Today as I was working on developing some items for clients, I was reminded of another small frustration I have with Microsoft Office Outlook 2007. The application is built for email management right? I use it to quickly and efficiently send emails to friends, family, business colleagues, prospective clients, etc.
Why isn’t the “Send Email” link one the first level menu when you right-click on a contact in your address book? In fact, why should I have to right-click on a contact at all. There should be a little email envelope icon right next to their name or something that would immediately let me start an email to that person don’t you think?
I’ve been having an issue lately where my Recycle Bin isn’t showing empty even though it is. I keep telling it to empty and refresh but nothing ever changes. I did a quick search on Google on my Recycle Bin error but haven’t found anything with an answer that seems to fit my issue.
Most everyone else I’ve read talks about the recycle bins that show-up when you have a different partition in your hard drive.
I’ve run across this before but can’t remember what I did to finally fix it. Anyone have any ideas?
With those problems there were a number of occasions where I had some telephone conversations and email exchanges with people either employed at or by Microsoft to help their customers that have experienced issues.
For the most part, my experience hasn’t been horrible. It could have been better on occasion but it was nothing like this guy’s.
Pat Thornton, the Journalism Iconoclast, has shared his recent experience with trying to work with and endure the “customer service” [imagine finger quote actions for emphasis] that was provided by the Xbox Live CSR when he had problems with his 12-month Xbox Live subscription card.
What was Microsoft’s solution to the problem? Was it to send me a new XBOX Live card? Was it to credit my account with 12 months of a Live gold membership (the simple thing to do)?
No, it was to tell me to send in proof of purchase and my Live subscription card. Then Microsoft would mail me another card (that may not work either). Here is the problem. I received the card as a gift awhile ago.
Where am I going to get this magic receipt from? It’s not like I’m asking for a cash reimbursement (which is a justifiable reason to ask for a receipt). I just want 12 months of XBOX Live Gold.
I’d agree, it would seem to be the logical solution to ensure the customer is happy would have been to just credit Pat’s account for 12 months. If they couldn’t have verified the card# or something, then I can understand them needing a receipt. Is there a concern he just took it off the shelf?
If you were in charge of the customer service department for Xbox Live subscriptions, how would you have handled it?
The latest location for you to get to experience Microsoft Surface for yourself could be at your local Sheraton Hotel. The video above focuses on how a device like Microsoft Surface can be used at a hotel to serve as a virtual concierge. Fairly good execution I would agree.
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) today introduced an entirely new hotel guest experience with its debut of Microsoft Surface, Microsoft’s first commercially available surface computer. Featuring easy-to-use technology and a natural way of accessing information, Surface units will be placed in the lobbies of select Sheraton hotels in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Seattle. Microsoft Surface breaks down the traditional barriers between people and technology, providing simple and instant access to information and entertainment. Sheraton will be the first hotel to offer Microsoft Surface, creating a new Sheraton brand experience that will bring interaction, connectivity and a social setting to the lobby, providing guests with an entirely new way to explore local tourist highlights and enhance their hotel stay.
Have you played with Microsoft Surface yourself? I’d love to hear about your experiences with the device. Is it going to change what we think about user-interface and computing? Or, is it just a bunch of unique hype and just out-of-touch with real-world usage today?
Tried one more time to download and install Silverlight 2.0. Again, was successful with the install with no displayed or apparent errors. Still didn’t work on the website though.
We then shut down my browsers completely and went into the Add/Remove Programs functionality in the Control Panel. Removed the Microsoft Silverlight entry, which went through with no apparent problems either.
I believe I’ve now tried to watch videos on the NBCOlympics website more times than the number of medals that the United States has won so far in the games.
I thought I was getting closer this morning as I was back at the office and wanted to have some live video playing on the computer next to me. Everything seemed to install fine until I got the message above.
I’ve exceeded the number of attempts allowed to access live Olympic video? Hmmm, it’s surely only been attempts because I’ve yet to actually succeed at watching live video from the site.
I was hoping to give Microsoft some credit and praise their use of Silverlight for the streaming video, but I’ve yet to actually see any video on the site. That’s just unacceptable.
After browsing around the NBC Olympics website I got to noticing just how much screen real estate that Microsoft is gathering on the site. They’ve just about got every single corner of the page covered by one of their properties.
Good deal for them, and I’m sure NBC was pleased to get some sponsorship money to help with the giant bandwidth charges they’ll be seeing for the next few weeks.
I’m sure you’re probably getting tired of all my commentary on my complete immersion into using SQL the past few days.
As I was using SQL Server Management Studio 2005 again today I thought of another irritation that I’d like to find a solution.
When you’ve got a server open with a load of databases in it, it would be nice to be able to click on the one you’re working in and select something like “Hide All Except This”. Or something similar, but you get the picture. Otherwise you’re scrolling back and forth.
Again, nothing huge, just something that would make working with the tool even more intuitive and helpful.
What features would you like to see in the management studio that aren’t there now. What 3rd party apps do you use to give you more control and functionality when working with your SQL Server? I know we use Red Gate’s SQL Prompt software which is really helpful.
Did the folks at EA Sports and Xbox know something we all didn’t know about Brett Favre still being around for the release of Madden NFL ‘09. I love Brett Favre, but I’m getting tired of all the drama surrounding his return to the league.
On the one side of the coin, if Brett wants to come out of retirement and continue to play football that’s fine. However, I think from the Green Bay Packer sideline they should have some kind of say-so the possibility of playing against him in their own division.
I’m not sure what the risk is of a player going from one team to another and taking confidential team information with them. I’ve got to think that having a quarterback that is probably intimately familiar with the defense patterns that were thrown at him during practices would be pretty helpful.
Focusing on the game of Madden NFL ‘09 and its upcoming release, there’s loads to be excited about besides the fact that Favre is gracing the cover of the game.
Level the playing field: An all-new Adaptive Difficulty Engine assesses your proficiency in the core skills areas of football, then tailors the experience to match your playing style. An innovative, all-new virtual Training Center allows you to fine-tune your game in a holographic environment, while EA SPORTS BackTrack provides customized feedback, giving you a chance to learn from your mistakes. Then, take what you’ve learned and run the play again with EA SPORTS Rewind.
Beyond broadcast presentation: Set your sights on the Vince Lombardi Trophy in an all-new network television-style broadcast as Cris Collinsworth and Tom Hammond call the action from the booth. A more immersive and visually stunning presentation package also includes a new Options OnDemand Picture-in-Picture playcall window giving you access to a wealth of stats, customized tips, and in-game options, all at your fingertips without having to pause the game.
Online leagues 2.0: Make a run for the postseason for the first time online. Featuring trades and statistical tracking for online leagues, up to 32 teams can battle it out using all-new flex scheduling.
New look and feel: With an enhanced graphics engine and new player models, linemen battle in the trenches with more bulky physiques, while backs and receivers fly around the field with a more sleek and slimmer look. Featuring the most realistic-looking grass and field turf ever in a sports game, new weather and stadium lighting effects, and active exterior stadium views, Madden NFL 09 is hands down the best looking sports game ever made!
Most authentic gameplay ever: Built from the ground up, an all-new Total Control Animation System allows for instantaneous combo moves while bringing new aspects to the game, including missed field goal returns, bobble catches, wrap-up/break-out tackles, user controlled celebrations, and more.
I’m sure this will be one of the games my son will be asking for as soon as he sees it on the shelves. He already beats me at Madden ‘08, I might as well add this one to the list of games he’s schooling his dad on too.
From gadgets to gizmos, whether you do Windows, Linux, XBox, Playstation or Wii, old school hacker, lEE7 and n00b unite here on the Tech channel. We've got your back.
I’ve been having an issue lately where my Recycle Bin isn’t showing empty even though it is. I keep telling it to empty and refresh but nothing ever changes. I did 
I’m sure you’re probably getting tired of all my commentary on my complete immersion into using SQL the past few days.
Recent Comments