Category: Life: Work and Techy

As I’m in the process of slowing shutting down other sites I’ve worked on (due to time constraints), I’m reposting them here. Here’s an article from “Behind The Frontline” which was going to be a cross between I Work With Fools, Worse Than Failure and Dilbert.

Categories: Just plain dumb and Timewasters. Author: Anonymous

I had to call a supplier today and whilst queuing for an operator listening to “Your call is important to us – please hold” – isn’t it nice to think that your call is more important than anybody else’s in the queue, and if it’s true, why don’t they answer me first?..Where was I? Oh, yes, in a queue. Then an announcement came on “We are experiencing long wait times, please call back later – lines are open 24 hours a day – or stay on the line”.

Whilst I was tempted to call back later, I thought I’d stay on the line. A few “Your call is important to us”‘s later and “We are experiencing long wait times, lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. Please call again during these times or stay on the line”.

How come their opening times changed from 24 hours a day to “just slightly longer than normal business hours” within a space of a few minutes?

As I’m in the process of slowing shutting down other sites I’ve worked on (due to time constraints), I’m reposting them here. Here’s an article from “Behind The Frontline” which was going to be a cross between I Work With Fools, Worse Than Failure and Dilbert.

Category: Political Situations. Author: blankreg

Whilst trying to improve productivity at work (and consequently reduce my own workload a bit!), I proposed that we use this new simple to use CRM system (Customer Relationship Management : it’s just a piece of software which stores information and then sends it to the right people). This”ll make it easy for everybody to know what’s going on, what the situation is on everything and to keep customers updated (save us having to bother). Everybody else in the department thought it was a good idea, it’ll save a lot of time and it’ll hardly cost anything.

The Boss shot it down with “I don’t think it’s a good idea”. No other reason given despite us pointing out all the pluses. Turns out, he”s got his own way of working and he doesn”t want to change (even though it means more work for everybody else).

As I’m in the process of slowing shutting down other sites I’ve worked on (due to time constraints), I’m reposting them here. Here’s an article from “Behind The Frontline” which was going to be a cross between I Work With Fools, Worse Than Failure and Dilbert.

Category: Uncategorized. Author: Dohpaz.

I am a trainer in a course in web development (Adults).

Prerequisites: General level of computer knowledge. ICDL/ ECDL level or above. Knowledge of web preferable.

Day one: Introduction to web, file structuring and languages quiet class taking a bit of time to warm up, that’s ok usually a little daunted then i end the lesson in some examples from previous students, class now exited.
Day Two: Good mood exited people.. one hour into lesson, after two days of repeatedly asking for questions having question time and fielding many questions simple to complicated, I get this pushy woman (whom i have been asking specifically if she has any questions, as she seems to be a little.. wide eyed looking) blasts out at me
Lady – My thing is broken
Me – Ok Which thing?
Lady – This [holding up the mouse]
I go over and check the mouse thinking perhaps the roller ball is dirty (it is a college) no seems fine.
Me – What seems to be the problem with it
Lady – It wont do the things you are telling us to do
Me – Could you show me what you mean? [cusping that zone of pleasant verbal tennis]
Lady – There is no double click button on this [slapping the mouse with her hand]
Me – !!!!!!
So explain to her calmly (calling on the power of strength from Saint IT) what double click is etc.

At the break in the class I discreetly get chatting with this lady and point out that it may be difficult to complete the course successfully without having basic computer skills, and ask did she see the prerequisites for the course ..ECDL/ ICDL and basic computer usage etc. to which she replies
Lady – I do have all that, sure, im the one who takes the money out of the hole in the wall thingy even for my husband.
Me – !!!! ….. And the ICDL/ ECDL ????
Lady – I didn’t really know what THAT one meant!

So i suppose I don’t know what the moral of this one…. it just make me think.

(where’s the double click … that’s a new one for me)

As I’m in the process of slowing shutting down other sites I’ve worked on (due to time constraints), I’m reposting them here. Here’s an article from “Behind The Frontline” which was going to be a cross between I Work With Fools, Worse Than Failure and Dilbert.

Category: Timewasters. Author: Anonymous.

A customer called us around a month after setting up their account with us wanting to cancel it. We said all account cancellations had to be done online for security purposes and lo and behold they cancelled their account online. All good so far.

A week later, they phoned asking for their money back as they never used the account. Pointed out the bit in our Terms of service about “No refunds” and the fact the account was active for a week. We didn’t hear anything from them for a few weeks until we got a letter from the credit card company saying the customer had actioned a “Chargeback” from us (a charge back is where the customer contacts their credit card company to claim the money back which then claws it back from us and stings us with a additional charge).

I produced a 6 page detailed explanation of the fact they signed up (including details of their browser, IP address etc), they ticked the box saying they read and agreeded to the terms and conditions (where it said “No refunds”) and then got a senior tech to look at their account. Quite a few log ins from the same IP address over the month where “the account was never used” and found a page saying “I haven’t got time for this now, will try again in a few months time”. Compiled all the evidence and sent it back to the credit card company.

A month later, got a letter back from them saying they’ve examined the evidence and have reversed the chargeback (i.e. we are in the right and get our money). Always good to know. And it’s also good to know credit card companies take a big disliking to people who make malicious chargeback requests – even to the extent of legal action against them.

Mwhhahahah!