Passion for the Good Customer Experience

Blogging changes: simplicity desired

2007-11-30T23:00:00.000-05:00

I will stop updating this blog and continue writing on my passion for the good customer experience at Steve's 2 Cents. The full reasoning and explanation behind this change can be found here.

I thank you for your readership and conversations.

I hope you'll continue the conversation at Steve's 2 Cents.

Subscribe to Steve's 2 Cents here for RSS

or here

Enter your Email

The passion for good customer experience hasn't ended. It just evolves and adapts to the world!

For US Airline Travelers

2007-11-21T05:17:00.000-05:00

This "new" site provides some nice features with some good usability.

Want to know at a glance what is happening with airports? Especially when you may be stopping at more than one? Take a look.

What to know what the on-time record is for your particular flight or airline? Take a look.

Want a site to provide some tools by which you can access the information from your website or blog or browser tool bar via desktop widget. Take a look.

Registration is free.

Earth rise, earth set

2007-11-20T20:26:00.000-05:00

Another good video from Flixxy, this one just released by the Japanese whose satellite took the high definition pictures of the earth rise and earth set as it orbited the moon.

Enjoy!

Jim Henson - video

2007-11-18T06:32:00.000-05:00

From Jim Henson, circa 1965, via Ze Frank:

Enjoy!

Dilbert Security

2007-11-17T06:38:00.000-05:00

For anyone working in a corporate environment, the conflict between users and security is one near and dear to any water cooler conversation.

Be sure to follow the link to check out the Dilbert cartoon on this topic.

Well worth a good chuckle!

USATF Members Beware - ATT Survey

2007-11-16T20:13:00.000-05:00

Interesting survey in the email today from USATF for AT&T. The instructions for the survey provide a password which after you make the input with your email address thanks you for subscribing to updates from AT&T.

Excuse me! I was doing them a favor to complete a survey. I was not subscribing to AT&T for updates.

I answer a few more questions and then get a "Thank you for participating, there are no further questions, your profile does not match the interests of our client." or something like that.

Thank you! I appreciate the shortness of the questions but not the shortness of the response.

WGBH Web Site Complaint

2007-11-16T05:28:00.000-05:00

I love PBS. I listen regularly to WGBH 89.7 FM for Celtic Sojourn, Folk, and Prairie Home Companion as my top three shows. I don't like the pledge breaks but understand their need and contribute yearly.

The WGBH web site is severely lacking in user friendliness, especially for members.

You can login I suppose and not be a member, which starts the problem. Because when you do login, you are not asked for your member number. You are asked to become a member. But if you already are, that doesn't help.

And if you go from the home page (already logged in) to the Shop to purchase something with you member discount, you get a big banner across the top asking you to become a member to save more. More what? I already am a member and you don't recognize that.

In order to get the member discount you are directed to go to the Member Benefits page and obtain the code. I got into a loop twice but did not find a code. I did find plenty of info on how to become a member and what the membership options are but I already am a member (did I say that already?).

I saved myself further frustration by looking at the membership card I dug out of my wallet and was happy to find the elusive code there. Halleluiah.

Given the hassle of this site, I won't be spending too much time or money here. The member discount was equally offset by the shipping cost.

Oh well....

free rice

2007-11-15T05:43:00.000-05:00

Via a Reuters item on InformationWeek's IWDaily, I heard of this cool fund raiser.

Free Rice

You build your vocabulary and generate grains of rice to be donated to some one.

I must caution you that I found this to be an addicting game for word smiths!

Guiness - The Tipping Point

2007-11-14T05:31:00.000-05:00

What can 10 million dollars and a community do together?

Make a commercial, of course!

Would the money have been better spent elsewhere? on something more important than beer? There might be something to discuss on that topic.

Five for Friday

2007-11-09T07:34:00.000-05:00

1 - This new card has some interesting features but one in particular:
"First, the card itself is anonymous, so it doesn't have the cardholder's name on the card," Jason Hogg, CEO and founder of Revolution Money, told InformationWeek in a recent interview. "Nor does it contain any information about the cardholder in the magnetic stripe."

will likely require changes in the processing at each transaction. Read more about the Revolution card here.

2 - This is too good to believe:
there's still hope for intelligent life on the Internet. A team of software developers is hard at work on a "stupid filter" that promises to do to idiotic online comments what a spam filter does to junk and unwanted e-mail: put it in a place where it can't hurt anyone anymore.

Read the full article here.

3 - Scott Berkun points to a good film to see as a study in project management:
I’ve both seen the film, and have visited the Hermitage (prompting a 2nd viewing of the film). Understanding Russian history helps make the film more than a stunt, as the story can be hard to follow (It’s an abstract and art-y film, both figuratively and literally as it’s shot in an art museum). But even without it, the film is a visual delight and a project management wonder. If you’re a designer or a manager you’ll be in awe even if you only make it through half the film.

Read his full posting here.

4 - A commuter tail well worth reading:
Today was a crowded day on the train. I got a seat no problem, sat down and noticed everyone who was behind me got on fine and got a seat no problem, and there were even seats left over for all the people who would be getting on at the last stop before Boston. One guy though, had to raise a fuss. I've noticed him before because his head looks too small for his body. I know that's rude, but there it is. He's aggressive too, and tends to just shove people out of his way when he gets on the train. I'd never heard him speak though. Today he let this gem fly out of his mouth ( will use "effing," but know he used THE WORD. "effing Greenbush line effthem they don't think Old Colony is important anymore I am so sick of this bullsh*t and taking all our cars I mean what the eff we barely have a place to sit Jesus.I am so effing pissed" He kept up this monologue until the conductor came on then he shut his mouth.

It gets better. Read the full story here.

5 - And finally for today, Cory Doctorow's latest on how big media's restrictions are crimping creativity can be found here.

Enjoy!

NE Revs Celebrate!

2007-11-08T23:10:00.000-05:00

Part of the celebration at Gillette Stadium, when the NE Revolution players were showing off the Eastern Conference trophy to their fans!

Enjoy!

NE Revolution Eastern Conference Champs again!

2007-11-08T22:34:00.000-05:00

The New England Revolution beat the Chicago Fire 1-0 tonight at Gillette Stadium to return to the MLS Cup for the 3rd year in a row!

This will be the year. Three trips to the MLS Cup, third time is the charm.

The last three games the Revs have shutout the opponent. One more shutout and one more goal will bring home the big cup!

By the way, look for a vido of Taylor Twellman's goal this evening, it is worthy of a highlight film for sure. A superb bicycle kick with two defenders on him.

Uncle Mark Gift Guide

2007-11-08T05:24:00.000-05:00

Mark Hurst, otherwise known as "Uncle Mark" has just published his fifth gift guide (PDF). He blog posting and newsletter announce the new edition as follows:

If you *have* read Uncle Mark in the past (this is the fifth year!), you'll still find new material in this year's guide: - my new digital camera pick - my new cell phone pick (hint: same as the camera pick) - an unsung hero of consumer technology - new kitchen tool - a new (and very old) wristwatch pick - and items for parents The "expecting and new parents" section is all new, and it represents some of the most important purchases I've made since becoming Daddy Mark a few months back. If my wife and I had had"Uncle Mark 2008" as a resource, we would have saved a LOT of time in researching baby gear. If you know anyone who is a new or expecting parent, just send them the guide - they'll almost certainly find a nugget or two to thank you for.

Mark is one of the founders of Creative Good, the author of the Good Experience blog, and the host of the GEL conferences.

I have had the pleasure of attending GEL 2005, GEL 2006, and GEL 2007.

Yes, that's me at PodCamp Boston

2007-11-05T20:46:00.000-05:00

Thanks for the photo from Jeff Pulver

NE Revolution to the Eastern Conf erence Final!

2007-11-04T15:34:00.000-05:00

Yes, for the sixth year, the New England Revolution have made it to the Eastern Conference Final. This time, the game is at their Gillette Stadium home.

Thursday, November 8th, 7:30 PM start.

Any guesses where I'll be?

Glide and ThinkFree

2007-10-31T07:38:00.001-04:00

Information Week has another article with the review of two more online document tools: Glide and ThinkFree.

Google Docs and Zoho Compared

2007-10-31T05:40:00.000-04:00

If you are looking to use something other than Microsoft Office, there are two online tool sets that are worthy of exploring for your use. This Information Week article takes it time to go through each tool within the set and compares Google with Zoho.

Nicely done!

Randomization??

2007-08-10T20:26:00.000-04:00

I have been noticing a change in CoComment behavior on TypePad blogs. It requires two transmissions to "take" similar to what has been happening on the Blogger blogs. I don't know enough about what could be happening. I do see the experience I get when trying to use it to track my own comments. Is this a trend or a natural consequence of a change that CoComment hasn't yet caught up to? Time will tell.

Dwayne Melancon has a good posting over at Joyful Jubilant Learning about getting involved in blog fighting. I had to add my 2 cents and was even more pleased to see how appropriate the captcha challenge was

up9tu2

nuf said!

Franklin: MBTA Station

2007-08-09T21:52:00.001-04:00

Franklin: MBTA Station
Originally uploaded by shersteve

As noted, Franklin's downtown train station is getting fixed up. A new coating of asphalt sealing was applied recently.

Now when they come back to paint the yellow caution line, will some one take the weeds away or will they paint over the weeds?

NERevs_Fan fever

2007-08-09T05:48:00.001-04:00

NERevs_Fan fever
Originally uploaded by shersteve

The New England Revolution played the Harrisburg City Islanders in a US Open Cup game last night at Gillette Stadium.

It was a good soccer night as the Revs won 2-1.

There were only about 2000 folks in attendance but lead by a re-located "fort" section, the cheering was inspirational.

Many of the cheers are not fit for re-printing in a family publication but they are very creative. Yes, use your imagination!

One sentence did go something like: "if he doesn't play for us, don't buy his shirt". A reference to the Beckham phenomenon sweeping the US.

Do you have a group of cheer leaders?

What do you feed them so that they keep going?

Monday: one of those days

2007-08-07T05:35:00.000-04:00

Not sure why, but woke more tired than usual for a Monday morning. Drove to another site for work instead of the normal train ride to Boston. The morning passed well but slowly although in retrospect, lunch did arrive sooner than "normal".

Got to get to have some fun during the afternoon as the group gathered at Kimball Farms in Westford. We were scheduled to play some miniature golf and take a splash with the bumper boats. Alas, the weather decided to intervene and thunder/lightning cut short the mini golf game on the third hole and nix'd the bumper boats. The sundae treat was supersized and served as my main course for dinner although only mid-afternoon.

As a slight headache grew as I drove home, I knew I needed to iron some shirts. The long sleeve dress shirts I splurge and have the cleaners do. The short sleeve casual shirts I iron myself. Set up the ironing board, filled the iron, put on some tunes on the laptop and began to iron.

As the pile of shirts to be done diminished, the wrinkles slowly disappearing under the steam, the headache also began to dissolve.

A rhythm developed. Ensure the shirt was outside out. Start on the right front side, work my way across the front and then around the back until I was back to the front. Finish with the sleeves and collar. Fold on the good stack and reach for the next one.

Tunes float by.

The good pile grows.
The work pile shrinks.

Ahead of the game now, that is, more than enough shirts for tomorrow and the rest of the week, and beyond. I can relax.

Time for bed!

Sleep well all.

PodCamp Boston 2 - October 26-28, 2007

2007-08-07T05:30:00.000-04:00

PodCamp Boston 2 is rapidly approaching. We are into August and October 26-28 feels like it is just around the corner.

It was a great event last year and I expect this year to be even more so.

There are already 290 registered for this event.

Are you in New England? You should consider participating!

Even if you are outside the Boston metro area, this should be a good excuse to get here and participate!

The PodCamp website with additional info can be found here:

Register here:

Technorati Tags: podcamp, PodCamp Boston, podcast

Blog Day 2007 - 8/31/07

2007-08-06T06:04:00.000-04:00

What is BlogDay?

BlogDay was created with the belief that bloggers should have one day dedicated to getting to know other bloggers from other countries and areas of interest. On that day Bloggers will recommend other blogs to their blog visitors.
With the goal in mind, on this day every blogger will post a recommendation of 5 new blogs. This way, all blog readers will find themselves leaping around and discovering new, previously unknown blogs.

If you want to check out a new blog each day (why wait for once a year to do five), you can follow the Hitchhiker Team and their discoveries.

Check out the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Blogosphere!

Boston Media Makers: Steve Garfield explains

2007-08-05T14:09:00.001-04:00

Boston Media Makers: Steve Garfield explains
Originally uploaded by shersteve

The stars finally alinged my schedule to allow me to participate in the Boston Media Makers monthly meeting today.

Steve Garfield, Halley Suitt, Scott Fitchet, Frank Wing, John Herman, Steve Albanese, Brian Alves, and John Coyne joined in a good discussion on new media.

There is more to come from this session. Stay tuned.

Excellent beauty

2007-08-04T11:17:00.000-04:00

"There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion." — Francis Bacon

This quote appeared today when I used fd's Flickr Toys to create the mosaic picture posted here.

Each time you create a mosaic, they pop up a new quote, most of them (like this one) rather appropriate for the picture you are putting together.

Have you explored fd's Flickr Toys?

There are lots of good things to do with your photos.