Do you believe in love at first sight ... Or should I walk by again?

Some good VOIP links

http://www.talkswitch.com/pbx_phone_system.html
http://www.mediatrix.com/products.php
http://www.asterisk.org/

Primus customer service & DSL

Oh my gosh! This is hillarious.

Ok, here was my simple goal: find out if I can subscribe to Primus DSL. (I am currently on Shaw with a Primus VOIP phone number).

Go to www.primus.ca and checkout my service availability using http://support.primus.ca/en/service.php

And YES! It shows I should get 2.5 Mbps from the location I entered. Cool!

So I call the toll free number listed for Residential Accounts: 1.800.340.4920. Unfortunately it is all in French even though this is supposed to be the English number. Ok, so I do my best and get on hold. After 10 mins or so I use my second line to dial another number I find at http://primus.ca/en/residential/highspeed/index_west.html 1 877 704-4269. I call it and it puts me straight on hold, i.e. no IVR.

I now have both lines on hold but the latter line picks up first. WooHoo! First thing I notice is really really poor audio quality. I am calling from a hard line so I know the problem is on the Primus end. Not the best way for a telco to make a good impression to a customer. I explain to the Primus CSR I am interesting in confirming I can get DSL. CSR proceeds in broken English over poor audio that I made the wrong choice and I should have pressed option 3. I tried a few times to explain that I wasn't prompted by an IVR but I gave up. The CSR then asks for my primus phone #. I give it. He then tells me it is not a valid number. I ask him to repeat the number he is using and he gives me the correct #! I inform him he has the right number and he should try again. Again he tells me the number is not in service and would like my account # now. Crazy!

Ok, so I start to logon to mytbb to get the stupid account # when he tells me he has found it. great. Now get this, he then proceeds to tell me that he has to transfer me to the DSL group! WTF!!!!! after all that?
So I get transferred. Get a new CSR. Repeat above process ... Audio still sucks.
ok, tell him that I just want to check that I can get DSL. Give address, he confirms the 2.5 Mbps. super! Now CSR says I need to get the Primus Local Home Phone service for the DSL to work. Guess what!? They can't do it!!! I asked if they could put it on a local telco line. He said they can't!!

In summary:

• I can get DSL at 2.5Mbps IF I could get a Primus Local Home Phone service (which I can't)
• Primus web site gives a french toll-free number on the english page
• Primus web site gives a toll-free number with no IVR
• Primus CSR's ?wtf?
• Primus internal telephone Audio quality sucks A$$

Japanese emoticons. Hillarious!

http://club.pep.ne.jp/~hiroette/en/facemarks/
http://club.pep.ne.jp/~hiroette/en/facemarks/list_index.html

The difference between Western Smileys(Emoticons) and Japanese ones

Apparently, Japanese Smileys(Emoticons) are read vertically while eastern Smileys(Emoticons) are read hosizontally. And Japanese Smileys have more variation than eastern ones.

I think the reason is that while American(alphabet) letters in computer are 1 byte, Japanese letters in computer are 2 bytes, so Japanese letters can have more characters. And also, Japanese sentences contain Chinese characters which are phonograms, so it is easier to express and recognize something graphic with letters for Japanese people.

Second reason seems to that Japanese comics(manga) have many ways of express their feelings and situations by certain lines or graphics and Japanese do the same thing when they create smileys. So, a large number of Japanese Smileys(Emoticons) are influenced by comics. I will introduce you to some of the basic Japanese Smileys(Emoticons), which is used in e-mails very often in Japan. You can try them as I explain them. As most people don't see some of Smileys because they contain Japanese font characteres, I have used images rather than the characters themselves. If you want to use them in your e-mail, simply copy and paste them!

Secure Sushi anyone? This stuff rocks !! Check it out:

What it is:
With Hamachi you can organize two or more computers with an Internet connection into their own virtual network for direct secure communication. Hamachi is fast, secure and simple. It is also free. See: http://www.hamachi.cc/

Q. How should I shop for my spa ?

A. Buying a spa is a decision you shouldn't feel rushed or pressured into, so be sure to ask the dealer a lot of questions. Like shopping for anything else, knowledge is everything. Before you take the plunge into buying a spa, ask for a private "test soak" so you can feel the jets and the overall comfort of the spa.

Here is a checklist of things to consider and questions to ask. Feel free to print it out and take it with you when you comparison shop !

Learn about the spa's specific features, ease of use and maintenance.
When the spa is not in use, does the water always remain hot and clean?
Do the jets and jet systems allow you to customize your hydro massage experience?
How loud are the jets and pump?
Does the spa offer a balanced filtration system to ensure clean, clear water?
Are the filters easily accessible ?
Is the heating and filtration system fully automatic?
Inquire about the heater-typically the most vulnerable component of any spa. Make sure corrosion will not occur.
Are the controls user-friendly, easy to operate and adjust?
Are there optional features to make spa ownership easier?
What are the electrical specifications of the spa?
How is the seating configured? Are you able to move about easily?
Learn how the spa was constructed and its energy efficiency.
The components should be fully tested and backed by the manufacturer's warranty.
Make sure the spa is totally insulated, not just fully-foamed.
Ask how to estimate your monthly operation costs. (Beware of some spas which can cost a lot more per month to operate).
Ask for a copy of the warranty and read it thoroughly. Beware of the dealer who is reluctant to provide a copy.
What spa parts are covered under warranty and for how long? Make sure the heater, surface/structure, components, tile and skirt are included.
How does the manufacturer's warranty compare with other brands? Make sure there are no undesirable limitations or exclusions.
Obtain information on the manufacturer and the dealer to ensure you will receive quality service both during and after your spa purchase.
How long has the manufacturer been in business?
How long has the dealer been in business? Inquire about their service policy.
Call the Better Business Bureau, the local Consumer Affairs Office and/or the local Chamber of Commerce to obtain any additional information about the dealer. If available, ask for customer references.

Let's go RETRO !!! back .... way back

If you feel like reminiscing...
http://arstechnica.com/articles/culture/total-share.ars/


Ever wonder what happened to AmigaOS, BEOS or OS/2 warp? Checkout:

New AmigaOS!
http://arstechnica.com/reviews/os/amiga.ars

New BEOS!
www.yellowtab.com
and

New OS/2!
www.eComStation.com

Remember Amiga Demo Disks?

http://ada.untergrund.net/

On this site, you will find some of the best demos and intros ever released on the fabulous Amiga computer. All the demos listed here, are of high quality.So why did we make this site? Watching demos over the years, has given us so much joy and fantastic moments that we thought it was time to do something in return. In fact, this is our tribute to every scene artist: coders, graphicians, musicians.... All those people who ever contributed to the wonderful productions listed here. You are all true artists.

mSafe for your Treo

http://www.motionapps.com/products.jsp?msafe

mSafe protects your data even if your Treo is lost or stolen. Even if an unauthorized person comes into possession of your device, it does not necessarily have to mean that he comes into possession of your data. Just send a special SMS message to your device from anywhere and keep your data protected from unauthorized use.

Some nice FireFox Extensions

Session Saver
http://adblock.ethereal.net/alchemy.cgi/SessionSaver/

StumbleUpon
https://addons.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php?id=138

Very cool Slim Device!

http://www.slimdevices.com/index.html

Rock your world!
Squeezebox lets you easily access any song in your music collection, from any room in your home. It delivers pure digital sound without the hassle of shuffling through CDs. From its simple remote control, Squeezebox gives instant access to any music on your computer, plus hundreds of crystal-clear internet radio stations.

Dear Bell Customer Service,

Dear Bell Customer Service,
In October 2004 I became a new customer of Bell Mobility when I purchased a Treo 600 phone. I also purchased the Extended Warranty Plan. At the time of purchase I was assured this support plan will, in the event my Treo developed any problems, "provide me with an immediate replacement Treo while the defective unit is sent away for repair."

The Treo 600 worked well for almost 1 year before it began having problems. Basically the screen has stopped displaying properly and will 'grey out' in the middle of use. (the whole screen goes a grey/blue colour). I have discovered that if I turn the phone off & on a few times the screen will sometimes show up for a short time. As you can imagine this is quite a frustrating process. So I called the Bell toll-free number to ask for the best process to have my phone repaired and was informed that I needed to go into a Bell Corporate Store.

On November 8th, 2005 I visited the Fort McMurray Bell Corporate Store. After waiting an extended period of time I was eventually helped by a pleasant Bell representative. I completed some paperwork and was told that my repair order (My Document:#0500487470) has been submitted and I should get a call within a few days when the replacement arrives. I asked about the Treo loaner I was promised when I purchased the additional support plan. I was informed that if a loaner was available (which there wasn't) it would not be a Treo. This option is not suitable for me as I have come to rely quite heavily on the Treo's abilities, nor is it the solution I was offered when I purchased the extended warranty plan.

Friday Nov 11: No call received so I called the Bell Corporate Store. I was unable to get anyone on the phone so I left a message.

Saturday Nov 12: Went into the store in person as I still had no call back yet. I waited another extended period of time before speaking with someone who then informed me that it can take up to two weeks for the repair. I was then promised that someone will call me when the replacement unit arrives. Again I asked about the loaner phone that was mentioned when I purchased the extended warranty plan. This time I was told that the extended plan does not provide a loaner. (when in fact the plan does state that it will provide a "Loaner phone".)

Tuesday Nov 22: No call received so I called the Bell Corporate Store. I was unable to get anyone on the phone so I left a message.

At this point I started calling the Bell toll-free support number to ask for some help. I was transferred around excessively and usually ended up being advised that I need to deal with the Bell Corporate Store. During one of these calls a Bell Customer service representative quoted me another Repair number 0500502679.

For over 1 month I have been calling both the Bell Corporate Store and the Bell toll-free numbers. It is frustrating, especially in light of the fact I had purchased the Extended Warranty Plan specifically to avoid this. Up to the time of this writing (December 8th 2005) I have not received a single call back from Bell representatives from the corporate store, repair center, or the customer service group. The latest information I have from the toll-free support person is there are currently no replacement Treo 600’s available and I am looking at a minimum of 2-4 more weeks before any arrive.

As a supporter of customer service and corporate responsibility, I am extending to Bell Mobility the opportunity to turn this unfortunate situation into a more positive customer experience. My sincere hope is that this communication reaches someone empowered to make that difference. On the front of my Extended Warranty Plan it states:"Replacement guarantee-may be repaired or replaced with a comparable product." On the back it states in section 2-C under Product replacement. "If product replacement is necessary, Bell World will replace the Product with a current model of comparable quality." The Customer Service representative on the toll-free line did mention I would need to re-sign up for the full two year contract and I am fine with this.

I would really appreciate any form of communication to help work out a solution that is fair for all parties involved.

Regards,
Mark Cordingley
Information Technology Account Manager

Sweet MediaPC case and power.

But then you need a sweet power supply as well!

Costco: 2006 Ultimate Arcade Stand-Up Unit

Made by a real coin op game company the Ultimate Arcade has all your favorite games from Atari, Capcom, Midway, Golden Tee Golf and Universal. It even has a deactivated coin door so you play for free!

Features legendary arcade games, authentic in every detail, including Asteroids, Battlezone, Berzerk, Centipede, Millipede, Missile Command, Mortal Kombat, Mr. Do!, Street Fighter ll, Tempest, Mega Man, Super Breakout, 1942, and more.