Adobe – just the facts

Read this any way you wish:
I have a technical support issue with the Adobe CSx Master Suite which I paid hundreds of dollars for.
I’ve been transferred 9 times.
I’ve been asked for my Customer ID 9 times.
I’ve been asked for my Phone Number 9 times.
I’ve been asked for my e-mail address 9 times.
I’ve been asked what the issue is 9 times.
I’ve asked for managers 3 times.  I’ve been argued with 3 times.   Talked to a manger 1 time.
I’ve heard “I’m sorry.” 100+ times
I’ve been on my cell phone for almost 2 hours (there go my minutes).
What customer service?
Problem still not solved.
Asked for a call back from a higher tier tech support.
Waiting …. I hope they call.

My wish is that Adobe Corporate would review their technical support system and improve it.

In the meantime, I have loaded Adobe 7.0…. which does not have a problem…. just so I can scrape through the important graphics work I have to do.

My wish is that Adobe Corporate would review their technical support system and improve it.
Whoops!  Did I say that already?
Yes, because:
My wish is that Adobe Corporate would review their technical support system and improve it.

I would repeat this 9 times, but that would be annoying!!!!

UPDATE:  Called back by 6 and now it’s fixed.  It took the tier 2 guy less than 4 minutes to fix the problem….
My wish is that Adobe Corporate would review their technical support system and improve it.

12 THINGS COMPUTER USERS SHOULD FEAR IN 2010

12 THINGS COMPUTER USERS SHOULD FEAR IN 2010 was a great article about the potential computer viruses with regard to both Mac and PC.  This article, by Bob Sullivan, covers some very important security topics for the new year.   Worth a read.  http://redtape.msnbc.com/2009/12/about-once-a-year-computer-security-news-leaps-out-of-the-technology-section-and-onto-the-front-page-and-the-top-of-network.html

Even my dog is on the computer! Get with the program!

No statement on earth inspires silent brain screams like “I don’t know anything about computers, but you’re a wiz, so can you e-mail something for me?”
…………………
All the computer geeks out there are shaking their heads in agreement…. I can feel the rumbling now.

It is one of the most frightening statements a geek can hear.  Second, however, to “I have a small computer question.”

My thought’s today were brought to you by my friend X, who I won’t embarrass, but who will never see I’ve written about him because he thinks a blog is something that’s wrong with my sink.  “Yes,” I say, ” I was working on  my blog today.”  He responds: “You really ought to hire a professional plumber to do it right the first time.  Every time I talk to you , you’re working on that damn blog again!!!”   Ahhhh.  Gotta love it.

The next thing that happens after the small requests is sudden exponential growth….. like you just threw some magic beans in the ground and the bean stalk keeps growing bigger and bigger…. “Wait for me, Jack,” I exclaim, hoping to hide from the next computer favor….. Alas, I am too late.  My friend’s mom needs someone to help her get her 3,000 pictures off of her camera and reduce them so she can e-mail them to the grandkids……  While unloading the mom’s pics, the neighbor just happens over for tea….. “ohhh, my computer is so slow.  While you’re here, maybe you could look at it…..” exponential growth….

Eventually, my day makes the parting of the red sea seem like child’s play.  “Oh yea Moses?…. Now reformat and partition a hard drive, reconnect my neighbor’s sound card, magically decrease the picture size of my cousin’s dog and upload my grandmother’s knitting website to the new server…. and DO IT ALL BEFORE LUNCH!

Eventually, my tasks are done and I have a few minutes to myself before falling asleep only to get up and do it all over again.  I was going to make my new motto “Just say no.”  But, I’ve decided to keep on giving in hopes that more people will actually take the time to learn technology so they won’t have to call on me all the time.  Both of my parents now take full control of their computers and they are doing great!  So, I know it can happen.  Now, we just have to get the rest of the world on board.  After all, when dogs and cats are on Facebook and you can’t even press the on button, it’s time for some reevaluation!

Have a great night everyone.  Time for me to sleep!

Latitude Z – New Dell laptop introduces wireless charging

For a mere $1,999, you too can own the new Latitude Z.  The newest release by Dell actually recharges wireslessly!  You’ll have to spend another $200 on the separately sold docking station that allows the wireless recharge over a  distance of approximately 12 feet.  This is supposed to take the around the same time to recharge as charging by plugging the system in. 

Critics have noted that  the dock still has to be plugged in to charge before it can charge your computer and dismiss the wireless claim, noting that Nokia has a cell phone that charges off of “in air wave” signals such as TV and radio signals harnessing a range frequencies.  The technology is still in development, but, wow, what a great development!

WebsiteSpark program – Free Microsoft Software

UPDATE:  I published this blog at 12:26 and I already have the approval.  It is not 3:46.  Can’t beat that!  You will also be interested to know that I applied at a freelancer.  They give you FREE access to the following Microsoft programs:

• Expression Studio 3
• Expression Web 2
• Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition
• Windows Server 2008 R2 Web
• SQL Server 2008 Web

————-BELOW IS THE OLDER POST————–
Microsoft is actually going to GIVE it’s software out free to new web developers in the WebsiteSprak program!   I think I qualify, so I applied.  I’ll take you through the application process as it happens.  If it all works out, it seems like a sweet deal!

“The program is similar to Microsoft’s BizSpark program launched last year, which provides software and other resources to startups, and the DreamSpark program, which does the same for students.”

Here is what you get if you qualify: 
1.  Three licenses for Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition
2.  Two licenses for Expression Web 3
3.  One license for Expression Studio 3
4. Qualifying companies also receive four processor licenses for production use of both Windows Web Server 2008 and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Web Edition.
5.  Two technical support incidents per company
6.  Access to community support through Microsoft Partners.

http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark/

In signing up for this free software, it originally appears as if Microsoft traps you into making contact with 1.  A Hosting Partner or 2.  A Network Partner or 3.  A Microsoft Contact.  In order to comlete the application, you have to click on one of the radio buttons.  I selected “Microsoft Contact”  (whatever that means).  This is the message under the radio button selection:

“If your company doesn’t need the support and services that our Network Partners or Hosting Partners provide, you can apply for WebsiteSpark directly with a Microsoft Contact.”

OK, well, someone will contact me within three business days.  So, it may not have been a trap afterall.  But, it did seem like that at first.  

Of course, updates will be forthcoming.