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London Taxis December 12, 2005

Posted by evilzenscientist in : evilzenscientist, fun stuff, travel , add a comment

Getting a taxi can be hit and miss anywhere across the globe. Too many times I have been let down by missing cars, breakdowns, rude and sometimes downright dangerous driving.

I needed to get a cab this morning at the ungodly hour of 0430. That’s way too early for me.

I booked a cab through the recommended services of Addison Lee - a London cab firm. They have great customer service. While on the phone booking the pickup I was told exactly how much the fare would be - no surprises at set down. That was my first pleasant surprise.

15 minutes before pickup I received an SMS to my phone saying that the driver was on his way; a description and license plate of the vehicle and the cell phone number for the driver. I got a second SMS minutes later saying that the driver was waiting outside to collect me. He wasn’t - just a few houses along; I called him and got picked up.

All cabs seem to be fitted with smart GPS and directions; much like the (much lamented) Hertz Neverlost. Part of me thinks this is a great idea (no more roundabout journeys), the other part laments the loss of ‘The Knowledge’ that is still required for all black cab drivers. I can see times when human knowledge of side routes and less busy roads beats the GPS hands down.

All in all I was really impressed by the service from Addison Lee - if you are in London and need to pre-book - try them out.

Wireless routers - it’s all about positioning

Posted by evilzenscientist in : evilzenscientist , add a comment

I wrote yesterday about the terrible bandwidth problems I’m having in London - tonight my wireless signal in the house was dreadful. I’m used to the attenuating effect of Victorian masonry (we lived in an old house when we were in England) - but surely it was never this bad. It was almost like having a century old Faraday cage built into the house.

I thought about this some - and realised that things had only changed in the last day; no it’s not my laptop; no there’s no new software.. what could it be?

Ah - the wireless router has been place ‘out of sight’ behind a steel filing cabinet.. Hmm.

I repositioned it - and full signal restored :)