When everyone was talking about avian flu, I got my doctor to write a Tamiflu prescription that I could get filled before the rush. I just sent off my order for a satellite phone ($1000 including 300 prepaid minutes good for one year). I told them not to hurry so the flood victims could get theirs first. That's also going to be my present to my dad come December since he lives in Florida--don't spoil it for him, it's a surprise. By bidding up the price of goods well in advance of disaster, manufacturers will make more of them.

The best shortage prevention technique known to Man (and provably the only one that always works) is raising prices. Rand brought this up. Now WSJ has joined the act with their piece "In praise of 'Gouging'".

Sam-

Not sure if this came up before or not, but would it be possible for you to change all of your links to open in a new window, instead of in the same window (the standard for TTM to date)?

Also, the link back to Rand's post is pointed to http://www.ttm.com/www.ttm.com/post.

Just suggestions, not criticisms!

Hi Sam,
Did you get a tri-mode phone that will work with cellular when it's available? I've noticed that most articles on satphones, like this one in Wired, give the impression that one's only choice is to pay the satellite rate for every call. Still probably too big and heavy to use as a substitute for a regular cell phone but seems OK for the car or boat.
- C.

I got the tri-mode, buy I am going to test it once, then leave it in a box and wait for the perfect storm. Who wants to carry one of those things around unless the cell towers are down? I wouldn't use an AED to jump start my car. I saw $0.14/minute on some plans. I like the $450/year plan for 300 any month minutes. The phone works to call customer service so you can set up an account after disaster strikes if you can remember your credit card number.