Archive for the ‘Reading’ Category
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Renal services in Barrie – a letter
11 September, 2014
Janice Skot, President & CEO
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre
201 Georgian Drive
Barrie, Ontario L4M 6M2
Dialysis machines in Barrie, Ontario
RE: Renal services at RVH
Dear Ms. Skot,
Have you ever had to undergo long-term treatment for an ailment like cancer, or dialysis for failing kidneys?
I have been a renal patient for approximately 30 years. I have been to a number of renal clinics, from the Hospital for Sick Children, to The Ottawa Hospital, to yours; and seen the various models, and services. What RVH currently offers is, in my opinion, both a blessing and a curse.
The other day I had to visit RVH to have a blood transfusion in the medical treatment clinic. It was a very nice clinic, with three nice nurses. At any other hospital, I could simply have had that transfusion during my dialysis treatment. I already spend upwards if 12 hours a week at medical treatment, I don’t really enjoy spending extra time on top of that, when a volunteer could simply have gotten into a cab, and brought it over to the dialysis unit. Or RVH could do this new, and novel approach many hospitals are practicing – by putting the dialysis unit in the main hospital.
Why is this not a priority?
In many ways, I love that the dialysis unit is separate. You’re saving me a ton of money on parking. But then you go and try to gouge me by paying to watch your TV. I haven’t spent a dime on it. (I choose not to watch it.) As far as I am aware, RVH is the only hospital in Ontario to charge its dialysis patients to watch TV. We have no choice but to be there three times a week, and you want to nickel and dime us?
Ultimately, however, Barrie as a city has approximately 135,711 residents, according to the 2011 census. Kingston, Ontario as a city has approximately 123,363. Kingston General Hospital has a renal transplant program. Why does RVH not have one? And don’t use us not having a University as an excuse. RVH could easily partner with the University of Toronto like you already have for the family medicine program.
As a result of this situation, I would like you and RVH to make renal services a priority. Start now to bring a transplant program to RVH in the next 5 – 10 years. At the end of the day, Ms. Skot, it’s go time!
Respectfully yours,
Peter V. Tretter
P.S. Could you please do something about all those styrofoam cups that end up in the landfill? Perhaps by replacing them with paper cups that can be recycled? Thank you.
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Why @Kobo is full of it. #fail
Once upon a time, I had a Sony e-Reader, I had gotten through the Airmiles reward program. It was a great e-Reader, but I soon upgraded to a Kobo. Since then I’ve upgraded to the Kobo Aura HD.
Then it was recently announced that Sony was getting out of the e-Reader business, and that my library would be transferred over to Kobo.
Oh did I ever rejoice.
It was a very happy day, now I can sync those books with the iPad app, and the android app. I was ecstatic.
Then I got the link. The lovely link to transfer over my books. Should have been easy.
It wasn’t.
About half of my library was moved over, the rest weren’t under the explanation that Kobo didn’t sell them, and thus couldn’t put them in my library. Ok, no big deal. I already have them on my hard drive, I’ll live.
Then I uncovered the lie – some of those books were available in the Kobo library. So I submitted a ticket. In the end they can’t put those books in my library for free because… they’re the wrong format. PDF vs ePub. So because of it being PDF, I get screwed out of it being in my library, and thus have to manually load it onto my Kobo.
If the company makes a promise, they should keep it. This is just another epic fail that is making me reconsider this company.
The other factor – Kobo is challenging a Competition Bureau deal worked out with 4 publishers to end the ban on coupon codes when you buy their books. I’ve long hated that I can’t use coupon codes on Kobo, and I’m on the border… of switching to a Kindle.
So Kobo, get your act together, or you’ll lose my business, and I will stop recommending you to everyone who will listen. In fact, I’ll specially tell them to never buy or shop from Kobo.
Related articles
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Updating in the ecosystem
Canada (Photo credit: palindrome6996)
So it’s been a while since my last update. My Kobo I mentioned is a really good product. I did have to send it in under warranty to be replaced a few weeks ago, I couldn’t connect the Kobo to my computer. Works great now!
So with the Barrie Green Party, which is the local electoral district association for both the Green Party of Canada and the Green Party of Ontario; for a few years now we’ve played host to a few college co-op students. This term we’ve had our co-op students working on research articles for the newly formed Georgian College Young Greens. The newest is on Alternative Energy Sources. They’ll also be doing one for the Barrie Young Greens.
Health wise I’m still on the transplant list, I potentially have a 5 year wait still. I’ve been on the list for 5 years since it goes back to my “return to dialysis” date.
What else is new? I’m going to BC in August for the Green Party of Canada convention. I’m really looking forward to that!
Oh and I’m also now on Google+! And my main website has been totally changed to a cool new format!
Have a great day!!
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Going Kobo
Image by I am I.A.M. via Flickr
For those who know me, for a year and a bit I’ve been using a Sony eReader for my ebook reading. I got it free through Air Miles. (And now you know someone who actually got something for free from a points program!) I also have an iPad which really is the greatest thing to happen to humanity since the big bang! And while it’s a great device, it’s too heavy to use as a regular ebook reader. Yesterday, Kobo (owned by Canada’s Indigo Books & Music) announced the new Kobo eReader Touch Edition.
So I went ahead and pre-ordered the black touch Kobo. Why?
5. My sister and Mom both have a Kobo, which makes buying ebooks easier for everyone easier.
4. Touch screen, cheaper than the Sony version. It’s going to make reading e-books simpler, and without needing a special button, make it more user friendly.
3. It’s Canadian. And while I do shop at places like amazon.ca, it’s still Canadian.
2. Syncing. It syncs between my iPad, Kobo, computer, etc. My Sony Reader doesn’t do that.
1. Free eBooks. While Sony has some free eBooks (mainly 100 years old public domain), Kobo has a greater variety. And has lots of coupons for things that aren’t free! The new touch edition comes with a $10 gift card to buy books with.
The touch edition also has the new pearl e-ink display, which the Kindle also has which allows for easier reading under direct sunlight, and acts more like reading a real paper book. Plus all sorts of neat features, and interactive social networking features! And it has Wi-Fi, including free access at Bell wi-fi hotspots so if you need to buy a book on the go, you can!
My biggest complaint about Kobo is that they don’t have a shopping cart for their eBookstore. Sacrifices always have to be made, and I don’t have to buy from them exclusively. Also one of the biggest bonuses – You can buy books in Canadian dollars!
Enjoy reading!
Related articles
- Kobo goes up market, targets Kindle (thestar.com)
- Kobo unveils Touch Screen e-reader for $130 (macworld.com)
- Kobo Announces Touchscreen Ereader (mashable.com)
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