Byte by Bite

Record Battery Recall Tops 9.6 Million

by Marv Dealy

An aside: when was the last time you saw anyone working on a laptop computer that was actually on their lap? Most folks seem to put them on a table or bench or chair or something. Email me the oddest place you’ve seen someone using a laptop.

The Sony batteries that thought it was the Fourth of July turned out to contain microscopic pieces of metal that got into the batteries during their manufacture. Eventually these tiny shards caused a short circuit, which had the potential to cause the batteries to fail, possibly to overheat and even to burst into flame.

Executives from Sony have apologized for the inconvenience the massive battery recall has caused. None have resigned or fallen on anything sharp, saying the problem is fixed. One hopes so—Sony’s image is just a bit banged up, and it cut its profit forecasts on the expectation of lowering sales in the upcoming gift buying season as a result.

Sony maintains that the flare-ups occur infrequently, but as the lawyers for the woman who discovered hot coffee in a cup she bought at a drive-thru window said: “once is enough.” Sony officials have said they’ve found one problem among 3.5 million batteries but aren’t commenting on reports of more problems from laptop manufacturers. Sony is replacing all the recalled batteries for free, making for a really, really large Friday freebie.

DSL Service for 928 was the subject of an email from reader Jerry Jensen, written at the end of August—sorry I’m behind. Jerry says “We live in the 928 area and keep getting the slick announcements from Frontier that DSL service is ‘here.’ We are on the waiting list. At one point Frontier called me and set up a service appointment to install, but they never showed up.”

“I keep getting different answers from Frontier on what the problem is. I agree with your column that if we just knew when, if ever, DSL would be actually installed, we could make alternate arrangements if we didn't want to wait. I would also like to see wireless service from the Black Oak Casino area.”

“I did not understand what the relationship is between AT&T and Frontier as it actually applies to DSL service for 928 since Frontier has announced that the service ‘is just now coming.’

A related email from reader Gunnar Sharp: “I keep reading your column hoping you'll mention something about the 10% of Sonora residents that will be able to get DSL for the first time this November.”

“In a previous column, you said SBC would be offering DSL by November to some new Sonora customers. Any news on that? Will Crystal Falls be affected?”

I don’t have direct answers to either question, but can shed some light from postings made to my blog (Talk-Here-Now.blogspot.com).

Matt said on the blog that he has DSL in prefix 928 and it’s whistling. That of course is from Frontier.

JimT said on the blog “Frontier sends out their monthly invitation to get their broadband in the 928 prefix. I call monthly to accept their offer here near Cover's Apple Ranch, and am always told ‘but YOU can't have it, as you're more than 15,000 feet from the switching office.’ No explanation of whether, or when, an ‘inline’ amplifier might be added to boost the signal.”

Following up, Matt reported on the blog: “DSL is in - works great! 1mbps down, 128 up. VoIP works flawlessly. The installer did say they were expanding to cover Monte Grande, which might give Cover's area a shot at it as well.”

Another post from JimT, this time dated 10/13/6 “Matt was right! Cover's area IS in Frontier's DSL coverage area, and the service IS great! 1.130Mb (down) signal is 26 times the 44K we've suffered with for lo, these many years! 151K (up) isn't too shabby either. Five day turnaround from request to installation. Requested service on Saturday and was up and running the next Thursday.”

I’ve spoken with several in the area of Crystal Falls and it appears that DSL is available around but not in Crystal Falls. Call AT&T or if you think that won’t ever work, get a satellite—email me and I’ll tell you which one and from whom you should get the install.

Netscape Question—This is possibly the last question anyone anywhere in North America will ever ask about the late, great Netscape. From reader Scott “I use Netscape as my browser and get my mail forwarded to their email setup. I find it faster and better than where it originally comes in through Internet Explorer. My ISP is with AT&T. (sbcglobal.net) Anyway, for the last week or two, I have been getting the following [error message] when I go into my email accounts.”

Scott lists a long error message that looks like it comes from a browser window, Netscape in this case. It is entirely possible, Scott, that your Netscape browser needs to be updated. Get on over to Mozilla.org, download Thunderbird for your email and Firefox for your tabbed-browsing pleasure (both Friday freebies). And thanks, Scott, for the last recorded question about Netscape.