[LINK] [PRIVACY] BT: 'Are meters too smart by half?'

[Tom Koltai]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: link-bounces at mailman1.anu.edu.au 
> [mailto:link-bounces at mailman1.anu.edu.au] On Behalf Of Scott Howard
> Sent: Saturday, 26 June 2010 3:52 PM
> To: Jan Whitaker
> Cc: link at anu.edu.au
> Subject: Re: [LINK] [PRIVACY] BT: 'Are meters too smart by half?'
> 
> 
> On Fri, Jun 25, 2010 at 10:37 PM, Jan Whitaker 
> <jwhit at janwhitaker.com>wrote:
> 
> > >“The major concern regarding privacy in general is not the 
> > >technology
> > but
> > >the way that users are so relaxed about it in the way they 
> use their 
> > >info, passwords, etc.â€
> >
> > Someone got their wirelesses crossed. How is a
> > user supposed to lock down something they have no
> > control over? That is just a stupid statement or
> > else the reporter and Budde were talking about two different things.
> >
> 
http://www.google.com/powermeter/about/

  Scott.


Thanks Scott,

I wasn’t all that worried about privacy issues until you posted the
Google "Power meter - work with us link....."

That's all I need.... My utilisation accessible via a Google "in the
cloud" search.

Although I must admit I am surprised at Paul Budde's [attributed]
statement.
Mr. Budde to me always seemed like a responsible conservative net
citizen. Is he now saying that regardless of smart meter prying
capabilities, the final solution is in the hands of the consumer?

Because if he is... Then I propose that we all go off grid immediately,
as per Jan's example of VIC power meters not having the consumer info
available without extra charges.
Let me see, they install meters to learn about my habits, but Im not
allowed to see the data unless I pay for it ?

An example of government value add to the economy....

There are some very nice 30 kwh Capstone power turbines available for
only 25-30,000 (USD$) that will provide "neighbourhood" electricity to
at least five households with a total compressed natural gas bill of
around $970.00 (AUD$) per month.
(That is at 29 kwh constant. At more like 10 kWh average usage - for 5
households - excluding peak), the CNG bill would be substantially
cheaper.)

Then their smart readers can read their own grid connection.

I have to say, with off Internet "internet WiFi communities" (in Europe)
and off grid "neighbourhood power co-ops" - New Jersey) the world
appears to be returning to a level of self sustainability that it has
long ignored for the sake of convenience.

However if convenience now means that I let big brother count my toilet
flushes, airconditioner cycles in the bedroom and how often I recharge
my mobile phone - I guess, I will be exploring "sustainable" off grid a
little more closely. 

[Sustainable does not equal anything to do with solar panels @ 15% or
lower efficiency]