There’s a fraction too much friction! Customers, service, and staff.

While trawling around on YouTube recently I came across a 1980s video of Tim Finn’s There’s a Fraction too much Friction and it got me thinking about the things that annoy me  in dealing with businesses. I concluded that the source of my irritation is friction. I have long observed that business has many things in common with war, and friction is probably the thing … Continue reading There’s a fraction too much friction! Customers, service, and staff.

Social Media – the US Army gets it

Most organisations are grappling with the digital revolution and its democratization of communication. The US Army is no different. However, they have met the organisational challenges of social media head on and have become an acknowledged leader in practice. They along with other parts of the US military – such as the US Air Force – have invested resources in adopting, using and benefiting from … Continue reading Social Media – the US Army gets it

Sometimes a tweet is not enough

In the olden days when I was very young it was the custom, upon receipt of a kindness from someone, to write them a thank-you note. This note took the form of a missive, hand-written, on personal stationery or a note card. The note was then taken to the post office and sent via that which we now call snail-mail. Someone did me a kindness … Continue reading Sometimes a tweet is not enough

Getting it Wrong? The Y2K bug revisited via @RNFutureTense

It was fascinating to take the time and think back to the days of the Y2K bug and discuss what happened (and some of the crazy hype that went on) with Paul Wallbank, Prof. John Quiggin on Radio National’s Future Tense program with Antony Funnell. You can listen to the program here and should be able to download the transcript tomorrow. Continue reading Getting it Wrong? The Y2K bug revisited via @RNFutureTense

Perhaps progress on the Telstra ADSL front?

Received an email from Telstra Bigpond as follows the other day: “Telstra realises that there has been a delay in responding to your enquiry and we would like to extend our apologies. Your email has now been received by our department and we have included a response to your email below. If you would like to supply us with the phone number, including the STD … Continue reading Perhaps progress on the Telstra ADSL front?

Whirlpool News – Telstra to stop rolling out pair gain (2002-Oct-2)

This from 2002: Whirlpool News – Telstra to stop rolling out pair gain Many people (including me) are still suffering from this stupidity and cupidity of Telstra! They knew pair gain was a cheap but ineffective way to roll out phone lines but they did it anyway. I think this bolsters arguments not to privatise them. If this is how Telstra behaves when they are under government … Continue reading Whirlpool News – Telstra to stop rolling out pair gain (2002-Oct-2)

War of words erupts over Telstra service levels, pricing: ZDNet Australia (13 Mar 2002)

These issues with pair gain go way back and Telstra is still avoiding the problem! Here’s some more evidence: War of words erupts over Telstra service levels, pricing: ZDNet Australia: News: Communications By Rachel Lebihan, ZDNet Australia, 13 March 2002 Continue reading War of words erupts over Telstra service levels, pricing: ZDNet Australia (13 Mar 2002)

Pair Gain Victims – Senator Kate Lundy’s website

Anyone who has a similar problem with pair gain should let Senator Lundy know, her website is at http://www.katelundy.com.au where she says: “Send me an email senator.lundy@aph.gov.au about your problems provides me with an insight into the level of impairment Telstra’s extensive use of ‘pair gains’ have on blocking broadband or limiting internet connection speeds.” Continue reading Pair Gain Victims – Senator Kate Lundy’s website

More on getting ADSL in Sydney – evil Telstra still trying to stop me

The next installment in my continued quest to obtain late 20th century broadband access in the 21st century … Phoned Telstra and was advised “you have pair gain there is nothing that can be done”. They essentially told me to go away and stop bothering them. Wrote email to Justin Milne, Managing Director, BigPond (Telstra internet department) asking why I cannot get modern technology when … Continue reading More on getting ADSL in Sydney – evil Telstra still trying to stop me