them? There are basic GPS units for sale right now for a lower price than this update. I will be interested to see if I get a response from Magellan. I will share it if I do.

System Restore for Humans

Every so often when life is spiraling around me, I think of my computer. It could be when I see the economy crumbling. It could be in the midst of a disagreement with my wife or friend. It could be just after the hammer I am using misses the mark, but not my thumb. It is times like these that I think of my computer and that wonderful XP feature that is called, “System Restore”. With System Restore, I can click on the date just before my computer went to hell in a hand basket, and immediately hear the birds singing and feel the warm rays of technical sunshine make things right again.

How nice would it be to bring up dates and times on a screen and right all the wrongs in my life with just the click of a mouse? I could go back to October 16th, 2007 when the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached its zenith at 14,165 points. And once there I could move my retirement funds into a more conservative setting and avoid the huge dive that I could not see coming.

I could click on the date when I spoke those words that could never be taken back. I could choose a better path and perhaps create some happier memories.

And last, I could save that thumbnail that is black and pounding with pain by going back just a few minutes and taking a more careful swing with that hammer.

But then I think of life in all of its glorious imperfection. How things tend to work themselves out. How time heals wounds, and disagreements form better understanding. I think of reward without risk and how empty it would seem. And then I think of my computer. And that wonderful XP feature that is called, “System Restore”. And then I realize that what may be great for a computer, may not be great for my life.

My New Bicycle

Well, I finally pulled the trigger and bought myself a new bicycle. It is a KHS Urban X. I suppose you could say it was love at first sight, but I put in my due diligence to ensure I would enjoy riding it as much as looking at it. I knew several things going into this process. I knew I wanted a bike that would be suitable for both recreational riding and for commuting the three miles each way to my workplace. This was not the only bike on my radar. The Breezer bikes sounded great, but I had to be realistic with my price point. Trish and I went around to the area bike shops and took notes on bikes of interest. I even test rode a few of them. Once we had done that, I took to the internet to get reviews from riders and experts alike. I was impressed by the reviews for the KHS so I called my local dealer and let him know I wanted to test ride one.

He explained to me that they have been flying out the door as fast as he was getting them in. He agreed to call me when a fresh shipment came in. We also discussed his taking my recumbent bike in on consignment. It looks as if I'm going to come away from this deal breaking even. He fully expects my old bike will more than pay for my new one. That is great! When I brought my new bike home yesterday I was feeling like a little boy with a new toy. I'm not ashamed to admit that. I took my first good ride on it today to see how long my commute will take. It was right at fifteen minutes to cover a little over 3 miles. I could really tell I needed to get more exercise. But I know I'm going to enjoy the heck out of this bike. That recumbent thing just did not work out for me. I guess that happens sometimes. I put some of my old extras from the old bike on the KHS, including my cateye cyclometer, headlite, and tire pump. Trish encouraged me to get the rear view mirror and I must say that I really like having it. Works great!

Everything else you see on the bike came standard. The fenders, which will be wonderful on wet commutes, and the rear rack really made this bike attractive to me. I was slobbering over the Breezers built in lighting system that is powered by an internal front hub generator and also by its rear hub internal transmission (7 or 8 speeds I believe). But I am completely satisfied with my purchase. It all works well and is known for its dependability. And at $350 I could by 2 more of these and still not spend as much as I would on the Breezer. I especially like the more upright riding position. At my age I need it.

Generations

Mom came across this long lost photo recently and asked if I would scan and print it for her. The original, which was in amazingly good shape was very small. Maybe 2 by 1.5 inches. I didn't actually measure it. Suffice it to say, I said a little prayer during the scan process. I really wanted it to turn out well for her. And not just for her, but for myself and my other siblings as well. You see, this is not just an old photo. It is an old photo of my Mom sitting with her Mom. What makes this a very special photo is that there were not many pictures taken of my Mom when she was young. Add to that the sad fact that Grandma died of a cerebral hemorrhage not long after this was taken. You get the picture.

For a while, I wondered why so few pictures were taken of my Mom. But considering she was the youngest of 12 children I can imagine that family had quite a busy life going on. It is amazing to see a photo like this. A moment captured that you can visualize, add color to, set in motion. See a glimpse of a life that is so precious to you. See a glimpse of a soul you were never able to know. What was Mom looking at to her left? Why so serious? The leaning in to her Mom speaks of love and closeness. The top of her dogs head in front of her, "Toughie" was his name. This picture is like so many of lifes little pleasures, that pop up out of the blue and touch us in places we did not know existed. What a treat to see, scan, and print this precious memory. Thanks Mom.

Silent Joe

Recently finished a novel that I really enjoyed. It was the kind of read that introduces you to a character in such a way that you begin to feel like you know them and want to be around them. And when you see the unread pages start to dwindle down to a precious few, it is almost heart breaking. This novel was an Edgar Award Nominee for best Novel. It was written by T. Jefferson Parker. Here is a link for more information.

http://books.google.com/books?id=IJrMfxuT9lUC&pg=PP1&dq=inauthor:T+inauthor:Jefferson+inauthor:Parker&ei=dbUmR8lRjIqnAoikpN0C&sig=g-O5aLXoyKneKvmszT0pd4mgSgk#PPP1,M1

Damn! Now that is a link! This book is a mystery, or at least that is how it is labeled. But it is so much more. Great character development and a plot that is pretty complex, but amazing in how it all comes together. If you are looking for something different then I highly recommend this book. Warning, there is strong language and definite adult material, so if that offends you or freaks you out, better try something else. But mostly it is just great reading

R.I.P. McKenzie

On the day you find that adorable little puppy, tractor-beam eyes sucking you into their little puppy soul, there are thoughts that definitely do NOT enter your mind. Like the eventual last day of sharing your life with this creature. McKenzie was with us for 13 mostly good years. He was a very devoted family member, not given to much barking unless for good reason. Very even tempered even towards the end, when arthritis and other ailments made him a little cranky at times.

We finally made the decision that it was time to give him his ticket to doggy heaven. I made the appointment for about a week out. The date was for September 13th, 2007. Also my 46th birthday. Not planned that way, but the date was open for the vet and for myself. It just unfolded that way. Each day I secretly wished he might succumb to age naturally, so that I would not be required to drive him, literally, to his grave. The mixed feelings were strange for me because I thought I was quite ready for life without my dog. I had long desired a reality that did not require me to come home for lunch daily to let him out for his bathroom breaks. For lawn mowing days that did not include disposing of his little presents scattered artistically on the back lawn. For nights out without the self imposed deadline for making it home, or the need to ask a neighbor or relative to come by and let him out. But after the actual date with the vet was set, I found it all very sad and confusing.

The confusion was in dealing with two conflicting sentiments. The giddy feeling of impending freedom from all of those obligations, and the dread and guilt of hastening that freedom. I found that it really does not matter that you have the comforting knowledge that it is the best thing for the dog. There is still that guilt, saturating your entire being as you drive down the highway. Looking over at your trusting dog, who seems a bit more peppy than he has in weeks, tongue rolled out, gazing all around, wondering what the big adventure down the road might be. In the end, the vet listened to his heart and let me know that his was at its end. She was surprised it was still beating, enlarged, and with an "enormous murmur". She and her assistant laid him down, talking to him affectionately. Stroking him and giving him his last bit of nirvana here on earth. He did not even seem to notice me leaving the room. I did, because to stay would have not been good for him or for me. I'm not usually an emotional type of guy, but to my surprise, I was heading in that direction fast. Thanks for the good years McKenzie.

Mount McLoughlin

This summer my longtime friend, Duane, invited me to go on a five mile hike to the top of Mount McLoughlin. I had plenty of warning, and time to train for this challenging hike. But I did not do my part. I made it a good way up the mountain, but was unable to make the summit. The rest of the party did. This is the kind of adventure I need more of, but I need to do it more often and train and get fit. I know it will make the experience that much more enjoyable. I took this picture just before heading back down the trail. The views that day were stunning. It was a blast.