Category Archives: Consumer activism

Brief mention in the Boston Globe

From “MBTA announces latest arrival: Google mapping tool for riders“: But not everyone at yesterday’s news conference was trumpeting the partnership. Jonathan Kamens, 39, of Brighton said Google Maps’s public transit routes are faulty because they rely on schedules provided by the MBTA, which are sometimes wrong. Kamens, a software engineer, said his complaints to… Read More: Brief mention in the Boston Globe »

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 »

It’s hard to catch the bus when the MBTA tells you to wait in the wrong place!

To: CabotSuperintendent@mbta.com Mr. Houghton, Thanks to a helpful bus driver this morning (the driver of the inbound 554 bus that passed through Newton Corner at around 8:20), my daughter and I finally found out the real explanation for why we missed the 554 bus from Newton Corner to Newtonville on Monday and Tuesday of this… Read More: It’s hard to catch the bus when the MBTA tells… »

MBTA 2, Passengers 0

Mr. Houghton, Being a glutton for punishment, and having no better option, my daughter and I set out this morning once again to take the T from Brighton Center to Walnut Street in Newton, changing buses in Newton Corner. We were stationed at 400 Centre Street by 8:17, waiting for a 554 bus scheduled to… Read More: MBTA 2, Passengers 0 »

Last week, Comcast exceeded expectations; this week, not so much

I just sent this: Mr. [name elided], Thank you for your email and voicemail message. I’m sorry to say that it appears the issue with my account is not yet resolved. Early Saturday morning, Comcast sent out a service announcement with the subject “The new Comcast.net is now live”. Like all the previous service announcements,… Read More: Last week, Comcast exceeded expectations; this week, not so much »

The MBTA fails, yet again, to provide a minimal level of acceptable service

To: CabotSuperintendent@mbta.com Cc: <Steven.Baddour@state.ma.us>, <Rep.JosephWagner@hou.state.ma.us>, <Steven.Tolman@state.ma.us>, <Rep.KevinHonan@hou.state.ma.us>, <mayor@cityofboston.gov>, <Mark.Ciommo@cityofboston.gov>, <Michael.F.Flaherty@cityofboston.gov>, <Stephen.Murphy@cityofboston.gov>, <John.R.Connolly@cityofboston.gov>, <sam.yoon@cityofboston.gov>, “‘Governor Patrick’s Office (imailagent)’” <gov.webmail@state.ma.us>, “‘Halbert, David’” <David.Halbert@cityofboston.gov> John Houghton Superintendent, Cabot Bus Garage MBTA Dear Mr. Houghton, They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.  If so, then I must… Read More: The MBTA fails, yet again, to provide a minimal level… »