Kawasaki and the ARRL

[N7RJD]

I purchased the TravelPlus For Repeaters CD from the ARRL. I have had nothing but problems trying to get it installed due to an error message that relates back to the need to have Microsoft Access installed which I do not on this computer.

While trying to track the problem down I opened the Readme.txt file on the CD. The Readme is a list of new fische slides available for various Kawasaki vehicles including ATV's, genterators, marine, snowmobiles, etc.

The packaging is all TravelPlus and the CD itself contains printed or painted on graphics, text and logos for TravelPlus but the software on the CD is Kawasaki support info. Although I can't get the thing to install or come up I am convinced it is dealer information for their parts dept.

I have an email into the ARRL and am sure they will be more than happy to replace it with the correct software but I just thought it was funny how things happen sometimes. I am sure it was an oversight on the part of the company that stamps their CD's for them and obviously does work for Kawasaki.

This reminds me of the time when I was younger and the folks bought a Burl Ives Xmas album one year. The packaging was Burl Ives and the album was Elvis Presley. Good album but quite different than expected.

[kb2vxa]

Hi DLG and all,

Hmmm, the ARRL is NOTED for selling mislabled goods, read the proposals to the FCC a little closer. End of rant.

Since they don't burn their own CDs you can blame it on the distributor, the gang at Newington bought the mess to begin with so they'll be happy to stuff it up some company's nose.

Meanwhile, keep the CD, you don't have to return it so explore all the files and have fun looking at the bikes you'd love to ride. Hmmm, if you REALLY want Microsoft Access you can always download and install it like I did Powerpoint so I can run the silly animations my friend in Australia sends to me.

BTW, Elvis is a collectable, Ives is not unless it has "Courier and" in front of it. Your folks got lucky, the mispackaging is in itself a collectable making it a very rare item worth probably a small fortune today.

[N7RJD]

Quote[/b] (kb2vxa @ May 24 2005,02:50)]Hi DLG and all,

Hmmm, the ARRL is NOTED for selling mislabled goods, read the proposals to the FCC a little closer. End of rant.

Since they don't burn their own CDs you can blame it on the distributor, the gang at Newington bought the mess to begin with so they'll be happy to stuff it up some company's nose.

Meanwhile, keep the CD, you don't have to return it so explore all the files and have fun looking at the bikes you'd love to ride. Hmmm, if you REALLY want Microsoft Access you can always download and install it like I did Powerpoint so I can run the silly animations my friend in Australia sends to me.

BTW, Elvis is a collectable, Ives is not unless it has "Courier and" in front of it. Your folks got lucky, the mispackaging is in itself a collectable making it a very rare item worth probably a small fortune today.
I have already talked to the ARRL and they will be sending a new copy once they are resupplied. As would be expected mine was not the only bad burn in the bunch. They were very appologetic and very appreciative of the fact that I didn't rake them over the coals for the mixup. It seems others were a bit less understanding than I was which is surprising as I am usually very unforgiving of such things.

Unfortunately the old album and packaging has been gone for years not even thinking of the potential it had of becoming collectible.

As for Access, I have it on most of my machines. The only problem is that not most of them are here. I live between two states and have computers spread between them with Access being at the other location. I will be checking out the files on the CD just because you can't get away with giving me something and not expect me to be nosy.

[KC0KBH]

Don't knock Kaw! I want to get a 1973 G5 KE100!

[N7RJD]

Quote[/b] (KC0KBH @ May 24 2005,07:44)]Don't knock Kaw! #I want to get a 1973 G5 KE100!
Not knocking them at all, just not what I expected when ordering a repeater CD from the ARRL.

[KC0KBH]

Quote[/b] (KE7DLG @ May 24 2005,09:35)]Quote[/b] (KC0KBH @ May 24 2005,07:44)]Don't knock Kaw! I want to get a 1973 G5 KE100!
Not knocking them at all, just not what I expected when ordering a repeater CD from the ARRL.
New goal. Had a better deal offered to me. I was going to look around for a cheap beat up KE100, but I had a Kaw Bayou 185 Four Wheeler offered to me for $300. Just need to tell the person to hold it until about mid June when I have the money from working.

http://www.kawasaki.ca/images/museum_atv/1985_KLF185A.jpg
http://www.kawasaki.ca/images/museum_atv/1985_KLF185A.jpg

[n0iu]

Well its no secret that the ARRL is doing what it can to increase sales for the big three Japanese radio manufacturers (who will in turn increase their advertising in QST) by supporting license restructuring that saw 5 license classes reduced to 3 and the 3 code tests and 5 written tests also reduced accordingly. The only way these manufacturers can make more money is if there are more hams so their plan is make it as easy as possible to become a ham. I am not quite sure how they would benefit from increased sales at Kawasaki, but there must be something in it for the League! It is a conspiracy!

[KA8NCR]

Quote[/b] (n0iu @ May 25 2005,04:41)]Well its no secret that the ARRL is doing what it can to increase sales for the big three Japanese radio manufacturers (who will in turn increase their advertising in QST) by supporting license restructuring that saw 5 license classes reduced to 3 and the 3 code tests and 5 written tests also reduced accordingly. The only way these manufacturers can make more money is if there are more hams so their plan is make it as easy as possible to become a ham. I am not quite sure how they would benefit from increased sales at Kawasaki, but there must be something in it for the League! It is a conspiracy!
Your tinfoil hat is askew, and I think it might look just dashing if you had a ribbon on it.

I think what happened is some staffer was looking over the data from Kawasaki on his PC at the office, and like a goofball put it into his current working directory when he downloaded it. Which of course, was the parent directory from which the repeater CD ISO was cut.

It probably went to the CD presses with that file included. I've seen it happen with other CD production runs. A local ISP distributed their IEAK sign-up CD with some files that were basically quarterly reports on the business.