Comments on: Well ICE ALMOST Got It Right! http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/ The Blog for Travelers, Retirees, Expats and anyone who needs to know the REAL Costa Rica. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:00:32 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: PlantCrone http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/comment-page-1/#comment-13386 PlantCrone Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:23:33 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/#comment-13386 I’ve been reading blogs about Costa Rica, as I have plans to spend some time there in the near future. I especially enjoy reading norteamericanos take on ICE, as I am a retiree of Ma Bell and all her daughters. We used to call ourselves (in the days of ATT), a ‘benevolent monopoly’. Sounds almost like a religion doesn’t it? I think I could handle the Costa Rica lifestyle….nothing changed slower than the old farts who ran the telephone company and associated companies. They (ok Western Electric did) invented the transistor, but since “nothing is ever going to replace tubes”, they just sorta gave it away. Back in the day, as we retirees are wont to say, a due date-such as March 20th, was “just a number on a piece of paper, and quality and safety always comes first”. Good concept but not a practical way to keep customers happy. So ICE sounds just like MA did-maybe I could get a job there. I’ve been reading blogs about Costa Rica, as I have plans to spend some time there in the near future. I especially enjoy reading norteamericanos take on ICE, as I am a retiree of Ma Bell and all her daughters.
We used to call ourselves (in the days of ATT), a ‘benevolent monopoly’. Sounds almost like a religion doesn’t it?
I think I could handle the Costa Rica lifestyle….nothing changed slower than the old farts who ran the telephone company and associated companies. They (ok Western Electric did) invented the transistor, but since “nothing is ever going to replace tubes”, they just sorta gave it away.
Back in the day, as we retirees are wont to say, a due date-such as March 20th, was “just a number on a piece of paper, and quality and safety always comes first”. Good concept but not a practical way to keep customers happy.
So ICE sounds just like MA did-maybe I could get a job there.

]]> By: Gustavo Coronado http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/comment-page-1/#comment-13127 Gustavo Coronado Mon, 23 Jun 2008 07:06:45 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/#comment-13127 The reason for the change? Well believe it or not there is a National Plan for Communications (not done by ICE) but by the Ministry that does Planning. It was announced since 2007 in the webpage and ICE started a publicity campaign in banners all over the country and there was insisting news in T.V. and newspapers for at least a month prior to the change. Actually they did a test during a couple of hours like a month before in certain parts of the country to test how it would work with the diferent cell networks and the 3 digit numbers (911, 112, etc) and the 800 and 900 numbers. The system is really, really simple. Just add a 2 in front of fixed lines phone numbers and add a 8 in front of mobile phone numbers. You can imagine as we have now two area codes one for fixed likes and one for mobile networks. Its really simple. The reason for the change? Well believe it or not there is a National Plan for Communications (not done by ICE) but by the Ministry that does Planning. It was announced since 2007 in the webpage and ICE started a publicity campaign in banners all over the country and there was insisting news in T.V. and newspapers for at least a month prior to the change. Actually they did a test during a couple of hours like a month before in certain parts of the country to test how it would work with the diferent cell networks and the 3 digit numbers (911, 112, etc) and the 800 and 900 numbers. The system is really, really simple. Just add a 2 in front of fixed lines phone numbers and add a 8 in front of mobile phone numbers. You can imagine as we have now two area codes one for fixed likes and one for mobile networks. Its really simple.

]]> By: Leo http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/comment-page-1/#comment-13072 Leo Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:05:58 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/#comment-13072 I have a novia in San Jose and the system worked first time . Trust me here in the states you would not have been so lucky with MA BEll I have a novia in San Jose and the system worked first time . Trust me here in the states you would not have been so lucky with MA BEll

]]> By: Erin http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/comment-page-1/#comment-12847 Erin Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:53:49 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/#comment-12847 I had read about the change in Spanish, so I guess that I just subconsciously translated the "midnight on March 20" to 12 a.m. on March 20, which is basically late night March 19th. Now I see why it could be confusing. I had read about the change in Spanish, so I guess that I just subconsciously translated the “midnight on March 20″ to 12 a.m. on March 20, which is basically late night March 19th. Now I see why it could be confusing.

]]> By: Steve R. http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/comment-page-1/#comment-12840 Steve R. Mon, 24 Mar 2008 02:26:09 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/#comment-12840 Just wanna say I enjoy reading this blog and the website. I'm planning a move to CR or PR in the future, this is a great resource - thanks to the proprietors. I'd like to ask a question of the readers: If one were to invest in Costa Rica in the sub-200K commercial market, what would be some good options? Other than of course starting a telecommunications company :) Just wanna say I enjoy reading this blog and the website. I’m planning a move to CR or PR in the future, this is a great resource – thanks to the proprietors.

I’d like to ask a question of the readers: If one were to invest in Costa Rica in the sub-200K commercial market, what would be some good options?

Other than of course starting a telecommunications company :)

]]> By: Tim http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/comment-page-1/#comment-12829 Tim Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:55:36 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/#comment-12829 LOL!! You're asking ME how and why ICE does things. With THAT knowledge, I could be rich. I am guessing that while you are correct mathematically, cell phones all start with 3, 8, or 9 as that is how the cell system was designed... so THAT limits the math. Also numbers cannot begin with 0, 00, etc. The 900 range is limited by service as is 800. etc etc Anyway, if planning and logic are important to you, you may wish to rethink Costa Rica. When I got here, it took a year before I stopped thinking how a little planning and organization would help. I have learned. A-types do not do well here. San Jose is now a 11 hour per day traffic jam for lack of planning and it worsens daily. While here permanently and legally, I am still a guest so I try to act like one and not tell them how much better is MY way :) I find I also do not drive myself batty. LOL!! You’re asking ME how and why ICE does things. With THAT knowledge, I could be rich. I am guessing that while you are correct mathematically, cell phones all start with 3, 8, or 9 as that is how the cell system was designed… so THAT limits the math. Also numbers cannot begin with 0, 00, etc. The 900 range is limited by service as is 800. etc etc

Anyway, if planning and logic are important to you, you may wish to rethink Costa Rica. When I got here, it took a year before I stopped thinking how a little planning and organization would help. I have learned. A-types do not do well here. San Jose is now a 11 hour per day traffic jam for lack of planning and it worsens daily.

While here permanently and legally, I am still a guest so I try to act like one and not tell them how much better is MY way :) I find I also do not drive myself batty.

]]> By: Michelle Hogan http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/comment-page-1/#comment-12828 Michelle Hogan Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:00:46 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/#comment-12828 Why did ICE go to 8 digits at this time? Costa Rica has roughly 4 million people (many of whom do not have a single telephone - a small percentage have more than 1) , 7 digit phone numbers will give you in the range of 7 - 8 million number possibilities (8 digits 80 million, more or less, depending on restrictions) -- so why, and why now? Also, how do people fill out online forms when only 3 are allowed for area code, 7 digits for telephone numbers? In service, ICE is behind the times; with the 8-digit, is it WAY ahead of its time? Or is there some motivation at work that is hidden? Why did ICE go to 8 digits at this time? Costa Rica has roughly 4 million people (many of whom do not have a single telephone – a small percentage have more than 1) , 7 digit phone numbers will give you in the range of 7 – 8 million number possibilities (8 digits 80 million, more or less, depending on restrictions) — so why, and why now? Also, how do people fill out online forms when only 3 are allowed for area code, 7 digits for telephone numbers? In service, ICE is behind the times; with the 8-digit, is it WAY ahead of its time? Or is there some motivation at work that is hidden?

]]> By: Tim http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/comment-page-1/#comment-12827 Tim Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:55:19 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/#comment-12827 Chuck... I think have a point! As the vast majority of my readers are non Spanish speakers, I used the English version from ICE including the .PDF files. Publishing the files in English seemed better for my readers. I never checked the original in Spanish! In retrospect, I should have done the translation myself rather than depend on ICE's version. “de las 00 horas del 20 de marzo del año 2008.” would indeed indicate the change would take place at midnight 19 March (in English-speak), so clearly the person who made the translation was not clear on how those NOT using military time actually tell time. There is no "midnight" using military time. Day starts at 0000 and ends at 2400. Chuck… I think have a point! As the vast majority of my readers are non Spanish speakers, I used the English version from ICE including the .PDF files. Publishing the files in English seemed better for my readers. I never checked the original in Spanish! In retrospect, I should have done the translation myself rather than depend on ICE’s version.

“de las 00 horas del 20 de marzo del año 2008.” would indeed indicate the change would take place at midnight 19 March (in English-speak), so clearly the person who made the translation was not clear on how those NOT using military time actually tell time. There is no “midnight” using military time. Day starts at 0000 and ends at 2400.

]]> By: Chuck http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/comment-page-1/#comment-12824 Chuck Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:30:05 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/#comment-12824 P.S. Just for grins, I went and tried to read the Spanish version of the FAQ, and it may just be a translation problem (plus a little cultural difference in talking about time). The Spanish version says it'll happen: "de las 00 horas del 20 de marzo del año 2008." So I read that as "it'll happen at 0 hours on the 20th" which seems to fit with what actually happened. P.S. Just for grins, I went and tried to read the Spanish version of the FAQ, and it may just be a translation problem (plus a little cultural difference in talking about time). The Spanish version says it’ll happen: “de las 00 horas del 20 de marzo del año 2008.” So I read that as “it’ll happen at 0 hours on the 20th” which seems to fit with what actually happened.

]]> By: Chuck http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/comment-page-1/#comment-12823 Chuck Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:19:36 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2008/03/20/well-ice-almost-got-it-right/#comment-12823 I wonder if it's a cultural difference? Maybe they attach midnight to the beginning of the following day? E.g., and apropos to Easter weekend, I always used to wonder in Sunday School how they said Jesus rose after three days. I'd count Friday to Saturday (1), Saturday to Sunday (2)--that's only 2 days! It's a mistake! Then some years later I learned that they count the first day of the time period as 1 in that culture, whereas in the U.S. of A. (at least) we tend to count the number of elapsed 24-hour periods. Have you asked a local how they interpreted the announcement? Of course, I'd bet that are you're right and somebody just goofed! ...Chuck I wonder if it’s a cultural difference? Maybe they attach midnight to the beginning of the following day? E.g., and apropos to Easter weekend, I always used to wonder in Sunday School how they said Jesus rose after three days. I’d count Friday to Saturday (1), Saturday to Sunday (2)–that’s only 2 days! It’s a mistake! Then some years later I learned that they count the first day of the time period as 1 in that culture, whereas in the U.S. of A. (at least) we tend to count the number of elapsed 24-hour periods. Have you asked a local how they interpreted the announcement?

Of course, I’d bet that are you’re right and somebody just goofed!

…Chuck

]]>