How Amazon.com Ruined My 2006 Christmas

With Thanksgiving a recent memory, our nation's attention seems to have shifted to consumerism in the form of holiday gift-giving. My family is no exception. Last year we discovered the convenience of Amazon Wish Lists. What, with the registry, comments, prioritization and convenient duplication-avoidance system -- it's perfect for high-tech families like ours. I updated my Christmas "Wish List" (view it here) last Saturday around the pre-Thanksgiving dinner table. Among the items added was the Tom Tom Navigator 6 w/GPS receiver (opting for the DVD maps so I can load on my own memory card) package. Not being one to appreciate spoiled surprises, I made sure to set the "Don't show me what's been purchased: [X] during the month of December" option last year (screenshot at right). **checking calendar** Problem: Today is November 27. Amazon no longer shows the GPS software and receiver package in my wishlist (along with a few DVDs that are apparently headed under my tree as well). :( Early-bird shoppers have purchased these items on my list and since it is not yet "the month of December" -- they've been removed from my Wishlist. I bet they'll reappear in a few days ... stay tuned!   Dear Amazon, Please change the "during the month of December" option to "from Black Friday until the end of December". Anyone over-eager enough to buy my Christmas presents before Thanksgiving deserves to have me find out what I'm getting. But isn't early holiday shopping what you're hoping for? Isn't that what all this "Cyber Monday" stuff is about? Maybe Christmas 2007 will be better. In Christmas Ruins, --BMW. disappointed@brianwestbrook.com Bonus Blog Content: In a pseudo-ironic coincidence (and while we're on the topic of Amazon.com), I discussed "Cyber Monday" today Newsradio 750 KXL's "Portland's Morning News" show. Here the clip here (mp3): kxl_techexpert-cybermonday_20061127.mp3

Microsoft signs on to Portland's free WiFi network

You may recall back in July when I talked about the City of Portand approving a proposal from a silicon-valley startup to grant free wireless internet (or "WiFi") access to residents (listen: MP3). Now, Microsoft^® has teamed up with MetroFi to provide advertising and content support.

According to the recent announcement, Microsoft’s MSN^® service will become the "home page" containing local news, information, and (of course!) advertising. The free service, which will be subsidized by ads on this MSN launch page and a 1 inch banner on the top of all web pages viewed during a user’s online session, is slated to be active by mid-2008.

From my friends in Portland: Thanks Microsoft! Now if only we could get free WiFi in Seattle... (and light rail... and tax-free shopping... and strippers... and...)

Listen to my report here: KXL Live Report: Microsoft Signs on to PDX WiFi (11/15/06) (or anytime at: brianwestbrook.com)

For more on this story:

• Oregonian coverage: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1163562913245220.xml&coll=7
  
• The Willamette Week chimes in with a report on filtering: http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3251/8136
  
• Microsoft official press release: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/nov06/11-14MetroFiPR.mspx