Foreigners rank Italy ‘worst place in Europe’ for internet and paying without cash

Posted on May 22, 2019 by CityFella

Is your Wifi in Italy fast enough to let you FaceTime? Photo: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP

International residents in Italy are less satisfied with digital services than anywhere else in Europe, according to a new expat survey.

Italy ranked 57th out of 68 countries around the world when foreign residents were asked to rate the ease of accessing high-speed internet, paying without cash, getting a mobile phone number and other basic digital services, says InterNations, an information and networking site for people living overseas.

Its Digital Life Abroad report places Italy not just behind everywhere in Europe but several countries with a far lower GDP, including Kenya, the Dominican Republic, Kazakhstan and Vietnam.

While three-quarters of expats worldwide were happy with their internet access at home, in Italy the number dropped to 61 percent. The same percentage said it was easy to pay in Italy without cash, compared to 78 percent globally.

Some 82 percent of foreigners in Italy said they’d found getting a mobile phone number simple, slightly below the global average of 86 percent.

International residents were marginally more satisfied with the availability of administrative or government services online, and positively happy with their access to social media: 81 percent of expats reported being satisfied on that count, just above the global average of 80 percent.

Italy has long lagged behind other EU countries when it comes to internet access (in fact it’s such a running joke that The Local once pulled an April Fools’ about it). According to the latest figures available from national statistics office Istat, just 69 percent of Italian households had an internet connection in 2016, plummeting to 21 percent among the over-65s.

Poorer, southern regions have proved the slowest to get online: in Calabria and Sicily, less than 60 percent of households were connected to the net.

Those of us who move abroad often find ourselves even more reliant on technology than most, whether it’s to keep in touch with people back home, work remotely, or manage bank accounts and other admin overseas.

Worldwide, newcomers were most impressed with digital services in Estonia, Finland and Norway, while Egypt, China and Myanmar performed worst.

InterNations questioned a total of 18,135 residents in 187 countries for its survey, but counted only countries where at least 75 people had taken part.

The Local\Italy

Go ask Ma and Pa Canington they know the way

Posted on April 29, 2019 by CityFella

Sometime in the 70’s or 80’s someone said “If you don’t use it you lose it” With the advent of digital and cell phones. Few of us can memorize phone numbers. If someone said to me, gimmie your oldest child’s telephone number or ill kill you . That would be the day I would meet Jesus face to face. “He wouldn’t let me phone a friend”

My mind was once more powerful than an early Packard Bell Computer. I could readily recall telephone numbers, address and birthdays. But that was before my Motorola flip phone. Image result for motorola flip phone 1995 . Before the flip phone, the early cell phones were giant bricks. The Motorola could nearly fit in your pocket. But with this phone, I could transfer the numbers on my human hard drive to the Motorola. Who needs to remember Aun’t Bertha’s number, its in my phone. I didn’t need that part of my brain.

Today we are total slaves to our cell phone. Some of us are so addicted we cant put them down. They talk to us, advise us, and show us the way.

A short time ago, I attempted to give a twenty one year old directions. It was fairly simple, J street (which is a one way street) Turn right on Alhambra and you will see the Bank of America, its across the street from Safeway and Del Taco. “I’m terrible with directions he screamed”-I need the address! I need the address! I didn’t know the address I replied. Oh my God! He screamed You don’t know the address? Oh my God! Drama on overload. He was one more “Oh my God” from being left! He found the bank on his phone. Is there two on Alhambra? I don’t know, I said… “Oh my God” he sighed, I’ll find it!

OMG, I thought to myself. What the fuck would he do if he didn’t have his phone? He so relies on his phone, that he will not consider anything else. I’m a baby boomer, I grew up with AAA and maps. I also remember directions from Ma and Pa Canington. You drive down a ways until you see this blue building with white steps, that’s where you turn right. Then you get in the left lane, when you see Joe’s Locksmith, its a small white building you turn left. Then you go down a bit until you see a house with a big sunflower in front and your there.

Computer and smart phones are too complicated for the Canington’s. They rely on old school maps, exit numbers and memory. (buildings and other landmarks) They are not dependent on batteries, and GPS signals and well into their eighties they are sharper than any twenty-something. They actual read and believe signs that say the bridge is out. They may not have the reflexes of a 21 year old and drive below the speed limit., but its the car I want to be in.

CityFella

Auto Reliability ( Re think the wiz bang)

Posted on October 31, 2018 by CityFella

Image result for volvo infotainment system Related image

Image result for hyundai turbo engine

All new could be all wrong if your buying a new car. Buyers of the latest and greatest are more often than not, are The unofficial guinea pigs for Automakers If often takes a few years to get the bugs out of all new car. Last week, Consumer Reports released their annual new-car reliability ranking. The culprit in some of the newer models seems to be the infotainment systems, the complex nine and ten speed automatic transmissions and the new Turbo Charged engines.

In this report there seems to be a trend. Some Vehicles with new technology: engines, transmission, infotainment systems have dropped in reliability. Highly rated brands like Buick, Honda, Tesla, and other reliable name plates have seen steep drops from 2017. Older lower rated cars like the Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300 with designs that date back to 2006 have risen in reliability. In some cars, like the Tesla nearly every function is handled via the infotainment system. In those cars, some owners complained about freezing screens, preventing them from changing station, to adjusting the temperature. Some systems like Chrysler’s give you the option of using knobs or the screen.

The Ford Fusion, one of the best built domestic vehicles, have seen its ratings fall due to problems with Ford’s new Sync 3 system. The second generation Buick LaCrosse enjoyed a good repair history. The third generation introduced in 2017 was all new with a new 8 speed transmission, buyers of the third generation complained about a rough transmission.

Each year, Consumer Reports sends a questionnaire to its members to learn about issues that they’ve had with their cars over the past year, and the severity of those issues. In their latest survey , CR got info on over 500,000 vehicles from model years 2000 to 2018, gathering information bout problems that owners have had in twelve key areas, including engine internals, accessory drive, cooling system, transmission internals, drive train, fuel system, electrical system, brakes, climate control, exhaust, in-car electronics, and others.

Consumer Reports Most Reliable Brands for 2018

LEXUS-(Best Model-GX\ Worst-IS)
TOYOTA (Best Model PriusC\Worst-Tacoma)
MAZDA (Best Model-Miata\Worst-CX-3)
SUBARU (Best Model-Crosstrek\Worst WRX)
KIA (Best Model-Sedona\Worst Cadenza)
INFINITI (Best Model-Q60\Worst Q50)
AUDI (Best Model-Q5\Worst-A3)
BMW (Best Model i3\Worst X1)
MINI (Best Model Countryman\Worst Cooper)
HYUNDAI (Best Model Santa Fe XL\ Worst Ioniq)
PORSCHE (Best Model 911\ Worst-Cayenne)
GENESIS (Best Model G80\Worst G90)
ACURA (Best Model ILC\Worst MDX)
NISSAN (Best Model Maxima\Worst Versa Note)
HONDA (Best Model Fix\Worst Clarity)
VOLKSWAGEN(Best Model Passat\ Worst Atlas)
MERCEDES-BENZ (Best Model GLS\ Worst E-Class)
FORD (Best Model Taurus\Worst Mustang)
BUICK (Best Model Encore\Worst Enclave)]
LINCOLN (Best Model Continental\Worst MKZ )
DODGE (Best Model Charger\Worst Journey)
JEEP (Best Model Renegade\Worst Compass)
CHEVROLET (Best Model Impala\Worst Traverse)
CHRYSLER (Best Model 300\Worst Pacifica)
GMC (Best Model Yukon\Worst Sierra 2500 HD)
RAM (Best Model 2500\Worst 3500)
TESLA (Best Model Model 3\Worst Model X)
CADILLAC (Best Model XTS\ Worst Model ATS)
VOLVO (Best Model XC60\ Worst Model S90)

A Mighty Fall

In a quest to build lighter, more fuel efficient cars. Automakers have turned to smaller turbo charged four cylinder engines and complex 8, 9 and 10 speed transmissions. Four cylinder engines that are as powerful as the old mighty V8 engines. Ford has replaced large displacement V8 for smaller displacement engines in their trucks and large SUV’s. The massive 5800 pound Ford Expedition Max is powered by 3.5 (213 cubic inch) turbo charged six cylinder engine generating 400 horsepower and 480 pound feet or Torque. Chrysler’s, 5.7-liter (345 cubic inch) HEMI V8 engine produces 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. To give you a sense of size, the first Ford Mustang was a six cylinder was 200 cubic inches.

Nearly all manufactures foreign and domestic has made major changes with all new engines, transmissions, infotainment systems. To put things in perspective, for nearly twenty years most of the automatic transmissions built were four speed transmissions . Twelve years ago, six speed transmissions were common. Four years ago, eight speed transmissions came to market. In the last few years 9 and 10 speed transmissions have come to market. Every manufacturer is now building smaller displacement turbo charged cars for the first time. Longevity for the most part is unknown.

According to Consumer Reports, this new technology has damaged the reliability of some brands. Buick, the most reliable American brand fell 11 spots from 2017 to 2018. Tesla also dropped sharply.

Honda, a brand known for its reliability also dropped sharply in Consumer Reports Ratings . Honda, added turbo charge engines to some of its current generation Civics. The new Accords has new 9 and 10 speed transmissions, all new turbo charged engines and new infotainment systems. As a result the all new Accord, one of the most reliable cars was down graded to average.

Honda’s Odyssey minivan is no longer recommended and Consumer Reports says, the Clarity line of cars apparently has “electronic glitches” that bring it to “much-worse-than-average.

Consumer complaints about the 1.5 Turbocharged engine in Honda’s best selling CR-V to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration could lead to major recall. Honda says ,A fix will be issued by dealers by mid-November and will be covered under the vehicle’s warranty. Honda will also preemptively fix 2019 CR-V models before they go on sale, although it does not yet say what exactly the fix entails.

Toyota Magic

Toyota’s to my eye aren’t necessarily sexy, they aren’t exciting to drive. But they sure are reliable. There are more twenty, and thirty year old Toyota’s on the road than nearly any other car.

Unlike Honda, most of Toyota engines are naturally aspirated. The company hasn’t rushed to turbos. The company still build 6 speed transmissions. Last year it added 8 speed transmissions to the Camry and Avalon.

The magic started early on. On auto production lines in Europe and American the lines buzzed on. If there was a defect, it was handled after the car rolled off the line. At Toyota, workers could stop the entire production line if they realized anything was wrong. Management could fix the problem before it was an issue down the line.

Slow and Steady

One of the first infotainment system came from Ford,designed by Microsoft it was called Ford Sync. In 2008, it was optional on nearly every Ford or Lincoln vehicle. With a push of a button, one could make a phone call, change a radio station, change a CD track by a voice command.

By 2010,a more complex system was introduced called “My Ford Touch” This system allowed the user with the aid of touch screen to read text messages and more. While it was very profitable for Ford, it was an utter failure, with owners saying that it crashed and was unreliable. There were several attempts by Ford to repair the system but they were not successful. JD Power said “My Ford Touch” had a negative effect on Ford’s overall reliability. Consumer Reports suggested buyers avoid the system entirely. Despite all the negative press, the public wanted this expensive option.

Automaker went all in adopting this new technology. Toyota didn’t. It was one of the last carmakers to adopt the technology.

And that is the theme or secret sauce to Toyota. While the other automakers rush new technologies to market. Toyota and Lexus (Toyota’s luxury division) is slow and conservative. Unlike other automakers adding new engines and other technology to all models across the line, they gradually add new engines, electronics and transmissions to the product line. The trade off is superior reliability.

Brand Recommendations for 2019

If your buying a new car you may just want to keep it simple and stay clear of the infotainment systems. All of the cars will have Bluetooth, that will allow hands free calling. You may even consider installing an after market stereo from establish brand like Pioneer, Alpine, Kenwood and JVC. This would require some modification to your car. They all have bluetooth and the trade off is in most cases superior sound, and better electronics. Many of these units have back up cameras, navigation and your steering wheel controls will control these units.

If you must have a infotainment, the best are from Audi, BMW, Hyundai/Kia/Genesis, and Mercedes Benz. Chrysler has a conditional recommendation. Prior to 2018, their U-connect system was considered one of the best in the industry. However, some software additions has made the system buggy with occasional screen freezing. We suspect they will work the bugs out in 2019. The worst of the worst, is Volvo. The company has built award winning and compelling cars with some of the BEST interiors in the industry . However, like many luxury cars infotainment system if you want a Volvo you do not have any other option.

Other vehicles on the caution list includes the Honda Accord and Civic. Honda has a solid reputation. With new turbo engines and transmissions, have resulted in a decline in ratings. However, in a couple of years we think they will have worked out of these issues. Tesla’s Gull wing Model X has been an disaster,doors, rattles and electronic issues. The Model S air suspension and door handles has problematic for the company. The popular Model 3 isn’t as complex as the other models two and more expensive models and so far its most reliable vehicle.

CityFella

Cell Phone at the Church: Not God’s Work

Posted on July 16, 2018 by CityFella

Pastor admitted taking upskirt photo of woman at Deltona church, report states

By: Jeff Weiner (For the Orlando Sentinel)

A now-former pastor at a Deltona, Florida church faces a voyeurism charge, accused of taking an upskirt photo of a woman in his office after a Sunday service, authorities said.

Brian “Rick” Kenyon Jr., 31, faces a felony charge of video voyeurism. He was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on Thursday, but was released that afternoon on $2,500 bail, officials said.

According to an arrest affidavit, the 41-year-old victim told Volusia County sheriff’s deputies the incident happened April 8 at the Deltona Church of Christ on Providence Boulevard.

The woman had watched Kenyon’s children for him during the service. Afterward, she went to his office to turn the kids over to him, but soon realized something was wrong, the affidavit said.

Kenyon seemed nervous and was avoiding eye contact, she said. Then, he asked her to put his youngest child in a car seat.

The woman, who was wearing a sundress, said she bent forward and knelt to secure the child in the seat, but then felt skin brush against her leg, causing her to turn around and yelled.

According to the affidavit, she saw Kenyon kneeling behind her, bent at the waist, with his hand near the bottom of her dress.

When he stood, she said she noticed he was holding his cell phone.

The woman told her husband what had happened, and later enlisted several members of the congregation to help confront Kenyon.

At a meeting, Kenyon denied taking a picture up the woman’s dress, the affidavit said, claiming he was trying to take a picture of his child but dropped the phone between the woman’s legs.

“dark moment”

He did admit having a “pornography problem,” the affidavit said.

However, at a second meeting April 19, Kenyon confessed to taking an upskirt picture of the woman, the affidavit said. He described it as a “dark moment” that came over him, investigators said.

He said he had deleted the photo, the affidavit states.

Church staff confirmed to a sheriff’s detective that Kenyon had been “removed” from the church, and was never in charge of youth programs or given unsupervised contact with chidlren.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 386-943-8276.

I Can Sum Up Marriage In These 11 Texts I’ve Sent My Husband

Posted on July 10, 2018 by CityFella

While scrolling through my phone and reading the text exchange between my husband and me, I see a love story.

No, I don’t see a bunch of Xs, Os and lovey-dovey emoticons. But I do see mistakes, arguments, parenting advice and venting sessions . I see two people navigating this life together. I see a parenting partner .I see a best friend. I see a union that thrives on a healthy dose of sarcasm.

When I read our text messages, I see a real marriage AND I laugh ….

This may be the most truthful text message I’ve ever sent my husband, but honesty is key in a successful relationship.