The Low-Tech Times

Netflix.com launched with a really good idea.  You can conveniently rent movies through the mail and never pay any late fees.  Additionally, their catalog of DVDs is vastly superior to any brick-and-mortar store.  Chris Anderson referenced Netflix to help make his point in The Long Tail:  Why The Future of Business is Selling Less of More.

So why did we cancel our Netflix account?

At first we would watch the movies when they arrived and promptly send them back.  Lately, we had been sometimes holding onto movies for several weeks because we lacked the time and/or desire to watch them. We weren’t getting our money’s worth because we were still getting charged between $5 and $6 a month.  If Netflix had a pay-as-you-go plan, we would not have cancelled our account.  For people that don’t watch very many movies, they should offer a plan that charges you on a per-movie basis.

Despite Chris Anderson’s Long Tail Theory, the Blockbuster Video in my neighborhood is still open for business.  Going forward, we’ll be renting movies the old-fashioned way from Blockbuster with no monthly fee.

For local readers of this blog, I want to mention a couple of events going on in Virginia this weekend.

• The Watermelon Park Fest in Berryville is taking place September 18th-20th.  It is a fine bluegrass festival at a great location along the Shenandoah River.   Crooked Still is a fine band playing Friday night in the bluegrass festival lineup.
• The Edinburg Ole Time Festival is scheduled for September 19th-21st featuring old cars, entertainment, arts & crafts, and more.

Have a nice weekend,

S.P. Gass

I recently donated my low-tech 1964 Ford Falcon to the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Previously, I tried selling the car, but grew annoyed at wasting time meeting potential buyers who often weren’t serious. I highly recommend the Purple Heart program; you do not even have to be present when they pick up your car. The benefits of giving to Purple Heart are helping veterans are:

1. It’s a great way to help our veterans
2. The process is easy and convenient
3. You can itemize the charitable donation

That said, I have to admit I was a little sad to see the car go. I used it for daily transportation for a few years and it was very fun to drive. Built in 1964, my Ford Falcon got 30 miles to the gallon, which is as much as many of today’s hi-tech fuel efficient vehicles brag about achieving. Just as the owner’s manual said would happen, I enjoyed many hours of driving:

Thank you for selecting a 1964 Falcon as your new car. We know you will enjoy many, many hours of pleasant driving behind its wheel.

As each mile rolls by we’re certain you will grow even more pleased that you decided on a Falcon. For in choosing Falcon, you have chosen quality… quality that endures…

…In fact, we are so sure of the quality built into this car that we warrant it to our dealers for a full two years or 24,000 miles.

Alas, I did not have the time or garage space necessary to maintain it. Stored outside, I was having a tough time battling rodent damage. Overall, giving to Purple Heart was a mutually beneficial transaction. Purple Heart will most likely sell the car at auction.

To donate your vehicle, visit the Purple Heart Car Donation Program web site or call 1-800-414-GIVE (4483).