Thursday, December 31, 2015

NO AGENDA EPISODE 786 - "COME TOGETHER"

NO AGENDA EPISODE 786 - "COME TOGETHER"

  • Come Together
    • A picture named NA-786-Art-SM
    • Direct [link] to the mp3 file
    • Executive Producers: Grand Duke of the USA Sir David Foley, Sir Nick Eizmendi-Dragon of the Four Domains, Sir Justin Hylton, Sir Otaku, Alex van der Hengst
    • Associate Executive Producers: Mike Savela, Sir Corwin Underwood, Sir Robert Slaught jr, Kevin Strange, Sir Craig Allen Harms, Victor, Bryan of Irvine
    • Become a member of the 787 Club, support the show here
    • Knights: Nick Eizmendi -> Sir Nick, Dragon of the Four Domains
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    Wednesday, December 30, 2015

    No Agenda Newsletter

    No Agenda
    Newsletter

    Hello 2016.
    And Happy New Year!!
     

    No Agenda New Years Eve Show

    The hardest working podcast in the universe II

     

    Dear No Agenda Family, Producers, Knights, friends,

    This will be the last newsletter of 2015 and you are encouraged to help the show finish the New Year’s with the last support you can give the show in 2015. So you have the opportunity to choose any one of a number of new initiatives that are fun ideas.

    First, as mentioned on the show, there is the very creative countdown of $321.16 (3-2-1 … 2016!). Click here for that.

    The second possibility is the simple 01-01-16 which becomes $101.16. This works for everyone. Click here.

    Then there is the budget donation as we transition from 2015 to 2016 of $15.16. If you cannot afford higher support levels, show us you are out there by contributing $15.16.

    And, for you, of course, there is always the do your own thing variable donation levels. Get creative and click here for the special Holiday open contribution of any amount by clicking here.
    The baby representing the News Year's was mostly popularized by theSaturday Evening Post in the early 20th Century. The gas mask is a nice touch. So we weren't preparing for war in 1939-1940? The covers all represented subtle propaganda.
    As the year wraps up on tomorrow’s show you’ll get the annual summary of the year and events (yes) and trends you can expect to see in 2016. You will also get a new interpretation of the Clinton-Trump wars which now have a new and risky variable, Bill Clinton.

    It’s going to be a great show leading in to 2016. Help support us for the next year and Happy New Year to you, your family and your friends.
    Your co-hosts,
    John C. Dvorak & Adam Curry

    PS  Remember the Support Page here. And you can always send checks to Box 339, El Cerrito, CA 94530. Make checks payable to the No Agenda Show.
    Here's this weeks 2016 New Years Baby Hedgehog. Have a Happy and Safe New Year's Everyone!
    Copyright © 2015 No Agenda Show, All rights reserved.
    Thanks for being part of the No Agenda family!

    Our mailing address is:
    No Agenda Show
    box 339
    El Cerrito, CA 94530

    Add us to your address book


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    Tuesday, December 29, 2015

    MAXIMIZE YOUR WINDOW! [Tip-Very Basic and should be obvious]

    More than half of the computers I connect to, to perform maintenance work on, I find when I go to open the web browser or other program, the window it is typically in some very small size and I am having to first maximize it.. What is wrong with you people? Take advantage of your entire screen size and MAXIMIZE your window.  It is no wonder when I am providing tech support over the phone and I am directing someone to click here or there within a website and they can't find it... it's because they are attempting to browse the internet with a much smaller viewing surface than they need to.. MAXIMIZE YOUR WINDOW.  The great thing with the Windows operating system is that it remembers each and every window size when you close it therefore if you have it maximized, the next time you open that particular program it will already be maximized.

     With the monitor display sizes averaging 20 inches or more on the desktop, there is no reason not to take advantage of this.

     Don't get MAXIMIZED Window confused with FULL SCREEN window as Full Screen means no taskbar at the bottom either. The only time I am going FULL SCREEN is when I am viewing photos or watching a video, otherwise MAXIMIZED is just fine as it allows you to quickly get to other tasks.  

     But honestly, this is Windows 101 here.. probably the first thing you should learn when using a computer, so I am hoping this is really nothing more than a reminder on how to make your windows experience more enjoyable.. if nothing else, easier to find things on the screen!


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    Sunday, December 27, 2015

    NO AGENDA EPISODE 785 - "HISPANDERING"

    NO AGENDA EPISODE 785 - "HISPANDERING"

    • Hispandering
      • A picture named NA-785-Art-SM
      • Direct [link] to the mp3 file
      • Executive Producers: Sir Prise Christopher Tremelling, Sir Jerry of Saugus, Sir Pnonymous, Michael Sosnin, Sir Chris Eisbach, Sir JD Baron of Sillicon Valley, Joseph Gilbert, John Kumar
      • Associate Executive Producers: George Burdell, Tim Weinzirl, Dame Patricia, Jeffrey Bartolotta, Thomas Butterick, Karl Heberger, Alex Simkus, Trevor Mudge, Jeremy Gray, David K, McKernan Family, Sir 10cfr50 Appendix B, James KE4GIV
      • Become a member of the 786 Club, support the show here
      • Knights: Christopher Tremelling -> Sir Prise, Aaron Murphy -> Sir Hozhon of Navajoland (prounced ho'-zhown), Jerrold Wingenroth -> Sir Jerry of Saugus
      • Titles: Sir Chris Eisbach -> Baronette, Sir 10cfr50 -> Baronette of the Willamette Valley
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      Saturday, December 26, 2015

      No Agenda-The Saturday Memo

      Note from John C. Dvorak

      Yes, the show is working for you during this holiday week.

       

      Producers,
      Your No Agenda Show hopes you had a great Christmas, even if you did not celebrate it at all. Tomorrow is traditionally the lightest show in terms of listenership followed by the next two shows in that order as the week long holiday begins and we head to 2016. Your No Agenda Show, unlike any broadcast out there, is working all three days with no vacation or break or people filling-in.

      Please support this effort with whatever donation or contribution you can       afford by clicking here. Today is Boxing Day for most of the world and that refers to boxing up your Christmas gifts and sending them back to the store. That will keep you busy and help balance the budget.

      In the meantime, I will have a report on the new Stars Wars movie, the greatest marketing scheme in the history of the cinema. That’s the part I want to discuss. A fascinating switcheroo has taken place.

      So make time for tomorrow’s No Agenda show and support us in any way you can through the three low-participation shows leading to 2016.
      Your co-host,

      PS We want to thank those of you who decided to set up payment plans via online banking or who just like to send checks. Remember it is No Agenda Show, Box 339 El Cerrito, CA 94530
      The promised baby hedgehog
      Copyright © 2015 No Agenda Show, All rights reserved.
      Thanks for being part of the No Agenda family!

      Our mailing address is:
      No Agenda Show
      box 339
      El Cerrito, CA 94530

      Add us to your address book

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      Thursday, December 24, 2015

      Christmas Fireworks? WTF!

      I'm spending Christmas in Texas..it's Christmas Eve and not all is quiet. In fact you might think it was the 4th of July down here.. These Texans just like to blow shit up!  The fireworks stands were all open this week and sure enough people can't wait to set them off.  Whatever.. Merry Frickin Christmas!  It must be a climate thing because back home in Canada there would be chestnuts roasting by an open fire (not really but it sounds like it might make for a good song)

       Happy Holidays Everyone!
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      NO AGENDA EPISODE 784 - "HOT RHETORIC"

      NO AGENDA EPISODE 784 - "HOT RHETORIC"

      • Hot Rhetoric
        • A picture named NA-784-Art-SM
        • Direct [link] to the mp3 file
        • Executive Producers: Sir Brian Lawson, Sir Fudgefountain Baron of Ann Arbor, Simon Toens, Sir Alan Hawes Knight of the Elongated G-string, Sir David of Ross, Trevor Murkin, Sir Ted Hosmann
        • Associate Executive Producers: Nick Raimondi, Dennis Brown, Joel Blazek, Mikhail Garber, Talal Choucair, Armando Guerra, Brian Doerr, Pre-Knight of the Living Dead, Sir Atomic Rod Adams Baronet of the Blue Ridge
        • Become a member of the 785 Club, support the show here
        • Knights: Brian Lawson -> Sir Brian, Ian Garling -> Sir Ian Garling, Alan Hawes -> Sir Alan Hawes Knight of the Elongated G-string
        • Titles: Sir Fudgefountain -> Baron of Ann Arbor
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        Wednesday, December 23, 2015

        No Agenda Newsletter

        No Agenda
        Newsletter

        Merry Christmas,
        to ALL
         

        No Agenda Christmas Eve Show

        The hardest working podcast in the universe

         

        Dear No Agenda Family, Producers, Knights, friends,

        Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and tomorrow No Agenda does a show as usual when others are taking time off. The news cycle is not taking time off either. If you appreciate this effort please say so with any sort of special Christmas open contribution of any amount by clicking here.
        There are plenty of great news stories developing and you’ll hear about all of them. And yes, some thoughts on the Miss Universe fiasco.

        And wishing you all a Merry Christmas with some classic images.
        In the 1880's Edison had developed a walnut-sized lightbulb that could be used as a Christmas light for a Christmas tree. When President Cleveland in 1895 lit up a White House Christmas tree using the small bulbs it began the trend in earnest. Now we have the LED.
        Humiliating pets in scenes such as this is nothing new.
        THE SANTA CHRONICLES
        Around 1900 the typical Santa had his fur-trimmed outfit made of what might have been beaver. by the 1940's this appeared to evolve into baby white seal or arctic fox.
        Early depictions showed no fur trim at all and no sled either. Santa was apparently some sort of bum wandering around in a slanket. In today's market he would be labeled a pedophile and banned from any sort of mall appearance.
        It was soon discovered that Santa made the perfect pitchman. As a bonus,, he was royalty-free and didn't  have a pesky agent. In the early ad, pictured on the left, he appears to be selling bongs. Not sure what is on his head.
        The shameless advertising agencies soon found a new way to advertise to children via images of Santa who was apparently a cigarette and tobacco whore shilling for every brand available.
        Your co-hosts,
        John C. Dvorak & Adam Curry

        PS The Christmas season is slow and the show does need your help. Remember theSupport Page here. And you can always send checks to Box 339, El Cerrito, CA 94530. Make checks payable to the No Agenda Show.
        From last year with the same message. Dogs are fully aware of the fact that they are being humiliated for human amusement purposes. You can see it in their eyes.

        Think before you act.

        MERRY CHRISTMAS!
         
        Copyright © 2015 No Agenda Show, All rights reserved.
        Thanks for being part of the No Agenda family!

        Our mailing address is:
        No Agenda Show
        box 339
        El Cerrito, CA 94530

        Add us to your address book

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        Monday, December 21, 2015

        Rental Car-Rental Options -Be Aware! [Tip and Rant]


        I frequently use a rental car when in the USA. Why not, they are so cheap to use, especially if you go through websites companies like Hotwire.com! It is always best to become members of each rental car company so that you can also take advantage of their deals and perks. Some of these perks may only apply if you rent the vehicle from their website so that would be awareness tip #1. But with most things, there are ways around this. Budget Rental Car, for example, will not produce the best deal from their website however if you do go through Hotwire, you may not know you are renting from Budget until you have paid for the deal. But once you have and you see it is through Budget, you can sign back in to your Budget membership account and add the reservation from the "budget reservation #" found on the hotwire receipt/proof of payment.  I might also mention here, since I am referring to Hotwire.com deals, you don't always have to 'pre-pay' as you will find some deals are listed in GREY, when you click on them they will say "book now-pay later". 

         Awareness tip#2:  When you have signed up as a member for each of the rental car companies, you will want to go to your profile and update it routinely as you will find most companies change their rental policies and include "opt-out" clauses whereas you have to de-select certain items and in some cases you will need to "opt-in", otherwise you will find yourself getting a hefty bill added to your credit card a few weeks later. This can include road tolls in which case most of these companies now offer the ability to pay for the toll manager program which allows you, for a small fee either once per day up to a max amount per week if you are renting longer than a few days, the ability to use the toll pass lane.  Some people may say that small fee you pay makes it not worthwhile but it does-big time! In most places you will find that not only are there major lines at the cash lanes for tolls, but you get a discount of up to 10%  or more per toll when you use the toll pass lane. $1.75 toll through the toll pass lane is $1.50 so that's a pretty sweet deal if you are going to be using a lot of tolls, not to mention you are stopped in traffic for 10 to 20 minutes (or more-per toll) depending on where you are!

         The main reason I am posting this was due to the fact that I rented a pickup truck for 1 day and then a week later, rented another pickup truck for one day (moving stuff).  The second rental I found that I was charged $11 per toll for administration fees and tolls.. by the way the bill for this was $110 as I had gone through 5 tolls to and 5 tolls from the airport rental agency. Fortunately I complained early enough through the customer web desk stating that I was a Blue Chip Member (Thrifty) and that I had rented the week prior without any issues.  I was then told they had changed their policy and that you need to choose this option,which I hadn't done as I was unaware of the changes. They were kind enough to remove all of this and make it like I had chosen this option which meant I paid a total of about $28 which included the fee for the Platepass opt-in program.

         Awareness Tip #3: Pre-payment of gas, DON'T do it-EVER!  There is never a savings here. The main reason is because you are paying for the ENTIRE tank of gas. They have a chart that shows the tank size on the vehicle you are renting and they charge you their deflated gas rate for the entire tank!  Why is this a bad thing you say, when you know you are going to be cutting it close on the return time and don't want the troubles of finding a gas station, etc, etc. The main reason is the fact that when you get in your rental car the tank may appear full but odds are it is not. The newer cars may even have the 'miles left to empty' which may say something like 400 miles and the tank shows full so ok, you will get 400 miles.. wrong!  I rented a car like this and after driving from Houston to Miami filling up numerous times, I was AVERAGING 430 miles to a tank. I got 528 miles on one tank and knew I was very low. When I returned the car, filling up at the closest place my gasbuddy app found with the cheapest gas, which I already knew was the Costco in Conroe, TX-about 15 min drive from the IAH and according to Google Maps 23.9 miles.  The full gauge hadn't moved off of full and my 'miles remaining' said 498 miles!  This is a difference of 98 miles from when I first started driving that car and, since I'm completely filling it up within 23 miles.. no problem as I'm still leaving the car with more gas than the person did before me-even if my driving habits were better than the previous driver.  

         I just now received a new statement from Thrifty's Blue Chip program introducing a new 'Express Fuel' program.  Sounded good from what I read on the flyer they sent out but looking closer at the FAQ's  I learn that this program is an automatic opt-in but customers can choose to opt-out however here is the fineprint "It is the default option for trips 75 miles or less for customers who do not produce a refueling receipt from within 10 miles of the return location."
        I add that this express fuel service costs $13.99 and is automatically added so that if you do travel less than 75 miles you are going to be charged this regardless--unless you first opt out at the time of the contract signing and then produce the gas receipt from one of those gas stations surrounding the airport which is at least 15 cents per gallon more than any place else.. well guess what.. it is still cheaper to opt-out and buy from those expensive guys. A 20 gallon tank at 15 cents per gallon is only $3 more than buying it from Costco anyway--and I don't get in trouble by not producing a receipt. At the current gas prices, which in Texas at this time are down to $1.60 per gallon, that $13.99 fee is a joke as that would (almost) fill up an entire honda civic's tank!

         So the lesson learned here.. first be aware and check often, your rental car membership profile opt-in/out options and do a little math on the other things like tolls and gas. In my case I will ALWAYS opt-in to the toll program as that fee to use the service outweighs waiting for any time at a toll where I have no choice but to use change or cash. If you have an airmiles credit card then you probably want the miles anyway!  With this new "Law" Thrifty has put in place, I will likely just forget taking advantage of the low-prices "Costco Gas" option if I know it is further than 10 miles away because that $13.99 is nothing more than a scam. 

         What I think will be interesting however, at least for times when I rent from Thrifty, is just how full is the tank when I get in the car once this new program is in effect everywhere?  It should be more full than before since people are going to be more aware, or are they? This could end up being like the payment for luggage through the airlines where people simply have no choice and that $13.99 goes straight in to the company for an injection of money but the end-user still finds as they drive off the rental car lot that the tank that shows "F" is actually not!




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