Richy's Random Ramblings

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!

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: Just Plain Dumb. Author: Dohpaz.

*Ring* *Ring*

Me: “Hello, XYZ – how can I help?”
Peon: “Hello, I was wondering if you fixed Dell computers?”
Me: WTF? We”re a _web development_ company – we don”t “do” hardware at all.
Me: “No sorry, can”t help you”
Peon: “Well, do you know anyone that does fix Dell computers?”
Me: “Erm, you could try Dell”
Peon: “Ah yes, I best give them a call then. Bye”

Me: Now totally confused. Why the h-ll didn’t they think of contacting Dell directly in the first place instead of calling random web development companies which make *no* mention whatsoever about computer hardware or Dell machines on their website…

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 Gee, I Wonder Why?. Author: Frank.

We recently had a piece of equipment which when I plugged it in, it fused the power supply turning all the electricity to the building off. Anyway, I have a look at it and replace its own fuse. Just before I plugged it in again, I asked everybody to make sure they’ve saved their work. Everybody says “OK” so I plug it back in and it turns the power off again (obviously faulty then). Then somebody moans “But I didn’t save my work…”