Change to the news page

We have changed our news pages to run on Wordpress, as our weblogs do. In time, we will be moving our events calendar from the forums (where only registered forum users can see it) to the one integrated into the news section - well, we probably will, anyway. The location of the news feed has changed accordingly - if you use an RSS reader, please update your feed.

I hope you like the new format. Please let us know of any problems by replying to this post.

Chrysler Aspen Hemi-hybrid tested

We have a video, and are working on a written review of the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid [now posted], the first of the Hemi Hybrids along with the Durango. A 2010-model-year Dodge Ram hybrid will most likely use a nearly identical system, which is based on a transmission/electric motor pack developed by General Motors with Chrysler and BMW input.

The system makes good on its promise to greatly increase city-cycle gas mileage in the massive Aspen, a vehicle that can tow 6,000 pounds while holding six people in comfort (or eight people who don’t mind each others’ company). Highway mileage isn’t much better though the electric motors help to keep the Hemi in four-cylinder mode; but city mileage is a major improvement in terms of gallons saved. It isn’t going to get you 40 mpg, but for the guys and gals who have to drive something big (or something that can seriously tow), it’s either this or the Suburban. Whether people will choose a big hybrid over a diesel-powered SUV is an open question; but since the latter aren’t due from any of the Big Three until the 2010 model year, the Aspen and Durango have a window of opportunity.

Read the full Chrysler Aspen review.

Bug reports

It’s been a rough week or two in terms of hardware and software bugs.

I tried to upgrade an old installation of phpwebsite, and found that the developers left no documentation for upgrades, no upgrade path, and no explanation of an error message that, in the end, turned out to be from having php4. The developers have such contempt for people with “outdated” servers that they didn’t bother making an appropriate error message or even checking for the right php version when starting.

I used the latest versions of Microsoft Office. I don’t think I really need to say much more there.

I tried to make an animation on Photoshop. I gave up. The documentation is absurdly poor and the methods … strange. I had a great animations program a while back and I’ll have to run it on my kid’s computer (it’s old enough that it won’t run on my computer any more) if I want to make an animated GIF without going insane.

We finally got Verizon’s router working right - I think - though the tech could have mentioned along the way, “By the way, all your filters and settings will get wiped out by this.” I tried to switch from MSN to Yahoo with my Verizon account but the system doesn’t work quite right.

Sometimes, there was a way to register bugs. SPSS has an easy bug registry; so does OpenOffice though many bugs are dismissed with “What you want is wrong, anyway.” Good system, bad attitude (open source!!!) phpwebsite… is a mess in terms of any user relations. Lots of old, outdated documentation and nothing for the current versions. I think. They talked about release 10 and I was trying to install 1.52.

Meanwhile, every time my wife tries to use Allpar, she ends up frustrated with the navigation and orders me to change something.

So… I’m changing something.

You can now file bug reports at http://www.toolpack.com/allpar/bug-report.php — and if I get overwhelmed or overspammed, I’ll install a serious bug tracking system.

We’re here for you.

Write up your repairs, please

We’re trying to feature at least one repair article every week. Do you have one to contribute? We’ve got Monday’s ready but sometime next week we’ll need to have another for the following week.

Here’s a preview of what you’ll see on Monday.

Here in Carlisle, PA

The show starts tomorrow (Friday) morning, and vendors have been busy all day today building their tents, setting up their tables, and presenting their wares for the public tomorrow. We have our little Allpar banner flying at vendor space L10, and have also got banners on the tent.

To find the Allpar tent, just look for the survivors’ tent or the Chrysler test drives - and we’ll be right there. It’s a great location and we’re happy they gave it to us. What’s more, the Daytonas of Allpar are nearby - and in a prime location by Building Y.

See you there tomorrow!

Allpar at Chryslers at Carlisle - schedule and such

First, I think we all must admire the Golden Throttle Body Award, mounted on an attractive wooden platform by our intrepid Bob O’Neill. It puts our other trophies to shame — thanks to all those who suggested it over the last two years:

Here is the schedule:

Friday at the allpar tent

Saturday at the allpar tent

Perhaps in the future we will have a Golden Dipstick Award… but who would want it?

Note — if you want the Long Distance Award, the current benchmark is 810 miles — so please let Kate or Dave know if you travelled more than 810 miles!