galtgulch

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Posts posted by galtgulch

  1. I just heard about this moments ago and wonder if anyone here has ever heard of this delightful notion.

    I did a search of the Objectivist Living site for Gasking and found no sign of it here. I believe that Douglas Gasking was a Professor of Philosophy in Australia and is now deceased. I believe he was actually described as a Communist.

    I am not prepared to quote his proof here now. I do not want to paraphrase it either for fear I will misrepresent his argument.

    I googled Gasking's proof and found reference to an article for sale which included the proof. I do not want to be mysterious and just wondered if anyone here ever heard of this professor and his proof which was evidently taken seriously and critized in academic circles.

    I do not have the time to find a quotable version of his proof at this time but will endeavor to find it. I am not sure he intended to be taken seriously but it is at least amusing for those of us who are put off by traditional philosophical ontological arguments. The one which we all learned about in Philosophy 101 was St. Anselm's which stated that God is that being than which non greater can be thought.

    An accomplishment such as the Creation of the Universe is considered to be a rather marvelous feat. It would be even more awesome if done by a handicapped or disabled entity. What could be more of a handicap or a disability than to be non existent!

    The delightful conclusion is that since the Universe does exist that its Creator does not exist!

    No kidding! Will wonders ever cease?

    galt

  2. Update: WGAT stock closed at $1.26 on Jan 26th as the pps dwindles on no news. We await the fourth quarter 06 report of revenue which company is obliged to release within 75 days of end of quarter. Usually companies have 45 days to release quarterly results but this is also end of year so annual report is due as well consequently they have more time to submit under SEC rules.

    I spoke with investor relations at WorldGate Comm and was told that the discounted monthly service fee might be extended for another quarter! Not chiseled in granite yet but should be announced at the Conference Call which accompanies quarterly releases before the middle of March. Of course we should know early in February if discount continues at $9.95 rather than going back up to $14.95 for UNLIMITED VIDEO TELEPHONE CALLS over broadband cable or DSL at any time.

    If revenue is indeed up and there is news of new deals among negotiations with other potential partners then perhaps the trend in the pps will change to upward direction. Wall Street cannot ignore growth in revenue if it persists for several quarters. I would not bet the farm here until such growth reaches profitability and is sustained. The upside potential here is incredible and awareness of this product is met with enthusiam. The general consensus is that if a few years "Everyone will have one!" We don't need everyone to have one for this to be successful.

    Most appeal is for grandparents to be able to literally see and "visit" with their grandchildren as they grow up. Those who live at a distance or have grandchildren in several states or cannot travel will be able to maintain a relationship with loved ones by calling and keeping in touch for a low flat monthly fee. I suspect that young couples who are tech savvy and have new babies or young toddlers or children will be motivated to buy an Ojo for themselves and their parents so their parents can get to see their grandchildren much more often than they would be able to otherwise. Little kids love the Ojo and when something happens in their lives like a new tooth or toy or something they drew they are eager to call grandma to show her.

    No comparison with PC based alternatives. The Ojo can be used in any room in the house or out by the pool, or on the deck or porch, by attaching an ethernet cable from the modem to a wall outlet. It works!

    If you have any questions explore www.wgate.com and www.ojoworld.com or www.ojophone.com

    galtgulch

  3. I mentioned to my wife that watching "24" is stressful more than entertaining. The moments of betrayal which abound are distressing. Are there really such evil people in this world? I am afraid we all know the answer to that now. There was a time when Ayn pointed out that the American people are naive when it comes to accepting the fact that there are evil people. Perhaps that is one upside to the "24" show.

    Of course I was watching a couple of years ago when Jack Bauer called in to headquarters to ask Chloe to have Edgar maneuver a satellite to help him track a terrorist. Chloe called Edgar on a futuristic device next to her computer. The LCD screen was held up at eye level and the picture of Edgar which appeared was clear with profound realism because the voice was perfectly in synch with the movement of his lips.

    I understand that `14.8 million people witnessed that Ojo phone call on "24" and the Ojo was considered to be something created for the show not what it turned out to be: a product placement of a high qualty video telephone soon to be available to customers on the market!

    Now the Ojo, which won the Best of Innovations Award at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is being marketed all over the world.

    I eagerly await the reappearance of the Ojo on "24" this season.

    galt

  4. "Do you think any of that would make a guy less pissed off when someone mentions his idol wore elevator shoes?"

    Michael

    No I don't. In fact even the death penalty does not stop certain people from commiting murder. Even in states without the death penalty,convicted murderers often become suicidal because of their guilt.

    Not a happy subject.

    On another topic, I just saw the new movie with Naomi Watts and Edward Norton and she is eye catching and has a sufficiently intelligent look to make me think she should be in consideration for the role of Dagny. I wonder if anyone else agrees with me. I don't know her at all regarding her own beliefs or philosophy but that is irrelevant. I am not pleased with Jolie for the many reasons others have posted.

    I wonder where you were hoping this thread would lead. Irrationality leads to destruction. Our Mr. Bush is a prime example just not as blatant.

    galt

  5. "I'm glad these guys don't post on Objectivist forums."

    Michael,

    I don't know what will happen in this case you bring to our attention but I wonder if you are aware of what might happen in similar cases where serious damage is done.

    If a perpetrator acts up in court during his arraignment he might be seen by a court psychologist. If the fellow continues to be uncooperative during questioning he might be sent to a psychiatric facility within the prison system in most states for evaluation and treatment. If he expresses an irrational belief which is considered to rise to the level of delusion he might get commited for six months to begin with. If he had killed one or more people and continues to hold to his delusional beliefs and refuses to cooperate with an assigned attorney he might be considered to be incompetent to stand trial and subsequently recommited virtually indefinitely. He might appreciate that spending his days in a psychiatric hospital within the prison system is preferable to serving hard time sentenced to life in a state prison.

    If he refuses t o take anti psychotic medication a petition for a court order to medicate against his will can be obtained if he is considered to be incompetent to make rational prudent decisions regarding his medical treatment.

    Goes on every day.

    galt

  6. Update January 9th Here is a link to the Ojo exhibit pavilion at the CES in Las Vegas which includes pictures of the Ojo, the travel Ojo and a newly designed Ojo.

    http://homepage.mac.com/planetpm/PhotoAlbum9.html

    HOLIDAY SPECIAL NEW MonthlyFEE OF JUST $9.95 MONTHLY GOOD THROUGH END OF 2007! Must purchase an Ojo or Shadow Ojo and register it at www.ojoservices.com before end of January 2007

    In case you are wondering whether video telephony is the next wave of the future, notice that Apple has come out with a new does everything phone which will only help to establish video telephony as a viable new industry. WorldGate Comm Nasdaq wgat is right in the middle of this with a residential video telephone in silver or black, and the new travel Ojo which is WiFi enabled.

    The wgat stock went up to close at $1.41 on volume of over 390K usual volume is 290K. The stage is set.

    If you have any questions explore www.wgate.com and www.ojoworld.com or www.ojophone.com

    galtgulch

  7. Update Jan 08, 2007

    Today is the first day of the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas where the new Travel Ojo is having its debut. Here is a link to see the Travel Ojo although it is not yet in production:

    http://techdigest.tv/2007/01/ces_2007_travel.html

    As you know Ojo may be seen at www.wgate.com and purchased there at $100 off MSRP

    But www.thenerds.net offers the Ojo at $297 and the Shadow Ojo at $222.41

    You register your Ojo with www.ojoservices.com using your own phone number and usually pay either $14.95 per month for UNLIMITED VIDEO TELEPHONE CALLS at any time anywhere in the world over broadband cable or DSL. You can save one month's fee by paying annually $164.

    HOLIDAY SPECIAL NEW FEE OF JUST $9.95 MONTHLY GOOD THROUGH END OF 2007! Must purchase an Ojo or Shadow Ojo and register it at www.ojoservices.com before end of January 2007

    Hammacher Schlemmer in Manhattan on 57st did not have usual internet display for actual video phone calls but does offer free lifetime guarantee.

    If you have any questions explore www.wgate.com and www.ojoworld.com or www.ojophone.com

    galtgulch

  8. If I may put in my two cents. I just saw the new movie with Edward Norton and Naomi Watts entitled something like The Purple Veil or whatever.

    I never saw Naomi Watts before but found her to be stunningly beautiful. I don't know the first thing about her as a person and certainly have no idea what her own philosophy is or whether she ever read the book e.g. Atlas Shrugged.

    During the course of the movie Edward Norton's character behaved inexplicably to me. If I were in the same room with her, Naomi Watts, I wouldn't be able to take my eyes off her. She is just eye-catching. So is my wife incidentally.

    On a purely physical level I would like to see her in the role which is not going to happen. But I can dream.

    Anyone else know her at all?

    galt

  9. Judith,

    Long before I met my wife I realized that one essential attribute I wanted to be sure of in a wife would be not just rationality but also a joyous, life affirming sense of life, and boy am I one happy man to see how well our son turned out as a consequence. We named him Adam because he would be the first little fellow we knew of whose parents were conscious of Objectivism and nurtured his faculty of consciousness blah blah blah.

    We are helping him move into his new condo in New York City this weekend.

    Love this existence and this country and this philosophy.

    Happy holidays. Will stand on one foot at one point in tribute to Ayn Rand.

    Buy an Ojo.

    galtgulch

  10. 'Victor,

    My wife and i love to go to the movies. We found Blood Diamond to be entertaining and were impressed with Dicaprio who played his character convincingly.

    We also enjoyed Dejavu and always find Denzel a pleasure to watch.

    Incidentally i know a gentleman who works for the same company where I toil who is quite good looking and it occurred to me that he would be the kind of unknown who would be appealing if he were cast as John Galt.

    I wonder how the Atlas project is going and hope they do an outstanding job. I have always known that Objectivism is the antidote for the ills of the world. I recall my reaction when I first heard the fundamentals of Objectivism explained to me. i said, rather naively, "How come it is not the front page headline in the New York Times?"

    galt

  11. I agree with those on your list which I have seen which includes most of them. A couple of films come to mind which did not make your list. To Kill A Mockingbird with Gregory Peck is wonderful if you are individualistically oriented as Peck's character is a striking example of a man of integrity and strength.

    There is a film called something like October Sky about a boy who is interested in rocketry, despite his father's lack of support, played by Cris Cooper in a rare role in which he plays a mean father throughout, and the movie is uplifting because the young fellow triumphs in the end, and goes on to become instrumental in the space program in the real world.

    I am sure there are still more wonderful films but those came to mind

    galtgulch

  12. Update Dec 22, 2007

    Yesterday, in response to an article on business wire that WorldGate will demonstrate its new traveling Ojo at the Consumer Electronics Show in Jan 8-11 in Las Vegas, the volume rose to 1,408,998 shares traded and the stock rose from $1.30 to close at $1.39 after hitting a high of $1.58 for the day.

    Average volume is about 250K

    The description of the traveling Ojo is only that it is thin and concise and has the same video and audio features and quality as the Ojo and the Shadow Ojo. Assumption is that it still needs to be connected to broadband cable to operate and is not a cellphone.

    As you know Ojo may be seen at www.wgate.com and purchased there at $100 off MSRP

    But www.thenerds.net offers the Ojo at $297 and the Shadow Ojo at $222.41

    You register your Ojo with www.ojoservices.com using your own phone number and usually pay either $14.95 per month for UNLIMITED VIDEO TELEPHONE CALLS at any time anywhere in the world over broadband cable or DSL. You can save one month's fee by paying annually $164.

    HOLIDAY SPECIAL NEW FEE OF JUST $9.95 MONTHLY GOOD THROUGH END OF 2007! Must purchase an Ojo or Shadow Ojo and register it at www.ojoservices.com before end of January 2007

    Hammacher Schlemmer in Manhattan on 57st has internet display for actual video phone calls and offers free lifetime guarantee.

    If you have any questions explore www.wgate.com and www.ojoworld.com

    Here is a link to thenerds.net: http://www.thenerds.net/index.php?page=

    They even guarantee delivery by Dec 22nd if you order up to Dec 21st.

    galtgulch

  13. Today I gave away one of my brochures... (of the Ojo video telephone) 18-Dec-06 to a young man who started to work at the company where I work. I learned when he was introduced to all of us at a meeting that he is a new father. I happened to be sitting next to him and showed him the brochure last week. He kept whispering, "Wow,...wow...wow!" as he unfolded the brochure.

    He told me then that he has a little girl who is four weeks of age. I ran into him again today as we left work and showed him the brochure again. He was delighted and we had more of a chance to talk outside. He said he thought this (Ojo) looked like a wonderful gift to a grandparent for the holidays. He asked how much it costs and I told him the price had come down from $800 and it now depends on where you buy it. I mentioned the monthly fee and how that has come down too and is just $9.95 if you buy the Ojo or the Shadow Ojo before the end of January.

    I suggested he take the brochure home to show his wife and that he can keep it. He thanked me and said, "You must own stock in this company!" and we both laughed.

    Can you begin to imagine the joy this little girl's grandparents will experience when they are able to call and see her virtually every day as she grows up over the next many years. Imagine how they will have a relationship with their granddaughter they would not have had otherwise if they live at a distance.

    I love being aware of the Ojo and being in a position to enlighten people whose lives will be enhanced because of it.

    As you know Ojo may be seen at www.wgate.com and purchased there at $100 off MSRP

    But www.thenerds.net offers the Ojo at $297 and the Shadow Ojo at $222.41

    You register your Ojo with www.ojoservices.com using your own phone number and can pay either $14.95 per month for UNLIMITED VIDEO TELEPHONE CALLS at any time anywhere in the world over broadband cable or DSL. You can save one month's fee by paying annually $164.

    HOLIDAY SPECIAL NEW FEE OF JUST $9.95 MONTHLY GOOD THROUGH END OF 2007! Must purchase an Ojo or Shadow Ojo and register it at www.ojoservices.com before end of January 2007

    If you have any questions explore www.wgate.com and www.ojoworld.com

    Here is a link to thenerds.net: http://www.thenerds.net/index.php?page=

    They even guarantee delivery by Dec 22nd if you order up to Dec 21st.

    galtgulch

  14. Robert,

    Given that ideas move the world, it doesn't matter if most self described Muslims have no incentive or desire or impulse to kill anyone. If there are only a relative few who would be more than willing to sneak a suitcase dirty nuclear weapon into any number of American cities we are in danger.

    I am not saying this to justify a preemptive strike against the entire Islamic world.

    As I understand it they do not even have to wait until they develop a nuclear power plant. Our own country is filled with hundreds of factories in which bars of radioactive cobalt are used to irradiate foods. Such facilities are not well protected. I am surprised that none have as yet been broken into.

    If they attach plastic explosive to the cobalt bar and explode it in the center of any of our major cities that would render the city uninhabitable for centuries.

    It is a wonder that I still sleep nights. Please show me where I am wrong. I hope I am not putting this idea into their heads.

    galtgulch

  15. As if there were any doubt...here is further confirmation:

    Payment Systems Enters into Agreement with WorldGate to Purchase Ojo™ Personal Video Phones

    Monday December 4, 11:28 am ET

    Russian Financial Services Company Places Initial Purchase Order for 4,000 Ojos

    MOSCOW & TREVOSE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WorldGate Communications Inc., (NASDAQ:WGAT - News), a leading provider of personal video phones, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Payment Systems, a financial services company located in Russia, providing for its purchase of WorldGate's Ojo™ personal video phones for distribution to its video phone service customers in Russia and a number of former Soviet Union countries. As part of this agreement, Payment Systems has purchased 4,000 Ojo video phones with their initial purchase order. The companies expect the rapid growth of broadband in Russia to help grow the Russian video phone market rapidly. The initial order is expected to be shipped by the end of December 2006.

    This latest deal for the Russian market continues the introduction of Ojo into Russia. The development of the broadband infrastructure in Russia makes it a very attractive market for Ojo.

    "We are pleased with the interest in Ojo from a variety of customers in the Russian market," said Hal Krisbergh, Chairman and CEO at WorldGate. "We believe that the Russian market is very well positioned to adopt Ojo as one of the new ways to communicate. The progressive nature of the Russian market and economy seem well-suited to be one of our most successful endeavors"

    Ojo is a unique development in personal video phone technology with unusually high quality video performance due to enhancements to common software standards. Ojo is flexible and has been designed to easily integrate with and operate as part of a variety of service provider platforms. Ojo is also receiving rave reviews of its performance with 87% of Ojo consumers reporting that Ojo meets or exceeds their expectations. Numerous reports of how Ojo has positively impacted families' and friends' ability to interact more meaningfully continue to show that the addition of video adds to the personal communications experience.

    More information on WorldGate and Ojo personal video phones can be accessed at www.WGATE.com.>>>

    As you know Ojo may be seen at www.wgate.com and purchased there at $100 off MSRP

    But www.thenerds.net offers the Ojo at $297 and the Shadow Ojo at $222.41

    You register your Ojo with www.ojoservices.com using your own phone number and can pay either $14.95 per month for UNLIMITED VIDEO TELEPHONE CALLS at any time anywhere in the world over broadband cable or DSL. You can save one month's fee by paying annually $164.

    HOLIDAY SPECIAL NEW FEE OF JUST $9.95 MONTHLY GOOD THROUGH END OF 2007! Must purchase an Ojo or Shadow Ojo and register it at www.ojoservices.com before end of January 2007

    If you have any questions explore www.wgate.com or www.ojoworld.com

    galtgulch

  16. Rosie O'Donnell gave a pair of Ojos to her audience after the Ojo was demonstrated on the ABC show called The View seen by who knows how many viewers trudging on their home treadmills as they are treated to gadgets which might make their husbands happy this holiday season.

    The Ojo is now on display in CompUSA stores in selected markets. TV ads have been seen in the Boston, LA and San Francisco areas by millions of viewers of prime time news.

    The stock of WGAT, the creator of the Ojo, closed at $1.35 on Friday December 1st.

    If you ever wondered what it must have been like to have known and invested in former blockbusters like Intel and Microsoft when they were trading in this bargain basement price range, this might prove to give you just such an opportunity.

    The mission statement of WorldGate Communications from their prospectus reveals an intention to replace every telephone on the planet. They have sold about 10,000 so far so they have a long way to go. They make it clear that there is no guarantee that they will achieve their objective. Reality will show. Needless to say the company will be successful if they manage to sell to a small fraction of the whole phone market. Keep in mind that the monthly fee of $14.95 is considered reasonable for unlimited video calls and constitutes recurring revenue.

    When I show the full color brochure of the Ojo and the Shadow Ojo to anyone they often say spontaneously, "In a few years everyone (in the world) will have one!" It is even more impressive to actually make a phone call using the Ojo and being able to see a loved one as if they were near enough to reach out and touch because the picture is profoundly realistic especially with the audio synchrony.

    Of course there is no guarantee that the sales will be made, despite the enthusiasm of the CEOs of communications companies which have signed contracts to purchase Ojos and resell them to their customers. British Telecomm will offer the Ojo to customers in 66 countries. Express Comm will distribute Ojos in Russian cities; Novatec in Japan; Mototech in Taiwan and Asia; Telecomm New Zealand in Australia and NZ; Israel Comm; Turkey; Alta Vista in Panama, Costa Rica and Columbia; GlobalTouch to VOIP companies; Aequus SNAP/VRS to hearing impaired with more deals in various stages of negotiations.

    Still it might be wise to just watch and wait until sales, revenue and earnings are assured. The next earnings release for the present quarter will occur in February 2007. You can listen to the Conference Call of the 3rd Q on www.wgate.com site under Investor Relations. and check out organized links at www.ojoworld.com.

    Think Rearden Metal.

    Updates to follow.

    galtgulch

  17. Dear fellow Objectivists,

    Just an update. The earnings release in November 2006 showed increase of over 400%! at just under 1M.

    The Ojo was given away by Ellen Degeneres on her show. The Ojo also used prominently on NCIS although it still might have seemed to be a prop rather than an actual product on the market, which was the response to the 14.8M who first saw the Ojo on "24" when Chloe called Edgar on the Ojo to avoid Driscoll's attention. You can see that clip at ojoworld.com which is also a source of organized links for your Due Diligence.

    There is a very "neat" user guide on Telecom New Zealand's site for the Ojo under home phones. Why would TNZ generate such a guide unless they intend to sell quite a few Ojos?

    The third quarter earnings release and Conference Call are accessible at www.wgate.com under investors. Hal, the CEO, is very optimistic because of all the signed deals with communications companies and the enthusiasm of those companies CEOs.

    SNAP/VRS offers free phone to the hearing impaired and they are in the process of testing the Ojo yielding rave testimonials from those who are using the Ojo in the field tests.

    WGAT closed at $1.39 November 24th. On Red Herring website the Ojo is featured among the five products presented in anticipation of the Consumer Electronics SHow in Las Vegas. The Ojo still appears to be least expensive at www.thenerds.net at $222.41 for one Shadow Ojo.

    In addition to the deals signed with British Telecomm (retail), Novatec in Japan, Mototech in Taiwan, Telecomm New Zealand, Express Telecomm in Russia, Alta Vista in Central America, Israel Comm, and GlobalTouch (VOIPs) Aequus for hearing impaired, additional deals are in various stages of negotiation and will be announced once they are finalized.

    The Ojo will be seen in product placements on NCIS and other shows this season and there may be advertising in the print or tv media in selected markets. The Ojo may be found in certain COMPUSA stores.

    Consider a purchase or a gift of the Ojo for loved ones who live at a distance whom you would want to be able to see often.

    Nothing ventured nothing gained. But never gamble, I mean invest more than you can afford to lose!

    Less expensive at thenerds.com or 101phones.com and Hammacher Schlemmer offers FREE LIFETIME GUARANTEE

    galt

  18. I cannot discern any philosophic implications from this information, but I do find it to be a rather interesting coincidence.

    <<<On the Big Island of Hawai'i, there was a railroad whose president was named John Galt.>>>

    There is something about railroads which stirs the imagination and makes my heart beat faster. Today as my wife and I saw our daughter in law's father off onto an AMtrack train the conductor stepped off the train onto the platform to guide passengers aboard. Almost without thinking I hailed him and asked him if he had ever read Atlas Shrugged, a book in which railroads figure prominently. I mentioned that the heroine is the vice president in charge of operations of a transcontinental railroad. I told him that I assumed that since he works for the railroad that he must love railroads and trains.

    As he stepped back on the train before it sped silently away, he said with a smile, "Not really!"

    I try not to miss opportunities to suggest Atlas Shrugged but it doesn't always work out.

    galtgulch (no relation)

  19. Hi Michael,

    I am glad I found an appropriate place to post my little heads up regarding the video telephone.

    For anyone who might want to actually buy one, there exists a list of retailers on the www.wgate.com site under "buy" For those who prefer to see the Ojo in action before buying I know that Hammacher Schlemmer in Manhattan has one on display that is connected to the internet and Hammacher offers a Free lifetime guarantee although you pay a little more up front.

    There are a number of sites online where the Ojos are available including amazon, wgate.com, ojoworld.com but the best price might be either 101phones.com or thenerds.net where I just found it for $222.41

    The stock in WorldGate Comm is traded on Nasdaq as WGAT and closed yesterday at $1.22. The third quarter earnings report is due out in mid November and should be, is expected to be better than second quarter earnings which was just $186K.

    I am not encouraging anyone here to take a chance on this stock. It is very high risk. Although the company has signed deals with a number of telecommuncation companies around the world, announcements of the deals do not specify any actual orders yet. The PRs are on www.wgate.com under News. Israel Telecomm, British Telecomm, Express Telecomm in Russia, Novatech in Japan, Mototech in Taiwan, ALta Vista in Central America, New Zealand Comm, Global Touch Comm (VOIPs) Aequus for hearing impaired.

    One can save one months fee by paying $164 annually. If a mere one million were sold retail that would mean $164 M in recurring revenue, with only about 40M shares in the float that would mean $4 earnings per share, with a P/E of 20 that would mean an $80 stock price! But mind you if any Ojos are sold throught the cable or telcos the recurring revenue would go to them and not to WGAT.

    Nothing ventured nothing gained. But never gamble, I mean invest more than you can afford to lose!

    See RCS ad for Ojo in NYTimes 11/01/06 on page 3 of CIRCUITS Section

    Less expensive at thenerds.com or 101phones.com and Hammacher Schlemmer offers FREE LIFETIME GUARANTEE

    galt

  20. I am an Objectivist and have been since 1968. I do have a bit of a conflict here because I am eager to share awareness of a product which enables one to see a friend or loved one face to face who lives at a distance using a product which won the coveted Best of Innovations in Design and Engineering Award at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in 2005 and which you might have seen as it was a product placement on the popular Fox Network Show "24" used by Chloe and Edgar when Jack Bauer called in to have Edgar move a satellite around without attracting Driscoll's attention.

    I assume that Objectivists are like ordinary people in that they probably have loved ones who might be at a distance, perhaps a spouse who travels on business, a parent or grandchild who live in another city or state, a business associate or sibling with whom you speak often.

    Admittedly there are computer based options which commit you to be glued in front of the PC or Mac. This new gadget operates over broadband cable or DSL and if you attach your modem to a wall outlet with an ethernet cable you can use the Ojo attached to any other wall outlet in your home. SO while the kids are chatting on the computer using webcams, you can use the Ojo to see and "visit" with your loved one elsewhere comfortably in your home.

    My conflict is that I own a few shares of stock in the little company which created the Ojo so this is like a spam thing and I have been warned already. Still I do think that Objectivists are into awareness and I am not telling any of you to buy this gadget or to buy the stock either. Just be aware that residential video telephony is the next big thing, no maybes about it. And if you want to be the first one on your block to own one that is your business.

    \

    There is considerable risk in investing in a new unproven product in an unproven company in an unproven new industry. On the other hand that is just the kind of situation which has the potential to create wealth for early adopters. Think Rearden Metal! Do your due diligence. If you ask me I will tell you more!

    The price of the Ojo has come down from $799 to $399 and it is less expensive at 101phones.com and the price may go lower still as the holidays approach. The silver colored Ojo has a detachable cordless phone which helps for privacy but if you lift it up it deactivates the speaker phone. With the speaker phone the voice appears to come from the LCD screen and with the audio synchrony the picture is profoundly realistic and lifelike, even when the caller is thousands of miles away. The picture is clear with smooth motion and with no flutter or pixelization.

    Another model has a black satin finish, with out the detachable cordless and is dedicated to video. The silver Ojo has a phone jack for regular audio calls, the Shadow Ojo does not. The SHadow costs $299 and is also less expensive at 101phones.com $259 and also likely to be lower soon.

    There is a recurring monthly fee of just $14.95 for UNLIMITED VIDEO CALLS over broadband. You can even save a months fee by paying $164 annually. No per minute charge, flat monthly rate.

    A little boy tried to pet a dog over the Ojo! A man is able to check on his father who is half the continent away in a nursing home. College bound young people are using the Ojo to keep in touch with friends and family. The LCD screen is held at eye level for face to face encounter.

    I thought this might be an appropriate place to post this info because all I ask is that you check the links www.wgate.com and www.ojoworld.com and make up your own mind.

    The least expensive source of the Ojo or the Shadow may be at thenerds.net and here is a link to it:

    http://www.thenerds.net/index.php?page=sea...mp;x=32&y=4

    galtgulch