Category Archives: Rant

BT (Bastards Telepunish) Woes

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My ISP, BT, have got my goat again.

They’re punishing me by crippling my (already joke-worthy) download speeds, because I used a lot last week.
So they’ll probably charge me for that (fair enough, I suppose).

I understand that they need to provide a fair service to all their customers, but why does that have to mean reducing my speed when I’m not even trying to download excessive amounts? Surely they should simply cap my speed?

A double punishment.
I can’t even call to complain or plead my case because the relevant department is only open 9-5 Mon-Fri. Isn’t that absurd? They have the power to make their service even worse, on purpose, and don’t even have the guts to be around to answer for it.

Automatically Added Start Menu / Desktop Icons

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I have just allowed Adobe (Acrobat) Reader to update itself, fair enough, though it is still remarkably slow to load on first use.

I keep a clean desktop, with shortcuts only for the things I use on a regular basis (at least daily).
I keep my Start Menu under control (am still using XP).

I think I might have computer-specific OCD, but that’s not my point.

My point is that Adobe have decided to re-add a shortcut to a programme which is never run directly.
If I ever have to use Adobe Reader, it’s to read a file, so it’s a (link to a) file that I open.

The updater also added a shortcut to my Start Menu, despite the fact that there’s one there already, in a folder I created.
This in turn caused Windows to inform me that a new programme had been installed.

Are they trying to get me to use the programme more often? If so, why? It’s a free programme anyway!

You get what you pay for…

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PC World, TechGuys (PC Service Call), Parceline – One of them screwed up.

The fianceé’s laptop died on a Thursday. It would POST, but it would simply restart itself before Windows started loading.

It’s a Vista machine so I tried to use its self-repair options, but to no avail.
I took it to work to see if my colleague the IT support guy had any further ideas but alas.

It was less than a year old so I was able to take it to PC World (where it was bought originally).

So I take it to the shop after work.
The guy at the desk clearly can’t be bothered trying to help and insists that I have to call a support number to get a code before they’ll take it from me.
Can I use their phone? “No, that only makes internal calls.” (*cough*bollocks*cough*).

I give in, take it home and call from there. I’m taken through the same repair process that I’d already attempted multiple times by a friendly but non-technical call centre employee. At the end of the call I explain that I’d like to complain that I couldn’t make the call in the shop. He’s surprised I’ve been told this since he has himself taken calls from PC World employees.

I arrange a collection and am given a code.
Monday morning it’s collected by Parceline, and am told that they usually don’t take very long to return.
Next morning I get a call from the post room saying that they’ve got a laptop for me. That was quick.
Talking to the courier we agree that it’s probably a mistake. Unfortunately, he can’t take it back since he doesn’t have the correct paperwork. Fair enough, insurance etc.

I call the TechGuys and explain the situation, that I’m irked and that I’d like some kind of express service to compensate.
The call centre kid appears to take it personally and puts me on hold for about five minutes before the call gets disconnected.
I call again and am told that I will have to wait for more than 24 hours before it gets picked up. I have no choice so I agree.

It’s collected on the Wednesday morning as arranged, and returned fixed on the following Monday (10 days after I first reported the problem).

‘Fixed’ I called it. Actually, all they did was replace the hard-drive, something I could easily have done myself.
Fortunately they installed the correct version of Windows.
What of the files? All gone.
What of the broken hard-drive itself? Not returned to me. (I may have wanted to send it to a hard-drive recovery centre.)

Communication from any of the parties involved? None, apart from the ripped proforma which accompanied the fixed laptop, with 5 ticks and the scribble regarding the replaced hard-drive.

I’m glad I’m not having to try and get any money back.

BT (‘British’ Tele-extortion) Woes

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BT have me in a head-lock.

I get my phone and broadband service from them, and am charged, on average, £30 per month.
This is not overly excessive, but I wanted to reduce it somehow, since I’ve been made better offers by Virgin Media.

After digging through the website after looking at my online (paperfree) bill, I eventually find a number. (The usual 0800 800 150).
On calling this number I’m asked by the automated system whether I’m calling from the phone[line] I wish to talk about.
I am, and press ’1′ to indicate as such. (The alternative is to enter the phone number.)
So why am I asked for that number every bleeding time I actually talk to a real human being?

I’m then asked for my account number for ID verification (though they are loathe to admit that’s why), oh, and my name and my address and postcode. (All of which are on the bill, so anyone who can intercept my bill can claim to be me.)

So, who do I speak with? Various people in India, that well-known British territory.
Is that why they can’t see my phone number, because they’re on some crappy-quality network 5000 miles away?

After explaining the reason for my call I’m told all the things I already know, the total cost of my last bill etc., and I have to suggest that we look into changing my broadband package. Oh no, that means I have to be put through to another department! Okay, fine, just get on with it.
“Welcome to BT. Your call may be recorded…” … “If you’re calling from the phone you wish to talk about…” Argh!

I give all my details again, and am eventually told that I might be better of upgrading my broadband package to avoid a repeat of “your recent email” notifying me that I went over my 8GB limit. That was about 6 months ago.

Can I just cancel my account? “Yes, but you’ll be charged the cancellation fee.”
Not actually a fee, just the whole bill (minus call charges) for the remainder of the contract, which is until August ’08.

Oh bugger.

Why I might leave my bank: The NatWest Card Reader

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nwcardreader.jpgI have received in the post a Card Reader from NatWest.

They have designed this device to beef up the security around the (excellent btw) online banking.

The flaw? The fact that we will eventually have to take the damn thing everywhere you go. And the card of course.

The whole point of online banking is, afaiac, the fact that you can use it anywhere. Now we will only be able to use it IF we have the card reader with us, IF we have the card with us, and IF it actually works. And IF the battery isn’t dead.

I regularly use NWOLB at home and at work, so what do they suggest? “You could use someone else’s.” Well that’s just stupid.

Further issues:

  • I have two accounts with NatWest, both of which are accessible with the same login credentials. However, only one of those accounts has a card new enough to use this card reader. When will I therefore be forced to start using the card reader? I don’t know, but I expect that they will send me a new card (meaning my saved card details at various sites will have to be updated) and probably another card reader.
  • nwcardreaderpackaging.jpgThe amount of plastic, cardboard and paper used to send the card reader is shameful. From the outside in: Plastic postage bag, cardboard box, plastic tray, cardboard box (again), bubble-wrap, plastic bag.
  • It is my joint account which is ready for the card reader, but the other holder (the gf) wasn’t informed, and certainly wasn’t provided with a reader. She has also used NWOLB from work, so that’s four places we already use the service, i.e. three places we now won’t be able unless we carry this thing with us. Which we obviously can’t both do.

I am happy to pay the few extra pennies it would take to cover the fraud that this device might prevent.
I am happy to take the risk that it is my account that is compromised if they just abandon this daft device.

I am genuinely considering moving to another bank if this reader turns out to be compulsory.

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Ticketmaster Rip Off!

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I just bought tickets for me and the gf to see Jimmy Carr in June.
£18.50 each, seems okay.

Total cost once Ticketmaster have added excessive fees and exorbitant postal charges: £46.75!
That’s an extra 25%. Absurd, but we have no choice.

UPDATE: Jimmy Carr was great! I even got a laugh myself when I called something out. (Audience participation was encouraged btw!)

Communist Britain

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It is being reported that private schools may be blackmailed into lending teachers to state schools.
Private schools provide a service to those who can afford it, just like any business, but face the prospect of having to share their resources with those who can’t (or choose not to), with no input from the parents who pay, nor the staff who work for a living.

I see this as a reflection of my own status.

Here in Liverpool I pay the highest council tax in the country.
This is partly because of the huge number of (rightly) exempt students, but also due to high unemployment.
This unemployment appears to be by choice for many – the unemployed can easily live on the benefits they receive.
If benefits only provided the barest minimum, and not in money form*, then more people would be forced to earn a living off their own back instead of relying on the forced generosity of others.

If there’s no need to work before receiving, what’s the point?
Personally, it’s a matter of pride, and being brought up knowing that that is what’s expected of me. I see far too many people being brought up with no sense of obligation (to do anything, not even not dropping litter), no sense of work before reward.

*- giving food vouchers instead for example might force them to actually get a job to pay for that big TV, that Sky subscription.

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AFBO – Anti Fat-Bastard Order

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Sitting on a local train today, I watched as three larger-than-healthy people got on and found seats near me.
The gran, mum and son struggled to sit at a table designed for four, while I sat at the table on the other side of the aisle.

Gran was the smallest of the three, but had to be convinced that it would be okay for her to sit next to her grandson, rather than take a seat behind.

I noticed the Mum noticing me noticing them. She probably thought that I was rude, that I couldn’t possibly presume that her size was just possibly because she simply eats too much.
And then she opened a cool-bag (the size of a standard cool-box BTW) stuffed full of sandwiches, fizzy drinks and (I heard mention of) pork pies.
I’ve heard many people say that it’s not enough to just eat less, but this doesn’t mean continue eating too much.

With the recent discovery that there’s a gene which apparently contributes to an individual’s likelihood of becoming overweight, I am concerned that many may use this as an excuse. Fat people already claim it’s genetic, “well, Mum’s fat and so’s Dad, …”, never thinking that as a baby it was up to these people how much they ate, that as a child they were encouraged to finish their jumbo portions.

Eating is addictive, but because we HAVE to eat, it isn’t treated as something to do in moderation (as with alcohol consumption).

I’ve said it before, and I still think it – Fat people need to be reminded that they need to do something about their weight, not pitied for their struggle.

I will not deny that losing weight is difficult, and that getting overweight is easy, but there are good habits as well as bad habits.

Minutes after eating a couple of sandwiches, the Mum on the train had to go and get two seats to herself, and wheezed to herself for a bit. If this isn’t sending her signals, what will? A lecture from her GP? Doubt it. We, as a society, need to make obesity a taboo.

Society encourages and expects respect from others, and it ought to encourage self-respect too.

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Brits Reputation

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Whilst in Andorra snowboarding* for a week, I found that it was my fellow Brits who were the most annoying.

It was a Brit who decided to leave his board in the middle of the learners’ hill. After my gf’s polite request that it was moved to the side, and my subsequent equally polite request likewise, it was he who decided to try and intimidate and patronise me.

It was a British (skier**) who was convinced that I hadn’t looked uphill before standing up, and wouldn’t believe me when explained otherwise, and, despite acknowledging it, didn’t see the relevance of the fact that she had plenty of room.

It was the Brits in the restaurants who were obnoxious.

Why is it that Brits Abroad are such wankers?

*- I am a web developer after all.
**- that’s another topic…

You’re Too Fat

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I Beat AnorexiaThe BBC is today reporting on the suggestion that ‘Plus-Size’ clothes tags should include obesity help-line numbers.

I agree – it’s a fact that many ‘heavy’ people are fat because of lack of will-power (rather than any of the rare relevant medical condition), and every encouragement guilt-inducing-method should be used to help them.
Call me insensitive if you like, but there are many many people who are consciously self-harming by smoking, binge-drinking and eating crap food.
It’s another fact that the NHS is not able to cope with the increasing numbers of overweight people.

Large size clothes ought to be taxed as are cigarettes and alcohol and for the same reason – the associated unhealthy habits/lifestyle cost us, the tax payers, unfathomable amounts each year. It will be argued that large clothes are not the cause and so the tax is unfair, but taxing food will affect everyone more or less equally unless we go into the minefield of taxing only unhealthy foods.

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