Samsung Shift

So, yesterday, I turn on my LCD TV, and there is a weird thing going on with the pixels. I try to figure it out, but on every channel, it's fuzzy, and I can't read the text. There's also a vertical interference seen. I start fuddling with the DVR settings, and things are not getting better. Even the HD channels are quite screwed up. I go through the master setup, and I'm not making any progress.

Could this be one of those late night updates that I've heard that Cablevision does. I wonder, but I verify the signal is still ok as my 2nd TV is still fine. I start to get a really sinking feeling when I switch to antenna, and even try a DVD and the weird pattern remains. Yup, it appears to be the TV itself.

I think back, and realize that the Samsung set is just over a year old. I also recall a letter from them just a week ago that was trying to get me to part with some cash for an extended warranty. If I'm remembering this accurately, it was like $175 for another two years of coverage. It seemed kind of steep at the time, but I'm wondering if I might be able to still get in on it. Figures the TV would start to self destruct as it hit the year mark.

I'm now pretty much resigned that the TV is not in good shape. Out of running out of things to do, I unplug it. At least now I don't have to look at the dreadful pattern on the TV. After I plug it back in, and repower up, the TV is absolutely fine. Good thing I hadn't hauled it to the curb.

At this point, I'm very thankful it's working, but still wondering what went wrong. Any ideas?

Jonas

Monthly Billing Error

I just got the Optimum bill. Once again, it arrives on the 3rd, and they want it by the 15th. Seriously, I've discussed this with them before, and they said that it would be coming earlier.

The other thing is that I was down a day last month. Triple play, and triple down when it all went to dead. I had called, and discussed it with a rep when it happened. I was told that I'd be getting credit for the day. Sounded reasonable as I had to call them on my cell phone, watched TV on my antenna, and had no internet for hours (sigh, once again).

So now the bill comes, and conveniently there is no credit for the downtime. Am I surprised, well not really. I explain the situation, and they point out I got a credit last month. I remind them it was for another billing error, and I'd love if they could get it right for one month. For all my inconvenience, I got $3.48 off the bill. I will admit it's more of a moral victory as it doesn't even buy a gallon of gas these days!

Does it really make sense for Optimum (Cablevision)to screw up the bills month after month? It probably cost more in service time than they gave me back. Are they just relying on consumers paying and forgetting about these things? Wait and see what happens next month...

Jonas

NudgeCast 7/2/08

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Notebook advice and Amazon shipping.

Download the mp3 here.

Resupply Mission

So, my Actiontec Powerline networking adapter is still in California, the latest tracking scan puts in in Richmond, instead of San Fran. I've emailed Amazon thrice (that's three times for the youngsters), and even though there was no way this was going to arrive anywhere on time, they wouldn't do anything until three days had passed. As an aside, I'm kind of sick of computing on my 12" notebook, but I keep delaying moving my desktop downstairs to my cable modem.

Yesterday, the folks at Amazon finally agreed that it wasn't making it, and I've waited long enough. The postman came and went, and I emailed them to tell them that it obviously wasn't coming and pointed out that the USPS tracking put the goods on the wrong coast. I also asked of they could ship it a little faster. Finally they did agree to send out another one. They were also nice enough to upgrade me from "Super Saver Shipping" to "Standard Shipping."

This morn', I looked into the tracking again. The new box has left the same New Jersey facility. Unfortunately, it is still coming postal service; I've had better luck with UPS which can at least track packages more precisely. The new delivery estimate is for 7/2 to 7/7 which is not much faster than the "Super Saver Shipping." I'm just wondering what to do if both boxes show up somehow at this point?

We'll keep you posted how this all turns out.

Jonas

Where's My Stuff?

I've been waiting for my Actiontec Powerline networking gear for over a week now to get my network up again. It was supposed to arrive on Monday, but there's still no sign of it. So, I decide to check on it via the tracking system of the Amazon site.

I had previously seen that the item was in New Jersey on 6/17. As I'm in New York, I figured it should have been here soon thereafter. Nothing on the track for days, and now imagine my surprise that somehow my package ended up going to the wrong coast. That's right, my box is in California! I've provided an image of the tracking info with some things whited out:


All right, I can understand that sometimes not everything goes to plan. Errors do occur. However, if the item is overdue, and floating around California, when it should be in NY, Amazon should do something to make it right.

I emailed Amazon customer service yesterday, and today. All they could tell me on both occasions was that the item "may arrive soon," which is kind of impossible if it's on the other coast for no good reason. I'm told they can order me another one, but can't do so before the close of business on June 26th, even though I've got a better chance of the Dodgers coming back to the Empire State than I do my Actiontec gear in a timely fashion.

I had better luck with Amazon when their stuff used to ship UPS, and not postal service. I'll keep you posted when it doesn't arrive tomorrow. Have I mentioned my network is still dead and waiting for this? Maybe this is an argument to shop B&M!

Jonas

NudgeCast 6/25/08

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This week we're chatting about a computer reload, Optimum Voice, and an incredibly useful website that got even better.

Download the mp3

Jonas