Ive Been Shafted By Wanadoo.

[padi56]

Well OK, not personally, but my PC has. Or it feels like it anyhow.

I've just bought my first laptop, and although it's connected to my broadband network at home, I thought it would be a good idea to set up a dial-up account if I need it when on the move, so had a look at some of the options that came with the PC. I decided to set up a pay-as-you-go dial up account with Wanadoo, so that I'd have the number already set up in my PC if and when I'd need it.

However, to set it up, I needed to use the modem, and forgetting how bleeding unbelievable slow and cumbersome a 56k dial up modem was, I soon lost interest half way through the registration process, and cancelled it, thinking that I'd sort it out at a later date.

So I close the windows, and go back to my desktop, only to find no less than 5 new bloody icons on there, all advertising Wanadoo services. Funny really, considering I hadn't even signed up to the buggers but hey-ho. 5 clicks of the mouse, they were soon gone, and I opened Internet Explorer.

It was only then that I was thankful to Wanadoo for making me realise what a bloody stupid idiot I had been along, and how appreciative I was to Wanadoo for pointing this out.

Obviously my incredibly inferior Roboform search bar that I had installed in IE needed to be replaced by the far superior Wanadoo search bar. How silly of me. Plus, the address bar was in such a stupid place, but thanks to Wanadoo, was placed in the correct place above. And as for my TRF homepage, what a thick bugger I was by having my own choice, and how stupid I now realise I was by not having Wanadoo as my homepage. But thanks to Wanadoo, it soon sorted itself out. All this help, and without me even having to sign up to them!

Thanks Wanadoo. I wonder if the managing director would mind me breaking into his house while he wasn't looking and rearranging his living room to my tastes as a way of saying thank you? He wouldn't even have to pay me.

This sort of sh!t boils my bloody p!ss to steam. There's tons of software that does this kind of sh!t to your PC, such as anything 'free' or anything downloaded via naughty sites etc., which I've always desperately avoided wink wink. But although I've never had any dealings with Wanadoo before, I kind of assumed they were a reasonably respectable company, and it never even crossed my mind that they were the sort of company that used such low down, dirty, PC raping tactics to spread their business.

I've since done an Adware scan on my system, and found 1 new instance labelled "urgent attention" and 8 new cookie trackers that weren't there before.

What a bunch of absolute tw@ts. Do they really sit in their offices and assume that people will see this type of bloody, underhand, hard sell tactics, and actually sign up?

I sometimes look at these religious nutters that stand on street corners preaching the word of the Lord, and wonder just how many passing strangers they manage to sign up. I mean, I've never, ever, seen anyone stop what they were doing, and show an interest. In fact, everyone I ever see walking past them either quickens their pace, just ignores them, or looks on with a slight look of confused, frightened, "should they really be allowed out?" bewilderment.

This is the same sort of thing if you ask me. I can't be the only one who is positively put off from ever having any business dealings with Wanadoo now that I know what they are about. Surely it doesn't take a brain of bloody Britain to realise that this sort of sh!t is totally counter-productive?

I've now signed up with a pay-as-you-go BT account, and guess what? The only change it made to my PC was adding their number in my modem settings. I'm tempted to say 'thank fek', but why should I? They've only done what I wanted/assumed they would do, and will happily get my business if and when I need it. And to bleeding to the Wanadoo tw@ts the second word is a big OFF.

[Launch Mini]

Peter, I work with fellow who gets all this Shyte on his computer, then comes to me with fekin stupid questions about "how did this happen?" etc.
Then denies ever loading or downloading stuff. So we run Adaware and low & behold there were over 600 instances of crap on his computer.
THEN, he gets this email from , lets just assume his wife , that he must immediately delete the following files from the system directory because Nortons or AVI or any of the others cannot pick up this particular file. So after he removes them all, he asks me why his computer doesn't work
So, first thing I do is open his email, go to Norton's hoaz page, and guess what , the reason the antivirus programs didn't remove those files was because YOU NEED THEM TO RUN YOUR COMPUTER.
Trust me Peter, there are MANY MANY MANY.... people out there who have no frekin idea what they are doing with a computer.
I am suprised some of them can even open email.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by Launch Mini

Peter, I work with fellow who gets all this Shyte on his computer, then comes to me with fekin stupid questions about "how did this happen?" etc.
Then denies ever loading or downloading stuff. So we run Adaware and low & behold there were over 600 instances of crap on his computer.
THEN, he gets this email from , lets just assume his wife , that he must immediately delete the following files from the system directory because Nortons or AVI or any of the others cannot pick up this particular file. So after he removes them all, he asks me why his computer doesn't work
So, first thing I do is open his email, go to Norton's hoaz page, and guess what , the reason the antivirus programs didn't remove those files was because YOU NEED THEM TO RUN YOUR COMPUTER.
Trust me Peter, there are MANY MANY MANY.... people out there who have no frekin idea what they are doing with a computer.
I am suprised some of them can even open email.

I trust you've heard the story of the call that came in to the Dell tech support person:

Caller: My computer won't work.
TS: What seems to be the problem?
Caller: When I push the button to turn it on, nothing happens.
TS: Are you at the computer now?
Caller: Yes.
TS: Is the computer plugged in?
Caller: I don't know. How can I tell?
TS: Do you see the black cord coming out of the back of the comuter?
Caller: I think so.
TS: Follow that cord to the end and see if it plugs into a socket in the wall.
Caller: It's too dark to do that. All the power is out and I can't turn the lights on.
TS: Then here's what you do. Get a big box, preferably the one that the computer came in. Box up the computer, the monitor (that's the TV-like screen), the keyboard, and any other parts that came with the computer. Seal the box.
Caller: OK. Then what?
TS: As soon as you can, take the computer back to the store where you bought it. YOU ARE TOO FEKIN' STUPID TO OWN A COMPUTER.

[C.J.]

Originally Posted by Launch Mini

Peter, I work with fellow who gets all this Shyte on his computer, then comes to me with fekin stupid questions about "how did this happen?" etc.
Then denies ever loading or downloading stuff. So we run Adaware and low & behold there were over 600 instances of crap on his computer.
THEN, he gets this email from , lets just assume his wife , that he must immediately delete the following files from the system directory because Nortons or AVI or any of the others cannot pick up this particular file. So after he removes them all, he asks me why his computer doesn't work
So, first thing I do is open his email, go to Norton's hoaz page, and guess what , the reason the antivirus programs didn't remove those files was because YOU NEED THEM TO RUN YOUR COMPUTER.
Trust me Peter, there are MANY MANY MANY.... people out there who have no frekin idea what they are doing with a computer.
I am suprised some of them can even open email.

Hey, I resemble that remark

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by C.J.

Hey, I resemble that remark

Me too, me too....but hey I can open an e-mail!!

[Prince]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Me too, me too....but hey I can open an e-mail!!

Yes, and you can even stay connected to TRF now!

[padi56]

Well John myself pretty good with computers,can fix most thing in windows.But myself think that these underhand software changers to your private PC should be totally against the Law.I have just sent a very strongly worded email to Wanadoo,telling them just how much I don't think of them.

[diablojota]

This is why I use a Mac. Fewer problems with spyware, adware, and the likes. Plus it's quite easy to revert to the original settings.

[Prince]

Originally Posted by diablojota

This is why I use a Mac. Fewer problems with spyware, adware, and the likes. Plus it's quite easy to revert to the original settings.

Couldn't have said it better myself. I work for a school system (IT Department) that is slowly turning to the "dark side" (PCs) and wondering why they are spending inordinate amounts of time fighting the spyware/trojan horse/virus war and not even coming close to winning. I keep saying "If you just stick with the Macs, your life will be so much better". Of course, I won't have as much to do, but hey! I'm just around the corner from retirement anyway, so can't complain there!

[Launch Mini]

I here you on that invassive software. We get "licenced"programs for the office here. Same as you, next thing you know, your toolbars, shortcuts, etc are all buggered up.

[Mrdi]

Ah Prince
just around the corner from retirement?
What does that mean?
^0 and go fish?
55 new career
30 years with the school district is enough?

[Prince]

Originally Posted by Mrdi

Ah Prince
just around the corner from retirement?
What does that mean?
^0 and go fish?
55 new career
30 years with the school district is enough?

> 30 years with the school district is enough.
< 2 years to go.
= enjoyment for the rest of my life without the rat race.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Prince

> 30 years with the school district is enough.
< 2 years to go.
= enjoyment for the rest of my life without the rat race.

Good on ya mate. My father started working when he was 12 and retired when he was 59. When we were kids he ALWAYS worked three jobs. Now that he's retired, he doesn't have much time to himself. Between volunteering for a few things, staying on a board at a local credit union, grandkids, hobbies, and oh yeah, working 4-6 hrs a week, he's very busy. He told me that when he was working, he had time to get a haircut. Trust me Allen, you will have plenty to do to fill up your time

[Prince]

Originally Posted by mailman

Good on ya mate. My father started working when he was 12 and retired when he was 59. When we were kids he ALWAYS worked three jobs. Now that he's retired, he doesn't have much time to himself. Between volunteering for a few things, staying on a board at a local credit union, grandkids, hobbies, and oh yeah, working 4-6 hrs a week, he's very busy. He told me that when he was working, he had time to get a haircut. Trust me Allen, you will have plenty to do to fill up your time

Many congrats to your dad, Paulie. Thanks for the story, and yes, I am looking forward to having my time filled with many enjoyable things. I have heard that from many of my retired friends, and know it to be true. The big plus is - it is on MY (and your dad's) terms and not on the "company's" terms.

Yeeessss!!!!!

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Prince

The big plus is - it is on MY (and your dad's) terms and not on the "company's" terms.

Yeeessss!!!!!

Exactly. Also to do it while you're healthy

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Prince

> 30 years with the school district is enough.
< 2 years to go.
= enjoyment for the rest of my life without the rat race.

Well Allen I took early retirement when I was 52,almost 10 years ago. And sometimes wonder now, how I ever fitted the time in to go to work.

[Prince]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well Allen I took early retirement when I was 52,almost 10 years ago. And sometimes wonder now, how I ever fitted the time in to go to work.

You didn't have time then - you had to NOT DO the things you are doing now to get THEIR agenda accomplished. Only during your retirement does this all become clear.

[Earl]

<-- joined the military at 18 yrs of age retired from the military at 40 yrs of age with 22 yrs to start working for the government all over again in '94 but, as a civilian and currently at 11 plus yrs total combined work time and war experiance equals 33 + years. I wish I could retire :o)

[Goodwatch]

Dang guys, here it's just the opposite! Due to the fact that people live longer and longer and less and less children are born, a new tax law has been approved making it virtually impossible to retire early. For my generation that is. Although I was hoping to stop at 61 (and still saving for this through an investment scheme), it will more likely be at least 65, maybe 67. In my line of work (IT) that is impossible. So before that I will become an AD. Nice, quiet and easy work for an elderly gentleman!

[Prince]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

Dang guys, here it's just the opposite! Due to the fact that people live longer and longer and less and less children are born, a new tax law has been approved making it virtually impossible to retire early. For my generation that is. Although I was hoping to stop at 61 (and still saving for this through an investment scheme), it will more likely be at least 65, maybe 67. In my line of work (IT) that is impossible. So before that I will become an AD. Nice, quiet and easy work for an elderly gentleman!

An AD? An excellent move, to be sure. And we can be assured of an "excellent" deal on watches at your shop, correct? (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by Prince

An AD? An excellent move, to be sure. And we can be assured of an "excellent" deal on watches at your shop, correct? (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)

Sure! You will have the rare privilege to pay 10% more than regular customers! How's that for an excellent deal? But you will receive a Rolex calendar with every purchase plus a cup of the best espresso on the continent with a hand made Belgian chocolate.


BTW: today is PITA day in my country and I always contribute!

[Prince]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

Sure! You will have the rare privilege to pay 10% more than regular customers! How's that for an excellent deal? But you will receive a Rolex calendar with every purchase plus a cup of the best espresso on the continent with a hand made Belgian chocolate.

Somehow, tempting as that sounds, there is something missing...

[Launch Mini]

How about cleavage Frans, Do you have someone in mind for the "token cleavage" person???

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by Launch Mini

How about cleavage Frans, Do you have someone in mind for the "token cleavage" person???

Pammy! And for a very nice figure: 7 of 9

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

Pammy! And for a very nice figure: 7 of 9

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

Pammy! And for a very nice figure: 7 of 9

[Goodwatch]

Get an eyefull of this:

[Prince]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

Get an eyefull of this:

7 of 9... mmmmmmmm!!!
Although can't recall ever seeing THAT much of her before.

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by Prince

7 of 9... mmmmmmmm!!!

Ever seen her outfit in Startrek Voyager? Either spray painted on or she was sown-in every episode I know this all sounds a bit cheap towards our female members but I still get palpitations thinking about that. Logging off now, cold shower waiting….

[Prince]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

Ever seen her outfit in Startrek Voyager? Either spray painted on or she was sown-in every episode

Oh yes indeed. But as I mentioned, I don't think I have ever seen so much "tittage" as this before. I am forever beholden to you, Frans!!!