Land of Oz

Jargon

I recently changed from one long distance company (call it Z) to another (call it A). For some reason the automated payment on Z double-payed my bill so that I have a minus $80 in it. That's ($80) in accountant speak. I sent an email to company Z asking how to get a refund of what they now owe me and I get the following explanation:

It is a stand alone long distance line which is still provisioned in the switch, which will require a disconnect order. However, I don't see that we support the local service on that line, so as long as you have change the pic code with your current carrier that provides local service on the line, you should be ok to place a disconnect.

The problem is that I understand very little of what that meant. For instance, where's "the switch" (where my phone is connected?), what does it mean that it's "provisioned" (actually I think this means it's there?), who sends a "disconnect order" and what's a "pic" (really no idea here).

After telling the rep that I had no idea of what that meant, here's the answer:

"If you have already changed your long distance pic code with [company A] to another carrier besides
[company z], then you shouldn't have any interruption in your ability to dial long distance. Please confirm if you would like to place a full disconnect on this account."

I still don't know where to find the "pic code." After considerable digging, I found out it means "Primary InterLata Carrier" which is the code for the long distance carrier - but I still don't know where to change it.

So what I think he meant was: "We can't refund your money until you cancel company Z's account, which you need to specifically tell us to do."

The reason for switching is that company Z gave me a special offer that would/did cost me $0.36 a minute to call Taiwan, and company A's offer is for $0.07 minutes and $5 a month. Since the last bill was over 100 minutes, I think it makes sense to change. And of course, nothing is mentioned about my initial question which was how do I go about getting a refund.

Labels: gripes, tech

Apple vrs. Windows

Here's a few more comments about our Mac/XP experiment. In general, I'm pretty happy with the switch. So far, the Mac has seemed to be pretty stable and well behaved. A lot of the annoyances I have now are just learning pains. Like going from ctrl to the Apple command key, and the Home and End versus cmd key right arrow/cmd key left arrow.

There is a lot made of the updating that is ongoing with Windows. I should note that when I started my Mac, there was about 300MB of updates that were waiting to be downloaded. And that within a couple weeks of being refurbished by Apple.

I bought the Airport Extreme hub and have that hooked up. The LAN part works fine. I have the old XP machine hooked into it and have Internet connectivity, but the XP still loses its connection now and then. I'm trying to get the XP to recognize the printer and USB external drive connected to the hub, but haven't managed that yet. And since we haven't got our MacBook yet, I've been unable to check out the wireless functions either. At least I have my Windows Agent usegroup program to play with again. I tried several Mac versions of a newsgroup reader and have to find one that seems as easy as Agent is.

My Palm IIIxe is another story. I downloaded the Palm Desktop software from Palm and it was a mess. It stuck files all over the Mac - and didn't work besides. After further online research about it, I found I'm not the only with problems and unhappy feelings about it. Since I basically use the Palm IIIxe as an ebook reader and address book, I'll go back to using it with the XP machine. BTW, the reason I still prefer the IIIxe is that it uses AAA cells and they last weeks at a time and are readily available and I don't have to worry about charging up every couple days.

Rather than use the trialware MS Office sitting on my Mac, I downloaded NeoOffice and installed it. I've only tried it with a couple of Word docs and Excel spreadsheets, but so far it's been fine with everything I tried.

The keyboard USB ports caused their first problem. We bought a 1GB USB drive and when I plugged it into the keyboard I got an error message saying it needed to go into a powered port. I guess that (and the USB1.1 format) is the price of keeping the keyboard simple (and saving money on it).

As much as I hate admit it, we did go ahead and install MS Messenger on the Mac. The main user of Messenger is a heavy use and is much more familiar with Messenger instead of Adium. It seemed to work OK for me, but then I don't do much with it. The problem is probably similar to my ctrl/cmd key habits.

And I miss sending stuff to my text editor with a right click. I think there's something similar using one of Mac's many-many keyboard combinations; probably ctrl+cmd+shift+S or something. Which is about one more key than I have fingers for.

Labels: apple, computers, tech

Dogs

I have ranted here about loose dogs in the past and will continue to do so. I just found out that this week is Dog Bite Prevention Week. Most of the following has been admittedly cut and pasted (the links to the originals are there). Here's some stats from a fact sheet by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA):

An estimated 4.7 million Americans will be bitten this year.

Primary victims are children.

As many as 800,000 people annually require medical treatment for dog bites.

About 12 people each year die from dog attacks.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance companies paid $317.2 million for dog bite liability claims in 2005 alone.

From other places: "Small children are the most common victims, followed by older people and United States Postal Service (USPS) employees."

I have no problem with you having a dog. Most dogs are pretty cool. What I do have a problem with is when you let your dog roam loose. Those dogs aren't cool. If I had my way, I'd just shoot them on sight. And if that pisses you off, then keep your dog and the dog's teeth under control and don't bitch and moan when some driver runs it over.

Labels: crime, freedom, gripes

Computer Scams

The radio has lately been playing some commercials for a teaching outfit called Video Professor. Honestly, I have no idea about the quality, or lack of, of this place. They purport to offer a way to learn about some computer subject, in this case they seem to be pushing e-bay, in an hour. They say the offer is risk free.

The part that bugs me is that say this offer is free. And if you're not satisfied with it, your money will be returned. OK, how can you return money that I haven't sent? I haven't sent any, because your claim is that it's free.

Obviously, no matter how up-and-up this offer is, someone is lying somewhere. If it's really free, then there shouldn't be any money they have to return to me. And if they are returning my money, that implies that I sent them some. Something I have no intention of doing unless I have to pay for something - something that is free. Is it just me, or does a company who wants to return the money that you didn't have to send them seem either at best odd, or more likely dishonest?

Labels: computers, scams

Windows vrs. Apple

OK folks, we took the plunge this weekend and switched from a Dell running Windows XP to a Macintosh running, well, OS X. Here's a short rundown after a weekend of Mac. Bear in mind, I'm a long time computer user who first bought a Model 1 back around 1980, then to Model 4P (with CPM no less), finally to an Atari 1040ST and eventually to a run of PCs with various versions of DOS and finally ended up at Windows XP. There have been sporadic forays into Mac land, primarily from four years of college. So, after all that, here's my initial comments.

The AT&T installation program that came with my DSL modem crashed once and when it worked, wouldn't show images. I used it just a couple of weeks earlier on my XP machine so had some idea of what was going on. It took about three installations/removals before it suddenly hooked up with about a 5.1MB connection. (By crash, I mean it showed what looked like a memory dump in a window and asked if I wanted to send the report to Apple - which I did, but obviously since it was DLS software crashing I wasn't internet connected to do so.)

I hate the fact you have to resize windows only at the bottom corner. I really miss dragging a window on any side/corner to resize.

The installation of new software is a little confusing in its simplicity. I like having only one or two icons to drag around to install, but always end up worrying with what to do with the detritus left on the desktop. The graphic books I looked at mostly dealt with commercial installations and not one I found got into downloaded stuff. I finally some info about installing programs into the applications folder for all users and what to do with the left over zips and dmgs. I ended up deleting my first two or three installation attempts and redoing them.

And while icons are cool, it would be nice for a bit of text explaining the cutesy cartoons showing the application icon being moved to the applications folder. It seems every application that uses this gimmick tries to see just how unique it can make the iconic directions. Cute, but not really informative for us newbies.

Command versus control key is a bit maddening. I also need to find Apple's equivalent to the "send to" right click. Another thing I need to study is the wide, and I do mean wide, range of keyboard shortcuts.

Speaking of clicks, the "mighty mouse?" tends to send its cursor flying off to one side of the screen or another with irritating frequency. Another little glitch I need to look into.

I'm a usenet freak and love to download stuff (files; images (yes, some are those images), books, music, OTR shows, etc.). I have been using an older version of Agent on XP, but have yet to find something similar on Mac - but I'm looking and have a couple more candidates to try tonight.

I like the keyboard USB ports, but wonder why they are USB1.1 instead of the USB2.0 in back of the screen.

I never have liked having to rely on software Floppy/CD/DVD ejection and would really like to have a real button to push. I haven't looked to see if the iMac has a hole for a paper clip yet.

The fat and skinny Apple commercial. Sorry, Mac, but you do have your share of trial crap installed as well. I've run across MS Office, AppleWorks and a couple of others so far. And while all that iLife iStuff is cool, a simple, working, word processor would be neat to have installed.

Tonight I'll try moving some OTR MP3 files and .PDB books and see how that all works with my ancient iRiver MP3 player and even more ancient Palm IIIxe. I did notice there's Palm software for the Mac available at palm.com so maybe there's hope there.

Stay tuned for more.

Labels: apple, computers, tech

Harry and Army

From the BBC News: "But the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, has confirmed the Prince will not go with his regiment, the Blues and Royals [to Iraq]."

I see a couple of problems with this. Number one, why was Prince Harry allowed to join (and go through all the expensive training) of the army if he isn't going to be allowed to perform army duties. The other problem is what the hundreds of British families who have lost folks in the war must be feeling. know RHIP, but either the Prince is in the army and plays army, or keep him out of the army.

Yes, he is royalty. But the only thing that really means is that his parents and his parents's parents were born of royalty. I guess being an American gives me a different look at royalty, but let's face it - he's still human. Why spend all the time (and money) training him when he won't be used. And is his birthright really that much better than the other poor blokes who've been shot or blown up in war?

This is really one of those things that really bugs me. Like all the hassle over Paris Hilton and her jail time for driving with a suspended sentence. Why is there such a stink over her jail time. Toss her in the clink and be done with it. It's not like she's the first person to ever get busted for driving drunk, then driving illegally, then doing it all over again. Like I'd get a second and third chance. And just to give you a little insight - I did spend 22 years in the military, and I'm not, unfortunately, royalty nor do I belong to rich parents.

Labels: celebs, military

Teeny TVs

My age is catching up to me. I can in no way, shape or form imagine trying to watch TV on something this small. Not only that, but the luddite that I am (even considering the PCs, laptops, video games, cell phones, MP3 players, and PDAs I use every day) a lot of today's culture has passed me by.

I usually watch the first 15 - 20 minutes of Jay Leno, and found that in the last couple of months that I've been paying attention, I don't even recognize the music acts that play on that show.

Saturday Night Live - which at one time I would throughly enjoy the likes of Chevy Chase, John Belushi and Jan Curtin - has passed me by and now leaves me befuddled and confused.

I seem to be totally immune to the "pleasures" of reality shows and couldn't name two American Idle participants to save my ass. And I have no desire to swap my wife, my house or my nanny.

My ancient MP3 player - all 256MB of it - plays mostly radio shows from the 30s and 40s and probably couldn't fit an iTune video, let alone play it.

I have a pair of raggedy rabbit ears (which I just found out are coming back into style) sitting on top of my cableless and dishless TV.

I find a coffee table top full of remotes (we had to buy a new table just to fit the remotes) neither exciting or useful. Sometimes I just wish I could walk up to my TV and turn the channel.

My teeny-little cell phone spends almost as much time lost as it does found. I remember when the phone had its own table and was tethered to the wall so it didn't get lost. And don't bother sending me a text message on it, because a snail mail letter will probably arrive before I figure out how to read the text message you just sent.

Labels: oldies, tech

Criminal BS

This story on CNN is so full of bullshit in so many ways, I can barely begin to explain why - (but I'll try). By the way, "Workman, a self-described former "junkie," acknowledges robbing the Wendy's with a gun for drug money and tussling with police outside"

The murderer (Workman) wants to give his last meal to a homeless person but the prison doesn't allow it. What the hell, you're gonna spend $20 whether it's eaten by the bad guy or not. Why is it OK to waste the $20 on some guy who's going to be dead in a couple hours when you can feed some wino on the street?

Didn't really murder the victim, but "his [Workman] weapon 'involuntarily discharged' when he was hit in the head." Please, you're carrying a weapon during a crime. Don't do the crime if you're not ready to do the time - see my earlier comments about guns and "accidents."

"ensure that Workman's death will be peaceful and painless." WHY? He shot Memphis Police Lt. Ronald Oliver. If he's willing to shoot a cop, that means he has absolutely no regard whatsoever for society's rules. Why does he deserve a peaceful and painless death. Memphis Police Lt. Ronald Oliver sure didn't get one.

His [Workman] defense said that new ballistics evidence suggests Oliver died from friendly fire at the robbery scene. Workman has admitted he did the crime. If hadn't robbed Wendy's Lt. Oliver wouldn't be dead now - whether it was Workman's bullet or because Workman robbed Wendys. It's cause and effect.

"In his talk with CNN, Workman said he feared what lethal injection might feel like." He should have given that some thought before he took his gun into Wendys.

I'm sorry, but I feel no sympathy for this guy at all. My sympathies lie with Lt. Oliver who gave his life trying to protect mine.

Update: Not everyone is a butthead. It seems the homeless got a night's worth of pizzas out it anyway. But I still wonder how Lt. Oliver's family is doing.

Labels: crime

Time

This is going to be short. I had a doctor's appointment today for 10:30AM. I get there around 10:20 or so. I think I'm almost incapable of being on time or late. Anyway, at 11:00AM I go to the counter and ask what time my 10:30 appointment will be. They tell me there's only one person in front of me! And it's 30 minutes past the time my appointment was supposed to be. Why do they do this time after time, it's such a pain in the butt.

Labels: gripes

Thelen

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know I have a less than satisfactory relationship with my car dealer - Thelen VW in Bay City, Michigan. Today I went back there for a 70,000 mile service and because the infamous Check Engine Light (CEL) has been on in my New Beetle.

My appointment was for 8AM so I'd have time for them to drive me back to work while they did their nefarious deeds to my car. That's when things started to get weird. I turned it in at 8 and mentioned I just wanted the factory VW service and they agreed with no hassles. Normally they try to tack on 3 or 4 added services that they at Thelen have decided your car will fall apart and kill you if not done. No argument at all. Just the oil change and a charge for the troubleshooting (total about $110) of the CEL. After about an hour I double-checked with the desk and they said, they were almost done with the troubleshooting run and would get back with me.

Around 930AM, the service desk gal (now there's two gals working instead of the guys) came out and explained that they found a cracked vacuum tube and would charge $10 for it - nothing more for labor or other parts. I actually looked around the room to see if I was really in Thelens or had wandered into the wrong dealership somehow. It was like an episode of the Twilight Zone.

Two hours after I'd dropped off my car, I was back at work, with a bill no larger than they originally said, and a car that was working again. That is about the first time that's happened in six long years of dealing with them.

Labels: driving, gripes

Thought Police

Remember when yesterday, I mentioned Orwell and 1984? How about this story, "The senior [4.2GPA] at suburban Cary-Grove High School was charged this week with two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct after the principal turned his creative writing essay over to police. ...The charges could result in a $1,500 fine and as many as 30 days in jail if Lee [the senior] is convicted.

This is a kid who had been vetted and accepted by the Marine Corp and had never been in any trouble with the police. However, because of a violent story he wrote for a creative writing class, he was turned over to the cops and charged with disorderly conduct! That is just wrong. At best, how about asking him what's going or maybe see a shrink - but arrest? I don't think so.

Where would writers like Mickey Spillane and Stephen King be, or especially folks like John Skipp & Craig Spector who started the splatterpunk genre, if every disturbing story writer was arrested? Stuff like this pisses me off so much I could shoot someone, oops, wait, I mean allegedly shoot someone, ah, I meant allegedly think about maybe perhaps alluding to causing someone alleged harm, kinda. Wait! OK, what I really meant is that it makes me so mad, I could buy them a Twinkie sundae with soft ice cream and a dietary disclaimer to warn them of any possible harm that may occur should they partake of the calorie ridden treat now or at any time in the future.

Labels: crime, freedom, government, gripes

Can't do anything right

It's not every day an admitted bank robber gets a second chance... Gorcyca's office [prosecutor] did just that when it sought leniency for Lawrence Lawson, a 60-year-old who admitted he robbed a bank... Gorcyca noted Lawson's past employment and his clean record -- "not even a traffic ticket" -- and statements he made to police about how he could not find a job, exhausted all his savings and finally, out of desperation, planned a bank robbery so he would get arrested and have three meals and a roof over his head.

Not knowing all the facts here, I'm not quite sure how to take this story from Detroit. On one hand, here's a guy who loses his job, then muffs a bank robbery so he can get caught and sent to jail, and now the prosecutor is going to let him loose. Supposedly this guy only has $15 to his name, but manages to acquire a firearm to rob the bank.

I've talked about "accidental shooting" before (no such thing in my mind), and wonder just how far this guy was from accidentally shooting some poor teller? Depending on the weapon you're talking about 3-5 pounds of pressure and 1/8" - 1/4" inch of movement before you unleash 150 grains or so lead at just around the speed of sound - a combination of mass and velocity designed to seriously fuck someone up.

I'm hoping for the best for Mr. Lawson, but have my doubts. A year ago he was unemployed, hungry and broke. Now, one year later, he's still unemployed and broke and now has a felony arrest record. I hope someone out there is going to look out for Mr. Lawson by more than just shortening his jail term.

Labels: crime

Guess What?

Four years or one thousand, four hundred and sixty one days go, the President claimed "Mission Accomplished?" on the USS Abraham Lincoln. Guess what? I think that was at mildly optimistic. Did you know that there's been 3,212 casualties since that day? Of course, that's only counting the USofA GIs. And that's not counting other GIs who've been killed in other-than-combat operations. Guess what? We can't leave and we can't win. The President is correct in saying a timetable withdrawal would be a disaster, but unfortunately so is staying the course. What a damn mess.

Labels: military

Dangers - to who?

As you're probably aware of, there's stuff these days that you can't buy easily because someone has decided it's too dangerous to allow. Cold/allergy medicines are one. My wife has allergies and finds that pseudoephedrine works well, and she's not alone in that. There's a new amendment to the U.S. Patriot Act says that anything containing the ingredient pseudoephedrine must now be sold behind the counter of your local pharmacy or drug store. You're limited to how much you can buy, 30 grams (120 tablets) per month. If you do want to buy the drug you must also sign a logbook, and show identification to get the medication. And why is this? Because idiots are frying their brains on methamphetimes that are made with this. Instead of making this a tremendous hassle for everyone, why not target the (I'm guessing pretty small percent) of assholes who are making the stuff. Now, because some idiot wants to fry their brain and rot their teeth with homegrown meth, I have to jump through hoops.

Here's part of what the FDA has to say, "Buyers must show a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, and sign a logbook. Stores are required to keep a record about purchases, which includes the product name, quantity sold, name and address of purchaser, and date and time of the sale, for at least two years."

There's another chemical that has the same problem. You probably haven't noticed but drain cleaner containing lye isn't available in the store anymore. Why? See the above. We want to try making some handsoap, and one of the ingredients needed is lye. So what used to be a nice hobby to kill some time with now falls under the auspices and evil eye of the U.S. Patriot Act.

Which brings me to my old buddy Orwell and 1984. If you haven't read this book, you really need to (while you still can). Pay attention to newspeak and see if you don't find frightening parallels to today's government. Especially the names big brother, er, the U.S. government has come up with; Department of Homeland Security, The Patriot Act, renditions, weapons of mass destruction, and on and on.

By the way, Russ Feingold was the only Senator to oppose the U.S. Patriot Act which makes me want to vote for him for something.

Labels: government