Yet another comcast visit
Well hopefully this will be the last post for a while about the problems with comcast... (Will see after next week when they post my new bill)... As I mentioned last time, getting a cable card installed seems to require an act of god when it involves comcast. The new contractor came out 2 saturday's ago with a 3 more cable cards. (side bar/ I don't know what it is about cable people, by why the hell do they always smell like they smoked a carton of cigs before coming in to the house? I have used an entire can of febreze in my living room after this tech and the two previous ones left.)
Anyways back to the story, the tech showed up, and and proceeded to put the cable card in the TiVO. It starts to do the firmware upgrade like the ones the other guys brought.. After it was done, he talked to the Comcast phone guy and then we found out that once again this card "was not in the system." Is comcast / tri-wire's inventory system so f&()'d up that they are not doing proper inventory of their equipment, but yet they can charge me out the ass for it?
So we pulled that card out and went through the others he had. The next one the phone guy said "should work". Well put it in and then let it update the firmware. The guy on the other side pushed the right signals and my second TiVO is finally activated. So the tech got up and left, (and I had to completely soak the couch with febreze as it smelled so bad).
So now what can I bitch about with Comcast? The fact that they have had the ESPN's screwed up for weeks now. The audio is so out of sync that you can't watch anything that has close ups of people talking.
Marriott Hotels and Internet Access
I spend a lot of my time away from home in Marriott Hotels around the world. One thing I can never understand is their Internet access policy. I was in Washington DC 2 nights ago staying at one of the upper end Marriott's (around $300 a night) I turned on my iPod to see if I could get on the Internet to check my mail. To my surprise the Internet cost was I believe $14.95 for a 24 hour period. What I have failed to understand is why is it when staying at say a Courtyard Marriott or a Residence Inn Marriott that the Internet is free, and the room is like $80 to $90 a night. But when I stay at the high end Marriott's (Like JW Marriott in Washington DC, or London Park Lane in London, England) that they always charge for Internet access. It was nice to see that the Washington Marriott did havt LG HDTV's in the room with actual HD TV service, but it would have been nice if the wireless Internet was free as well.
TiVo and comcast part 2
Finally getting around to writing about the second appointment with Comcast last friday afternoon. This time the Comcast dude called me at about 10 minutes after 2pm to say he was on his way. (Yeah!) So he shows up (real comcast person and not a contractor this time). He also brought 3 cable cards with him, thanks to @comcaststeve for making sure that note was made and for Jason (the comcast tech) for also bringing extra.
The first thing we did was check the current one that was put in almost a week prior. Yup, still not activated. So we pulled it and put a "new" one in. Jason called the Comcast office and they "sent the signal" well we waited and chatted for a about 30 minutes, and it never got the signal. So another call back and this time a different person. He seemed to think he was "better" than the last person and that the last person didn't know what they were doing. Well this guy didn't either, as the signal he sent to the card was the "kill one" which basically inactivated the card. But we did not know this until another 30 minutes past and we called in again because no signal had been received.
So they had us put in the another card and they sent the signal again. Still no go, so they put the final card in. I am not entirely sure what they did on their side, but the card finally said it was activated (the woman on the phone kept talking to some other techs in the back about what to send to it to make it 'work'.) Well it finally started "working" and I could finally get all the channels I pay for, (which is basically everything) so Jason left and I finally have full HD cable in the bed room. All told there were 4 cable cards used, 2 onsite techs, probably 6 phone techs and 2 online techs that worked on getting my new TiVo working.
Another Internet Explorer exploit
Just released, another exploit to Internet Explorer 6 & 7, that allows "hackers" to install software on your machine... What do the major Antivirus people say:
"To minimize the chances of being affected by this issue, Internet Explorer users should ensure their antivirus definitions are up to date, disable JavaScript and only visit Web sites they trust until fixes are available from Microsoft," Symantec said.
How many mom and pop's out there even know how to disable java script, and only visit sites they trust? Let alone make sure their antivirus definitions are updated. I have seen some virus trick Symantec's AV in to thinking the definitions were up to date, and then I go to find hundreds of virus' on my parents computer. This is just another reason why building the web browser in to the OS is a bad thing and why it should be sandbox'd off in to its own little area.
XM Radio Customer Service
I believe that XM Radio's Customer Service is probably the worst I have ever seen and has gotten worse every year I have had to renew my radio. This year their "trick" is that they are now going to start charging an extra fee to use the online part of the XM Radio service. Right now it is free but according to this:
Because you are a valued customer and you enjoy listening to XM Radio online, we are offering you a special opportunity to continue to listen online at no cost if you renew your subscription now with one of our longer term plans.
On March 11, 2009, the XM Radio Online listening platform will be upgraded to a higher quality digital audio and no longer included as a part of a base subscription at no charge. If you renew now at www.xmradio.com/lockintoday, you can continue to listen online for FREE for the length of term you choose -- but only if you act quickly. Rest assured, any credits on the account from earlier payments made will be applied to your renewal - you'll only be charged the difference.
Act before March 10!
This is your only chance to keep your online listening at no charge. Beginning March 11, if you wish to listen to XM Radio Online, you will need to purchase a supplemental Premium XM Radio Online subscription for $2.99* per month. Your current XM Radio Online listening privileges will be available at no charge until your next renewal date.**It's Easy to "Lock In" & Save.
They are going to start charging for the online service. So I decided to "lock in" and renew my subscription for my car for 2 years, just so I would have the online service for free for the next 2 years as well. So I went to the web site they listed, and did a 2 year renewal and filled out all my information. The last thing I see is:
So I thought all was well. Well it has been 8 days since I did that. No charge has showed up on my credit card, and my "listenercare" site on XM's web site still shows that my I still have the 1 year service, and it was last paid on March of 2008.
I then went back to XM's site, and filled out a billing contact form to ask them what was going on... What did I get back from them:
XM is proud to announce our exciting new lineup. Along with your favorites, we have added new channels, shows, legendary DJ's and celebrity hosts, giving you more of what you love about satellite radio. You'll get 69 commercial-free music channels covering all genres of music, including new channels like Bruce Springsteen's E Street Radio, the Grateful Dead Channel, Elvis Radio, Jimmy Buffett's Radio Margaritaville, Siriusly Sinatra, Metropolitan Opera Radio, Eminem's Shade 45, Jam On, Little Steven's Underground Garage and more. Plus, you'll also get new personalities and exclusive shows like Barabara Walters, Chris Mad Dog Russo and Jeff Foxworthy. And, even more entertainment including Doctor Radio, Blue Collar Radio and the Foxxhole.
Everything you need to know about the new lineup is online at www.xmradio.com/newlineup. Download the new channel guide and keep it by your radio. With all of the new programming and personalities, Everything Worth Listening To is Now on XM.
Absolutely nothing to do with the question I sent them. I still have not even received any information about what is going on with my account either. So I decided to call the number listed on the email.. Got a man name "samual" with an obvious indian accent. He had problems with my account and could not understand why my stuff did not work. He then transfers me to his manager "winston" with another indian accent. He then "fixed" my account and told me that my credit card would be billed at midnight when their system does billing. So we will see if it works or if I have to make another call back to them yet again.
One thing that XM really needs to do is work on their web site and their customer service. It is just piss poor.
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