Browser Use Comparison (2012 through January)

Based on visitors to my web site, the following chart shows that IE remains the dominant browser. This is based on an average of 1,922 unique visitors and 223,195 hits per month. For comparison purposes, December 2011 is shown. A list of the browsers accessing the site, based on user share, is provided. IE9 is being used more than any version of Firefox or Chrome even though IE9 cannot be used with Windows XP. It should be pointed out that those using my site are not tech users. As discussed in the latest Exploring IE blog post, there was continued growth for IE9 on Windows 7 in January.

 

Economy being used as an excuse…

First, let me say that my comments are not met to minimize the impacts that our terrible economy has had on everyone, myself included. However, I do believe that we are beginning to hear the economy being blamed for not taking personal responsibility and for making poor and stupid decisions.

A few days ago, the St. Louis metro area experienced the first measureable snowfall of the year…a whopping 1 to 2 inches! Of course, the next morning there were numerous fender benders as well as a couple of fatal accidents. Many people just don’t pay any attention to the road conditions and drive like the roads are clear and dry. While I certainly understand the spike in accidents, I do not understand why people have to drive like idiots. Actually, these drive this way regardless of the road conditions. Anyway, I was watching one of the local TV broadcasts covering this weather event, and I heard the reporter state that one of the reasons for all the accidents was that people were driving with bad tires and due to the economy, they couldn’t afford to buy new tires. I’m sorry, but that is one of the dumbest things I’ve heard. If there was anyone out there actually driving on bad tires, and I’m sure there were, they would have made the same decision about buying new tires regardless of the state of the economy. If you have bad tires, don’t drive at all, let alone in the snow, but don’t blame the economy for your stupid decision!

Browser Use Comparison (2011 through December)

Based on visitors to my web site, the following chart shows that IE remains the dominant browser. This is based on an average of 2,111 unique visitors and 252,302 hits per month. Also, a list of the browsers accessing the site, based on user share, is provided. IE9 is being used more than any version of Firefox or Chrome even though IE9 cannot be used with Windows XP. It should be pointed out that those using my site are not techs. As discussed in the latest Exploring IE blog post, IE9 is the top browser on Windows 7 Worldwide. Other highlights from 2011 are also discussed.

 

AT&T U-Verse Account Using AutoPay–Update

This is an update to my previous post regarding an issue with my AT&T U-Verse Account Using AutoPay.

I sent a link to my previous post to AT&T Customer Care. I was assured that the issue would be escalated to the appropriate individuals and that I would be advised as to the results. I certainly believe in giving credit where credit is due and I must say that the Customer Care folks came through with flying colors. Since the issue was escalated, I have received three phone calls to validate the information that I had provided. Two of those calls were within the last hour. The first was from a representative of the Office of the President to let me know that I could expect a call either later today or, because of the holiday, next Monday. Within 30 minutes of that call, I received another call from a representative of the Executive Offices. The individual explained exactly what happened. It seems that there was, in fact, a glitch in the system used to collect amounts due through AutoPay. The system failed to collect amounts due for all customers whose payment was scheduled during the period 15 through 17 November. Apparently, the process was run again on 22 November to collect the previously missed accounts. Of course I had made a one-time payment, so the system did not collect any amounts from my account. I was assured that there would be no late fees of any kind, and that this would have no impact on my credit history. I was also informed that an internal e-mail had been distributed within AT&T to inform appropriate individuals of this issue so that customer inquires could be answered.

I sincerely appreciate the way in which this matter was handled. All of the AT&T contacts were very professional and made me feel that my issue was just as important to all of them as it was to me. A special “thanks” go to AT&T Customer Care for all of the help they provided.

AT&T U-Verse Account Using AutoPay

I do a lot of venting about the extremely poor customer service that is provided through most service providers. However, I believe this is the first time I have blogged about an issue that I find very troubling.

I recently started AT&T U-Verse service….internet, phone, and TV. At the time I signed up, I enrolled in AutoPay for my account. My enrollment for AutoPay was approved to be effective with my second monthly bill. When it came time, AutoPay worked as it should and the bill was paid.

My third month of service was billed and was supposed to be collected via AutoPay on 11/15/2011. I checked my account on-line, and for some reason, it showed that the amount owed was past due. At that point, I’m wondering how an account that is supposed to be paid through AutoPay can be past due? I checked my bank information which was correct and there were sufficient funds to cover the amount charged. I contacted the folks in Billing Support, and I was told that some adjustment was being made and that it would be taken care of.

As of 11/18/2011, the amount charged was still showing as past due. I called Billing Support again, and this time I was told a different story that really makes me angry. I was told that there had been an update to their billing system, and that for some reason, they missed collecting the amount owed through AutoPay for this month. Further, I was told that next month, I would owe for two months plus a late fee! I did my best to maintain a sense of composure. Why would I be charged a late fee for something that was entirely the fault of AT&T? This is worse than the airline baggage fees. Why didn’t AT&T communicate that they had updated their system and that there was some sort of issue? Thanks to the representative I spoke with, she took the information for a one-time payment to take care of the current bill and waived the late fee that I would have been charged. I was told that this would not impact future payments through AutoPay and that things should be back to normal next month. I’ll believe it when I see it.

For those of you out there that might have similar AT&T services and pay using the AutoPay option, you might want to check the status of your account.

How many dependents do you have?

My wife sent the following quote to me from one of her Facebook friends. While it’s very funny , it’s also very sad since it is the absolute truth:

They sent my Census form back! AGAIN!!! In response to the question: “Do you have any dependents” I replied…..12 million illegal immigrants; 3 million crack heads; 42 million unemployable lazy no goods; the entire cast of the Jerry Springer Show; 2 million people in over 243 prisons; half of Mexico; and hundreds more in the U.S. House and Senate. Apparently, this wasn’t an acceptable answer.

Windows 7 Themes Now Available

I have created several Windows 7 Themes which are now available. In the menu bar at the top of the page, click on “Windows 7 Themes” or click on this link to go to the page. Enjoy!