Archive for May, 2005
5/1/2005
Note that this is a “special” price!
posted in photos | Comments Off
5/1/2005
Shot taken in Scituate Rhode Island.
posted in photos | Comments Off
5/1/2005
Today I found another trade magazine for potential advertising. It’s in Rhode Island which I will probably post an ad in instead of the other mag I mentioned previously. It covers just shy of 34,000 homes in western Rhode Island. Not bad. Granted, it doesn’t have the coverage the mag up north does (it covers the majority of several New England states and some of Canada), but there are perks. First of all, the prices are flat rate. Very nice. You know up front exactly how much you will spend. Secondly, the prices are very decent and beat Northeastern Connecticut’s local mag. Third, the web site is very informative and up front. Cool.
I will be acquiring a copy of it for me so I can check it out. If that other mag doesn’t get its shit together with the b2b section, I’m not going to bother with it and just go with the RI one instead.
posted in blog | Comments Off
5/2/2005
Read part 1 then come back here.
Done? Good.
I got a voice mail today from the mag I complained about in part 1. They left this voice mail, take a listen.
1) I, like everyone else, work for a living. They are closed before I get home, so I can’t call.
2) Note that they still couldn’t answer my question as to why I couldn’t post a b2b ad.
3) Sounds fishy, doesn’t it? Why can’t they answer a really simple question, which is: Why can’t I post a b2b ad online? Where’s this stupid SUBMIT button they keep talking about that doesn’t exist?
4) Yep, you heard it right. The lady said “I’m not going to reply back to your e-mail”. Nice. Real nice. And funny. On their own web site, they state themselves that e-mail is the preferred method of contact. For those who know the site, head on over to the FAQ - it’s right there in black and white.
Did I send them a nastygram? You betcha. At this point I laid down the gauntlet. I have some “credits” that I paid for (but haven’t used) on this site. I basically told them to either a) Answer the FUCKING question or b) REFUND my credits. Simple as that.
It’s going to be interesting how this one turns out. It would seem that no one over there has the first darn clue what they’re doing if they can’t answer a really, REALLY simple question.
Some additional notes on this: I have read their b2b FAQ’s up and down, backwards and forwards. I read every single word. I re-checked (although I didn’t have to) my browsers again. Nowhere does it explain how to post a b2b ad. Nowhere. It is simply a poorly written FAQ.
The only possible hint as to how to post a “business classified”, which is different from a b2b is that you have to post a business ad in bold - but that doesn’t explain how a b2b ad is posted because it’s in a completely different section.
As I said.. we’ll see how this turns out. It’ll be interesting.
posted in blog | Comments Off
5/3/2005
This is an example of what I do every day. Someday I will look back on this and say “Man, I can’t believe I did that” when I finally get a better job (or strike it rich on my own which would be really nice).
—
I am a help desk call center representative.
The setup: I sit in front on my computer with a headset on and the phone to my left. There is a small “call box” with a MUTE button on it (very useful when you want to bitch at customers).
I have Lotus Notes running which is the e-mail used here. I get about 25 to 50 e-mails a day that are “standard reading”. Most of the time I just delete them, however, we’re all supposed to read every single e-mail that comes across the board.
I have Microsoft Outlook running with an e-mail account to support end users with Outlook problems.
I have 4 mainframe sessions open to support mainframe calls - soon to be more than 10.
I have about 30 small “quick launch” icons for other apps that are required to support other apps.
Finally, the Remedy call ticket system - which we use to take calls.
When a call comes in, the phone does not ring. You hear a very jolting loud “BOOOOOOOOOP” through your headset and then you immediately start taking the call. And yes it’s like answering the call of the slavemaster.
Here’s an example call:
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP”
(Look at phone display, take down Business Unit, select Business Unit in new Remedy ticket)
“Thank you for calling [company name], this is [your name], may I have your last name, please?”
Customer gives last name. I type in the last name of the customer.
“May I have your first name, please?”
Customer gives first name, I match the name in the database.
“May I have the asset tag of your computer or printer, please?”
Customer provides asset tag, IF they know what one is and where it’s located on their computer or printer. Input into ticket, match to database if possible. We’ll say for sake of this post it does.
“How may I assist you?”
Customer describes problem. It’s something I can’t fix, because I’m a 1st level tech that doesn’t have the admin tools to do the things second level does.
I describe the situation to the customer.
“Okay, sir, for this particular issue I’ll have to send this to 2nd level support to resolve it.”
“Why do you have to do that?”
“Well, sir, it requires administrative tools I don’t have access to that second level does.”
“Oh. When can I expect a callback?”
“I’m not sure, sir. It depends how much 2nd level has on their plate today.”
“Do you have any idea at all?”
“No, sir.”
“Is there someone I can call to give me a better timeframe?”
“No, sir, I’m sorry. This is all I can do from here.”
Customer grudgingly agrees finally.
Go to Remedy, click Assignee tab, select 2nd level support. Save ticket. Get ticket number.
“Okay sir, your ticket number is [ticket number], and I will have someone call you shortly.”
When I say “shortly” that is an outright lie. I have no idea whether 2nd level will call them soon.. I don’t even know if they will call him today. I have to adhere to a 5-minute resolution time. If I don’t resolve the call in 5 minutes or less, I get yelled at for it.
“Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?” (said only because you have to say it)
“No, thanks anyway…” (said grudgingly)
“Have a nice day, sir.”
Hang up.
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP”
Repeat process, another call immediately comes in. No time to breathe between calls.
Do this all day.
Every day.
Field calls from angry customers who haven’t been called by second level yet.
Deal with “severity” calls where you (not management) have to page out techs to fix server issues.
Support about 50 applications - and you only know 12. The rest you don’t have time to learn.
Learn how to effectively lie to customers. Make up any reason in the world to get the customer off the phone to stick to your 5-minute-resolution time. Always lie in a way so that you can’t get in trouble for it later.
Let’s not forget the FUCKING KNOWLEDGEBASE. And yes, it’s the FUCKING KNOWLEDGEBASE because everyone HATES IT. Sometimes it takes almost a MINUTE to load (which really sucks when you have a 5-minute resolution time) and half the time the information presented within it is WRONG or OUTDATED.
—
The job pays well - it’s the only reason for staying.
But I’m hoping one day I’ll be doing something better. That would be nice.
Until then..
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP” (doesn’t that sound annoying? try having it blasted into your phone headset a million times a day)
posted in blog | Comments Off
5/3/2005
The big guns have been broken out concerning the ever-absent “Submit” button. For those not up to speed, read part 1 and part 2.
I got an e-mail from the (take a big breath) “Vice President of Internet Operations” concerning the a.w.o.l. submit button.
Here’s the e-mail. What he said is on the bottom. My reply is on the top.
I appreciate your honesty, it does not go unnoticed.
However, AND DON’T SKIM THROUGH THIS. READ IT. Sorry to be so blunt but
I want to make darn sure you read all this.
I am going to state to you now a few things just to get this in the open:
1) I’m not one of those stupid end users who doesn’t know how to use a
computer. I deal with those people every single day where I work.
2) I have absolutely zero spyware, zero pop-up blockers, zero browser
“enhancements” (Google Toolbar, Yahoo! Toolbar, etc), and I run
anti-virus manually. There are no resident programs (like Norton or
McAfee) which would in any way interfere with my browsing. My computer
is routinely scanned with Spybot Search & Destroy, and LavaSoft Ad-Aware.
3) My browsers are 100% stock. My Microsoft Internet Explorer is version
6.0.2900.2180.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519 (the latest version) - which I
only keep on my Windows XP Pro system because Windows requires it. My
browser of choice is Mozilla Firefox 1.0.3 which is what I currently use.
4) I have tested the b2b section of the web site with MSIE. With IE, I
purposely turned OFF the built-in pop-up blocker and set the security to
“low” - it didn’t help.
5) I have tested the b2b section of the web site with Mozilla Firefox
1.0.3. Again, I turned off the built-in pop-up blocker and set it to
allow everything just to see if I could find that SUBMIT button. No luck
at all.
6) Before testing, I dumped the cache and cookies for both browsers.
This didn’t help.
7) I just rebuilt one of my file server boxes on my home network with
Windows XP Pro with the latest Service Pack. 100% STOCK. Nothing is on
the box except what comes with Windows. The button STILL DOESN’T EXIST
when I try to get to it in the b2b section.
So in the end, it’s this:
There is something wrong with the b2b section. I have proven this time
and time again.
If I have to, I will PERSONALLY set up a VNC (or NetMeeting, your
choice) session so you can SEE FOR YOURSELF what happens.
CustomerService@[removed].com wrote:
>> First, let me apologize with the frustration you are experiencing. I
>> will do my best to resolve your problems. From what you have given
>> us, your problem is sytematic of some type of blocking/filtering
>> software. The “Submit” button is directly after the category. Now I
>> know you are not seeing it, in the past, where other customers have
>> complained of this issue it has always been one of the following:
>>
>> Antivirus type software Family Friendly Filtering Software Ad
>> Blockers Firewalls
>>
>> These products have the ability to block any and all portions of a
>> webpage. Since our web pages deal primarily with ads, we often
>> trigger ad pop up blockers. If you have any of this type of
>> software, simply add UncleHenrys.com and b2b.UncleHenrys.com to you
>> software’s safe list sometimes also called a white list.
>>
>> Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to
>> contact me directly.
>>
>> Sincerely, [removed] Vice President of Internet Operations
It just gets better and better and better. It’ll be interesting to see what excuse they’ll try this time.
If I get one more lame attempt to point the problem at anyone but themselves, I’m just going to take my refund and be on my way.
posted in blog | Comments Off
5/4/2005
(part 3)
Over 24 hours have passed since my last nastygram. NO RESPONSE AT ALL. These jackasses are unwilling to admit there’s a problem with their own site, that much is clear.
I fired off what is hopefully the last nastygram. I’ve requested a refund for the “credits” I have purchased within the system and when I get it, I’m disconnecting from these idiots permanently.
They have 48 hours, else I’m filing a complaint with the BBB.
– update –
I got a response less than 10 minutes after I sent the e-mail and I have been refunded, so they say. I will be watching my credit card closely to make sure this will actually happen. It appears I’m finally done with these bozos.
posted in blog | Comments Off
5/5/2005
I took a day off from werk today because I’m sick. It’s the same thing my pop had earlier this week. Fortunately for him, it was a 24-hour thing. I am hoping I will be as fortunate.
I slept in and that felt good, but my back ached a bit when I woke up. It’s still a little sore. When I finally get into the shower I should be feeling a little better. I haven’t yet (gross I know, but give me a break, I’m sick). Later on today (if I’m up to it) I will head over to the post office to pick up the mail. After that I’m not doing much else.
Being that I’m sick and bored, I decided to give the other mag I mentioned a call. They are willing to accept ads I submit to them which is really cool (as in the graphic itself). I was provided the dimensions (width/height) and I’ve put together something which I hope will work. The only thing that’s concerning me is that graphics look different in print compared to what they are on the computer screen. If I antialias the fonts, will they appear “fuzzy” in print? Should I just not antialias at all? I will have to get back to the people at the mag and ask what is best for print. After all, I want my ad to look as good as possible.
I’ve decided to go with two months of advertising in this mag. The price is very reasonable. Originally I was going to go with three but decided not to do that. I think I will know in two months whether the ad is actually going to work or not. Once I get the ad all done and it’s to the mag’s liking, I’m going to commit and go for it.
Will the ad work? I have no idea. That’s half the “fun” of it I suppose. Lord knows I’ve spent more than I’m willing to admit on advertising in the past. Some worked. Some didn’t.
But, compared to some - at least I try.
posted in blog | Comments Off
5/5/2005
A little while ago I e-mailed my ad for my biz to the RI mag. It was approved. I bought 8 weeks of advertising. It will start next week.
Cool.
My feelings about advertising this time around are a bit different compared to the last time I did it - which was a long time ago… about a little over a year now? Something like that. Anyway, here’s a list of my lil’ hopes and dreams concerning my advertising.
Obviously, I want the ad to work and I want my phone to ring off the hook with clients wanting business. That would be great. Will that actually happen? Probably not. I’ll probably get a lot of “just shopping around” people, and other businesses posing as potential customer looking for prices so they can charge 5% less - that’s typical. It’s really cutthroat out there in the world of business. As far as actual paying clients, I may get 2 or 3. Anything more than that and I’ll be a real happy guy. It’s not that I’m setting my expectations low. It’s that I’m being realistic - there’s a difference.
Here goes nothin’…
posted in blog | Comments Off
5/5/2005
Running a blog is sometimes dangerous business, especially when it’s public and you have comments turned on (and yes I DARE to have comments on.. eek!). On one of the more popular blogs I read, the comments were turned off for a while. Then the owner of the site got brave again and turned them on. And what happened dare you ask? A shitload of lame-ass losers who do “first” posts. A “first” post is when an idiot waits every single second for a new blog post to appear and then IMMEDIATELY posts a comment with the word “first” followed by something completely retarded, such as “lalalalalala”. I felt sorry for this poor girl, I really did. Fortunately she removed all the comments so the site is now back to a way better status quo.
I have comment moderation at the ready in case this site ever gets popular enough to get blog spammed like that.. but I *hope* I never have to use it. ;-)
posted in blog | Comments Off
first time here?get notifiedcontact rich
more info
contact rich
rich@menga.net
Rich's Facebook Profile
Rich's Flickr Photostream
Rich's YouTube Channel