Only Idiots Order from Dell....

.....Sadly, that includes me.

Buying a new computer from Dell is quite the process, let me tell you. It all began in early March when I first approached Dell about purchasing a laptop. I was going to finance it through their leasing company, but later found another leasing company through which I could lease it for cheaper. So the first order was placed, but then cancelled.

A day or so later I placed a second order. Dell's systems, being automated, take a few days to register your order. Until your order is registered, you will be unable to check the status of the order. It basically hangs in some sort of limbo before being turned over to someone for review. Well my second order was misplaced. They say you need to wait a full business week before calling them if you don't see your order number. So I waited. It was now mid-March and my order was still not being processed.

I called them and after much difficulty, managed to speak to a person of importance. I say this because most of the basic sales are handled by idiots in India. That's not to say people from India are idiots, but that the quality of training is incredibly poor. I spoke to this guy named Kiran, and his e-mail signature is such, but answers the phone by the name of Chris. Now tell me, wouldn't that be confusing?

Anyways, several days worth of back and forth and I finally got the order in place. Then I fired off an e-mail to this guy's supervisor and ripped his face right off. I told them I wasn't going to EVER recommend Dell because of its poor service and the immense hassle they put me through. It really pays off to bitch about their reputation because a day later my order was being processed, assembled and shipped. I got my order a week before the estimated ship date because the supervisor assured me he would expedite my order.

The laptop is finally here, and it's awesome. But the effort, holy shit what a gong show.

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I guess I should at least tell you what I got:
Dell Inspiron 9400
Intel Core Duo
ATI Mobility Radeon X1400
2GB Memory
100GB Harddrive at 7200rpm
17" screen

And Windows Vista Home Premium (if you know what "Aero" means then you know why I got this version).

All iPods Go To Heaven

It finally happened. My first iPod has died. 'Tis a sad day in this music-addict's world.

After a year and a half of loyal service, my iPod has ceased to function. All I get now is the Apple logo and the unhappy iPod icon with a link to the Apple Tech support website. It all began with a leaky ziploc container...

As a healthy snack for work, I packed up a ziploc container with sliced cantaloupe and placed it in my shoulder bag. On the way home, I carelessly (and uncharacteristically) tossed my iPod into my bag, and then placed the empty (or so I thought) ziploc container in the bag next to it. The bag was then tossed into the backseat of the Jeep.

When I got home, I made a sickening discovery. The ziploc container had leaked cantaloupe juice all over my iPod. Thanks to the clear case that I keep on the iPod at all times, it was mostly protected, but part of the wheel was exposed and more than a little sticky. Fearing for it's life, I rushed it over to Futureshop where I had a Product Service Plan with them. They took it in, but told me spill damage was not covered by the PSP.

A short while later it was returned to me with no indication of anything wrong. They did their diagnostics and pronounced it healthy.

Now, a week ago I got the sad iPod icon and called Futureshop again. But as I was talking, I accidentally dropped my iPod on the carpet. It immediately started up again. I was so thrilled, that I hung up without another word. Then last night while I was on the treadmill at the gym, it hung again. I smacked it with the back of my hand and it started up again. But not for long. It's my belief that the hard-drive is going, so I took it to Futureshop. The girl said that I shouldn't bother since they'll just write it off as being water damaged.

I'm not prepared to give up. I found an iPod repairman in Edmonton, but I'm a little concerned about just sending my iPod to them without any guarantee that I'll ever see it again. It is, however, the only option left short of buying a brand new iPod.

In the meantime, I think I'll pick up a Shuffle and use that at the gym. At least then, I'll have some sort of portable music. I may very well go mad without it. Has anyone heard anything about the Shuffles?

Pray with me that we can bring my iPod back from the dead, lest it become one of the dearly Departed.