This is just sheer brilliance. Check out the above image broken down into smaller pieces at Wired – every bit of text adds to the concept. So clever and well-executed!
Category: Funny
I Was Trying to Reason With Software (or “How JustHost Does Bait and Switch”)
The past month, I’ve been on the hunt for a new Web host for a few personal domains. I have an account with 1&1, but they have a limitation on how long CNAME entries can be, so I need to look elsewhere. I signed up with BlueHost, only to discover their horribly limited control panel software didn’t do what I needed, so after three days I cancelled my account. Next I tried WestHost, quizzing their pre-sales people on exactly what I needed before signing up. They said they could do what I needed, so I signed up. Again, they had horrible control panel software that didn’t do what I needed it to do – the pre-sales people either didn’t understand my questions, or they weren’t being honest with me. So I cancelled my account with WestHost. It’s frustrating to waste time with this, but I’m thankful that both BlueHost and WestHost have simple cancellation policies and I got a full refund.
So I went on the hunt for other Web hosts, this time for ones that had better control panels. I’m not looking for “cheap” – I’d happily pay $10 to $15 a month for the account – but what I need is something powerful and flexible and based around the concept of multiple domains. I was looking at JustHost.com, and decided to sign up with them because they use Cpanel, which I’ve used on my own server before. I was going through the sign-up process, and on the second phase it asked me about adding upgrades to the account. One of them for for SPAM Assassin. I was a bit confused, because SPAM Assassin is free software that virtually every Web host out there uses. And JustHost wanted to charge me $19.95 for it:
In another browser tab I looked at the list of features, and sure enough, SPAM Assassin was listed:
So which was it? When I was clicking around the JustHost site a chat window popped up, so I thought I might as well ask them about this. Here’s the transcript of that chat:
* * * * * * * *
Connecting to Agent…
You have been connected to Amber
Amber Says:Hey Wait! We would hate to see you go without seeing what’s made us Award Winning Web Hosts. So just this once I can give you a 20% discount on our unlimited hosting. That’s a $24 saving! To take advantage of this one-time offer just CLICK HERE
Amber Says:When you are ready just say “Hi” and we can get started….
You:Hi there, I have a question
Amber Says:Hi my name is Amber thanks for visiting Just Host today!
Amber Says:Is there anything I can help you with? Or if you would like to check out our last minute 20% discount, please CLICK HERE!
You:I’m in the midst of signing up now, and I’m confused about something….
Amber Says:Signing up for hosting with Justhost couldn’t be easier! If you want to sign up now just CLICK HERE and complete our simple 1 page order form!
You:on the Features page, it lists Spam Assassin and there’s a check mark next to it, seeming to indicate that it’s included in the package
Amber Says:Unfortunately we cannot accept checks or money orders. We only accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Paypal
You:Yet as part of my sign up package I’m being offered Spam Assassin for $19.95/year….
Amber Says:You get a free domain for life, free instant setup and you can host unlimited domains, plus, much much more.
Amber Says:Today only I can offer you this special 20% discount so you can sign up for just $3.95 month. Just CLICK HERE to get this today only offer!
You:are you reading what I’m writing? I’m asking you a question
Amber Says:Please repeat your question
You:You don’t have a scroll bar?
Amber Says:Would you like to sign up for our most popular hosting plan for just $3.95 / month?
You:No, I’m asking a question. Let me repeat it…
Amber Says:Ok Great!! To sign up for the $3.95 a month offer CLICK HERE
You:http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/subclass.asp?logon=&langid=EN&catid=24930
You:sorry, ignore that
You:on the Features page, it lists Spam Assasin and there’s a check mark next to it, seeming to indicate that it’s included in the package
Amber Says:Unfortunately we cannot accept checks or money orders. We only accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Paypal
You:Yet as part of my sign up package I’m being offered Spam Assassin for $19.95/year….
Amber Says:You may not have noticed but I am actually just a virtual agent, so I dont fully understand your question.
Amber Says:You can try asking me again and re-phrase your question, or why not contact our freindly phone support team toll-free at: 1-(888)-755-7585 they should be able to assist you further
You:A virtual agent. I’m talking to software. I assumed I was talking to someone who might as well have been software.
Amber Says:A virtual agent, basically means i’m not real,,, BUT that doesnt have to be a bad thing
You:Trust me, it’s a bad thing.
Amber Says:Sorry I can’t understand your question. Please can you repeat it for me?
[chat disconnected]
* * * * * * * *
And that’s how I started off my day today: trying to have a discussion with software. 🙂
When Marketers Make Up Words
When I was watching Tin Man (a pretty cool show I might add) I saw a commercial for So You Think You Can Dance Canada, and because I’m a sucker for those types of commercials, I didn’t skip past it. I raised an eyebrow when they said “It’s gonna’ be bucc Canada” – I’ve never heard the word “bucc” in my life. I decided to look at up Urban Dictionary, and got a laugh when I saw the top definition:
Do You Have the “Brain Faster Than Eyes” Problem Too?
When I first looked at that sign, I thought it said “Ecoli”, which is of course a horrible name for a store. I find that this happens to be fairly often – I’ll glance at a sign and before my eyes can finish reading the letters, my brain flashes an interpretation into existence…and it’s often wrong, with comical results. Does this happen to anyone else?
Watchmen Cartoon Spoof
Watchmen comes out on DVD today, so to celebrate the release of this amazing movie, I thought I’d embed this very hilarious spoof video that someone created. If you haven’t seen Watchmen yet, don’t worry, it’s nothing like this cartoon. 😉
Pacino and De Niro Go For Ice Cream
Worst Name for a Tattoo Studio Ever?
This is a photo I took in Himeji, Japan, and I thought it was a hilarious name for a tattoo studio. I think I’ll submit it to Fail Blog and see if they like it… 😉
New BabySafe Ball Makes Shaking Your Infant Guilt And Injury Free
One of the things I’m looking forward to as a parent is being able to use all the great new technology out there for being a parent. This is clearly not one of those technologies. 😉
BEST. THING. EVAR.
There. Are. No. Words.
Why Can’t People Put Their Phones on Vibrate?
I saw this video over on Engadget and thought it was worth posting – it’s just too funny. First, it amazes me that journalists wouldn’t put their phones in vibrate mode out of simple courtesy. Secondly, to have it happen over and over again, without the other journalists in the room taking that as a sign to check their own phone is almost incomprehensible. And that guy at the end…I don’t know if I’ve ever seen something that rude happen on TV recently. It’s no wonder the Press Secretary rarely lasts for more than two years – talk about a tough job.