by alec on January 24, 2005
Bellster is Jeff Pulver’s newest business. It’s a great idea, and one that a few of us at Iotum seriously kicked around about a year ago as well. The concept is simple: for much of the day your telephone line is unused. Why not allow others to use it as an outbound calling gateway?
In its current incarnation, Bellster requires you to put up an Asterix PBX. Asterix, of course, is an open source project, and thus costs nothing more than the hardware to implement. It (Asterisk) is, unfortunately, not for mere mortals, but Bellster has several suppliers willing to sell you a turnkey solution.
Bellster has 150 nodes running in just the last couple of days. It will be a very interesting experiment to watch. If you can shrink the formfactor and cost of the Bellster node to an IAD or router/gateway, then you have a real chance of completely disrupting the telecom industry. Nobody would ever pay for anything but local telephone access again, and that would be a declining business as more and more people switched over to the Bellster network.
Go go go Jeff!
by alec on January 24, 2005
My parents have been visiting for the last couple of weeks. During that time much good wine has been consumed, and my only regret is that I haven’t had time to make notes about it here. Somehow when the revelries start it’s difficult to drag yourself away and write a review of the bottle you’re currently drinking.
One beauty that’s worth mentioning though is the 2001 d’Arenberg d’Arry’s Original. (C$19.95, LCBO 942904). This is a Shiraz/Grenache blend from Australia’s McLaren Vale. Bought just before Christmas at the recommendation of the local LCBO wine consultant, I tasted it then, and liked it so much I went back and bought a case to cellar.
The label claims it a "benchmark for McLaren Vale and Australia’s rich and generous traditional wines." Boy, does it deliver. Highly extracted, with a big nose of fruit, alcohol, and a little caramel. Flavours of raspberry and juicy cherries. This is a plush, and luxurious wine suitable to accompany a seasoned roast, or for just sipping by the fire with strong cheese on a cold winter night. It’s a total pleasure from the moment you nose the first glass.
Parker gives it a 90, and writes "A great value, the 2001 d’Arry’s Original Shiraz/Grenache (equal parts of each) exhibits a dense ruby/purple colour in addition to a sweet, peppery nose of kirsch liqueur, blackcurrants, licorice and earth. This richly fruity, nicely textured, plump, hedonistic red will provide immense pleasure over the next 5-6 years."
If you can find any of this where you live, pick some up. It’s excellent!
