Later on I imported the RSS from my blog into both Facebook and Google Buzz, so I could do my own posting on my site, but let the conversation take place wherever my friends preferred it. This works pretty well, but when someone visits sigcrap.org, they wouldn’t see the conversations that had evolved among their friends. I recently went through the exercise of installing the facebook and google widgets for embedding comments (You’ll see them on the left). Neither one of these is very compelling, but they hint at a future in which your view of a website is tailored to your own social context. When you go to sigcrap.org, you’d see whatever lame comments your friends made about my post, but everyone gets their own view.

I think we have a long ways to go on this, since neither of these widgets is very good yet.

1. my corp buzz friends on my google.com account
2. my facebook friends
3. my public buzz friends on my gmail account
4. my twitter account.
5. my quora account

I’m sure that if you get too many friends on any particular network, your participation will decline due to spam and friendships that are too faint to sustain. What is the tipping point and how would you measure it?

Nissan LEAF CUSTOMER INFORMATION
Congratulations on your decision to order a new Nissan LEAF and join
others in reducing tailpipe emissions and oil dependence. The Nissan
LEAF offers unique capabilities but also has unique requirements for
normal operation that are different from other vehicles you may have
owned or operated in the past. This document and our website will
provide valuable information for your consideration.

I. Carefully consider the characteristics of an all electric vehicle.
The Nissan LEAF may not meet your driving needs. This form will alert
you to several factors to consider. THE NISSAN LEAF WEBSITE
(www.nissanusa.com/leaf) CONTAINS ESSENTIAL INFORMATION WHEN MAKING A
DECISION ON WHETHER AN ALL ELECTRIC VEHICLE IS RIGHT FOR YOU. READ ITS
CONTENTS THOROUGHLY BEFORE ORDERING and call us if you have any
questions (1-877- NO GAS EV, 1-877-664-2738).

II. It is important to conserve power (electricity) and plan your
charging needs when you drive. The battery pack is the sole source of
power to operate the vehicle. A. Charging (3 types with 240V
recommended):

Nissan highly recommends a home charger be installed on a dedicated
240V circuit by a professional electrician using an SAE J1772
compliant charging dock. Nissan has contracted with AeroVironment to
assist you in purchasing and installing a charger. If you are enrolled
in the U.S. government=92s EV Project in select markets, ECOtality is
the responsible party for the charger and installation.
Although not recommended for regular use, for Trickle charging, a
dedicated 120V outlet may be used but: (1) will take much longer than
240V charging; (2) requires use of the supplied charging cord or an
SAE J1772 complaint cord; and (3) the outlet should be protected by a
dedicated circuit breaker or fuse to protect against electrical
hazard.
High voltage or Quick charge is commercially being developed and
provides a 440V charge.
Nissan is encouraging the development of public charging
infrastructure and compatibility between public charging stations and
vehicle charging ports but we cannot ensure this will occur. Nissan
cannot assure you that public charging stations will be available in
locations where you operate the vehicle, nor can Nissan predict the
period of time it may take for public charging infrastructure to be
developed. If you attempt to charge from a non-compatible charging
station, you may not receive a complete charge or may not be able to
charge at all due to hardware and software differences.
A Quick Charge port (440V) is not standard equipment and is an option
on the SL model only with limited availability. If necessary for you,
it must be ordered initially and installed during manufacture. It
cannot be added or retrofitted later.
Time to Charge varies, based on state of charge of the battery,
condition and age of the battery, ambient temperature and condition of
the power source connected to the vehicle. The following are estimates
only; your actual experience may vary.
Standard Charge. – Empty lamp ~100%: ~7 hours
Trickle Charge. – Empty lamp ~ 100%: ~21 hours
Quick Charge. – Empty lamp ~80%: ~30 minutes
with battery temperature at 77 =B0F. (Quick Charging more than once per
day not recommended)
B. Range. The distance you can drive (range) varies considerably
depending upon state of charge, weather, temperature, usage, age,
topography, and manner of driving.

Range Estimates: The range is dependent on a number of factors. When
the battery is new, it is estimated that vehicle range will vary
between 138 and 62 miles with a full charge for the majority of people
under normal operation and various driving conditions. Some of the
factors affecting range are ambient temperature, weight – number of
passengers and payload, air conditioning/heating usage, high speed or
stop-and-go driving, topography, battery capacity, etc. These are
estimates based upon analysis and testing. Your individual style and
location will dictate your individual range which will vary initially
and as the battery ages capacity and range decline.
Gradual loss of battery capacity. Like all lithium ion batteries, the
Nissan LEAF battery will experience a reduction in the amount of
electricity or charge it can hold over time, resulting in a reduction
in the vehicle=92s range. This is normal and expected. The rate of
reduction cannot be assured, however, the battery is expected to
maintain approximately 80% of its=92 initial capacity after 5 years of
normal operation and recommended care, but this is not guaranteed.
This number may be higher or lower depending upon usage and care.
Factors that will affect and may hasten the rate of capacity loss
include, but are not limited to: very high (above 120=B0F) ambient
outside temperature when the vehicle is operated or charged, driving
habits, vehicle usage, and charging habits (Quick Charging the vehicle
more than once per day).
Driving/Operating. Driving the vehicle at constant speed and with
smooth pedal modulation improves vehicle range. Nissan also recommends
heating or cooling the cabin while charging just prior to driving.
Vehicle range will be reduced by: (1) high speed driving (55+ mph),
(2) aggressive driving (frequent or rapid acceleration) (3), severe
conditions including heavy passenger/cargo load, uphill driving at a
steep incline for extended periods of time, and (4) electrical use,
especially heater or air conditioner use.
Limited Power Notice. This mode protects the health and operation of
the vehicle=92s battery. This mode is triggered in certain extreme
conditions (heat, cold, low state of charge). Power available to
vehicle systems, including its electric motor, will be limited
resulting in limited performance, acceleration and top speed. Charging
may be automatically terminated, especially with repeated quick
charging in extreme hot weather. For prolonged operation in below
freezing climates, Nissan strongly recommends a trim level with Cold
Weather specifications that includes a battery heater (late
availability). Vehicles not ordered with Cold Weather specifications
cannot be retrofitted later.
III. Vehicle Operation & Features: Refer to owner=92s manual for details.

A. Electric Vehicle. The Nissan LEAF is an all electric vehicle with
no tailpipe emissions. In order for the vehicle to operate, the
vehicle battery must be charged with electricity in advance. As the
vehicle operates, it uses electricity stored in the vehicle battery.
If the vehicle battery becomes completely discharged (a condition to
be avoided), the vehicle will not operate until it is re-charged, a
process which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 21 hours (see
Section II above).
B. The Solar Panel Spoiler on SL trim level supplies minimal charge to
vehicle=92s 12V battery to support operation of features (for example:
charging a cell phone, operating the vehicle=92s clock) and does not
charge the vehicle=92s lithium-ion battery nor extend range.
C. Data Recorders. The Nissan LEAF is equipped with several data
recorders: (1) a data recorder for diagnosing repairs, (2) an Event
Data Recorder (=93EDR=94) that records data in crash or near crash
situations, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle.
The EDR records data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems
for a short period of time, typically 30 seconds or less; and (3)
Telematics and recorded vehicle data for features, analysis, and
research. The Nissan LEAF records data concerning various vehicle
systems, location, driving performance, and operating conditions. Some
of this data is transmitted to Nissan through the vehicle onboard
CARWINGS (telematics) system. This data is used for the provision of
CARWINGS services, as well as for analysis and research by Nissan
designed to, among other things, optimize performance of future
electric vehicles including improvements in future battery life.
Certain state laws restrict access to such data without the consent of
the vehicle owner. Without your consent, the vehicle will de-activate
the vehicle telematics system in your vehicle, and certain features,
including all telematics, of your vehicle will not operate as
intended.
D. Cellular Network. The CARWINGS system communicates through the AT&T
cellular network which may not be available in all areas. Certain
remote functions require a compatible smartphone, not included or
supplied.
E. Roadside Assistance and CARWINGS Telematics Features (see III.C.3
above) are included through a subscription service which is standard
in the price of the vehicle for the first 36 months. After that time,
a subscription service can be purchased.
IV. Vehicle Maintenance & Warranty

As an electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF has unique features, service
requirements, and safety risks that require specially trained
technicians and some specialized equipment.

A. Warranty: All warranty repairs may only be completed at a certified
Nissan LEAF dealership. Not all Nissan dealers may be certified. The
closest certified Nissan LEAF dealership may be located farther away
than you would prefer.
B. Mileage at Delivery: Your Nissan LEAF=92s proper operation will be
tested by Nissan after production and your vehicle will therefore be
delivered with some mileage reflected on the odometer and some battery
use with minimal capacity loss. C. Li-Ion Battery Checks: Nissan
recommends regular periodic maintenance, including two required
Battery Checks to be completed by a certified Nissan LEAF dealership
at intervals of 12 and 24 months at no additional cost to you.
Performance of recommended maintenance, including the two Battery
Checks, is a condition of your vehicle=92s New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
D. Battery Replacement Costs: As your vehicle battery ages, you may
decide to replace the battery due to gradual capacity loss and its
effect on vehicle range. Replacement cost is unknown at this time, but
the cost to you may be significant, and may be greater than replacing
a gas vehicle=92s power train. Nissan anticipates reductions in
replacement battery cost as battery technology improves. Individual
modules inside the battery pack may be replaced at a certified Nissan
LEAF dealership, at much less cost than replacing the entire battery
pack.
E. Repairs: BODY SHOP WARNING: In the event of a significant accident,
the vehicle should be delivered to a certified Nissan LEAF dealer to
have the battery pack and high voltage parts such as the inverter,
including the wiring harness, removed prior to painting. Battery packs
exposed to heat in the paint booth will experience capacity loss.
Damaged battery packs may also pose safety risks to untrained
mechanics and repair personnel.
F. Exclusions and Limitations to Nissan New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Your Nissan LEAF comes with a Nissan LEAF New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. The warranty includes a number of specific conditions,
exclusions and limitations. Unique to the Nissan LEAF is battery
capacity, which is not covered. Lithium ion battery capacity loss over
time is normal and expected.
VI. Federal and State Tax Credit Eligibility

Federal and state tax or other incentives may or may not apply to the
purchase of a Nissan LEAF. Consult your tax advisor.

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I acknowledge and understand all of the written information contained
in this document concerning the Nissan LEAF prior to my order.

1. If you are logged into Facebook but then surf around the web, you will be transmitting personal details from your facebook presence to the other web sites
2. When other people surf the web, they will be transmitting data about their relationship to you. This seems like the worst example.
3. Trying to improve your privacy settings requires negotiation of a dozen pages with 170 different privacy settings.

There is now an organized protest to avoid logging in to facebook on 6/6/2010. That’s an easy one. I think it’s time to dial back and see what it feels like to not use facebook. Unfortunately I’m logged in on so many places that it will require a witchhunt to log out everywhere. Anyway, this blog post will still eventually show up there, but I won’t.

One of the recent events that annoyed me is that people have been giving one of my email addresses to facebook in trying to add me as a friend. This was apparently caused by someone uploading their email contact list, but in doing this they gave private information between the two of us to a third party, namely facebook. I am always appalled by how freely people will give away private information belonging to someone else, and think nothing of it. Facebook is openly preying on this ignorance. Shame on both of you.

1. Motorola Droid on Verizon
2. HTC Nexus One on T-Mobile

I’ve been thinking about the relative advantages and disadvantages of the two phones, and it’s a close call.

The Droid has a few advantages. The physical keyboard is very welcome, but I find myself using the virtual keyboards more and more, and I also find myself using voice input more often. Voice input used to be pretty miserable, but lately I have noticed a dramatic improvement in the precision. The resolution is slightly higher on the Droid screen, but it’s not a huge difference (480×854 vs 480×800). Both screens are stunningly good, particularly compared to the iPhone, which has a pretty mediocre screen. The speaker on the Droid is dramatically better, though some people might find it weird that I sometimes listen to podcasts through the speaker instead of using headphones. Sometimes I put it on speakerphone and set it on the table – the sound is very good through the speaker on the Droid.

The Nexus One has a few advantages as well. It’s thinner and lighter than the droid. It has rounded corners that make it pleasant to hold. The processor seems slightly faster, though this may be the software release that they are running. It lacks the physical keyboard, but I don’t seem to miss it as much as I thought I would. It is supposed to eventually get a car dock and a home dock, but I haven’t seen them yet. The home dock is apparently $45, which I concluded was too expensive. The trackball is very nice, and I use it all the time – in fact the droid sometimes feels clumsy to use because of the lack of a trackball.

The big difference for me has been the networks. I have been finding the T-Mobile network to be pretty marginal, but I’m not sure if it is a physical problem of the Nexus or a software problem in Android or simply that the network is lacking. Note that I haven’t made any attempt to measure network coverage over a large area, and you should be very careful of people saying one network is better or worse than the other. People tend to use their phones in a very few areas and draw conclusions about coverage over the entire USA, which is clearly misguided. All of the mobile networks have strong areas and weak areas. The verizon network won’t work at all in most parts of the world. I find that 95% of my phone usage is at home, a work, and in a hotel. In all of these places I usually have Wifi, so the mobile network is largely irrelevant there. With all these disclaimers, I am uncomfortable saying that the Verizon network is better than the T-Mobile network. When I travel to Europe, the Verizon Droid will be incapable of making or receiving phone calls, so it will stay home.

So which one would I recommend? The Droid, by a slight margin. On the other hand, my employer is paying for the data plan, and the answer might change if I was paying for the data plan, because frankly I doubt that I would buy a data plan – I’d buy an unlocked Nexus and use APNDroid to turn off cellular data access.

Would I recommend them instead of the iPhone? The iPhone is clearly a good phone, but I haven’t had a chance to use one at great length. I sincerely despise iTunes, which is one reason why I could never tolerate an iPhone. I find a lot of the value from a smart phone in the applications, and I find nothing lacking in the Android applications. People talk about having 100,000 applications on the iPhone but only 20,000 on Android, but that seems like a completely ridiculous comparison. It only matters if the 20 applications that you really want are available on the phone you want. If you are already an iPhone user, then you have already had your head bent to the Apple way of doing things, so it’s unlikely that you will be happy on an Android phone. I’ve observed a discussion among iPhone users who complain about differences, but almost all of the complaints are that things are done differently, rather than things can’t be done. The two phones offer very similar feature sets, but you should never expect things to be exactly identical.

I wonder what phones will look like two years from now!