techy

worst. tech. support. ever.

I had the following “discussion” today with “Rex Bowen” of “Tech Support” for the hosting provider that hosts my two domains planetmurray.org and freeassoc.net.  If there were an actual way I could reach through the wire and strangle him (her? it? Can’t tell… probably a ‘bot in India) I’d have done so.

<snip>

You are now chatting with 'Rex Bowen'

Rex Bowen: Hi Michael. My name is Rex Bowen, how are you today?
Michael : Hi Rex
Rex Bowen: How can I help you today?
Michael : I have a quick question: Why can't I open my hosted domains (planetmurray.org, freeassoc.net) using Expression Web? It used to work, now it no longer works for me.
Rex Bowen: I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you.
Rex Bowen: In order to learn more about connecting to your website using Expression Web, please follow the link:
Rex Bowen: http://www.webhost4life.com/knowledgebase/read_article.bml?kbid=6273
Michael : one moment, will try this, thanks

Rex Bowen: You're welcome!
Rex Bowen: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
Michael : This doesn't work: In Expression Web 3, I select "Site/ Open Site", then "http://planetmurray.org" in Location field. Then when I click 'Open' it fails... it's trying to use Front Page Server Extensions (not FTP)

Rex Bowen: Please make sure to follow the instructions provided in the knowledge base.
Rex Bowen: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?

Michael : The instructions are wrong!
Michael : First of all, I'm using Expression Web 3. There is no "File/ Open site"
Rex Bowen: You can contact Microsoft regarding your issue.
Rex Bowen: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?

Michael : Hang on! This is not a Microsoft issue.
Michael : This is an issue with your service. It *used* to work for me!
Michael : as recently as a few months ago. What has changed?
Michael : Can I use Front Page extensions to control my sites, or not?

Rex Bowen: Michael, you can use FrontPage externsions for your website.
Michael : How? I enabled them but they don't seem to work.
Rex Bowen: May I place you on hold while I look into this for you? I should have some more information regarding your issue in 4-5 minutes.
Michael : sure

(…. grr… slow burn…)

 

Rex Bowen: Thank you for holding.
Rex Bowen: I checked your account and noticed that the FrontPage extensions for your account is corrupted.
Michael : Can you fix it?
Rex Bowen: We need to re-install it. In order to re-install the FrontPage extensions, we need to clear the web directory of your account.
Rex Bowen: Please make sure to take the backup of your website.
Michael : Hang on! I haven't backed up my site yet!
Rex Bowen: Michael, you can take the back up of your website and get back to us so that we could re-install the FrontPage extension for your account.
Michael : Whom do I contact once it is backed up?
Rex Bowen: You can contact us via chat and ask to re-install the extensions.

Michael : Can you create a support ticket for this?
Rex Bowen: Michael, once you have taken the back up, we can create a ticket for you.
Michael : So my FrontPage extensions are corrupted and we can't create a support ticket yet?
Rex Bowen: Michael, to re-install the FrontPage extension I need to create a ticket. Since you do not have the back up it is not possible to create a ticket for you.
Rex Bowen: Please make sure to take the backup and get back to us.
Rex Bowen: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
Michael : I'm sorry but this is terrible service. Whom can I speak with about this?
Rex Bowen: Michael, If I create a ticket for you, our specialists will re-install the FrontPage extensions for your account. Since you do not have the back up of your files, the files will be lost as we do not keep the backup. Hence, I informed you that it is not possible to create a ticket.
Rex Bowen: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?

 

</snip>

un-fucking-believable.  Please, whatever you do, for your own sanity do not sign up with webhost4life as your hosting provider.  You will be sorry.

I must add that I’ve had 3-4 years of quiet, mostly-working service with them, but when the wheels fall off… man!  #FAIL.

bing destination maps

 

Bing Destination Maps let you create a “figurative” map (like something you’d draw for someone, or a “pirate map”) of an accurately-mapped destination.  It’s a great way to send someone a map with a destination (in this case Uber Tavern in Green Lake).  Terrific idea!  (via Information Aesthetics)

readability

Hate cluttered, obnoxious websites that are unreadable?  Me too,  Arc90’s Readabiity has an answer… check it out:

Readability - Installation Video for Firefox, Safari & Chrome from Arc90 on Vimeo.

ipad and usability (jakob nielsen)

interesting post on a wide-ranging iPad usability study by UX guru Jakob Nielsen.  Unsurprisingly I guess, it is the wild west again (circa 1993) where users can click on anything and have different things occur.  Sigh…

Summary:
iPad apps are inconsistent and have low feature discoverability, with frequent user errors due to accidental gestures. An overly strong print metaphor and weird interaction styles cause further usability problems.

"It looks like a giant iPhone," is the first thing users say when asked to test an iPad. (Their second comment? "Wow, it's heavy.")

The full 93-page usability report is here.