Push, push and even more pestering "marketing" is everywhere.
Today's example is WebEx - which surprises me no end - they should be a bleeding edge web based new economy kind of thingie one would think. Note the slogan on their site - "Join the revolution!".
But no. Must be the one against Louis XVI they're talking about.
Did a trial once, not that bad, lag was pretty useless though, 10 to 20 seconds - but I suspect it would get better if I used their UK server.
Price was not so good either. Rather fuhgettabout it price for me. One hour would increase my annual "marketing budget" (typepad.com) with 50%.
Then all hell started - every time I even got close to the blasted thing I received some kind of pestering mail - questionnaire, "Am I happy with the services?", "We have a great offer for you!".
And then the marketdroids called, the modern version of poltergeists.
Latest today from one of their ladies in Holland wanting to know "how she could help me".
When I told her I was not happy about the lag (had to explain what I meant by "lag") she responded "No, that's not so, we're much better than everybody else!". Ah, good going, denial is much better than listening I guess.
So I told her I'm using VNC, free and no lag to talk about - her response? "Good for you. Good luck in the future. Click..."
Well run company that one... any short sellers out there? Give it a thought.
Anyway, found out a long time ago that not using WebEx is like a filter, I filter out many old fashioned closed thinking firms that would be a waste to talk to any way! Like WebEx themselves I would think...
I like filters.
Gah. I must, at the day job, deal with a vendor who insists on using WebEx when it's time to change licenses on the application. They, per SOP, must login and add the licenses themselves.
Two strikes against the vendor. By policy they don't trust me, the customer. By policy they insist that I run a service and application (WebEx and browser) on a server where our policy is that we don't do things like that on servers.
Their help desk and I ... we've reached an informal accomodation. I get to change the licenses with the key codes they mail me. In return I screen shot the before/after license count.
But man it burns every time I do that. Nothing like being treated like a thief by people we're handing good money to on a yearly basis.
Posted by: Brian | June 21, 2006 at 14:14
It's like the world is split into two kinds - "I trust you, let's make life simple" or "I do not trust you, let's pay dearly for it both" products and services and firms...
Wonder where I shall put firms who puts their NDAs and DRMs up front :D
Hmm... interesting idea... shall mull over and see if a proper post develops!
Posted by: sig | June 21, 2006 at 15:06
However, VNC won't even publish their prices on their website. I assume they're hiding something. No price - no interest from me.
Posted by: Harold Jarche | June 22, 2006 at 13:11
Oh dear, try one of these:
Mac OSX: http://sourceforge.net/projects/cotvnc/
Windows: http://www.realvnc.com/products/free/4.1/download.html
Free...
Or do a Google and find one for your PDA even...
Posted by: sig | June 22, 2006 at 13:26
You really should research stuff better before you comment. WebEx is a killer product and service. Ever stop to think that maybe your lousy dial-up service couldn't handle a normal web-based service? Try investing more time before commenting and maybe even a better internet connection next time. And your writing style, as hard as you try to be flip and funny, falls about as flat as your commentary.
Posted by: Happy User | July 08, 2006 at 21:22
Thanks "noneofyourbusiness" for the most wonderful demonstration for the need and effect of above mentioned filter :D
Posted by: sig | July 08, 2006 at 23:13
Wow, you really zinged me didn't you? Keep up the "good work!"
Posted by: noneofyourbusiness | July 09, 2006 at 17:07