Category Archives: Rants

The Etiquette of Instant Messaging

I put all my IM contacts on my blog because I think we bloggers should be reachable; and, besides, sometimes interesting people get in touch. But I’m starting to get a bit disillusioned. Most folks don’t introduce themselves — they just start with “hello”, and then, usually “I want help”, or “I am new to… Read More »

Buzz Spam

Anyone else getting spammed by craigslist, or rather its PR company? This in my blog mail inbox: hi there Jeremy, quick note to let you in on all the chitchat happening on the electronics forum over on craigslist.org http://forums.craigslist.org/?forumID=74 it’s the new year and in the spirit of giving and resolutions, people are helping people…with… Read More »

Love Hertz, Cos I Don’t

Booking online is, sadly, still sometimes as mindless and time-wasting as dealing with an automated phone system. I’ve just tried to book a rental car online for the UK. OK, so Christmas is a busy time, but some of these sites take so long to navigate it would be quicker to walk. Actually, Budget and… Read More »

“Your Call Is Important To Us. Really.”

Paul English’s website about about getting around ‘interactive voice response’ phone systems (where you talk and a computer listens) is already triggering industry rebuttals, like this one from Angel.com – Top 5 Reasons NOT to Zero Out of an IVR System (via Dan Gillmor): If you’ve visited Paul English’s website, you’ve learned how to “zero out” of… Read More »