USPS not getting it ... UGGH

A couple months ago.. I filled out an online survey for USPS.com .. and really gave some detailed feedback on some serverly lacking functionality on their site...

Anyways today I tried "Calculate Business Postage " via their homepage today and got this message apparently Firefox doesn't exsist in their eyes...

clipped from dbcalc.usps.gov Your operating system is: unknown. Your browser is: Default 0.0 If you have reached this page it indicates that your Internet browser or computer operating systems will not support the Business Rate Calculator. Please check the table below to see which browsers and operating systems are supported. The Business Rate Calculator will compute rates for volume mailings of all classes of domestic mail including Express Mail, First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Periodicals, Standard Mail, Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail. It also includes destination entry discounts and fees for special services. This calculator uses the latest Internet technology to provide fast convenient access to all domestic rates and worksharing discounts. This calculator requires the following operating systems and Internet browsers: Your operating system is: unknown. Your browser is: Default 0.0 Operating Systems Supported: Browsers Supported: Microsoft Windows 95 & 98 Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 and newer Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Netscape Navigator 4.04 and newer If your browser does not support the Business Rate Calculator, you can upgrade your browser. Additional options include: If you feel you have reached this page in error, please click on one of the links below to go to the Business Calculator. Be sure you are running Windows and are using IE 4+ or Netscape 4.04+. Internet Explorer Version Netscape Navigator Version Click here to access the single-piece Domestic Rate Calculator. Click here to order the Postal Explorer CD-ROM that contains the Business Rate Calculator. The CD-ROM calculator does not require the Internet browser.

Too Many Feeds!!!!

Somehow over the last 4 months of I have subscribed to over 500 feeds via Google Reader ..Yikes .. So yesterday I decided to go on a RSS diet. I had a steady dose of Tech blogs and Marketing and Christian based subscriptions but now I have have chopped it down to the following..

1. (Tech News) Techmeme , Master of 500 Hats
2. (VC/Entreprenurial) Light Speed Ventures , OnStartups
3. (Marketing) Seth Godin , Church of the Customer , Duct Tape Marketing
4. (PR) KDPaine
5. (Christian) J-Walking


I think that my days will be more productive and that I will still get the info that I am looking for through these sources.. but I am sure I will be going through some sort of withdrawal symptoms for the next couple of days.... :)

Election 2.0 in NH???

I saw this article a couple of weeks ago in the Portsmouth Herald and it really intrigued me.. A 70 year old lady having a WebCast Party!! Even though I am not a fan so far of Barrak's online campaign.. he seems to be creating a ground swell.. I still need to see and hear more from him. But it is really impressive that this could be a new way that mainstream America connects w/ candidates and elected officials.

clipped from seacoastonline.com Barbara Engelbach of Portsmouth is one of about 15 Seacoast residents who gathered to watch Sen. Barack Obama on a live webcast Saturday in a Portsmouth home. Photo by Liz Kenny Dennett Page had been planning a house party all week for friends --and even strangers --to gather and watch Sen. Barack Obama over a Webcast

New Service Jobs created By Apple Tv

I have been reading the onslaught of all the Apple Tv Hacks that have come out since the release of the Apple Tv last month.. at first I thought there would be a couple minor breakthroughs.. but they just won't end.. so that got my entrepreneurial mind working ...

I definitely see a bunch of places where you can send your Apple Tv to get Hacked or what I as a gear-head would call "upgraded" . I am not a tech savvy enough to want to rip open my Apple Tv myself but I would gladly send it to 'reputable' Apple Mechanic.

Voip Porn!!

I have recently worked w/ Skype's new service "Prime" . Basically it allows you as a "consultant" cough cough .. to bill via Skpe calls and make money per minute..hmmm . I found this service when helping a friend and colleague to add a value added feature to his Tutor site. For an honest user.. Skype really falls short .. first is that Skype charges 30% commission yikes!! and get this they keep your money for four months to discourage any scams etc.. but in my opinion this will keep legitimate users away..


Then I found WeSquare via Stumble Upon .. a cool and potentially effective tool for people looking for Skype Prime's features..but allows you to use any communication platform... IM/ VOIP/ etc.. Widgets will get these features to the main stream faster.. but I have a feeling that they may mire in the muck of "Dirty Talk"..

Nice tool for Site Owners

I tried out Website Grader the other day and I found it to be a useful and intriguing service.. Basically breaks down different categories (SEO/Page Rang/ Back Links / SMO ) . The Parent company is Hubspot.com ... which is from Dharmesh Shah who has one of my favorite Start-up Blogs. Check it out.. let me know what you think..

I knew it was a good idea!!

Last month I posted about PitchAVC.com .. after seeing this article by Seth Levine
.. Well yesterday I read about Bambi Francisco "fiasco" regarding a conflict of interest between her job at Market Watch and her startup Vator.Tv I think that the attention that this has received will actually catapult her site.... but it does really need a good make over..very low budget.

P.S. I did ask a certain VC mentioned in this article .. when I originally posted if this would be a viable venture... and thought for the entrepreneur "yes" but most VC's won't give it a second look.. I agree..but as technology becomes cheaper and cheaper and VC's and Angels are trying to find other creative ways to find the next big thing.. this might be great avenue for both given her resources and contacts.. Good Luck Bambi!