Jennifer Zelazny

Random and Opinionated Thoughts

Tag: Serenity Now!

Mar
09
2009
Hosting Serenity Now!

Dealing With Tech Support is Rarely Pleasant

Posted by: Jennifer Zelazny | 0 Comments

I should have known the second I had to spell out “help” to the tech support representative that this was going to be a rough call, but I tried to stay calm. It blows my mind that some companies put such incompetent people in a position to “help” (which they cannot even spell) people with little or no skills beyond reading a tree of “if this then that”. I have to say – if anyone would like advice on which web hosts to choose or stay away from – please let me know. I would be happy to give you... Read More » Read more

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Sep
07
2007
Serenity Now!

Not So Much Fun With DirectTV

Posted by: Jennifer Zelazny | 1 Comment

I scheduled an appointment to upgrade to Directv HD. Mind you – I get something from Comcast almost everyday about switching to their service. I have been very happy with Directv for over a year now, but it seems their customer service is a bit lacking. I had a no show/no call appointment on Monday so I called on Tuesday to see what was going on. The customer service rep told me I had to be conferenced in with the “local office”. After over 30 minutes of waiting, the local person informed us that their computer systems were down and... Read More » Read more

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Sep
04
2007
Serenity Now!

Tollways

Posted by: Jennifer Zelazny | 1 Comment

This summer I have been doing a lot of traveling. Back in July I drove through Pennsylvania – and I have an iPASS so I do not need to stop and deposit coins in tolls in IL, PA, NJ, NY. I just got 2 bills in the mail for failure to pay 2 $0.50 tolls in the mail. Each were for $25.50 – $0.50 for the toll and $25.00 for the “administrative filing”. Good thing iPASS keeps a record! PA will hear from me tomorrow. Read more

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Aug
28
2007
Serenity Now! Standards

Secure Email, Secure Web Site – Thanks

Posted by: Jennifer Zelazny | 0 Comments

One of my top pet peeves in my field is the use of self-signed SSL certificates for public web sites. I have no issue with using self-signed SSL certificates for a development environment or something internal, but when you have outside users, you need to show them that they can trust you. Just today – I got a “secure” email from my student loan company (which first got marked as junk). When I clicked on the URL in the email (https://securemail…) I got the error message “certificate was signed by an unknown certifying authority”. My blood began to boil. A.... Read More » Read more

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Aug
23
2007
Apple Autos Serenity Now!

How I Fix Hardware Problems

Posted by: Jennifer Zelazny | 0 Comments

If you know me…and have seen me work with hardware, you know my style of troubleshooting. First – read to see if others are having issues. Second, make sure all the connections are working. Third, look for the dumb reasons why something would not work (electrical, buttons). Fourth – use force to beat the hardware. At first step four was out of frustration. Then, Apple made it an official option with my old displays. I quote: …you can most often break the adhesion between the grid wires by using the heel of your hand to moderately impact the side of... Read More » Read more

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Aug
08
2007
Apple Serenity Now!

.mac Update

Posted by: Jennifer Zelazny | 0 Comments

Serenity now – Apple has updated their .Mac service. There are some good updates…and some bad. The good: the Web Gallery looks pretty sweet. The bad: .Mac users can now send and receive email attachments up to 20mb. Ugh…nothing drives me more crazy than getting large email attachments. What is large? For me it is anything over 3mb. How to completely drive me insane? Send me your billboard sized photos that total over 3mb. On the upside of the .Mac improvements, I am very excited about the additional space – 10gig as well as Junk Mail via their webmail app... Read More » Read more

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Jun
01
2007
People Serenity Now!

Almost Two Months Out…What's New?

Posted by: Jennifer Zelazny | 2 Comments

It has almost been two months since I got on a commuter train, worried about having a lunch packed, or making it in to work on time. How has my life changed? I am much more calm and patient. I no longer try to make traffic lights at all costs and I really do not rush anywhere. In fact, I almost feel like I have moved into the southern way of life. Me…yeah, me. I tend to drink more Coke Zero, listen to music louder, and really enjoy what I do 90% of the time (compared to about .05%). I... Read More » Read more

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