As mentioned previously, I returned my “out of production” (Europe only)Victorinox SwissFlame knife in for warranty service, and although they could not repair it, they honored the lifetime warranty. Not only did they sent me the new SwissTool™ Spirit X as a replacement, but they return the defective knife – superb customer service.
As a Leatherman tool user (my good one is on Encore), I can say that the pricey SwissTool™ Spirit X is a step up in quality. Now the only question standing is how can I comfortably carry this hefty tool “in a pocket” for everyday wear? Talking about knives and tools, this reminded me of a previous top ten list post.
The new album, “Loved Wild Lost,” will be available on April 21st and the band recorded a couple new promotional YouTube clips with audio from the country/folk flavored “Simpler Times” cut from side two of the new album.
EDIT: Adding the full concert video from Lincoln Hall in Chicago (2013) — thanks Alan!
Taylor and his friend Nick took advantage of a long weekend to take a trip from frozen North Dakota to Boulder, Colorado and Wyoming, just as they did over Thanksgiving. They skirted just east of the Rocky Mountains and had great weather. Since there were only two guys to split the gas this trip, I’m sure they appreciated the lower fuel prices – he sent me a $1.85 gasoline price in Wyoming – nice! For the most part the weather was clear and scenes beautiful, but there were patches of ice keeping drivers cautious.
Not to be outdone with having a good time, sister Katelyn met up with a few of her Columbus Nationwide Children’s Hospital friends from her residency for the weekend in Chicago. Besides having a good time catching up on each of their personal and professional lives, they did some movie watching, eating out and shopping while in downtown Chicago. I’m glad to know they all enjoy staying in touch.
Vistaprint produced a great television commercial that is currently running on a couple national cable channels. Perhaps I like it because it is “printing” or “entrepreneur” related, but the passing down of a small business does tug at my heart strings. (here’s an additional video on the making of the commercial).
On a personal update, my Dad is doing a better with a bit of supervision and improved eating and sleeping habits … thanks to my brother Ron and his wife Claire. The last couple weeks instead of living alone at home, they have moved him in with them temporarily (we’ll see?) in order to get him thru the winter. I don’t think we’re really kidding ourselves into thinking that dad will be able to live unassisted again though. Still it is great to see him doing better and appreciating the help … although there was initial resistance. A day at a time. For now, I’m enjoying stopping in to see both dad and my brother … and playing some pool.
The weather on this Presidents’ Day is reminding me that we are still in February and that winter and snow is still here.
Forecast for Monday, February 16, 2015 … I’m sticking around the house today as there is not much sense into driving south into the snow (was today’s schedule).
Eventually I’m interested in getting the Cape Horn Self-Steering gear working aboard Encore, but I’m still missing a few parts. Two of the crucial items are the Light and Heavy vanes that make the corrections that pivot the steering gears paddle. The paddle (in the water) amplifies the force in order to control the rudder … eventually steering the boat back on course all without power. I priced replacing the vanes from Canada, but after reviewing the dimensions, it almost looks as if the sail cloth light air and aluminum heavy weather vane could be self fabricated?
After reading the subject line, I realized that “more that the two of us” would have been a little odd … but thank you Brenda for making dinner special.
One of Saturday’s projects was taking apart a Whale Galley water pump and ordering a rebuild kit online. After pricing it on a few boating sites, I ended up on eBay and picking up the #AK0553 kit for $26 including shipping. The jury is still out if I can’t get this manual galley footpump working again.
There was no love lost from customers of Intuit’s Turbo Tax software, and like many, I quickly looked to their competitors when I saw Intuit’s “money grab” in January 2015. Although the company responded with an apology and offered a $25 rebate to those who eventually figured out they needed to upgrade their Deluxe edition to the more expensive Premier or or even more expensive Home & Business … most were not happy with that particular apology or the $25 peace offering, only available after they e-filed their tax returns.
Now, to give credit where credit is due, Intuit CEO Brad Smith stepped up to the “mistake” with what could be the model of how CEOs should address customers after offending them (YouTube video above). Perhaps Intuit won’t able to correct the 2014 marketing decision, but they have recognized the massive backlash from customers … who at one time were most likely customers for life. I’m not sure what more could have said after the fact, but the January 29th apology and steps that announced to address customers anger and frustration is a good template for CEOs who find themselves in similar hot water. I’ve yet to see the reinstated forms in the Deluxe version, or where pricing will be set next year, but Mr. Smith’s response was good.
I still dislike the decision Intuit made in 2014 to gouge their customers … and am still puzzled why their website does not reflect what I think CEO Brad Smith said … but I’ll give credit to Brad Smith and his mea culpa so long as they follow through with the “reinstating all the previous forms” in the Deluxe version of TurboTax.
We recently communicated with customers about the changes we made to TurboTax desktop software products and apologized for mishandling this important decision.
Many of you told us that our apology and explanation were just not good enough. You said that our offer of money back was too complicated. And you wanted to know what would happen next year. All valid points. You also clearly told us what would make this right.
You want your TurboTax desktop product to do what it always has done – handle the same tax situations as it did in years past. We’ve heard you, and we’re going to fix it.
Next year, we’re changing back to the TurboTax desktop software you know and love, restoring the forms that you’ve counted on for years.
Beginning February 7th, returning Deluxe desktop customers who need to upgrade will be able to do so within the product for free, making it simple and seamless.
For returning customers who have already upgraded to Premier at the higher price, we are continuing to offer $25 cash back through April 20. Just go to www.TurboTax.com/25back to get your money.
We will be communicating to our desktop customers in the coming days. In addition, Brad Smith, Intuit president and CEO, posted this video on LinkedIn.
I realize this hasn’t been easy on you, and I’m sorry for that. I also recognize that it took us too long to make this right. We are committed to regaining your trust.
The U.S. stock market rallied this week and closed Friday in nose bleed territory. The Dow finished the day at 18,019.35 up 47 points and S&P 500 setting a new record as well up .41 percent at 2096.99. The Nasdaq was up as well and closed at 4893.84, nearing its old high of 5,048.62 back on March 10, 2000 … that was15 years ago!
The firming oil prices are partially credited for the new highs and the headline of a Ukraine and Russia peace didn’t hurt either. Some of the euphoria has some cautious investors’ nerves on edge, wondering if we are once again adding too much air to the balloon?
Judging from the suggestions complaints to Google from users making an accidental “mouse swipe” through their online Calendar app, it looks like I’m not the only one frustrated. The problem of scrolling to the wrong month has existed for years and is most noticeable when using the Apple OS and their Magic Mouse. The sensitivity seems to be exaggerated when using Google Calendar in a browser and it is very easy to scroll back and forth to different months without even realizing it. People have begged for a fix, but so far haven’t found a way to disable to feature on just the Google online app.
Enter a work-a-round semi-fix by using the MagicPrefs app to adjust the one-finger mouse gestures used on Apple’s Magic Mouse. I’ve recently installed the app and basically adjusted “only” the diagonal and horizontal scrolling … at least for now.
After loading the app (auto load at reboot) and bringing up the apps preferences, click “configure scrolling” and uncheck the One Finger Scrolling boxes as indicated in the image below. For my own use, I also resized the sensitivity “patch” on the mouse to reflect only the approximate area used by a scroll wheel. This can be adjusted to meet your personal needs, but since I used a bluetooth scroll wheel mouse on my laptop, de-sensitizing the Magic Mouse on my iMac is not a problem.
