Sunday, September 01, 2002

Started on a new work project a couple of weeks back - documenting a hefty CRM system full of Java and XML and SQL - wow, the learning curve is amazing. Downloaded the java developer kit and tutorial from the Sun site and have been working my way through the language and java beans sections. Now looking for some cheap computing to load Linux and mySQL and take it all the way. Meantime the project is revving up and I'm gonna have less time for playing as I get to grips with product specifics. But it's great to be using the grey matter again. 12:22:26 PM

Had a long break from blogging - had to go to Ireland, then made a trip to England, then returned to go camping at the beach in Brittany. Finally returned to base and lost my credit card. My trial version of Radio was used up and I had to wait for new credit card to purchase - more hassle with credit. 12:18:48 PM

Peterme, the Abnormal American, describes a problem I share with him - how do  I borrow money if I have no credit history? - http://peterme.com/archives/00000268.html. This doesn't only happen in the US. I went into one of the giant supermarket places in France recently to purchase a house-load of electrical goods - paying cash.When I suggested a cash discount I had to wait hours for a manager to make a decision - final discount amounted to about 2 per cent - cheap or what. And the reason being - they prefer to lend you the money, charge you the interest, and lock your business in. The focus is not to build customer loyalty but rather to build customer indebtedness. It stinks. 12:16:57 PM