GCSB Protest March

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#871874 5-Aug-2013 10:18

Woolly: Big Data re: ajobbins post

I worked on a project to find out the cause of trouble tickets (TT) from users.

I can't remember the exact numbers but it was about ~1.5M tickets across ~6K users per year.

The biggest problem found was Outlook >50%.

We knew the biggest problem but we did not know why?

With further text analysis we found out that no one had any training in Outlook.

After this each TT regarding Outlook the user would have training at the desk.

There was big reduction of outlook TT's.

My apologies (tl;dr) if this seems off topic.

With big data like the NSA and GCSB is collecting, when you think you've found the cause. You haven't.

You end up chasing false positives.

Hey Woolly,

Thanks for making me laugh. :) :) :)

I was reading down this last night, got to the bit where you said "We knew the biggest problem but we did not know why?" and thought "really... training..." and then you said "user would have training".

It's a loverly example of management abstraction from users and users just not taking any ownership of knowing stuff.

Promote New Zealand - Get yourself a .kiwi.nz domain name!!!

Check out mine - i.am.a.can.do.kiwi.nz - don@i.am.a.can.do.kiwi.nz

DonGould

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#871894 5-Aug-2013 10:40

Woolly:

Hi Don, Community networks are quite easy to setup now.

Yip, the gear that's out there to do this stuff is just getting cheaper, faster and better.

Woolly:
Either via WiFi or a hub/switch for internet.

If you do it via cable then run the cable underneath the fence rails to protect it from the sun.

Crimp your own Ethernet connectors and buy cable from wholesalers online.

Wifi is the way to go. Ethernet is useful too, but you have to be very mindful of power issues, where as wifi provides isolation.

Woolly:
For pensioners and the like give them old computers that businesses are trying to get rid of.

Ask for donations to maintain the network.

I've got a couple of old 24 port 10/100? hubs sitting on the shelf somewhere PM me and I'll send one to you.

That space is really interesting. Some gear is useful while it's better to rehome other gear for a profit on the likes of Trademe to raise funds to just pay for stuff you need.

Woolly:
I'm not a network guru so not sure if they're hubs or switches, they'll do the job.

All I know about them is they were to be thrown out because we were going to Gb to the desk, and there were stacks of them along a corridor.

Ya, that's a difficult space. The UFB has put the pressure on that everything everyone (which is kinda good in some ways too) but it's meaning that gear has less and less value in any network, even a community one for a whole pile of reasons.

Woolly:
There are alot of pitfalls to watch for. Biggest one is datacaps. Have a search for DD-WRT .

Ya datacaps is a real challenge. You need billing systems that can tell users what they've used, when, what they've got left and send out warnings. Bill shock for a customer is one thing, bill shock on a small ISP guy, trying to make something happen, is even more of a worry.

Billing is complex and quite overwhelming.

Woolly:
You can also add phones to the network. This gets very tricky especially with the elderly. The reason being some have monitoring systems attached to the phone line.

So if they fall down they can press a button and it goes to a help line.

This is is really interesting as it's coming at everyone like a freight train.

The reality is that everything has to go IP and it's just taking people a while to cotton on.

Woolly:
All of the above may seem daunting, but it's all quite doable.

There are plenty of people willing to help.

You're right on both counts. Guys are doing it, it is doable, it is daunthing and there are stacks of people in New Zealand and around the world willing to help anyone willing to step up to the plate to have a go.

You name the support you need, someone will help out, money, gear, time, skills, land, beer.... what do you need?

Woolly:
There is some legal rubbish about this I'm sure. This is easily overcome by making sure that what your doing is a community service.

The above information is for the community not for profit.

Ok coming back on topic... the legal rubbish is what's threatening this space the most in my view.

I've been following a little of the rules stuff and it's just getting out of hand the amount of discussion about stuff that's going to be imposed on little guys to have to do.

It just flys in the face of claims that we want an uncaptured, competitive, open market place.

I read a case a while back where a guy had to battle with his local court because the police and court gave a land owner the wrong advice about removal of equipment. The really funny bit being it took the local cop off the internet.

The guy should be covered by the telco act, but he's not because he's not a carrier because the cost of being a carrier is so high for the protection it affords him that it then challenges his profitability.

Another guy I know spends 4 hours a month just filling in paper work for the stats department on his business.

but ya... as you say, tl;dr

Promote New Zealand - Get yourself a .kiwi.nz domain name!!!

Check out mine - i.am.a.can.do.kiwi.nz - don@i.am.a.can.do.kiwi.nz

Klipspringer

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#871906 5-Aug-2013 11:01

KiwiNZ:
we have a population of 4.5 million and that will reach maybe 5.5 to 6 million in the next 50+ years. There is no scope for profitable start ups.

I agree that its difficult (very difficult) for new companies to enter the market, start up and profit straight away. But thats business, it takes planning, and lots of market research before just stepping into the bandwagon. People these days expect to just jump in, spend as little as possible on resources, support etc... Offer nothing new or different, but at the same time expect to run big profits.

Entering a market like this takes time and commitment, hard work, and sometimes even running a loss. I don't believe that it has got anything to do with the population size of NZ. Here in NZ people seem to focus too much on higher profits with as little service as possible. Ie, only providing the bare minimum to keep the customer happy. Just look at our current choice of ISP's of which most are absolutely cr@p. (Not you Snap!). Jeeez half of them don't even offer VOIP services. What about IPTV? Nothing much there either?

It just takes something new, which offers something different to come along to blow the competition out of the water. Its not always about price either. But then don't waist your time and energy trying to enter the market and offering the same services as everyone else does. It will fail. Whats the point? Come up with something new, something tempting. Something that the others can't offer. Even if its more expensive.

MikeB4

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#871922 5-Aug-2013 11:23

Klipspringer:
KiwiNZ:
we have a population of 4.5 million and that will reach maybe 5.5 to 6 million in the next 50+ years. There is no scope for profitable start ups.

I agree that its difficult (very difficult) for new companies to enter the market, start up and profit straight away. But thats business, it takes planning, and lots of market research before just stepping into the bandwagon. People these days expect to just jump in, spend as little as possible on resources, support etc... Offer nothing new or different, but at the same time expect to run big profits.

Entering a market like this takes time and commitment, hard work, and sometimes even running a loss. I don't believe that it has got anything to do with the population size of NZ. Here in NZ people seem to focus too much on higher profits with as little service as possible. Ie, only providing the bare minimum to keep the customer happy. Just look at our current choice of ISP's of which most are absolutely cr@p. (Not you Snap!). Jeeez half of them don't even offer VOIP services. What about IPTV? Nothing much there either?

It just takes something new, which offers something different to come along to blow the competition out of the water. Its not always about price either. But then don't waist your time and energy trying to enter the market and offering the same services as everyone else does. It will fail. Whats the point? Come up with something new, something tempting. Something that the others can't offer. Even if its more expensive.

It's a sad fact that most start ups fail within two years, second year tax burden is a factor the other factor especially here in New Zealand not enough research is done to determine market potential, competition, growth potential etc ....

I hear people say but Joe Bloggs has started a business and he is making a profit however in many cases Joe Bloggs would make more money investing in Bank deposits or NZX as the real world return on investment they are gaining is way too low. If you cannot make more than 3 times
what you would earn doing a similar job for an employer it is not worth the risk workload etc etc to start a business.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Klipspringer

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#871923 5-Aug-2013 11:26

KiwiNZ:

It's a sad fact that most start ups fail within two years, second year tax burden is a factor the other factor especially here in New Zealand not enough research is done to determine market potential, competition, growth potential etc ....

I hear people say but Joe Bloggs has started a business and he is making a profit however in many cases Joe Bloggs would make more money investing in Bank deposits or NZX as the real world return on investment they are gaining is way too low. If you cannot make more than 3 times
what you would earn doing a similar job for an employer it is not worth the risk workload etc etc to start a business.

Bottom Line: It takes a business man, with good business sense and skills to start a business.
Unfortunately too many people think its too easy.

MikeB4

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#871937 5-Aug-2013 11:42

Klipspringer:
KiwiNZ:

It's a sad fact that most start ups fail within two years, second year tax burden is a factor the other factor especially here in New Zealand not enough research is done to determine market potential, competition, growth potential etc ....

I hear people say but Joe Bloggs has started a business and he is making a profit however in many cases Joe Bloggs would make more money investing in Bank deposits or NZX as the real world return on investment they are gaining is way too low. If you cannot make more than 3 times
what you would earn doing a similar job for an employer it is not worth the risk workload etc etc to start a business.

Bottom Line: It takes a business man, with good business sense and skills to start a business.
Unfortunately too many people think its too easy.

Absolutely

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

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Klipspringer

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#871950 5-Aug-2013 11:55

KiwiNZ:
Klipspringer:
KiwiNZ:

It's a sad fact that most start ups fail within two years, second year tax burden is a factor the other factor especially here in New Zealand not enough research is done to determine market potential, competition, growth potential etc ....

I hear people say but Joe Bloggs has started a business and he is making a profit however in many cases Joe Bloggs would make more money investing in Bank deposits or NZX as the real world return on investment they are gaining is way too low. If you cannot make more than 3 times
what you would earn doing a similar job for an employer it is not worth the risk workload etc etc to start a business.

Bottom Line: It takes a business man, with good business sense and skills to start a business.
Unfortunately too many people think its too easy.

Absolutely

When I first arrived in New Zealand I could not believe how easy it was to open a business here. Hardly any restrictions.

While that's really great. The disadvantages are that any Joe Soap can open a business and "specialize" in virtually anything. I think thats the reason so many fail. Maybe its just too easy?

I also heard somehwere that having your business in NZ being declaired insolvent does not have any influence on your personal credit rating (Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong). Its easy for your business to go insolvent, shutdown shop, and start up something else. And your credit rating remains unchanged! You go Terry Serepisos!!!

ajobbins

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#871957 5-Aug-2013 12:06

I also heard somehwere that having your business in NZ being declaired insolvent does not have any influence on your personal credit rating (Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong). Its easy for your business to go insolvent, shutdown shop, and start up something else. And your credit rating remains unchanged! You go Terry Serepisos!!!

If you have a LLC, this is generally true, but it's certainly not something unique to NZ. Most countries have a form of company or corporation structure that limits liability.

That said, liability can be transferred to the directors when it is found they have acted negligently or illegally. Also, many banks will require a director or shareholder(s) personally guarantor any lending to the company, so if the debt is then not paid, it falls to them as individuals to pay it.

Twitter: ajobbins

Woolly

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#872187 5-Aug-2013 17:21

Attack of the killer fawns (DNR stands for Department of Natural Resources)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=B23-mpfXPU8

I wonder if DOC have their own SWAT teams? Or is that next year?

Maybe DNR was having a BBQ, someone forgot the venison?

Woolly

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#872223 5-Aug-2013 18:15

The Al Q Myth

Quote from Article "Based on Sopko’s report, Pentagon support for Al Qaeda and the Taliban is official as of August 1.
Let me see if I can think this through: the
Pentagon is giving Al Qaeda and the Taliban funding, even though Al
Qaeda and the Taliban are planning to carry out attacks on US citizens.
How can this be happening? It would appear the US government is at war
with their own people."

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2013/08/03/its-official-us-funding-al-qaeda-and-taliban/

JimmyH

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#872241 5-Aug-2013 18:49

Klipspringer:

I also heard somehwere that having your business in NZ being declaired insolvent does not have any influence on your personal credit rating (Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong). Its easy for your business to go insolvent, shutdown shop, and start up something else. And your credit rating remains unchanged! You go Terry Serepisos!!!

That's pretty normal for a limited liability company, the shareholders are only liable up to the point of losing everything they have put in, and creditors can't normally chase them for a shortfall from an insolvent company. In fact that's the point of limited liability and why companies tend to be "ABC Limited".

There are notable exceptions. If someone can can be shown to have moved deliberately assets out of the company (say into their own name of a family trust) to avoid the receivers then they can be prosecuted and in a world of trouble. If someone is found to have been a director (or a deemed director) and either traded recklessly, authorised a distribution when the company was insolvent, or traded while insolvent then they can also be in a world of legal and financial hurt.

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Woolly

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#872625 6-Aug-2013 12:30

Have you noticed some ltd companies names change yearly eg XYZ 2012 Ltd becomes XYZ 2013 Ltd trading as XYZ

There is a cost to this but it's a bit like insurance.

All warranties are left with the old ltd company. Eg Leaky homes.

OSH penalties go up drastically after the 2nd penalty - Yip you guessed it, time to fill in some forms.

This paper below discusses Phoenix Companies (companies rising from the ashes).
Pages 7 - 28 cover history, why ltd companies, phoenix companies and abuses.

Kut Price Yachts Ltd LOL.

After reading the above a clause for personal guarantee from the directors from loss or harm on the agreement would help negate the limited liability.

ajobbins

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#872630 6-Aug-2013 12:37

Woolly: Have you noticed some ltd companies names change yearly eg XYZ 2012 Ltd becomes XYZ 2013 Ltd trading as XYZ

This is actually pretty rare. The reason many companies have a year in the name is for differentiation. For example, I might have a business called Pro Plumbers, but Pro Plumbers Ltd is already registered, so I can simply call my company Pro Plumbers 2013 Ltd and that is enough differentiation in the eyes of the law.

Doing as you suggest wouldn't stand up in court if it was challenged, but anyway, we are way off topic.

Twitter: ajobbins

DonGould

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#872648 6-Aug-2013 13:07

Klipspringer: Bottom Line: It takes a business man, with good business sense and skills to start a business.
Unfortunately too many people think its too easy.

The issue here is privacy and over sight, not ability to run a company.

I agree 100% that you are right about the need for good business sense to run build and run an ISP.

It's not a simple job at all. It is just the same as running most other business in business terms.

We should not discourage people from wanting to get on the on ramp.

If we want an open and uncaptured internet then we're going to have to pay for that, it's just that simple.

That means that we have to choose to support the guys who are willing to give it a go.

We have to accept a bit of failure and we have to aggressively provide support for those who step up to the plate to have a go at it.

Yes it does take money to build an ISP. It also takes money to start just about any business. Even a guy choosing to mow lawns needs some money to buy a mower, car/van/trailer, a rake, etc.

I think we are very foolish to attempt to scare people off from giving it a go.

That's how we end up with a captured market.

Promote New Zealand - Get yourself a .kiwi.nz domain name!!!

Check out mine - i.am.a.can.do.kiwi.nz - don@i.am.a.can.do.kiwi.nz

P1n3apqlExpr3ss

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#872683 6-Aug-2013 14:35

Former CIA terrorism expert questions need for GCSB bill
http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/18377947/former-cia-terrorism-expert-questions-need-for-gcsb-bill/

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