peteandmegan.com

Something that really annoys me when I’m searching for something are sites that seem to have what I want but it turns out to be something else.

Sadly, most of this site’s hits these days are pretty much what I’ve described above, so I’m going to correct one of the common mis-searches.

At least 801 people have arrived at this site looking for pictures of the U2 360 Stage and have instead been treated to pictures of the Vertigo stage from this post.

So here’s what you’re actually looking for.

(1) Great picture of the rather freaky claw like stage in Barcelona.

(2) Some pictures of the stage being constructed.

Don’t ever say I don’t care about this site’s random google users.

I saw a google advertisement this morning on one of my favorite technology blogs for 100mb monthly data allowance on prepay for $10 from Vodafone. This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for.

For those of you with data capable phones, you’ll be aware that Vodafone put in a great offer on prepay for 10mb for $1 on a daily basis.

However what annoyed me was that most days I don’t need 10mb, I might just want to check my emails (maybe 0.5mb) and sync my outlook calendar (0.5mb) but I still have to pay the $1.  Over a month that adds up to $30 which is not reasonable for the amount I would be using it (based on that I would be using just 10% of my allowance).

So, you can understand why I am stoked to find Vodafone giving me 100mb (instead of 300mb) for $10 instead of $30. Hopefully this is just the start.

It’s pretty typical that I’m late to whatever the latest craze is.  It’s now no different with the very popular US drama “Heroes”.

I had heard good things about this show through my various ‘gaming related’ sources of information.  However, what I had heard was that they were all watching it with their partners and that it’s sci-fi/fantasy gone mainstream.

Fortunately Megan had also heard about the show through someone who wasn’t me (that instantly adds credibility) so she was willing to give it a go.

We’re coming to the end of a month trial of fatso (an online DVD rental service).  It has been good, but I won’t be continuing due to the impossibility of renting anything that is remotely popular.  However renting blu-rays of a series that came out in 2005 was no hassle.

So, a few words on consistently watching blu-ray content on our fully HD capable set up.  Awesome.  Ok, that’s only one word.  Switching back to normal tv after watching a few episodes is a real shock.  You really get used to the amazing quality of the picture, and the surround sound is pretty nice quality too (nothing too obvious in the rear speakers which is what you would expect of a show 95% would be watching in stereo).

Ok, so back to the show.

It’s a series about a bunch of people who are discovering, and then trying to control super powers.  They figure they have a purpose, but what each thinks it is, and how they respond is quite different.

What makes the show great is the twists in the plot, the twists in the relationships between characters and the great powers that keep on adding to the possibilities of the story line.

We’re on to the last disk (probably last four episodes) of season 1.  I believe they’re on season 3 or season 4 now.  It’s a great show which I’m hoping they have written all the way to a finite conclusion like Battlestar Galactica.

If you haven’t seen it and own a Blu-ray capable setup (or maybe even if you don’t) I would recommend you check it out.

I know there will be many of our friends and family who are wondering about my thoughts on the proposed Super City and how it would affect me.

The first thing I need to make clear is that everything expressed in this post are my personal opinions and in no way represent a comment from the Auckland City Council, management or even me in my professional context.  Also, the report has not been accepted by central government, so until then, all we are doing is speculating.

Firstly, a link to the executive summary of the report.  It’s pretty lengthy, but contains quite a bit of useful information.

I’ve been surprised how few of the details people seem to be aware of.  For instance I rang my parents the other night and was talking about the report.  They live in Orewa, so I figured they would have heard about the fact that they would be joining the ex-North Shore City Council in the new Waitemata local council.  Nope.

So, super city…I think it’s a pretty good idea.  From a shared services point of view I think it’s nothing short of logical.  In the IT area there have been a number of opportunities to work across council boundaries and while some have been remarkable successes, others have not got past the starting line.

I also agree that Auckland needs a single point of decision making and planning.  There have been many examples where good ideas have fallen through the cracks or been delayed due to a lack of agreement and direction between the councils.

In regards to cost savings, this article expresses my thoughts reasonably accurately.  Basically I’m saying, don’t count your chickens.  The costs to set up the new council are probably reasonably realistic ($120-$240 million) but the question of cost savings will be very hard to realise.  The report recommends retaining all staff initially, so given the complexity of the new environment, the actual running cost of the new council for at least the first few years will actually be higher.  I think it is possible to achieve cost savings in the medium term, but don’t count on your rates bill dropping straight away.

Finally, my personal situation.  This is where I feel like I’m treading dodgy ground, speculating on what might happen to me when the report hasn’t been accepted and none of the decisions which would impact me have even begun to be discussed, let alone decided.

Let’s just say that my position is not secure in the medium term.  The councils will all be disbanded and the new council formed with all the employees.  From an IT perspective, systems will need to be decided upon, and a support structure designed.

If SAP was retained as a system to be used in Auckland Council (and I believe it has a strong case) then my team and likely myself would find a home (we would probably need every SAP resource we could get from other councils plus more).  However if SAP is not chosen then while I would like to remain in the council, this becomes a more challenging scenario.  This is the question that many staff members across the councils will be facing.

But all in all, I’m excited about the opportunities the report brings, for Auckland, my team and myself personally.  There are few opportunities in life to be involved in a change project of this scale and it certainly helps to come into it believing that whatever we are delivering towards, it will make Auckland a better place to work, live and bring up our children.