Techno-stupidity

It seems like every technology company is run by corporate monkeys these days.  The decisions coming out of the likes of Microsoft, Samsung, Verizon, etc. are almost beyond belief.  The almighty dollar rules all; screw the customers.

- Microsoft comes out with Windows 8, a disaster on the desktop.  "Testing shows user love it".  Reality shows users hate it.  Then Office 2013 becomes an ugly colorless mess running on a colorful Windows backdrop.  Really?  Now the Xbox One.  Screw all you current customers, we are going fully online.  No more reselling old games to get new ones, no using old games on the new system.  We demand total control.  Mark my words, Office will be next.

-Apple, and only Apple, will decide what you can and can't put on your phone or tablet.  (Hint: Jailbreak your device and you can actually have WIDGETS!)

-Adobe goes "online only" with Creative Suite (Photoshop, etc.).  No more buying Photoshop, you have to RENT it for far more than you pay to buy it and upgrade every few years.  Everyone, run out and get PS CS5 while you can.

-Samsung announces a "new" version of the wonderful Note 10.1.  Only problem is the screen is the same 149pixel-per-inch that is on the current one, and it is terrible by comparison.  Go for the Goole Nexus 10 with it's ipad killing 300ppi at less than either the ipad or Samsung.  Oh by the way, the Nexus is MADE BY SAMSUNG.  Really Samsung, did you do something moronic like Apple did when they gave ATT exclusive access to the iphone for a few years?

-Verizon can't seem to decide what products to carry.  Look at the limited selection of tablets, then jump over to ATT and look again.  Why?
It takes Verizon months to get an update to Android out, while if you have a Google product you are kept up to date immediately.  Why?  Well that one is easy, so Verizon can jam in all their proprietary junk apps that you can't uninstall.   (Hint: Root you phone and clean it up.  It will run better.)

And the list could go on and on, but it's clear that all this "innovation" is done with nothing but the bottom line in mind.

If I've missed any stupid moves please comment, or if I've got any of my facts wrong.  Many will disagree with my assessment of these decisions, but that's what blogs are all about.  Let's hear it.  (I'm sure I'll hear LOTS of bitching by the mindless brand loyalists, but who gives a crap.)

More TD Bank mess

P.S.  Forgot to mention they also have added the requirement for FIVE security questions to the web site, so every time I log on it asks for two answers.  What a PITA!  This has also broken the ability for Quicken to connect.  When I called TD they said they would have a technician call me back.  Of course this never happened.

TD Bank - worst bank ever

With all the carnage on the east coast, most banks sent emails out telling customers that any late fees or penalties would be waived on credit card payments.  They also offered to help in other ways.

All our banks did this - except TD BANK.  Not a word from them.  Pathetic.

A few weeks ago they did another really stupid thing.  All our other credit card banks call when they have a doubt about charges.  They give us an opportunity to call back and verify things before cutting off the card.  Not TD!  They cut off the card, then call.  I was denied a $3 charge at Dunkin Donuts without warning.  Assholes!

I have also had some very bad experiences at the branch.

My advice to everyone is that when shopping for credit cards or a local bank stay far away from TD Bank.

Crazy parents part two

Once again wacko parents make asses of themselves, this time at a flag football game for 7-8 year olds.  One parent shouts something nasty at the coach, the stupid coach shouts back.  The head of the flag league comes over.  More yelling; the coach is thrown off the field.  Another coach puts in his two cents and he is nearly thrown off the field.

This is 8 year olds playing flag football for heavens sake.  Are you nut jobs really that competitive and obnoxious that you make idiots of yourselves in front of your kids, who are just there for fun?

If flag football for kids is that important to you, you need to get a life.

Who is killing us

There are 40,000 a year killed in car accidents.  200,000 are killed by Doctor's mistakes and diseases picked up from Doctors and hospitals.

According to the CDC it's because doctors don't wash there hands.  UGH!

Holiday season junk mail has started

I have already received junk mail from as far away as the UK offering trade shows, and of course telling me how they can make me a fortune.  One supposedly came from Fifty Third Bank 53.com.  In reality it came from the spamming jerks in Germany and the links went to dreamtraveltrip.com.  Complete scammers.

So far today I've received junk from;

dreamtraveltrip.com ("Your security at 53 bank needs attention.) Actually came from kundenserver.de
70.88.43.193 (IP may be forged by CGI script).  Can you believe these idiots.

livingsocial.com  ("You've been selected for LivingSocial's Holiday Gift Guide Campaign")

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk ("JoJo Maman Bébé at Children's Club, New York, Booth #2636, 21st - 23rd October").  This one wins the prize for the most ridiculous.

Out of control sports parents

We all know the story, soccer parents screaming at the coaches and fighting with each other.  That's bad enough, but here is one you simply will not believe.

In a father/son bowling league, after the first two of three games a father pulls his 10 year old son from the game, apparently because he is bowling poorly - 30 pins below his average.  After losing the second game this father apparently decided the 2 points for the third game were more important than having fun with his son, so he pulled the poor kid and took his average in the third game.  The poor kid was screaming and crying "I want to bowl, why did you bring me then."  The father ignored him completely.  The mother, who was watching, did nothing (she went "to the bathroom" but I got the impression she was too upset to sit by while this unfolded).

This is really pathetic, and I feel really sorry for the kid.  He is a nice kid and was having a lot of fun until this.  Personally, yes I want my son to do well, but I never yell at him or tell him he is doing badly.  I want him to have fun most of all, and cheering for those occasional spares and strikes is the best part of the whole thing.

This guy thinks we were upset with him because he was allowed to take the kids average and therefore have a better chance of winning.  No, I did not give a damn about that.  I was angry at how he treated his son.

Shame on you, Mr. X.