General

Category Archives for General.

New Free Web Browser Offers Built-In VPN Features, Browse Privately Even in China

temple
Jun 07 2018

There’s a simple solution to browse the web privately, to access internet sites through China’s Great Firewall, and it’s cheaper than using a paid VPN (because it’s free) and faster than using a free VPN.

It’s a web browser that builds in the functionality of a VPN. That way you can privately access content from anywhere in the world. You’re accessing their servers and their servers are calling the sites you want and delivering them to you.

Continue Reading »

Dear Travel PR, Don’t Lie

hyatt hotel
Jun 06 2018

I was asked to participate in a panel for travel PR professionals later this week, along with a traditional newspaper and magazine editor, talking about best practices in pitching stories. How do you get attention and coverage? What do PR professionals do wrong, from our perspective?

And something set me off Monday morning with one pitch, so I thought I’d share it. The worst thing a brand can do is lie. But disingenuous framing can be almost as damaging.

Continue Reading »

Can You Help Me With a Gogo Internet Problem?

gogo plane
Jun 03 2018

I know all the jokes about Gogo internet (‘NoGo’). But I find it indispensable. It’s internet on an airplane moving at speeds in excess of 500 miles an hour. And the latest technology is much faster than the older installs, though they’ve had their challenges even with new satellite internet to be sure.

I’ve got a unique problem and no one at Gogo has any useful suggestions for me. I’m out of ideas. So I’m hoping you might have some.

Continue Reading »

Comparing Some of the Best Sushi in Tokyo

person making sushi
May 28 2018

Over the course of 3 days in Tokyo we had three amazing sushi experiences, each one very different, and planned based on my expectation that each would surpass the previous one.

We started with a good, recommended ‘local’ sushi restaurant for dinner in Ginza. The next two would be lunches: Jiro Roppongi, Jiro’s son’s place, and finally Sushi Masuda.

Continue Reading »

I Want a New Laptop and I Need Your Help

bag
May 27 2018

It’s only been two years since I bought my last laptop. It’s a Lenovo T460s, and I hate it. It has an Intel i7-6600u processor and a 1 terrabyte hard drive. But battery life is awful.

Here’s my criteria in a new machine and I could really use suggestions about what will work best.

Continue Reading »

China’s ‘Social Credit’ System Has Banned People From Taking 11 Million Flights

temple
May 23 2018

China’s ‘social credit system’ monitors citizen behavior and punishes them with travel bans, bans from four and five star hotels, preventing them from sending children to expensive schools, and throttling internet speeds.

New data suggests that China has used this social credit system to block its citizens from taking 11.14 million airline flights and 4.25 million high speed train trips.

Continue Reading »

5 Ways You Can Fly First Class on Your Next Trip

back of airline seats
May 21 2018

Airline upgrades are almost exclusively done by formula, with little discretion allowed to gate or check-in counter agents.

The only time there may be wiggle room is when a flight is oversold, and while elite frequent flyers may get preference for moving up to a premium cabin, the most important priority is getting a flight out on time. Other than these “operational upgrades” though, upgrades are going to be based on published criteria – not who is nicest, who dresses best, or who asks.

Continue Reading »