Internet access restored

Let's just say that the internet access upstate is not as good as the internet access downstate. That, and there just hasn't been a lot of newsworthy stuff going on in Delaware lately, or at least nothing worth commenting about. I do have my election results analyzed and will try and post them tomorrow.

America's most expensive license plates have nothing on Delaware

An interesting article in Forbes today talks about how old license plate tags are worth a lot of money. Part of the reason this is the case is because they are old collectibles and like rare coins, it's a matter of supply and demand. A license plate from Alaska in 1921 is estimated to be worth $60,000. Of course, what was the driving population in Alaska in 1921, twenty? Of course, in Delaware it's not the tag that is worth anything but the number itself. And the value of these tags, as anyone in the know knows, is far above $60,000. So which state really has the edge on collectibles as far as license plate memorabilia? The first one, or in Delaware's case, tag #6.

Tags: license plate tags delaware, black tags delaware

Bailout bombs and markets are set to react

The Senate (as expected) rejected the auto bailout much as they did the initial banking bailout bill. Anybody know any good short etfs or stocks to capitalize on for the next couple of weeks?

UD wants to buy Chrysler plant

University of Delaware wants to buy the adjacent Chrysler plant and develop the property as either a new stadium or athletic complex. On one hand, I think this is a good idea and fits in with the long term plans of making UD/Newark a more integrated college town. On the other hand, it defeats any new industry from buying that same property and moving its base of operations there.

This debate, however, has dual interests for me. I'm for capitalism and free market industry, and would welcome new businesses coming to the state and providing people work (like Sallie Mae). I am also pro college and like the idea of a community-college-based city, sort of like Redmond, but more college centered. In the end, though, I think my loyalty can be evenly split as there are plenty of other properties that can be developed elsewhere in the state, which would still create jobs and develop industry, which would have the added benefit of letting the Newark campus continue to grow.

Tags: university of delaware chrysler plant, newark delaware

California teacher comes up with a way to save his school money

Here's a clever way that one California teacher has come up with to save the school some money in printing costs: offer advertisements on tests. The same sort of idea already is in play when it comes to programs for games, plays, and yearbooks, so why not for non-extra-curricular activities?

While this does sort of breed commercialism in schools, I see it as minimal compared to the sorts of free advertising that companies already get in terms of brand name clothes and accessories, among other things. Especially for businesses that cater to youth and the under-21 crowd (or even the coveted 18-49 demographic), I'm surprised more schools aren't attempting to pool their collective resources to fix this moderate line item expense.

So is the idea worth investigating further? Of course. With the state facing record shortfalls, it's time to start investigating new ideas. Or pooling resources and contractors.

Tags: advertising on school tests, ideas to save budget