Call Sign’s advertising policy proved sadly correct…
Deep down, we all get some satisfaction in telling our peers that "we told you so" after being proved right. Well, I have been proved right but get no satisfaction whatsoever in saying it.
   Last October I wrote on this page:
   "If people choose to gamble, that is their prerogative. If on-line gambling organisations want to advertise on taxis, then neither is that my concern. But if they wish to advertise in Call Sign, then I still have a say in that and my say is NO!"
   I confirmed that policy in March of this year and added regarding the dangers that I could see with the spread of on-line gambling:
   "…and if you were young and managed to "borrow" a credit card from mum, dad, sister or anyone else? No, if you want to avail yourself of some entertainment, as millions seem to be doing, then fine. But as Editor, I am not prepared to take the chance of even one young person getting hooked on gambling after reading an ad in Call Sign."
   Now SNP MP Mike Weir (Angus) talks of the "growing addiction of on-line gambling" and has called for a limit of £1000 that on-line gamblers can lose in any one-week! He also says that on-line gamblers should be allowed to use just one credit card. This, according to Mr Weir, follows incidents where on-line gamblers have lost thousands of pounds via other people’s credit cards.
   Not surprisingly perhaps, a spokesperson for the on-line gambling industry, PartyGaming (2005 earnings before deductions $584million), claims that there could be huge problems with the suggestion. Oh really? Like customers not losing enough, perhaps? A spokesperson for the credit card industry (APACS) agreed with PartyGaming, no doubt afraid of a cutback in card use and supply?
   I am not criticising other trade magazine’s advertising policy. If they want to accept on-line gaming ads, then that is their concern. With so many trade mags available in London, advertising revenue can be thin at times but that will not change my resolve and following Mike Weir’s intervention, it has become even stronger.
   As a consequence, no on-line gaming organisations will be advertising in Call Sign whilst I am the Editor. I do not care if they offer to pay ten times the going rate, they will not be

 Cheaper emission systems?
Call Sign had a phone call earlier this month from a DaC driver who had heard from the garage that regularly serviced his taxi, that the PCO were testing an emission system that could cost up to £1000 less than those currently available.
   As his overhaul was due imminently, he had no choice other than to spend up to £3000 on a system, when in his eyes the PCO had the power to save him at least £1000 of it. He was not only concerned, but quite upset and asked me whether I had heard of this new system? Well, I had heard rumours, but I am always hearing rumours! I did say that I would try to get some info for him and the following is for him!
   The emission system you refer to is still in the developmental stage with the manufacturers. The PCO are aware of its existence as it has been around for several months, but if Call Sign’s information is correct – and we believe that it is – this system has not been tested at MIRA* for emissions levels, neither has it been presented at the PCO for the regulation six months road testing, let alone for Approval. I’m afraid that won’t help the DaC driver save £1000, but I hope it makes him feel better anyway…
   *MIRA is a leading independent provider of product engineering, research, testing, information and certification to the worldwide automotive industry.

Ton up…
I really try hard not to use Call Sign for anything personal, but I’m only human and admit to sneaking in the very occasional

photo of my grandchildren or of the happy couples when my kids got hitched! But I’ve never written about my brother-in-law before and as I write this (July 19), he is celebrating a rather special day worthy of a mention here.
   Many drivers with reasonably long memories and who live to the east of London in Green Badge Valley, will remember having Dr David Moss as their GP. Well, David is my brother-in-law and is today celebrating his 100^th birthday – and that is certainly worthy of a mention!
   One funny side to the event occurred some weeks ago when I went to our local card shop to see whether he had a card for someone of 100? Being the shrewd businessman he is, the shop owner said that no one had ever asked for one before so he didn’t stock them. However, he said that if I purchased two 40s and a 20, he would only charge me for two of the three! I said I’d let him know!
    The saying: Doctor heal thyself, obviously has merit and my congratulations on this momentous birthday go to David…

SatNav and taxis
I think I can honestly say that the Call Sign article in last month’s magazine on the DaC driver who took me from the Victoria Palace theatre back to Brunswick House using his SatNav system and in doing so took me a way you’d only take someone you seriously disliked, caused more reaction than anything else I have ever published.
   I have had numerous phone calls, signed and unsigned emails and been accosted while trying to read a newspaper on EC5! Several had their own system (as I do) but not one stuck up for the driver when carrying out a simple Victoria to Old Street trip.
   As one driver, David Marks (R22), simply put it: East to West, Embankment is best. I assume he also meant the same for the reverse trip, but sadly it wouldn’t rhyme!
   The Clarion system that I was fortunate enough to be given several years ago when "road testing" it for this magazine, has never been used for genuine in-London driving, however, I have and continue to use it for when I am out in the sticks and going to another place out thataway.
   In this issue, you can read of a road test the BBC set featuring a minicab with SatNav against a taxi without…

Alan Fisher
callsignmag@aol.com