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Article: Holiday customer service from the service workers point of view

This weekend finds an article by Nicole Tsong in the Seattle Times, Help them help you: Service workers offer some “counter intelligence.” It offers views of outrageous customer behavior during holiday shopping from the viewpoint of the people “who work the cash register.”



“Grocery-store cashier Jennifer Dougherty once watched, horrified, as a customer grew angry at a man in her express lane with twice as many items as allowed. It was Christmas Eve.

“Before you know it, [he] had opened up his milk and dumped it on the head of the guy in my line,” she said. “It ruined many people’s Christmas spirit, including my own.”


Ouch.  Tough crowd.  Overall, another reason for shopping via the Internet.


According to the article, here are the Top 10 ways you can help out your service worker:


1. Get off your cellphone.

2. Be polite.

3. Don’t fuss with displays more than necessary.

4. Don’t blame them for prices.

5. Don’t use the bathroom while calling customer service.

6. Put the money or credit card in their hand.

7. Respect other shoppers.

8. If you’re taking care of something while you’re on hold during phone support, make it quick.

9. Tip.

10. Get off your cellphone.


You can also contribute your own “Dear customer messages.”


Tags: Microsoft, Customer Service, Customer Support.

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Your questions: Is there an update for Windows Mobile devices for the new time zone in Venezuela?

This from Peter today… and two others this week (thanks):


“Is there a patch for the new time zone in Venezuela for the windows mobile devices?”


As noted previously, Venezuela’s time zone shifts by 30 minutes on December 9th, and in addition to the Windows Cumulative DST & TZ Update for 2008 (that includes the change for Venezuela, Brazil and others), we also have updates for Venezuela for Windows Mobile devices:


  • Update for Windows Mobile (KB944326): Microsoft has released an update for Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 and Windows Mobile 6. This update includes updated time zone definitions for a new time zone for the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
  • Update for Windows Mobile 5.0 (KB944326): Microsoft has released an update for Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0. This update includes updated time zone definitions for a new time zone for the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
  • Update for Windows Mobile 6 (KB944326): Microsoft has released an update for Microsoft Windows Mobile 6. This update includes updated time zone definitions for a new time zone for the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Tags: Microsoft, Daylight Saving Time, Daylight Savings Time, DST.

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CNET on sleep disorders and standby issues in Windows

A head’s up from Lifehacker, Dennis O’Reilly from CNET Blogs discussed Fixes for Windows standby and sleep problems in his productivity blog.

“If you’re familiar with putting your PC in Standby or Hibernate mode (and hopefully you know the difference), you probably know that both are anything but a sure bet. Dennis O’Reilly, blogger at CNET, runs through a few checks any Windows user should go through to make sure their computer slumbers when they want it to. Among the fixes are disabling the “Wake on LAN” setting in BIOS, pruning down scheduled tasks and modifying the properties of your mouse and keyboard.”

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“Mommy, Why is there a Server in my House?”

On www.stayathomeserver.com you can find a new series of videos that describe the new Windows Home Server product on MSN Soapbox…

Videos are also available on YouTube:

The team also has a new book out, just in time for the holidays and to help parents answer some of the most difficult questions that parents have to confront… namely that new piece of hardware connected to the home network.

image004Forget about explaining about the birds and the bees, “Mommy, Why is there a Server in my House?” will help parents explain why there is a new member of the family. You can find more info on this new book on www.stayathomeserver.com today, and coming to a major e-tailer near you.

See the new announcements on the Windows Home Server blog… 

http://blogs.technet.com/homeserver/archive/2007/11/30/home-computer-home-network-home-server.aspx

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Cybercrime: Mercury News on Ghosts in the Browser: Protecting yourself online

It’s a busy time if year for shopping, traveling, spoofing and hacking. Do you know where your credit card number is right now?  And I trust that your ATM card is safely tucked away (PIN secure) and hasn’t been duplicated by an unsavory individual intent on depleting your bank account via a corner store ATM in a far off land.

Check out Ryan Blitstein’s special report in the Mercury News on how thieves are using computers and the Internet to commit cybercrimes.

Part I: How online crooks put us all at risk
A group of high-tech entrepreneurs has turned the Internet into a tool for massive fraud.

Part II: How well are we protecting ourselves?
Businesses, governments, and citizens fail to take precautions, allowing cybercrooks to thrive.

Part III: U.S. targets terrorists as online thieves run amok
The U.S. government isn’t devoting the resources needed to combat Internet crime. 

Additional, related articles and links from the Merc:

  • Online crooks often escape prosecution
  • 10 ways to protect yourself online
  • Anti-cybercrime laws a tough sell in Congress
  • San Jose police fight online crime; resources scarce in other cities
  • Legislation: Watered down, slowed down
  • Digital detective work
  • More from Part I: Storm rages across Web
  • Cybercrook’s dictionary
  • Tool prices for online criminals