Some of you may have noticed that it is no longer possible to add HTML code to comments. If you ask now “What is HTML code?” then nothing is lost for you. If, on hearing this, you are inclined to write “<strong>WTF!</strong>” then don’t do it. It is futile. We locked-out HTML.

Why? Two reasons. One, as you may have noticed, some people added huge pictures and sometimes videos to comments, causing the site to load slower than it already does. Second, it’s  safer for everybody. Sure, we could have written code that separates “bad” from “good” HTML. I decided that’s discrimination.

Yesterday, I wrote about the Melbourne Grand Prix and its inability to solicit cars for its stars for the purpose of a celebrity race. Would you believe this made me an intellectual property infringer? No? Just wait.

This morning, I find an email from a [email protected] who writes: (Read More…)

While America slept, the TTAC server, without consulting with the supreme powers of TTAC, said: “What the heck, it’s Sunday. Time for a nap.”

And it went to sleep as well. (Read More…)

The gang at TTAC wishes you, the Best & Brightest, a wonderful, happy and lucky 2012. May all your wishes come true (go easy on your New Year’s resolutions, this year, you may have to keep them …) May your rods remain unthrown and your payments be painless.

Our New Year’s resolution is to provide you with even better information, reviews and analysis.

I am starting off the well-wishing (unless the Aussies did beat me to it) on a balmy evening, overlooking Hong Kong Harbour.

As a longstanding TTAC tradition, let’s march the celebrations around the globe!

The gang at TTAC will take Sunday off to nurse any party aftereffects, and will be back on Monday.

Happy New Year!

And here, a glimpse of the exhilarating Kennesaw (without h) nightlife. It’s hopping.

The staging area of the TTAC Goes South tour is picturesque Kenneshaw, GA. For whatever reason, the city sports one of the highest densities of low-priced motels. My Wifi scanner gives me a choice of 9 channels, all belonging to the giants of the roadside hospitality business.  Those who arrived from far-away places like Portland (Ed) and Beijing (BS) are already here, waiting for Steve Lang to close his last buy here, pay here of the day. (Read More…)

There are people who wish that TTAC would just go away. This coming week, their dearest wishes will be fulfilled. My special friend in Moscow won’t have to send hate mail anymore: TTAC is finally going South. (Read More…)

If the cadence of TTAC articles will march a little softer in the coming days, then it’s because the TTAC offices on both sides of the globe are deserted. We’ve literally gone fishing.

Ed Niedermeyer is going to Detroit (yes, Detroit) to write stories with the usual bias report on something which will make the hearts of any fans of Detroit iron beat faster than a redlining Corvette. Ed will be fishing for juicy tidbits from Detroit executives.

I’m going to Chengdu (ever heard of it?) in the center of China to attend the Global Automotive Forum, where I will be fishing for answers to questions such as “The role of Chinese auto industry in the world”, or “The auto industry investment needs: Where will the money come from? Where will it go?”

Ed & I will try to file as much as possible – which will be next to nothing. In the meantime, Jack, Murilee, Sajeev, John, Alex, and the whole TTAC cast of characters will hopefully hit the keyboards to keep you informed and entertained.

Yesterday, someone received the Yellow Card for what looked like a threat of violence. Here is the recommended code of conduct when a yellow card is issued: Take a deep breath. Take a walk. Maybe, take a few days away from TTAC. But for heaven’s sake, don’t talk back. And don’t continue the argument that got you the yellow card. You know the color of the next card. (Read More…)

Did you notice? TTAC loads much faster. Most likely , you did not notice. An old axiom in the nerd industry is that performance gains mostly go unnoticed. Slowdowns on the other hand drive people nuts.  Our gee-whiz kids in Toronto moved TTAC to something called “Cloudflare,” which really speeds up load times. The trouble is: Once in a while, the Cloudflare suffers burnout and TTAC becomes inaccessible.

Today was such a day. (Read More…)