CIZRE, Turkey -- Thanks to the extremely helpful folks at Iridium, the sat phone is again working. Sorry for the radio silence, but it finally ended on a hotel's rooftop in southeastern Turkey after Ilfan, the bellhop/electrical engineer (I'm not kidding), spliced an extension cord to provide power while I alternated between cursing the cruel fates for creating satellite technology and calling Iridium and talking to either Chad, Adam or Karl. We're on a first name basis now. Adam finally found the magic formula and we're back up and running. Thanks also to J., who has some experience with Windows machines.
It's now very late. Tomorrow is a big day. More reports will be forthcoming.
While I don’t want to bore the masses or ask questions which have answers embarassing to your corporate underwriters (if any), I’m curious to hear exactly what the problem was with the Iridium phone.
I’ve had a variety of difficulties with Inmarsat over the years, but I don’t know anything about Iridium and would love to get a review from the bush. Of the roof. Or the front, as the case may be.
Regards,
A poor craftsman blames his tools.
Hey, who you callin’ masses, Isaac? No need to toss out vague insults like “corporate underwriters (if any)”. Is this the first day you’ve read this blog? The man is an independent journalist, for Pete’s sake. The masses are reading USA Today and watching their tv.
Speaking about problems, I can’t read propperly the web, the right fram overlaps the messages. Am I the only one getting this error?
Cheers Cris.
Miguel
Miguel, the problem you describe is a known issue with Internet Explorer, which is not fully W3C standards compliant. If you use a standards compliant browser such as Netscape, Mozilla, Opera, Safari, etc you will be able to view Chris’ page the way he intended.
Chris, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your powerful convictions and your courage that moves you to act so fully in accordance with them!
It occurs to me that this war may have more of an impact on all of us than we ever imagined when it is all said and done.
Beyond the obvious violent futility of war, perhaps we humans will awaken and embrace once and for all LIVING OUR DEEPEST CONVICTIONS ourselves, instead of wanting and expecting others to do it for us. You are one shining example of that, Chris - a teacher of the highest order.
Your humility, your diligence, your compassion all exemplify to me the best we have to offer as the confusing species that we are.
Thank you for your compelling inspiration.
Jan you’ve missed the point. My use of the phrase “corporate underwriters” refers only to Chris’s recent love-hate relationship with Iridium. If underwriters is the wrong word, and it is, then that’s my problem. I’m not sure what yours is.
Let me try again to ask a simple question:
Chris, what was the problem with the Iridium phone?
(And thanks for responding to my related question in the forums section.)
Regards,
Great, Jack - ever thought of getting one of these “weblog” things? I hear they’re a brilliant place to store long, ponderous pieces of polemic writing. It would also mean you’d be able to do it on your own terms, instead of hijacking somebody else’s space.
Ahem.
Christopher, I wish you continuing good luck with your endeavours! Excellent choice on the Iridium phone too, I heard the US Military are banning the use of Inmarsat phones because the network is managed by Arabs, or Communists, or the French, or something.
Marcus - Amen!! to your comment.
Everyone, please keep strong, positive thoughts for Christopher’s and J.’s safety.
just found your site. great to get a viewpoint other than CNN. I thought everyone had gone mad except me.
John