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So, Maki(of Maki is not a Nameless Cat) has run headlong into another example of the “wonders” of internet commerce. Apparently, it is not possible for you to purchase Google videos from certain IP addresses that are registered outside of certain countries. (U *cough* S *cough* A) This is similar to the practices of the iTunes Music Store, and our good friend Go-Daddy.com.
Similar, but subtly different, and here’s why…

My account was recently cancelled by Go-Daddy for purchasing their service from Japan (on a Japanese IP), from an American company, on a credit card with a Canadian billing address. You can read that post here, so I won’t get into details about why I think Go-Daddy is overstepping it’s bounds in trying to prevent credit card fraud, and how that’s my credit card company’s job (which they have done well at up until now).

Recently, Saturday Night Live released a very funny little video, “Lazy Sunday”, on the iTunes music store. With my personal obsession with video quality, I immediately clicked the link, logged in, and was told that I was not able to view the free clip. It seems that the video is only available for residents of the United States, and my iTunes account is registered in Canada.

Finally, Maki was attempting to download a free video from the new Google Video service. This service also is releasing “for pay” video downloads of certain television shows, and other video material. However, because her request originated from a ???Japanese??? IP, she was denied access.

All of these cases share one very important point; they inconvenience the customer. In order to get my Go-Daddy account up and running, I had to fax a copy of my passport to them, and wait 3-4 days for processing; quite a bit of work for an account I paid $3.00 for and set up in under 15 minutes. Unless I somehow procure an American credit card, I may never be able to download the iTunes video. However, items tend to trickle out of the American iTunes store and into it’s international variants, so it could just be a matter of time. As well, I can access my countries iTunes store from whatever county I may be in. The Google video issue, is less easy to solve, requiring you to either actually BE in the US before downloading, or use an elaborate system of Proxies, something that the average consumer just wanting to watch an NBA game is probably not able to do.

The most tragic thing, is that all of these companies have a large stake in the internet, and in people familiar with technology. The early adopters are going to be those on the bleeding edge, and people who are mostly of the mind that the internet is somewhat of an international bazaar; a world without borders. In fact, these early adopters are usually the very people who found these types of companies. What does it say when even the leading web companies can’t fulfill the dreams of their founders.

Christmas came a little bit late here in Japan for me, as I just received my one and only “real” Christmas gift today, and it is a beauty. Those familiar with me know that I have a thing for hats, and own more than a couple; a captains hat for sailing, a Russian style fur hat for the winter, and a fedora for almost every other day. My fedora has been getting a little worn out as of late, a Stetson purchased many years ago from the now deceased Mr. John, or Mr. John’s Hats in Edmonton. It’s been soaked, flattened, run over by cars, and has been a good travelling companion as any good hat should be.

Well as of today, it’s time for my old Stetson to retire, and welcome a new member into my chappeau family. All the way from Australia, welcome the Akubra Federation. The Akubra in many ways, is a step up from the Stetson. It is “constructed of pure rabbit fur, blended and processed to make an extremely stable and strong felt made to perform in the Australian outback.” Aside from the higher quality felt, small touches such as a velvet lining, and actual leather sweatband make it a nearly perfect hat.

So here’s what makes it a perfect hat: it comes to you unbashed. What this means, is that instead of the dents in the top being pre-formed at the factory, your hat comes with a domed top, not unlike a bowler. Your job when you take the hat out of the box is to dent and form the top and brim of your hat to your particular hat. This makes your hat unique, and wonderfully personal; something you have not only invested your hard earned dollars into, but also something you have had a hand in the creation of. As the pamphlet that they send with the hat says, “Most hats from earlier years were sold as open crown hats and the owners were proud to put their own individual bash into the hat.”

It is this aspect of the hat that takes it from simply being a commodity item, bought off the rack, and gives it meaning. It’s the difference between going to Moores for a suit, or going to Saville row for bespoke tailoring; between buying a new Harley Davidson, and restoring an old motorcycle yourself from the ground up. Perhaps this is the reason that certain people still grind their own coffee, brew their own beer, or write a blog. It may even just be an extension of the placebo effect, but people want a connection with the things in their life.

I want more things in my life to have meaning. I think I’ll go buy that coffee grinder…