Drupal’N'Go

DrupalNGo

Ah, makes me proud. The French Drupal community (of which my current employer AF83 is a core supporter) is taking the WineCamp style models, and going to host a DrupalCamp with the specific goal to barn-raise a Drupal website for one lucky French NGO. It’s called, in a smart blend of pun and brand, Drupal’N'Go.

(There is discussion whether this is specific to NGOs, or French non-profits in general. Regardless of specific designation, I think the idea is to pick an organization that supports a broader social good instead of a local sports org, which could also be a nonprofit).

A few of the breadcrumbs that led here:

• The original WineCamp Calaveras (California) - which had a significant Drupal presence. (My notes here).
• A follow-up on the the Drupal website built - as a dare, really - at the first WineCamp.
• Some notes about WineCampFrance organized by intrepid French nonprofit-tech evangelist Gregoire Japiot (also the idea man behind Mapovino). Fwiw - our WineCampFrance organizing site has since been taken down since the spin off projects moved elsewhere. This WineCamp was also heavily represented by Drupal folks.
• Notes (in French) about the first Drupal Meetup in Paris; and planning notes about this upcoming Drupal’N'Go.

Technorati Tags: drupal, af83, drupalngo, winecamp

Great wine podcasts - and great geek cheat sheet

In researching the basics of U.S. wine and terroir for Mapovino, I’ve come across a few good resources for interested beginners. And so, to share the wealth:

• Napa Valley Wine Radio: Despite the elevator jazz and fireside-smooth feel of this podcast, it has some gems of fundamental information. I’ve been looking for a good guide to “Decision-making in the course of wine-making” (a useful tool to use on Mapovino to compare differences among wine-makers?), so I appreciated Episode 61 - Winemaking 101. Yes, it’s a beginner’s overview, but it does point out step by step what decisions a winemaker will make that can affect the outcome of the wine. And then, perhaps more relevant to Mapovino, Episode 63 - The Napa Valley AVA.
• Twisted Oak Winery: I’ve never tried their wines, but their “cheat sheet” (pdf) is not only helpful to understand their wines, but to understand some of the “wine geek” numbers that get thrown around a lot by people fascinated by such things (residual sugar, brix, etc)
• Grape Radio: Grape Radio has a ton of great content. Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of the trio’s banter (but then again I prefer the foul-language and insult-laden diatribes of LUG Radio, so who am I to say anything?). That doesn’t stop me from recommending them as a great resource - and if you’re at all interested in Pinot Noir, you should listen to their recording of this lengthy Pinot Noir seminar with Allen Meadows. Whether you know very little and are curious, or you are well-versed in Burgundy wines, this is an incredible font of knowledge and history.

Mapovino: Google-mapping and social-networking and wikipedia-ing

It’s very difficult to describe what we are aiming for with the Mapovino project without getting caught up in Web2.0 buzzword bingo; or, going the other route, being so pretentious that it’s we’re sooo different that we shun any words that sound vaguely like the “read-write web”. Sigh. Below are my best thoughts in words so far….

(We’re having a demo and wine-tasting in San Francisco soon. Contact me if you’re interested!)
————————————–

Mapovino is a wine-mapping website incorporating GoogleMaps to showcase geographically distinct wines and the stories behind these wines.

Mapovino is interactive:

• Users can add comments, photos, link to maps in their blogs, and even add blog links on the map.

Mapovino is encyclopedic:

• It will pull wine and geography information from Wikipedia and other public information sources. This secondary user-generated content further enables users to interact with Mapovino.

Mapovino is information and referral:

• Mapovino will not sell wines; instead, it will point to where to find the wine in stores and restaurants.

Mapovino will be driven by wine fans, helped by Mapovino staff:

• Producers will not have the burden entering information about their wines and vineyards - fans of their wines can help input that information. Mapovino staff will highlight producers, and post in-depth articles and interviews. Producers can control their own entries, but do not have to do anything specific for their wines to appear on the site.

Mapovino is in development:

• To be part of the conversation, please email “greg.beuthin” in front of “@af83.com”

Technorati Tags: mapovino, af83, terroir

We’re hiring! AF83 is looking for a Drupal developer!

Read all about it over here. 

My contact info is on the linked page - yep, you’d be talking to me.  (The position is based in San Francisco…)

Technorati Tags: af83, drupal

Chez Brunet in Lyon

On this last trip to France, Amanda and I went to Lyon for the first time.  Well, went “through” Lyon - it was a somewhat hectic “drive-by.”  We arrived at 8pm, having driven across the country from Normandy; then we left the next day, after arguing with the bank for 2 hours.  Nonetheless, the highlight was visiting a classic bouchon lyonnais - Chez Brunet.

I originally wrote up my notes about the experience as I nursed a (champagne) hangover the next morning in our hotel room.  It was very Henry Miller - a beautiful lady asleep on the bed, my cup of coffee I brought up to my room prepared by the desk person, tapping away at a keyboard in the half-light because I didn’t want to wake Amanda.  And as even Henry Miller will admit, that first draft needed some work; said beautiful lady reworked it and now it lives on the Craigie Street Bistro blog - as it should, since Chez Brunet was Chef Tony Maws’ recommendation in the first place.

Technorati Tags: chezbrunet, craigiestreetbistro, lyon

Powered by ScribeFire.

My new gig: Mapovino, AF83 and FaberNovel

I still don’t quite believe it. My job is now wine. Well, not quite, but close enough for me to be very excited.

After several months of discussion, negotiation, and yes, some wine, I’ve been hired by AF83, a French-American firm that develops social networking sites, incorporating open-standards technologies like microformats, and using open-source applications like, yes - Drupal. (Since this work is part-time, I am continuing my other role as a technology director at a school.) A big tip of the hat and gracious bow goes to my French homonym, Grégoire, who originally proposed the wine project we are now both working on, and who introduced me to AF83.

So now I am the U.S. contact for Mapovino (no actual site yet) - a website that locates on a map local and regional producers of wine and other place-focused food products. We are developing the first beta now, and it will eventually allow users not only to find but to add comments and experiences about these growers and products. More on that in the coming weeks.

A bit about my new employers: I am also one of two (so far) U.S. employees representing AF83 for new projects. The agency has a track record of developing social networking and complex user-based sites quickly, on open standards including microformats and open-source software like - yes, Drupal. (And like many web shops that have too much work, their own site is in need of an update - and an English translation - so I’m not linking to it yet.) Do you need open-source web development from a a proven company with open-source expertise, bilingual website development experience and contacts in the European market? Drop me a line.

faberNovel, one of the partner organizations supporting AF83, is also setting up shop in San Francisco. faberNovel specializes in innovative strategy development and solutions implementation. Yeah, well, that’s my paraphrasing of the marketing speak. They also have an interesting track record of projects that are above and beyond web development: a BlueTooth application to assist blind people navigate subways; mobile-accessible transportation schedules for complex multi-agency transport hubs (think Paris - or the Bay Area?); a coupon and ticketing system for mobile phones; and an automated bicycle rental system.

Finally, the AF83 and faberNovel offices will be offering coworking spaces in the near future. PariSoma is the name of the office space, and that’s where you can get more info about the office and the two French companies.

I’ll be talking much more about Mapovino in the coming weeks - right here. So keep yer eyes peeled. If you want in on the gossip - the gossip that I don’t publish on this site - then pop me an email.

Technorati Tags: mapovino, af83, fabernovel, parisoma

Powered by ScribeFire.

Credit Agricole - c’est nulle, nulle, nulle

Credit Agricole would have to go out of their way to try to suck worse than they do.  And maybe they do, on purpose, because boy, do they suck.  Add to that the nightmare of French bureaucracy, and you’ve got a clear winner in the loser department.

Two years ago, I discovered that if I was planning on visiting France with any regularity, I needed a French debit card.  There is a whole swath of transactions that can only be accomplished with French cards - specifically, French bank cards with the implanted chip.  Attempting to purchase gas without a human teller on a holiday is just one example, but the one that forced my hand.

Since my father already had a French bank account, we figured it would be easiest to avoid the red tape and open a joint account under his account, with the French credit union Credit Agricole.  I believe this is where things began to go wrong.  In the interest of time and space - and for maximum amusing readability - let me cut to the (goose) chase:

• My Dad lives in Africa (long story).  I live in San Francisco.  The bank, based in Normandy, sent all my documents to Africa - even after I explained (at the outset) that I needed my documents sent to me in the U.S.  I eventually did start receiving some documents (but never statements) in the U.S.  Notably, a questionnaire asking me about their customer service….
• I tried logging in to the online system, and I had my online password wrong.  Yes, this was my fault.  After three tries, the bank locks you out completely until you contact them and ask for a password reset.  Ah - they only send the new passwords by mail.  It went to Africa.  I had to contact my parents to get the code.
• I visited France this last June and I brought my bank card with me.  I used my card for the first time and was given the keypad for my code….. I had forgotten my French card’s PIN (as opposed to the online login password).  No sweat, I thought - I’ll ask them to process the purchase as a credit card.  No deal.  Even though the card says “Visa” on it, I cannot use the card as a credit card (with signature) - at least, if I supposed to be able to, I’ve been refused by stores so far.
• For the life of me, I could not remember ever even having received a PIN number - which is why I never thought of it in the first place.  (I discovered later that I never did - my parents brought me a bunch of bank mail, which included the PIN).  I went to the nearest Credit Agricole (I was in southern France by then) with my bank card, hoping to reset my code in person.  They looked at me as I had brought them a nose-trimmer.  “We can’t help you with that.  You don’t have an account here.  You have to call your local agency.”
• I call my actual bank in Normandy.  They could resend my PIN number - by mail.  Hmmm - you can probably guess how excited I was about that prospect.  I asked them to send it instead to my mother’s address, in the south of France, where I would be for the next week.  I should have guessed it would have sounded too fishy - even though I passed all the security tests on the phone, etc, they never sent it.
• This time around, on our trip in November, I go straight to the bank in Normandy.  First, what’s this new $20 “bank card” fee I’m being charged?  “It’s for the use of your bank card”.  I’ve had this card for over a year now, never a fee.  The assistant manager looks at the screen a moment, then says, “Don’t worry about it.”  I ask if he’ll remove it.  “Don’t worry about it.”  That’s not how we confirm someone will remove a bank charge in the U.S.  It’s “Yes, I will remove the fee.”  I’m suspicious.
• I wanted to confirm my card would work with my code.  The assistant manager stands beside me as I put the card into the ATM, enter my PIN.  Ah, the code is accepted.  I am able to take out money - or at least, I should say, get to the money screen, after which we cancelled the operation (mistake).  So it works…..
• C’est vrai?  Non…..  I try to buy gas with the card the next day, on our way down to Lyon, 600 kilometers away from my bank.  No luck - the card accepts the PIN, but then says the transaction is invalid.  The woman looks at the card, and says “Oh, your card is expired.  As of last month.”  I have not received a replacement card (I’m sure it’s in Africa - they were *still* tryng to make my U.S. address stick in their system when I visited them this time).  No one at the bank in Normandy noticed.
• I go to the Credit Agricole in Lyon.  I have my passport, and I have my check book.  Surely I can get money out that way….  You can guess where this is going, right?  The woman is all accommodating until she sees my checkbook.  On the cover, my dad’s name is printed, first initial and last name.  She says it’s not my name.  I show here an actual check with “G Beuthin” printed on it.  She pauses.  “But that’s not your full name. I can’t confirm this is you.”  Apparently, since “Gregory” is not printed on my checks, she refuses to let he have access to cash.
• My only solution is to call my bank, and have them wire transfer it to another branch.  But that will take 24 hours, and will cost me $20.  I go through a run-around of calling another branch further south where I will be the next day; making sure it will be open on Saturday morning so I can  actually get the money at that agency; then calling my agency again and requesting the wire transfer.  This all takes over 30 minutes.  What I can’t understand is why, if I can call my bank and have them wire transfer money to someone (anyone, apparently, as long as that person has a passport or formal ID) at another location, can’t I get money out for myself by calling my bank?!!!
• Finally, just to show that Credit Agricole is not the only bank that is giving me the French red-tape special (but certainly the worst so far), I visited BNP Paribas to finish setting up an account I had opened on my last trip.  The manager was apologetic as he told me the account was refused - he had submitted the request as a resident account (even though I was not a resident) and it had been refused because I did not provide any resident papers.  Yet when I was there over the summer, we had discussed all the supporting paper s I would need form my American banks since I was opening a non-resident account.   The manager even suggested I open an account with a resident family member (like my Dad, perhaps) and surreptitiously use the card with their name on it.  Are you kidding?  I can’t even use a card with my name on it!!!

So the saga is not over.  It’s just less painful when I’m not in France, not dealing with it.

Technorati Tags: creditagricole, france

Powered by ScribeFire.

French car rental follow-up

My brother sent me an email comparing Orbitz’ car rental prices with what I could get with UCar.  Orbitz was cheaper, but I was curious so I did some more sleuthing.  This is what I wrote to my bro:

It might be the way to go (and save $70-$100 odd dollars) if I wanted to use my Mastercard for insurance, but ultimately, I prefer Ucar.  If you check out the small pricing links, you’ll find this one which explains that CDW and PAI are not included; and it looks like you can only use Mastercard Gold or Platinum (i.e. not Visa) to decline the coverage.  You also a) can’t talk to a human, b) specify an automatic.

To reiterate, my experience is that UCar includes all insurance costs in its price quotes.  When you return and pay, you get an immediate bill, and it’s what they said it would be when you walked in the first day (unless, of course, you’ve driven more than their allotted mileage, which is generous).  For a sample of the pricing chart that they display in every UCar store - that includes your liability - you can download their terms and conditions PDF (the link is “Conditions générales de vente” at the bottom of their home page).

Technorati Tags: France, Ucar, car rental, Orbitz

Powered by ScribeFire.

Additional France / Europe car rental resources

ViaMichelin not only provides driving directions, but gives you the option to calculate travel costs based on: whether you select to take the toll roads or not; and the current price of gas!

If you’re curious about the latter, check out Zagaz - click on the map to get a localized listing of gas prices….

Technorati Tags: France, Michelin, gas, driving

Powered by ScribeFire.

Renting a car in France

I’m planning on returning to France in November, and was looking over some of my travel notes. I realized I had not finished my “France travel-tips” triptych - car rentals in France.

There are a couple of things to consider when renting a car, and my recommendation for a car rental agency:

Insurance:

• As in the US, car rental agencies make most of their money off the insurance they tack on at the counter. In France you are usually charged for car damage “CDW” and / loss “LDW” (I think they are referred to this way, even in France). There is usually a theft insurance too..
• Used to be that you could avoid the (astronomical) additional daily insurance charges by using a credit card that would provide insurance instead. However, many places I’ve visited in the last couple of years have wised up to this tactic. Usually what happens is you’ll see a price listed for a car - let’s say 20 Euros a day. OK, you figure you’ll avoid the additional 30 Euros a day of insurance (maybe that’s an exaggeration) by using your credit card….. Ooooh no. That 20 Euros a day is their promotional rate, when you accept the insurance they provide. Otherwise, the price jumps up….

Manual vs. automatic:

• If you’re like me (sadly), you don’t know how to drive stick. Well, you’re gonna have to find a place that rents automatics. A lot of the bigger agencies (Avis, Hertz, EuropCar, etc) can provide an automatic, in the larger cities and at airports. However… there are “horror” stories of getting there, and the previous renter of their single automatic in the entire fleet has still not returned the car, and you’re out of luck.
• You could try out AutoEurope, a 3rd party rental broker, which can guarantee you an automatic - depending on the metropolitan region, and guarantee you a price. A lot of Americans like this service because you can call an 800# from the US and set up your reservation; and when you’re done, you know what you’re paying. However, you’re paying the price for these guarantees - i.e. roughly a 30% premium.

Diesel vs petrol:

• Unlike war-subsidized oil prices in the U.S. France does not subsidize gas prices. When you see gas at about 1.3 Euros, that’s PER LITRE (multiply by 4 to get a rough gallon price). Yeah, driving costs money, don’t it? That’s a fact the rest of the world is much more intimately familiar with than we are.
• So your best bet is to rent a diesel if you can. Diesel is about the same price - but are far more efficient (i.e. you’ll be refueling about 1/3 to 1/2 less often).
• Unfortunately, getting an automatic diesel is like finding a car rental place open during lunch - not impossible, but very difficult. (Remember that when you schedule your car return to coincide with that noon train!)

What I do when I’m in France:
I use UCar

Insurance: The UCar agencies specialize in having a published, inexpensive rate including CDW/LDW insurance (your liability is 500 Euro damages and 1000 Euro theft - not great….). They have big charts in their offices that will show you the exact price you’ll pay, for a certain car, for a certain number of days. When you come back with your car, you leave with that exact amount charged on your credit card (i.e. they don’t send you a racked up bill later). It’s that simple - I’ve done it several times now.

NOTE - A lot of the UCar rates include a specific mileage limitation. This makes it ideal for local exploring, but a bit more expensive for trekking across the country. Their miles are nonetheless pretty generous.

Locations: UCar agencies are everywhere - there’ll usually be a couple in a good-sized town, and then a few more scattered along the villages outside of town. However, these UCar locations are invariably in the middle of friggin’ nowhere. For example, the UCar spot in Avignon is several kilometres outside of the quaint central part of town - you have to take a bus into the Avignon “banlieue” to get there.

Automatics: This gets a little tricky, and again it’s very helpful to be able to speak French. I called the toll number and said I was looking for an automatic in a particular region. The central reservation place in turn called the local agencies to find who had an automatic, and called me back with a reservation. Awesome. Except I needed to enlist the help of another driver with car to get me to that location. (In this example, the Aix-en-Provence UCar is in the commercial section a good dozen kliks outside of town. Yes, you can take a bus, but come on! The best thing about it is there is a great organic store and outdoor restaurant around the corner form the Aix UCar place).

Of course, if you don’t speak French, it’s harder. If you don’t have a cell phone to call back, it’s even harder (I will try to call form the US for this next trip, and see how we can work out the call-back for the reservation).

Nonetheless, one of the great things about UCar is that they all seem to be local owners, and many will get to lengths to help you out (the guy in Avignon drove us to the train station because it was his lunch time, and we were running late).

Technorati Tags: France, car, rental, ucar, autoeurope

Powered by ScribeFire.