I really like this VOX blog. It's very cool. However, for posting, it only partially works with my browser of choice - Safari. I have to go over to Firefox to create this post.
I am using a combination of browsers currently,and wish I could take all of the features and create the Ultimate Browser. If you haven't tried a browser other than Safari - or Internet Explorer 5 (there are some of you out there...), try out FLOCK, Camino, and the ubiquitous FireFox.
Windows, Mac, Linux - What's your preference and why?
Submitted by ramblingsbymark.
Mac OS X. The main reason I prefer it is because it IS better than the others. When I first used it, it seemed very strange the way things are done. However, after I understood how things worked, I became passionate about it. If something wasn't good, do you think there would be so many loyal mac fans? If there is one thing Mac users are known for, it's our zealotry (is that even a word?).. Is Mac OS X perfect? No... if it was, there would not be an update every 18 months. However, it gets better and better.. Windows is good - without internet connectivity. There are just too many exploits, and you need to be a security wizard to use it. Linux is getting better, but it still is too intimidating for most, even with the strides of unbuntu.
I've had Apple Care on my iBook G4 since I bought it in March 2004. This is the first time I have had to use it for any problems relating to my iBook. My power cord started acting funny with an alternating amber/green light, and I am questioning the charging job it has been doing on the battery.
I called Apple Care this morning, and after some basic troubleshooting, the Apple care associate said she would ship me out a new 45w Power Adapter. I was quite pleased to hear this, especially since it was covered under Apple Care. Now, had the barrel been broken, or cord torn.. they probably wouldn't replace it. I didn't ask, but I did do some online searching, and came up with this Apple Tech document.
Troubleshooting Apple Power Cords
The whole call took about 20 minutes, and I was on hold a total of 8. The initial menu navigation to speak to a rep, and then the 2 minute hold time to actually get live person. I had a nice english speaking lady (I know this is important to many many people, that's why I mention it) who assisted me with troubleshooting my product. She finally put me on hold to speak with another specialist to see if there was anything else she should do before shipping me out a new adapter.
After she returned, she said DHL would arrive with a new power adapter within 2 days. I needed to return the other adapter, via DHL (apple sends a return airbill). No problem. As she was setting it up, she said the system was asking for my Credit card, just in case I didn't return the adapter. Normally I would protest.. but I let it slide this time. I just want an adapter that works. She said it wouldn't charge my card.. however, I used my PayPal Mastercard, and I immediately received an email that said $1 had been charged. Probably for 'authorization' and verification that the card is valid... but I would prefer they charged .01 instead of $1.00.
Overall: Apple Care Experience 4.5 out of 5. Now, if they try and charge my credit card if they don't think my return was worthy of repair... then I will have a few more paragraphs to write.
UPDATE: Check out my Apple Care tips.
I have been using my local blockbuster for about 12 years. Additionally, we have been a subscriber to the online service too. However, we had a video rented and kept it 35 days. I would always forget to pick it up and drop it off for whatever reason. I wasn't worried since it was the 'No Late Fees' policy, but I did know I would be subject to the restocking fee, which is under $2.
I go into blockbuster, pick up X-Men3 and go to the counter. I inform the girl that I just dropped off an overdue movie and she goes and grabs it. Well, she's like, 'You own this movie'... and I tell her just to credit it back. Tha'ts what has happened a few times, when I take a movie back late... they charge my card for it, and then credit it back once the movie is returned, and charge the restocking fee.
She says the policy is that if you keep it over 30 days.. you are keeping it. After arguing back and forth and about 14 customers move to the OTHER line... she says I can talk to the store manager on Monday. They could not show me in writing the policy, and simply said.. we've been doing it for a year, you should know. My bad.. i'm not omnipotent, maybe they didn't get the memo. To me.. No late fees means NO LATE FEES. The most ludacris thing is that they want me to pay $25 for it.
Additionally, I said I would deal with it on Monday, and I wanted to go ahead and get X-men 3. The counter girl says "Not until you pay that bill... I can't rent to you." On top of that, I can't even have the movie back that I just returned.
The girl at the counter said there was no way that the store manager would take it back... and the best I could hope for is the fact that she might reduce the cost and sell it to me as a previously viewed movie. Yea right.
It's a huge scam, so be careful, if you keep it 31 days... you own it.
No wonder New Jersey has filed a class action lawsuit against them. iTunes just won another customer.. as did Net Flix. And Blockbuster wonders why they are losing business.
UPDATE: Ok, I called my local Blockbuster, spoke with the store manager, Lisa. She was already up to speed on the situation and was expecting my call ( I didn't even give her my name when I called). After I said about 4 sentences, she said, "If your position is that you are not going to pay this, then I will take it off, just this time". I was pleased.. but I continued to tell her my concerns. I appreciate that she is fixing my problem, but what about the others that don't have a clue about the over 30 days policy, like I was up until Friday. At the least, I told her that ALL employees should know where to find the fine print and show it to a customer. I'm going to ask next time I go to pick up a movie. For now, I am not canceling, since they took care of my problem, but you should beware of this policy, you may not be as fortunate as I am.
My son is so creative and funny. We were coming up with ideas for a halloween costume this year, and he said he could be 'Mac Sparrow', a play on 'Jack Sparrow' from Pirates of the Carribean.
The last two years, my son has been an iPod for Halloween. I spent tons of time & cash designing and putting this together. We retired this costume last year, after he was in the local paper.
You can tell the costume is now a bit dated. He was only a 20GB iPod.
Man he's a lucky kid. I was lucky if I even went trick or treating...
I have been lucky enough to be featured in iTunes in the Top Technology podcast page. In fact, they have me 'Featured' on the 'Tech News' page right on the front. Now this is very very cool.. except for one thing. My podcast isn't Tech News. It would probably fit in better under Software-how-to.
I am afraid to change anything or let iTunes know, since I don't want to lose my spot!
I've been prominently listed there for several months now. It sure is nice to get the exposure, however, I have to admit that have see my subscription rate plateau. One of these days something will prompt a flurry of new subscribers, but for now I feel like I am not going to be getting many new subscribers.
The Mac is a niche market, and I am doing pretty good with it. I reliably update the podcast almost every day, and I think this is helping me keep the subscribers that I do have. In the big scheme of things, with 40,000+ podcasts out there, my 2500 daily subscribers is pretty good.
Since the middle of the year, I have had almost 400,000 unique IP addresses pull down the show, and that is pretty amazing.
Wow, I am simply amazed at how nice this VOX blogging system is. It's very easy and extremely nice. It seems laden with features, and I may even use it!
It included commenting, tagging, privacy features, tons of themes, and very nice layouts.
Way to go Six Apart!
