Category Archives: Computers

Why is it so friggin’ hard to make trivial changes to a video?

I’ve got a video in WMV format that was recorded from a GoToMeeting session that I hosted. I want to chop a little off the front and a little off the end and otherwise leave the video unchanged.  I don’t want to change the format, the resolution, the compression, or anything — I just want… Read More: Why is it so friggin’ hard to make trivial changes… »

Micro Center enters the junk mail hall of shame

“For two years, I have been attempting to eliminate junk mail from my mailbox. In addition to signing up for the Direct Marketing Association’s “do not mail” list, I have contacted every single entity that has sent me junk mail, literally hundreds of them, and asked them to remove me from their lists. I can count on one hand the number of entities who have been incapable of honoring my request. Same on you for being one of them.

“I’ve spent so much time and effort combating junk mail because it is a huge scourge on the environment, and I actually care about the future of our planet. Apparently, your company does not.

“I will, of course, be posting this letter on my blog and encouraging all those who read it to shop elsewhere. Why should we patronize a store which thinks nothing of ignoring its customers’ wishes and destroying the environment?”

Tiggit Mail: Good program, great author

I recently set out to find a decent IMAP client for my BlackBerry Bold, since although the BlackBerry has native IMAP support, my employer’s IT department has disabled it. I found two to consider: LogicMail, which is free, and Tiggit Mail, which costs $30.  Both are under active development.  I evaluated them and found them both… Read More: Tiggit Mail: Good program, great author »

Spam Yoon

In a recent email message to me entitled “Fighting the Good Fight,” friend, author and politician Michael Burstein referred me to Kate Hutchinson’s blog entry about spamming by Sam Yoon.  Michael is an avid reader of my blog and therefore knows that I’ve been in more than a few scraps of my own like Kate’s. … Read More: Spam Yoon »

HP customer service jumps the shark again

I suppose given my prior experiences with Hewlett-Packard’s customer service, I shouldn’t be surprised by yet another negative experience, but since this one has a new angle, I guess it’s worth posting… I asked HP in November 2008 to stop sending me junk mail.  They assured me that my request would be processed and would… Read More: HP customer service jumps the shark again »