“A valid telephone number is required in order to process and verify opt-out requests. Incorrect or omitted information may prevent us from honoring your request.”
Why do they say they need your phone number? So they can ask you if you really, really think phonebooks are so useless these days that you don’t want them anymore.
And then, they’ll call you the next year and the next year and the next year. You know, to make sure. Again.
Forever.
So. which is worse? Would you rather get a useless phone book or a useless phone call?
Weeks after delivery, these books are still around:
“On September 27, 2012 San Francisco Police arrested two suspects in connection with a robbery which occurred on Duncan Street at Diamond Heights Boulevard at approximately 8:00 pm.
In this incident the victim was walking on Duncan Street when he was approached by the suspect (later Identified as Waldo Butler). Butler asked the victim for directions to a nearby grocery store. When the victim pointed towards the grocery store, he noticed another male (later Identified as Paris Brown) sitting inside a tan minivan parked in front of a driveway on Duncan Street. It was at this point when Butler grabbed the victim by his arm, pulled him closer and produced a semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the victim. Butler demanded the victim’s cell phone, wallet, and backpack. Butler then took the victims items and fled towards the tan minivan.
San Francisco Police Officers immediately arrived on scene and were able to use a mobile tracking application that the victim had installed on his cell phone. This tracking software was put to use as part of the Police Department’s violence prevention strategy of Interrupt, Predict and Organize (IPO) which seeks to: interrupt violent crimes, to predict where retaliation may occur and prevent additional violence from occurring. This technology led officers to 7th Street and Market Street. Once officers saturated the area, they were able to locate the tan minivan used in the robbery (with two occupants sitting inside the vehicle) on Laskie Street at 7th Street. It was later determined that the two occupants were the suspects in the robbery. Officers located the victim’s property inside the vehicle as well as a loaded semi-automatic handgun. The presence of this phone tracking technology and the quick and coordinated response of police officers from several district stations led to the identity and arrest of the two suspects who were identified as: Waldo Butler, male, 21, of Vallejo, and Paris Brown, male, 25, of San Francisco.
Butler is currently charged with felony 2nd degree robbery, felony receiving known stolen property, felony conspiracy, felony carrying a loaded firearm to commit a felony, misdemeanor carrying a loaded firearm in a public place, misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon, and misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle.
Brown is currently charged with Felony 2nd Degree robbery, felony receiving known stolen property, felony conspiracy, and misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle.”
Oh, it turns out that that big AT&T / T Mobile merger isn’t going to happen, so TMO soldiers on as America’s #4 (and Germany’s #1) cell phone carrier, not that that really affects me. What affects me is that the T-Mobile doesn’t work so hot in the Lower Haight / Between the Haights (BTH) areas, I’ve noticed, lately, for whatever reason. Otherwise TMO is AOK.
This new device is wide. My man-hands will be able to handle it (in about a half-year or so when my re-up time comes), but what about your hands? I don’t know.
Deets from this AM’s release are below.
“T-Mobile to Debut the Samsung Galaxy S III on June 21 - Latest in Galaxy S series brings fast group sharing and on-the-go entertainment all running on America’s Largest 4G Network
BELLEVUE, Wash. — June 4, 2012 — T-Mobile USA, Inc., the No. 1 mobile operator brand in Samsung Galaxy S sales, and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S. and the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide,1 announced the upcoming release of the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S® III. Starting June 21, T-Mobile customers will have the opportunity to own one of the most innovative smartphones in the market to date, joining the popular Galaxy S family of devices.
The Samsung Galaxy S III is one of T-Mobile’s fastest 4G (HSPA+ 42 technology) smartphones. With an intuitive design, the Galaxy S III enables customers to share photos, videos and more effortlessly to a compatible TV or other Galaxy S III devices. Featuring a beautiful 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED™ screen, the Galaxy S III packs a powerful entertainment experience allowing customers to watch HD movies and TV shows, download apps and securely browse the Web at lightning-fast speeds on America’s Largest 4G Network®.
“We have a tremendous history of working with Samsung to bring cutting-edge devices to market, and we know our customers are excited to get their hands on the Galaxy S III,” said Brad Duea, senior vice president, product management, T-Mobile USA. “As we continue to aggressively compete, this device is yet another example of how T-Mobile delivers amazing devices and 4G experiences to our customers.”
San Francisco resident Jon Sieker has a beef with AT&T.
See?
“You accidentally gave me a White and Yellow pages this year after I signed up to not receive either of them”
Here’s the proof:
Click to expand – via Jon Sieker
And here’s the note he just sent to Ma Bell, cause you see, Jon has Internet access:
“Dear AT&T,
2 years ago I was so disappointed by the waste that the Yellow and White pages caused, caring about my community and environment, I searched online for what I could do to minimize the waste. I was very happy to find your web site that allowed me to opt out and not receive a White Pages and Yellow pages to save on the waste. Thank you for providing this option as I have The Internet and don’t need a physical phone directory. The Internet gives me all of the information I need including your yellow pages site. I felt great to find and fill out the form that allowed me to NOT RECEIVE both yellow and white pages. I felt I was doing something to save the environment. Imagine my surprise when I was accidentally given both the yellow pages and white pages today.
Please let me know what I should do with the unwanted publications. It would be best if you came and picked them up from me and passed them on to some unfortunate soul with no internet.
As a side not, it would be great if your delivery agents didn’t litter my street and community with these unwanted relics from the past. I have photos of the litter if you are interested or don’t believe me. I would be happy to pass these photos on to you or any of the other organizations copied on this email.
Thank you for your help. I look forward to the solution you provide.”
This was the scene last night at the Century San Francisco Centre 9 Theatres above Bloomingdales in the Great WestField Mall of SoMA. Sneak peekers of the latest horrible teen vampire/werewolf flick had to check their mobiles.
How could they stand for this, for even a couple hours?
Click to expand
(Can you imagine what this box would be worth in the Mid-Market just a few blocks away on 7th Street, you know the World Capitol of Stolen Phones for Sale? A lot of cabbage, that’s for sure…)
After 9/11, FEMA needed somebody to go up in a chopper every day for nine months to document recovery and removal. A certain Mr. Brown was the man for the job.
