A short while ago Keira was contacted by a reporter about the MySpace identity debacle. Since its discovery, she was able to get the profile deleted and notify some of the imposter’s contacts. Luckily I had time to capture some screenshots of the photos posted on the account before its removal. It’s nice to look back and laugh at the good times she and I had in “Hay Park” when she was visiting from Austin.
Original photo credit:
Duane Storey on Flickr – In Stanley Park, not Hay Park
Not sure if I’ll get some face time on the story, but we’re meeting with CTV this evening so I assume it will be on the 6:00pm or late night news.
Unfortunately, as experienced with The Crazy Canucks, CTV usually pulls their content from YouTube so we may not be able to view it later – save for my whatever my mom captures with her VCR – so let us know how it goes.
This weekend I’m heading over to Standard Building Supplies in North Vancouver, and not because I need some lumber. When this proprietor wants to create an event and get promotion going for his store he goes all out and this Saturday is no exception. He’s going to have several local radio stations on location, prize draws (including the chance to win a Porsche), tons of food and the best part… Canucks alumni signing autographs.
So far I’ve heard mention of Cliff Ronning, “King” Richard Brodeur, Geoff Courtnall, Dave Babych and Gino Odjick. Did I say Dave “the moustache” Babych and Gino “Ozone” Odjick? You bet I did.
The event takes place this Saturday at Standard Building Supply, 22 Bewicke Avenue in North Vancouver from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
With transportation and traffic congestion being a hot topic with Metro Vancouver commuters, Translink is preparing to launch a new site this November that aims to be an “all-in-one” source for getting around the region.
The website integrates bus, train and ferry schedules along with delays at YVR and the status at the Canada US border. www.i-move.ca is currently in the testing phase and is expected to be fully running by November. [CKNW]
One of the best things Translink could do is come out with a system that’s easy to use and time-saving. Unfortunately no matter how informed we are about a traffic camera being on HWY 1 at the Kensington on-ramp, it still doesn’t solve most problems with our major thoroughfares and lack of public transit options.
I’m certainly willing to give i-Move a chance, and I’ve even been tinkering with it for a while this evening.
The cycling section seems pretty interesting, laying out lines for routes on and off-road travel in all cities (I’m interested in seeing what Paul, Richard and Roland think of this).
“Trip Calculator” estimates 18-25 minutes from Burnaby to Vancouver depending on if you take the bus, or your car (on a day when there are no “events” present) and it also allows you to enter the current price of gas so it can tally how much you’ve used at various points along the way.
The “events” option is useful, displaying reported trouble-spots on the Google Map so drivers can plan alternate routes, although I’m not sure how often it’s updated. The rest of the features (cameras, borders etc.) just add icons to the map with flags containing basic information.
Despite bumping into an error from Microsoft CMS 2002 on the site, it’s definitely got a lot of features. I fully understand this is not the complete version of i-Move but will look forward to exploring it in detail once launched next month.
I must defend my honour as a Canucks fan following my little stunt in my Bruins jersey. All in good fun although some begrudged Leafs fans decided to pounce on the chance to oust a member of The Crazy Canucks Podcast. For this reason, I’m going to pepper this post in “Miss604 wearing Canucks stuff” photos.
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Vancouver businesses are failing to protect my private purchasing information, and they’re probably doing the same with yours too.
How often have you eaten at a restaurant in town, paid by credit card and noticed on the receipt you’re about to leave on the table that your entire credit card number is displayed? If you haven’t next time you should look, because now whoever picks up that receipt will have your private payment information and your signature at their disposal. Establishments should be masking your credit card number so it shows up with only four legible numbers ie. xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-1234.
The other day at Yaletown Brewing I paid with a credit card and I noticed they didn’t mask my number. When this happens, I sign the receipt and always hand it directly to my server. Unfortunately in this case, he was too busy to pick up our bill from the table and when I asked if he could please take it from me he replied rudely that I need to leave it on the table. I replied, I need you to take this.
In the US various states have laws in place regarding card masking, and the issue is a hot one.
…some 50 of the nation’s top retailers—including Rite Aid, Harry & David, Ikea, KB Toys, Disney, Regal Cinemas and AMC Theaters—were accused of printing full credit numbers and expiration dates on printed customer receipts, violating a provision of the FACTA (Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act) that makes it illegal for a retailer to print more than the last five digits of a credit or debit card number or the card’s expiration date on a receipt. This is known as masking or truncation. The rule took effect in phases, but the latest phase went into effect in December 2006. [PC Magazine, Dec 2006]
Apparently in Canada, 2007 was also supposed to be our year of heightened credit card security, according to our Federal Privacy Commissioner:
…representatives of the retail industry have told her that all equipment used to electronically process credit-card payments will mask the cardholders’ personal information in 2007. [CBC, Dec 2006]
According to the BC Personal Information Protection Act: “The technology capable of masking or truncating numbers on receipts does exist, but many businesses have not yet converted to it. Industry advises us that masking the information of the cardholder on all equipment used to electronically process credit card payments should be in place in 2007.” [PDF]
I’ve noticed this all over town, and I think my main concern is with restaurants more than retailers (right now at least) since patrons are expected to leave their receipts and payment slips out in the open. This happened again yesterday at White Spot for Sunday brunch and I run into this issue at least once a week when I am using my credit card. Although I’m not one who scares easily, when it comes to my hard-earned money I’m going to try and protect what I have.
The next time you’re out dining on the town, remember to check for your credit card number on the receipt. If it is not masked, make sure you hand it off directly to staff. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner also has some tips for savvy consumers, I personally like the one about shredding. Hopefully by the end of 2007, retailers and restaurants in our international city will be up to snuff when it comes to personal privacy security standards.
