WTF?
OK, so the other day we're cleaning the house, & the doorbell phone rings. I'm like "WTF, are we expecting any packages?" "Nope..." So I pick up the phone, & they say it's the electric company, & that I missed the last bill, and could I pay it now?" I'm like, "Umm... ok, I guess...?" & buzz him up.
And then the Bruce Schneier security voice in my head kicks in and is all like "Wait a minute- some guy is ringing your doorbell asking for $100, and you're gonna just give it to him? Check it out first, and get them to send you a bill."
So I answer the door, and there's a guy in full TEPCO uniform & a helmet on, w/ equipment & stuff- OK, looks legit, but I decide to still play it safe, 'cause I haven't even had time yet to make sure that I really haven't paid all the bills. So I ask him if I can pay at the conbini (which is the standard procedure), and he's like "Yeah, sure- do you have the bill?" & I'm like "I don't think so- if I'd seen it I would've paid it" and was about to ask if he could have them send me an extra one, when he says, "Oh, don't worry, I'll make one." And I'm like "Make one?" And he's all "Yeah, just hang on a sec..." Punches a bunch of numbers into his little device, and then holds up another little device slung around his shoulder- which is a tiny freakin' PRINTER. And out streams a freakin' bill! Bar codes & all!
Man. Am I that out of it? Why am I so freakin' impressed by this? Yeah, I don't read slashdot as much as I used to 10 years ago (damn, has it been that long?), but I keep up w/ technology- or, at least, I'd like to think I do. So how come a tiny little portable printer boggles my mind this much? o_O;
And then the Bruce Schneier security voice in my head kicks in and is all like "Wait a minute- some guy is ringing your doorbell asking for $100, and you're gonna just give it to him? Check it out first, and get them to send you a bill."
So I answer the door, and there's a guy in full TEPCO uniform & a helmet on, w/ equipment & stuff- OK, looks legit, but I decide to still play it safe, 'cause I haven't even had time yet to make sure that I really haven't paid all the bills. So I ask him if I can pay at the conbini (which is the standard procedure), and he's like "Yeah, sure- do you have the bill?" & I'm like "I don't think so- if I'd seen it I would've paid it" and was about to ask if he could have them send me an extra one, when he says, "Oh, don't worry, I'll make one." And I'm like "Make one?" And he's all "Yeah, just hang on a sec..." Punches a bunch of numbers into his little device, and then holds up another little device slung around his shoulder- which is a tiny freakin' PRINTER. And out streams a freakin' bill! Bar codes & all!
Man. Am I that out of it? Why am I so freakin' impressed by this? Yeah, I don't read slashdot as much as I used to 10 years ago (damn, has it been that long?), but I keep up w/ technology- or, at least, I'd like to think I do. So how come a tiny little portable printer boggles my mind this much? o_O;