This is creepy; I tried to use a general tutorial yesterday so that I could acquire and use the appropriate term of art in a post regarding the AOL Journals.

 

The tutorials required some sort of update which took forever.  The tutorials stank to high heaven -- they actually take control of your PC, refuse to allow any other activity on the machine except for taking the tutorial.  I couldn't kill the operation even with CTL-ALT-DEL going to Windows Task Manager and trying to find and terminate the operation.

 

Nope, I actually had to hard boot the system.

 

Later in the afternoon, AOL sends me a lovely message, offering me AOL Member Support and all that:

 

AOL® Member Support.

We're here to help you.

 

At AOL, we want you to have the best possible online experience. That's why free 24-hour Member Support is part of your AOL membership.

 

Having trouble getting connected? Staying connected?

Not sure how to find your way around AOL?

 

Here are two easy ways to get the answers you need:

 

AOL 24-hour Phone Support

AOL's Member Support Team is here to answer your questions 24-hours a day. Just call our special, toll-free number for new members like you at 1-866-628-8708.

 

OR

 

AOL 24-hour Online Support

Use AOL® Keywords to get the help you need -- quickly and easily. AOL Keywords are shortcuts that save you time and help you find exactly what you want.

 

Just click the AOL Keyword button in the menu bar and type the word or phrase you're looking for. Or press the "Ctrl" and "K" keys at the same time and the AOL Keyword window will appear.

 

Check out these AOL Keywords:

 

AOL Keyword: Help

Like your personal PC handyman AOL Keyword: Help provides you with technical support to get you up and running-or back on track. With step-by-step instructions, it's easy to solve the most common computer problems.

 

Also, in AOL Keyword: Help, check out features like:

 

Show Me How

AOL's Help Tutorials walk you through simple ways to set up AOL features. Plus they provide useful troubleshooting tips.

 

Technical Support

Get quick answers to your questions about connecting to AOL, getting around the Internet, and more. Be sure to print out the AOL "Cheat Sheet" and keep it next to your computer.

 

AOL Keyword: Connect

Get connected. Stay connected. Locate new AOL access numbers for quick and easy connections, and to help prevent unexpected disconnections.

 

AOL Keyword: Computer Check-Up

Keep your PC running at its best. AOL Computer Check-Up diagnoses and automatically fixes common computer problems.

 

If you're having trouble getting connected, or staying connected, or if you can't access these AOL Keywords, just call our 24-hour New Member phone support at 1-866-628-8708.

 

Sincerely,

 

The AOL Member Support Team

 

P.S. We'll be sending you a print out of these Keywords and this special 800 number in the mail (look for the AOL Running Man!). Be sure to keep this mailer by your computer for future reference!

 

Hmm.  Wonder what spawned that message, the upgrade to and interrupt of the tutorial, or the bitching I've done about the cheesy AOL Journals?

 

Creepy.  Feel like Big Brother is watching me.

 

  2:25:59 PM    comment []

My apologies -- no real new content here if you saw me on the Recently Changed list.  Just a blogger messing with code here.

Real content later today. 

Really, I promise.  Try and stop me.

 

  11:54:49 AM    comment []

 

From Paul at Playing with My Food, one of the co-editors at e-zine Virtual Occoquan:

 

The September 14 issue of Virtual Occoquan is the Advice Column issue. Yes, now it is your chance to tell impressionable minds how to handle complicated situations in their unworthy lives. Formulate the questions they might be asking you and then do your best Dear Abby (Hoffman might work).

 

Send submissions to Dave Pollard and/or Mark Hoback

 

Got any "how-tos" that we've missed?  Fess up!

 

  10:45:46 AM    comment []