Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Hendersonville News Survey
What do you think about the Hendersonville Times-News survey asking how you would feel about paying for online content?
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Morris Broadband Delivers...
Ok, I guess I'm going to have to write something about the switchover in Hendersonville from the much-maligned Mediacom to the now much-maligned Morris Broadband.
As I write it's being reported that there are still a couple of thousand people without internet, cable, digital phone service. I've had customers calling me since last week trying to figure out what to do about the situation. They're saying they're "out of business" till this is over. I know of at least 3 small business that had to send employees home because of it. It's a no-win situation for lots of other folks too.
As the date for the changeover got closer I got quieter about Morris Broadband on this blog. Why? Well, because the scope of the changeover is so large that I couldn't figure out how it was all going to go down. I worked at a small ISP for a while which means I know just enough about "provisioning" to have a healthy respect for what they were going to have to go through. I had a feeling that it was going to be a rough transition & when they changed the date of the email transition from 9-18 to 9-24 I knew then that there was going to be trouble.
Think about it, Morris Broadband is (as far as I know) the first provider owned by Morris Publishing. Not only that but Morris Publishing is going through some pretty severe financial troubles too--missing interest payments, etc. All the signs of a company in decline. Add to that the fact that they were coming in behind Mediacom--a company with lots of issues as far as the public is concerned. Don't take my word for it, just ask anyone living in Henderson county about Mediacom & chances are they will have their own story to tell & chances are it won't be a nice one. They are famous around here for being non-responsive to customers. It's also well known that their installers are sub-contractors who will work for the least pay & what does that tell you? (by the way, the consultant hired by Morris--Mike Feld said this when interviewed by the local paper: "Some of our vendors and some of our subcontractors made a lot of connectivity and configuration mistakes that didn't show up until we went live." Hmm. Not taking responsibility, sounds like business as usual...
Put it all together & you have the potential for disaster. A company trying to learn on the job in a community already trained to not like them...
Then again, they did have months to make this transition happen right? Should I give them a break or not?
My biggest problem has been the way they handled the transition before all of this happened. Sure, they notified the public before transition happened, but did they handle the public's expectations? No. Did they let anyone know that there could be a disruption in service that could affect their business? No. They basically implied that everything would be fine, as long as the public made the email changeover correctly. No "plan B", no warnings that service could be disrupted for a while, no information on what exactly was going to take place, not even a dial-up number so people could still check email. Now they are in the soup so to speak & all their apologizing & promising is not going to matter to the public. They haven't even gotten started yet & they've already blown it by conducting business the way it's always been conducted.
I know it's a "keep your fingers crossed" situation whenever you are dealing with hardware/software & believe me I sympathize. But the public doesnt care, & should they? After all, don't they have the right to expect the service they pay for?
My home only lost connectivity for about a day, so I'm not mad. I was inconvenienced though--getting up early to do some work & not being able to, but that's not suffering, it's just a little aggravating. Would I be so calm if I was without phone, email, TV for days? Probably not.
OK, Morris--the burden is on you to make this right. (you put it there) Let's see you handle this. Good luck, I'm glad I'm not working there right now.
And by the way public, don't just yell at the folks on the phone. That really doesn't help you know. They're not the techs who made the bad decisions, they just know what they've been told. Write a letter (since you can't email right now). Let them know why you're mad. Here's the address:
William S. Morris III
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Morris Communications Company
725 Broad Street
Augusta, Georgia 30901
What's your opinion?
As I write it's being reported that there are still a couple of thousand people without internet, cable, digital phone service. I've had customers calling me since last week trying to figure out what to do about the situation. They're saying they're "out of business" till this is over. I know of at least 3 small business that had to send employees home because of it. It's a no-win situation for lots of other folks too.
As the date for the changeover got closer I got quieter about Morris Broadband on this blog. Why? Well, because the scope of the changeover is so large that I couldn't figure out how it was all going to go down. I worked at a small ISP for a while which means I know just enough about "provisioning" to have a healthy respect for what they were going to have to go through. I had a feeling that it was going to be a rough transition & when they changed the date of the email transition from 9-18 to 9-24 I knew then that there was going to be trouble.
Think about it, Morris Broadband is (as far as I know) the first provider owned by Morris Publishing. Not only that but Morris Publishing is going through some pretty severe financial troubles too--missing interest payments, etc. All the signs of a company in decline. Add to that the fact that they were coming in behind Mediacom--a company with lots of issues as far as the public is concerned. Don't take my word for it, just ask anyone living in Henderson county about Mediacom & chances are they will have their own story to tell & chances are it won't be a nice one. They are famous around here for being non-responsive to customers. It's also well known that their installers are sub-contractors who will work for the least pay & what does that tell you? (by the way, the consultant hired by Morris--Mike Feld said this when interviewed by the local paper: "Some of our vendors and some of our subcontractors made a lot of connectivity and configuration mistakes that didn't show up until we went live." Hmm. Not taking responsibility, sounds like business as usual...
Put it all together & you have the potential for disaster. A company trying to learn on the job in a community already trained to not like them...
Then again, they did have months to make this transition happen right? Should I give them a break or not?
My biggest problem has been the way they handled the transition before all of this happened. Sure, they notified the public before transition happened, but did they handle the public's expectations? No. Did they let anyone know that there could be a disruption in service that could affect their business? No. They basically implied that everything would be fine, as long as the public made the email changeover correctly. No "plan B", no warnings that service could be disrupted for a while, no information on what exactly was going to take place, not even a dial-up number so people could still check email. Now they are in the soup so to speak & all their apologizing & promising is not going to matter to the public. They haven't even gotten started yet & they've already blown it by conducting business the way it's always been conducted.
I know it's a "keep your fingers crossed" situation whenever you are dealing with hardware/software & believe me I sympathize. But the public doesnt care, & should they? After all, don't they have the right to expect the service they pay for?
My home only lost connectivity for about a day, so I'm not mad. I was inconvenienced though--getting up early to do some work & not being able to, but that's not suffering, it's just a little aggravating. Would I be so calm if I was without phone, email, TV for days? Probably not.
OK, Morris--the burden is on you to make this right. (you put it there) Let's see you handle this. Good luck, I'm glad I'm not working there right now.
And by the way public, don't just yell at the folks on the phone. That really doesn't help you know. They're not the techs who made the bad decisions, they just know what they've been told. Write a letter (since you can't email right now). Let them know why you're mad. Here's the address:
William S. Morris III
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Morris Communications Company
725 Broad Street
Augusta, Georgia 30901
What's your opinion?
Kitchen Project Is Finally Underway
We have a 46 year old stainless steel stove hood that has never been used. Evidently it was set up above the stove then they figured out that there was no vent or electrical outlet for it. I'll bet if it was plugged in it would probably work! Does anybody know someone who might want it? Maybe someone into retro-kitchens...
Monday, September 28, 2009
Good Deal
Restaurant.com has $25 dining certificates for $2 when you apply coupon code: CHEF
Make sure to apply it before you check out & read the fine print! Some restaurants require a $50 order, some $35, etc.
Enjoy!
Make sure to apply it before you check out & read the fine print! Some restaurants require a $50 order, some $35, etc.
Enjoy!
You Know It's Been Raining A Lot...
When you have mushrooms growing upside-down from a branch in your yard....
We've had several bumper crops of weird cool mushrooms this year--every color, size, shape. Stinky ones too....
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Friday! Yeah
I'm so glad it's Friday--not that my workweek is over mind you, it just feels different.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Good Deal
Land's End (I love Land's End) has clearanced their Women's Embellished Fleece Scuff Slippers. Down from $25 to $4.99.
Free shipping will apply if you use coupon code SEPT18 and pin 1236.
Supplies are limited--when I ordered this morning there were only a few sizes left: 8, 9, 10
Enjoy!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
No, They Can't All Be Winners
Day 2 of "me on a soup kick" & I just created something so awful I'm not even going post an image of it for fear that it will cause me to go running for the bathroom door...
Needless to say, the Vitamix does not do a good job of fresh cream of broccoli soup.
Yuck!
Needless to say, the Vitamix does not do a good job of fresh cream of broccoli soup.
Yuck!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Perfect 10 Vegetable Soup Recipe
This weather is so perfect for soup, so I indulged myself with my all-time favorite.
3 small carrots
2 small potatoes
1/2 yellow onion
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 bunch kale - deveined
brussel sprouts - 10 or so
okra - 10 or so
1 small can corn
1 small can white beans
1 small can pintos
3 tbs olive oil
coriander to taste
curry (powder) to taste
crushed black pepper to taste
3 bay leaves
12 oz veggie broth (ok to substitute chicken broth if you prefer)
Make sure all veggies are cut to approximately the same size. Add everything except potatoes, carrots, & onions to crock pot.
Saute carrots in olive oil & black pepper.
Saute onions in curry & olive oil- just barely carmelize them
Saute potatoes in coriander & olive oil.
Add to crock pot & let it cook on high for about 4 hours.
Enjoy with cornbread or flax seed crackers (if you are low-carb)
Mmmmm : )
3 small carrots
2 small potatoes
1/2 yellow onion
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 bunch kale - deveined
brussel sprouts - 10 or so
okra - 10 or so
1 small can corn
1 small can white beans
1 small can pintos
3 tbs olive oil
coriander to taste
curry (powder) to taste
crushed black pepper to taste
3 bay leaves
12 oz veggie broth (ok to substitute chicken broth if you prefer)
Make sure all veggies are cut to approximately the same size. Add everything except potatoes, carrots, & onions to crock pot.
Saute carrots in olive oil & black pepper.
Saute onions in curry & olive oil- just barely carmelize them
Saute potatoes in coriander & olive oil.
Add to crock pot & let it cook on high for about 4 hours.
Enjoy with cornbread or flax seed crackers (if you are low-carb)
Mmmmm : )
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Patches is Disfunctional
Princess Patches (the office cat) has a dirty secret. She craves rubber bands--as in the taste of rubber bands. We have seen this in action & it's not pretty, so there's a rule in place now that basically keeps them hidden out of sight when they're not in use.
The other day Tom was going through some mail that had a rubber band wrapped around it. Patches went after it, swallowed it down & took off running. Now what do we do? We know it can't be healthy for her. She seems perfectly normal but now has a rubber band in her.
I'm outing her. Patches if you're reading this, your secret is out!
The other day Tom was going through some mail that had a rubber band wrapped around it. Patches went after it, swallowed it down & took off running. Now what do we do? We know it can't be healthy for her. She seems perfectly normal but now has a rubber band in her.
I'm outing her. Patches if you're reading this, your secret is out!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Short Weekend
Man, that went by too fast! But I'm happy to spend some time with my friends & family, even if it does make the minutes tick by too quickly.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Raw Food VItamix Recipes
I've heard that raw/living food is food that hasn't had the amino acids "killed" with heat. Use your judgement on how hot (or not) you let this soup get. It is a staple of my diet & one of the best soups ever!
1 stalk celery
1 cup spinach
1 medium carrot
1 medium tomatoe
Braggs tonic to taste
24 oz pure water
Throw it all in the Vitamix, set to medium high until hot.
Enjoy!
1 stalk celery
1 cup spinach
1 medium carrot
1 medium tomatoe
Braggs tonic to taste
24 oz pure water
Throw it all in the Vitamix, set to medium high until hot.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Remastered Beatles Catalog Goes on Sale Today
Apple records & EMI released the re-mastered Beatles catalog today & fans are pony-ing up the $179+ in droves. Amazon sold out of pre-order supply last week. It's been interesting watching the anticipation. I expected some purists to give it a thumbs-down, since it's "not the original", but haven't seen one negative comment yet. Conclusion? The fans are desperate for anything they can get. I totally understand.
A team of audio engineers at Abbey Road Studios in London worked on and off for four years sprucing up the songs of the Fab Four. The release is being offered in both stereo & mono formats.
In 1987 the Beatles discography was released on CD for the first time, & fans complained that much of the music lacked the warmth of the original tunes (on vinyl). It doesn't look like that's going to be a problem with this release.
Oh yeah, the Beatles edition of Rock Band comes out today as well.
Viva la Beatles! You influenced my parents generation & beyond.
A team of audio engineers at Abbey Road Studios in London worked on and off for four years sprucing up the songs of the Fab Four. The release is being offered in both stereo & mono formats.
In 1987 the Beatles discography was released on CD for the first time, & fans complained that much of the music lacked the warmth of the original tunes (on vinyl). It doesn't look like that's going to be a problem with this release.
Oh yeah, the Beatles edition of Rock Band comes out today as well.
Viva la Beatles! You influenced my parents generation & beyond.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Product Review - Nextar Solar Bluetooth Car Kit NXBT-001
I drive, I work, and I don't like wires. When I saw the Nextar Solar Bluetooth car kit (NXBT-001), I got pretty excited. At $29.99 & free shipping it seemed too good to be true....and it was.
The device was easy to set up. It came with a "quick-start guide". (I love those). It took a charge pretty quickly & paired with my Blackberry Storm 9530 with no problems. Unfortunately those were the only things that worked well with it.
The volume rockers were not where the guide listed them. The device only has about 30 minutes of talk time (far too little for an average work day), & the speakerphone is so quiet that even with the car windows rolled up, no a/c or radio, I still had to really strain to hear the other person.
One other thing: after leaving it in the sun (it is a solar device after all), the faceplate curled up & melted halfway off of the device. Now this I could totally understand if my car was in the Arizona desert or something, but it was in the WNC mountains on a day where the high was not quite 80 degrees. Go figure...
I really really wanted to like this device. I hope I can find something out there that will actually work soon!
Bottom line--don't waste your money on this one.
The device was easy to set up. It came with a "quick-start guide". (I love those). It took a charge pretty quickly & paired with my Blackberry Storm 9530 with no problems. Unfortunately those were the only things that worked well with it.
The volume rockers were not where the guide listed them. The device only has about 30 minutes of talk time (far too little for an average work day), & the speakerphone is so quiet that even with the car windows rolled up, no a/c or radio, I still had to really strain to hear the other person.
One other thing: after leaving it in the sun (it is a solar device after all), the faceplate curled up & melted halfway off of the device. Now this I could totally understand if my car was in the Arizona desert or something, but it was in the WNC mountains on a day where the high was not quite 80 degrees. Go figure...
I really really wanted to like this device. I hope I can find something out there that will actually work soon!
Bottom line--don't waste your money on this one.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
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