My Magic Jack Horror Story started four days ago on April 14th when I tried to get help with my Magic Jack device. What I got was a MAGIC JACK HORROR STORY .
Since my first article much has transpired. I'd like to pass it along because I think there are things I have learned that others might find useful.
First let me just say, I have used a Magic Jack for several years. If I have any criticism it would be that the connection quality can sometimes be not so clear. It's been worse lately and maybe that was because the device was going bad. The cost is extremely attractive. Currently, I am paying around $35 for a year of unlimited long distance calling so I am inclined to put up with a little inconvenience. I don't like talking on my cell phone so when I'm at home I use Magic Jack to make calls. I just plug it into a USB port, sit back at my computer and talk as though I'm on speaker. My hands are free to make notes or what ever task I wish. I don't use it for incoming calls because I would have to be at the computer receive them. I simply don't give the number out. You do get voice mail should one wish to receive calls.
As mentioned in the previous article, this whole debacle began when my Magic Device failed to function. In a nutshell I engaged in two on line chats that cost me an hour and a half only to be told my device was bad. I was told how to order a replacement. I logged into my account and did as instructed but when I pressed the buy button I got a message that the card was "null". I entered the number several times and got the same message. At this point my frustration level was over the moon. I Googled "Magic Jack customer service" to find a phone number. I called a number that I believed was Magic Jack. The call was answered Magic Jack tech support. From there the horror story began. You can get the details in my previous article MAGIC JACK HORROR STORY.
I went on Magic Jack's Facebook page to tell them what had happened and try to get help. They said they passed the information on to the Third Party Misrepresentation Team (TPMT). It took some time but I finally did hear from TPMT. The tenor of the responses were condescending and were signed TPMT. Out of total frustration I finally said I was going to call corporate headquarters in West Palm Beach. Not long after, I got an e-mail with an actual persons name, Meghan, included in the message and from there I started to get somewhere.
I had already begun to suspect I hadn't been talking to Magic Jack technical support at all. I provided Magic Jack with my phone number and the general time of my call. There was no record of my call. It began to look like I had called some fly by night operation. When the call was answered the person announced "Magic Jack technical support". Ordinarily, I wouldn't be so sure about this except, using the numbers I provided, Meghan was able to report back to me the Magic Jack name had been illegally used. I bought it hook line and sinker. My first tip: When searching for customer support be very careful the number you call belongs to the company you seek. Your search will turn up all kinds of results using the company name in the title, many of which have nothing to do with the company you want. I totally believed I was talking to Magic Jack.
Tip: The guy I spoke with gave his name as Steve Snyder. I was advised Magic Jack employees never give there last names. Now that I think about it I don't think any large reputable company does.
As luck would have it I recently purchased a Microsoft Notebook and a Nortons Security program to go with it. I've used Macs for years and never used any security programs and never have had any problems. Macs have been famous for their security. Lately, I have begun to doubt that security. My impression is that Apple doesn't care much about their computers anymore. Apple customer service stinks. They have made so much money off iPads, iPhones etc. Macs are barely a footnote in their financial sweepstakes. Companies put their money where they get the greatest ROI. That's not Macs for Apple.
I installed the Nortons program on my Mac. And, guess what? Less than 24 hours after the so called security audit Nortons found and removed a Trojan. Now there are two possibilities neither good. (1) It was either a slip shod audit or the audit was never even done. (2) The tech company put the Trojan on my machine.
Tip: I don't believe Macs are safe any more, certainly not like they once were. I have been worried about this for some time and now I'm convinced. If you are using a Mac get a security program. Don't rely on an outdated perception. So far, I like this Norton program. It's running all the time and yes I've already used tech support. It was very good.
Now here's the corker. the odds of any of this happening are a million to one. If I had not gotten that "null" message when I tried to buy a new Magic Jack I wouldn't have been looking for tech support. As it turned out that "null" was due to some work Magic Jack was performing on their site. The odds of me trying to buy the device at that very time were exceedingly small.
So, other than being a little slow to take me seriously I have no complaints with Magic Jack. I think they should have comped me on the replacement device because it was their fault the order form wasn't working properly. I should have the new device early next week and I will report how it's functioning in a comment to this article. If all goes well I will be renewing my annual subscription come June.
My Mother always told me "Every cloud has a silver lining". It has always been so in my life. This is another example. The whole episode was a hug pain the patookie but I have come out of it with knowledge I would not have otherwise had. I feel it is knowledge I can put to good use.
©Kinsey Barnard
Showing posts with label facebook. Show all posts
Showing posts with label facebook. Show all posts
18 April 2015
17 January 2011
Twitter: Why I like it
As followers at Facebook and Twitter already know, baby it’s been cold outside with lots of snow. Then, out of nowhere, a warm front moved in and a massive melt ensued. To paraphrase Forest Gump, the weather in Montana is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.
Over the week I have added new images to the North American Deer, Skyscapes, Lakota Sunrise galleries and one new limited edition entitled “Yellowstone Lily Pads”. I shot Lily Pads on my junket to Yellowstone last fall.
Alrighty then, on to the topic of this post.
I’ve been playing around with the social media sites Twitter and Facebook and have decided that I really like Twitter. At first I thought Twitter was terribly superficial. But, I’ve found a way to make it more fruitful and now I find the site quite productive.
When not engaged in my photography I think I have a form of ADD and Twitter is perfect for those with such a malfunction. Twitter is a very fast paced place. One communicates via things called Tweets. You are allowed only 140 characters, not words just characters, spaces and punctuation are counted. Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet “Brevity is the soul of wit”. I hereby coin the phrase “Brevity is the soul of Twit”.
I don’t think it’s the place to form deep relationships. Some people have over 100,000 followers so you know that read every single Tweet, not. A large number of people are just chasing some get rich on the Internet scheme. Many I think are getting paid for every time someone clicks on a particular link. In many ways the place reminds me of a 21st Century pyramid scheme. Our current economic situation is certainly ripe for any angle that promises income pouring right out of your computer. I’ve been around for a while and most of these schemes generally only generate much income for the one selling the scheme.
As of this writing I am approaching 6,000 followers 95% of whom I follow back. I can assure you that I can’t really follow that many people nor can they me. I couldn’t do it if I sat at my computer 24/7. 6,000 sounds like a lot but at Twitter I’m only in the minor leagues. As I mentioned some Tweeters have over 100,000 followers. Many people have their accounts completely computerized. They follow, un-follow and send messages all computer-generated. If you’re one of those just trying to get clicks I think that probably works out just great being on autopilot. But, I really like to connect with people I find interesting. And the business I'm depends greatly on forming relationships. For that one must be personally proactive.
With all that said, why do I like Twitter? Ironically, I like it because I have found some of the most interesting and helpful people I’ve ever met anywhere on the web. I don’t think I would have met them any other way. I’ve have also learned valuable new things about SEO (Search Engine Optimization), found great resources for marketing my photography and promoting my blog. I've also connected with people I just find interesting and want to hang out with.
Like most things in life Twitter is a numbers game. I would guess that I actually truly connect with around 1% of my followers. How do I do it? Well, the old fashioned way. I work at it. There is no way to cheat the Tweet. Every morning I spend an hour or so going through new followers and looking at the bios and Tweets of those that I think I might relate too. Then I follow back and/or send a message to those that I would like to get to know. If we are in accord we usually arrange to connect on Facebook. Facebook is much better for making real connections. For one thing, at Facebook you aren’t limited to 140 characters, it’s a much more “social” media.
Twitter isn’t for everyone, I am quite sure of that. But, I quite like it and would recommend giving it a try if you haven’t already. For a richer experience I recommend sending personalized DM’s (direct messages) to new followers that catch your eye and start making “lists” early on. Lists can really help you keep track of those Tweets you are most interested in following.
Here are a couple of interesting pie charts comparing Twitter and Facebook demographics. Statistically, I probably should not be even fiddling with this because the 55 plus group is the smallest user group of both media comprising only 9%. I guess us old doggies aren't swift enough? Well, I like to hang with younger people anyway so I'm doin' it!
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
Over the week I have added new images to the North American Deer, Skyscapes, Lakota Sunrise galleries and one new limited edition entitled “Yellowstone Lily Pads”. I shot Lily Pads on my junket to Yellowstone last fall.
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| Koty Manning the Polaris Ranger |
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| Koty Ponders the Ice |
Alrighty then, on to the topic of this post.
I’ve been playing around with the social media sites Twitter and Facebook and have decided that I really like Twitter. At first I thought Twitter was terribly superficial. But, I’ve found a way to make it more fruitful and now I find the site quite productive.
When not engaged in my photography I think I have a form of ADD and Twitter is perfect for those with such a malfunction. Twitter is a very fast paced place. One communicates via things called Tweets. You are allowed only 140 characters, not words just characters, spaces and punctuation are counted. Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet “Brevity is the soul of wit”. I hereby coin the phrase “Brevity is the soul of Twit”.
I don’t think it’s the place to form deep relationships. Some people have over 100,000 followers so you know that read every single Tweet, not. A large number of people are just chasing some get rich on the Internet scheme. Many I think are getting paid for every time someone clicks on a particular link. In many ways the place reminds me of a 21st Century pyramid scheme. Our current economic situation is certainly ripe for any angle that promises income pouring right out of your computer. I’ve been around for a while and most of these schemes generally only generate much income for the one selling the scheme.
As of this writing I am approaching 6,000 followers 95% of whom I follow back. I can assure you that I can’t really follow that many people nor can they me. I couldn’t do it if I sat at my computer 24/7. 6,000 sounds like a lot but at Twitter I’m only in the minor leagues. As I mentioned some Tweeters have over 100,000 followers. Many people have their accounts completely computerized. They follow, un-follow and send messages all computer-generated. If you’re one of those just trying to get clicks I think that probably works out just great being on autopilot. But, I really like to connect with people I find interesting. And the business I'm depends greatly on forming relationships. For that one must be personally proactive.
With all that said, why do I like Twitter? Ironically, I like it because I have found some of the most interesting and helpful people I’ve ever met anywhere on the web. I don’t think I would have met them any other way. I’ve have also learned valuable new things about SEO (Search Engine Optimization), found great resources for marketing my photography and promoting my blog. I've also connected with people I just find interesting and want to hang out with.
Like most things in life Twitter is a numbers game. I would guess that I actually truly connect with around 1% of my followers. How do I do it? Well, the old fashioned way. I work at it. There is no way to cheat the Tweet. Every morning I spend an hour or so going through new followers and looking at the bios and Tweets of those that I think I might relate too. Then I follow back and/or send a message to those that I would like to get to know. If we are in accord we usually arrange to connect on Facebook. Facebook is much better for making real connections. For one thing, at Facebook you aren’t limited to 140 characters, it’s a much more “social” media.
Twitter isn’t for everyone, I am quite sure of that. But, I quite like it and would recommend giving it a try if you haven’t already. For a richer experience I recommend sending personalized DM’s (direct messages) to new followers that catch your eye and start making “lists” early on. Lists can really help you keep track of those Tweets you are most interested in following.
Here are a couple of interesting pie charts comparing Twitter and Facebook demographics. Statistically, I probably should not be even fiddling with this because the 55 plus group is the smallest user group of both media comprising only 9%. I guess us old doggies aren't swift enough? Well, I like to hang with younger people anyway so I'm doin' it!
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
14 December 2010
OK, So I'm the Ditziest Person I Know! Probably you too!
Earlier today I posted to my Facebook thingy that if I couldn't laugh at myself I wouldn't laugh so much.
Well, here's a classic.If you need to make your day by thinking someone is a real moron. This one's for you! :)
A while back I bought some Foster Farms frozen grilled chicken at Costco. So you know I go a lot. Well, the stuff was just awful. I love to make a salad with chicken breast but I can no longer find the Jenny-O that I liked so much. Costco used to carry it but they don't anymore and what they replaced it with is simply drek.
I soon discovered the Foster Farms stuff was not fit for consumption. I tried to figure out how I could use it. Being of Scottish descent, giving it the toss was out of the question.
I like to think of myself as the creative sort so I purchased a box of Chicken Helper Mexican Cheesy Chicken Enchilada. I figured it might just do the trick to cover up the really horrid chicken.
So, I'm reading the box and it says "High altitude (3,500 to 6,500ft)" and increase water and cooking time by fifteen minutes. I look at this and say "Oh, my gawd! I live at nearly 4,000 ft! I'm high altitude!".
OK, so now here's the great part. I have lived here for 8 years! And, just figured it out! I nearly laughed until I cried!
In my defense. I don't eat a lot of prepared foods and I don't bake. But, I do eat a lot of pasta. I just thought the yoyos didn't know what they were talking about when they called for ten minutes cooking time when it really took 13 minutes to get a very nice al dente.
So, any of you out there that are feeling bad about yourself just remember I'm here and slower than molasses! :)
PS: If you are looking for a quick way to disguise awful (but edible) meat these Helper things are very effective! Koty was kind of disappointed.
©Kinsey Barnard
Well, here's a classic.If you need to make your day by thinking someone is a real moron. This one's for you! :)
A while back I bought some Foster Farms frozen grilled chicken at Costco. So you know I go a lot. Well, the stuff was just awful. I love to make a salad with chicken breast but I can no longer find the Jenny-O that I liked so much. Costco used to carry it but they don't anymore and what they replaced it with is simply drek.
I soon discovered the Foster Farms stuff was not fit for consumption. I tried to figure out how I could use it. Being of Scottish descent, giving it the toss was out of the question.
I like to think of myself as the creative sort so I purchased a box of Chicken Helper Mexican Cheesy Chicken Enchilada. I figured it might just do the trick to cover up the really horrid chicken.
So, I'm reading the box and it says "High altitude (3,500 to 6,500ft)" and increase water and cooking time by fifteen minutes. I look at this and say "Oh, my gawd! I live at nearly 4,000 ft! I'm high altitude!".
OK, so now here's the great part. I have lived here for 8 years! And, just figured it out! I nearly laughed until I cried!
In my defense. I don't eat a lot of prepared foods and I don't bake. But, I do eat a lot of pasta. I just thought the yoyos didn't know what they were talking about when they called for ten minutes cooking time when it really took 13 minutes to get a very nice al dente.
So, any of you out there that are feeling bad about yourself just remember I'm here and slower than molasses! :)
PS: If you are looking for a quick way to disguise awful (but edible) meat these Helper things are very effective! Koty was kind of disappointed.
You can also follow my photography and adventures on FACEBOOK
©Kinsey Barnard
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