I rarely write checks, but there are times when you have to. My cleaning person, for example. I don't want to have to have cash on hand for stuff like that, and she doesn't accept credit/debit cards.

I just got signed up to pay my power bills electronically, so rent is the only paper cheque I need to cut. But some of the electronic payments did fake cheques up to the point of asking me for a cheque number along with my bank and account number information, which was annoying. I hate voiding the paper if I didn't have to mail it anywhere.

I could set up my bank to pay my rent, in which case they cut the cheque and I don't have to order any of my own. But then I can't fiddle faddle and delay the payment date. Which, responsibly, I shouldn't. But I do anyway. Because I'm lazy like that.

And, yeah, Steph, I'd have spelt it like that anyway.

Yes ita, we have a video intercom system, so the wallpiece with the phone to talk to people also has a video screen adn a button to push to buzz them in. In addition, the video camera is hooked up to a cable channel that everyone with cable can see on their tv and that shows a larger picture of the door area where you can basically see everyone entering the building.

Then there's the peephole on my actual door.

Glass front doors and large uncovered windows on the fronts of houses freak me right out.

Rent is the only check I write, everything else is online payment. I've noticed since the economy tanked summer 2008, we're getting a lot more checks (comparatively speaking) written at the bookstore, for some reason. Most of the check writers are senior citizens, but some younger people do still write them.

I have no idea what the first video on MTV was, so I'm unqualified to answer the question.

Answered upthread! C'mon, man! Video Killed the Radio Star.

First YouTube video uploaded: Me at the Zoo by one of the YouTube founders Jawed Karim.

I'm looking down the list of biggest communication advances of the Oughties. It was a good decade for revolutionary technologies. They don't even mention TiVo!

I would not want to return to a world without Tivo, Google or Wikiepedia.

Scandinavian countries and Ireland have already voted to phase out cheques

I was in Norway last week to serve as a dissertation opponent, and I never had a single reason to use currency. Everything was credit cards, even buying a stamp or getting on a tram. On the trains, you don't even buy a ticket. The system keeps track of where you got on and where you got off, and charges your credit card accordingly.

In fact, the money I had (from a previous trip) wasn't even legal anymore. They do have legal currency, it it's not too old, but from what I could see it was considered poor manners to use it. A check would really be strange.

My last bill that I had to pay by check (garbage pickup, incidentally) just started offering electronic payment as an option this very month. I did discover a store that accepts checks but not debit cards recently, but it's not one I feel a great urge to shop at.

I write checks for rent, two of three mental health providers, and at least one utility.

Recently amyth borrowed cash from me at a show, then immediately paypalled it back to me via iPhone. Ah, tech.

Norway is the future!

I just watched the 787 make its maiden takeoff.

Only 2 1/2 years late.