Blog Feed: Is There A Problem Here?

For well over 10 minutes, and 11 seconds, the automated online chat hold messages have been telling me that my estimated wait time is "10 minutes and 11 seconds". That seems overly precise; especially when the value isn't being updated.

Amazon is down!

Published on 2013-01-31 13:56:00

How long did it take to load that web page?

Published on 2013-01-07 12:24:58

It seems that something is wrong with Google Chrome's developer tools network timeline. It is reporting seconds as days.

Microsoft solicits a purchase they then refuse to deliver

Published on 2012-11-01 21:44:22

What!? Windows 8 isn't available for download in the United States? Why then, Microsoft, did you offer to sell it to me in the first place?

Over XXX Channels

Published on 2012-10-03 09:34:19

What is the difference between these packages? In addition to Xs where numbers should be, this bundle comparison feature seems to be missing something important: the summaries don't describe the distinctions between packages.

Stop estimating and start doing the work

Published on 2012-07-06 12:21:59

Hey, we're collecting silly error messages.

Published on 2012-07-06 05:00:01

Nathan Labhart

Most frightening error message

Published on 2012-07-05 22:13:30

Derek Jenkins

Swearing in code

Published on 2012-06-23 00:22:19

Software developers sometimes goof around. Some goof often.

Yo Kanye, I'm really happy for you, I'ma let you finish, but Nike can't keep up!

Published on 2012-06-11 03:36:07

Nike released the Kanye West Air Yeezy II shoes last night. It appears that it didn't go according to plan -- unless the plan was to anger fans who are willing to stay up late to buy $250 sneakers. I've assembled the following tweets from before, during, and after the release to tell the story of the release. These many tweets are displayed in chronological order and are only a small sampling of the thousands of complaints tweeted in the past day. While I have not included any of t [..]

We know nothing

Published on 2012-06-10 18:36:52

Gary Kemp

Not saved

Published on 2012-06-08 03:28:15

Guy Rosen

Nah nah na boo boo. The details; I won't tell you.

Published on 2012-06-08 03:19:11

Pascal Batty tweets: I often laugh at useless tech-heavy error messages presented to users, but this Xcode error just makes me mad. Let's play a game. This game is called "Guess what files failed to copy for what reasons". Care to make a guess?

Facebook down

Published on 2012-06-02 00:32:10

There were reports of a Facebook outage yesterday, May 31st. However, I seem to have encountered another outage this morning. Facebook was down for me this morning, June 1st, for at least a half hour. Was it down for you? “Let me tell you the difference between Facebook and everyone else,

Bing, why you so silly?

Published on 2012-05-30 22:00:30

This morning, Bing began returning some odd search results. So, I then tried searching for some things for which I had some expectations for results. How about HP Quality Center? Bing certainly has something about Quality Center. In fact, it was my looking for licensing information that started my questioning of Bing's results. Not what I expected. So, I continued my testing with "testing". Certainly Bing can direct me to some web pages about testing. Kiwi mold removal. Bigfoot. Ameri [..]

Every darn time...

Published on 2012-05-20 23:11:09

Perhaps I'm just weird, but I am of the opinion that a failed database connection should not cause Excel to crash and lose my data.

Don't delete the first

Published on 2012-05-19 15:26:38

If you have multiple phone number or IM accounts in your Monster.com profile, you may delete old/unwanted items; but you may not delete the first. BTW, I'm looking for new work.

Deleting Toy Story 2

Published on 2012-05-18 22:42:05

You don't know if your data is really backed up if you don't try to restore it. Test your backups.

Sorry, no jobs for you

Published on 2012-05-18 21:46:34

CareerBuilder.com sends me periodic emails listing jobs that its recommendation engine determines to be a match to information in my resume. When I click the "See All Jobs" link at the top right of the list in the email, the CareerBuilder site opens in my browser. However, it says "You have no matches." and "Sorry, we couldn't find any jobs to recommend at this time. Please try again later." Every time. Every email links me nothing. While the presence of a software bug doesn't tell us wh [..]

Insufficient Funds

Published on 2012-05-16 09:55:29

A friend received the following insufficient funds notice from her bank. Is there a problem here? The bank returned her rent check due to insufficient funds when there was sufficient money in the account to cover the check. The notice from the bank also indicates that there were sufficient funds in the account. If bank software can't do simple math, we're in big trouble.

Authorize the unknown

Published on 2012-05-14 09:09:55

Trillian prompts me to authorize or deny the unknown. Trillian offers no option to see the requester's profile. Trillian offers no option to chat with the requester in order to find out who they are. Trillian does not display the requester's avatar image. Trillian does not even show the instant messaging service from which the request comes. Why prompt software users with a decision if you are not going to provide the information necessary to make an informed decision?

Maximum Sun

Published on 2012-05-04 23:12:56

I seem to have found a limit in the number of sun I can collect in Plants versus Zombies. Clicking on suns does not increase the count, but healing walnuts

What's happening, Facebook?

Published on 2012-03-07 09:00:30

Perhaps it is just me. The Facebook header bar is behaving just like Twitter's header bar: they scroll down with the page.

What's happening, Twitter?

Published on 2012-03-07 08:47:33

The further I scroll down a Twitter page, the further the header bar drops down the screen.

Word did not save the document.

Published on 2012-02-08 09:33:43

A couple days ago, it was Excel that would not save documents. Today it is Word. Microsoft Word's error message identifies the name of the file that it failed to save, but still provides nothing useful in correcting the problem.

Document not saved.

Published on 2012-02-06 14:45:28

I have an Excel document that I cannot save. Every time I try to save, Excel displays the above dialog stating "Document not saved." While I'm glad to be informed that the unsaved document was not saved, I'd prefer to be given more any information about the cause and required remedy.

Blockbuster is careless with customer credit card info

Published on 2012-01-25 20:30:48

It appears that the Blockbuster Total Access "Rent It, Like, Keep It" payment processing system does not encrypt credit card information submitted by customers. After seeing "http", and not "https", momentarily flash on my screen while making a purchase from my phone's web browser, I confirmed this from a computer. As can be seen below, the purchase form is loaded using insecure HTTP instead of encrypted HTTPS. Firebug shows that pressing the "Submit Purchase" button sends a request over H [..]

The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect

Published on 2012-01-17 17:53:09

Dear TortoiseSVN, A single file in a Subversion repostitory that does not have a valid Windows filename should not abort updating of all the other files. kthxbai. Ben

Can we make troubleshooting any more difficult?

Published on 2012-01-12 14:12:40

Please tell me, Excel: Did you fail to connect to the server or were my access credentials denied?

Insert disc to quit

Published on 2012-01-11 11:17:31

I press the Quit button. I get an error telling me the wrong disc is in the drive. Why should I need a disc in the drive to quit?

Choose less data

Published on 2011-12-09 16:23:05

But, I only tried to format 2 columns that contain a total of 4 cells with data.

The Sequel Is Rarely As Good As The Original

Published on 2011-11-20 12:53:25

When even CTRL+ALT+DELETE fails...

Published on 2011-11-16 11:53:13

... Windows must be in a really bad state.

Either button?

Published on 2011-11-09 22:43:35

The button? There are two buttons. One implies authorizing payment; the other does not. The text says clicking "the button" authorizes payment. Consistency people. Consistency. Descriptive text should match the GUI controls. Why is this so difficult for so many GUI developers?

Making it easier for criminal minds

Published on 2011-06-23 19:29:58

It seems the nice folks at Gamestop.com are giving those seeking unauthorized access half the information needed to access an account.

Close Programs To Continue

Published on 2011-06-23 10:27:30

Seems I can't complete the Java update install until I close nothing.

Welcome, null!

Published on 2011-05-11 17:32:26

It is nice to know that Verizon Wireless knows me well enough to customize their web site just for me!

You aren't printing enough!

Published on 2011-05-09 21:11:37

In the rare occasion that you don't use up our very costly ink quickly, your printer is programmed to expire the ink and suggest that it is not safe to print without buying new ink. If you don't keep buying our ink often enough, we'll scare you into

There seems to be a screen resolution problem

Published on 2011-05-07 17:47:25

It appears that no one has informed Yahoo! of today's world of netbook and tablet computers that have less than 1024 x 768 resolution displays. As the world went mobile, it appears Yahoo! was busy building a new email system that's incompatible

Sliders

Published on 2011-05-06 17:17:28

Performance test results filters are an essential feature in most any performance testing tool. Requiring that a filter be set using GUI sliders and not supporting text input is just plain stupid. Those 'edit' boxes showing seconds and time on t

An error occurred.

Published on 2011-05-04 10:08:23

Reading an online book, I click the link for the next page. The page goes mostly white with a tiny message at the top left. An error occurred? No kidding. Contact technical support via email for help viewing the next page? How about trying a

Offensive Captchas

Published on 2011-05-02 21:41:01

Warning: This post contains profanity -- captured from CBS.com. If you are sensitive to such things, please select another problem. Many web sites use captchas in an effort to verify that users are human, and not automated scri

Do you really want that ringtone?

Published on 2011-05-02 10:05:47

@DeMarko: This dialog (and it's variations) has never EVER made sense to me.

Official Release

Published on 2011-05-02 01:01:10

Microsoft says: Contact Microsoft and tell them they're doing it wrong. ;) @yauman22: Wow, Microsoft can't even keep up with their own software..

Do you want to find this file yourself?

Published on 2011-04-30 12:46:00

No, I want to find some cash. @Gisch: You want to see a Windows Help dialog box on your ATM, right? #fail

Today is yesterday?

Published on 2011-04-28 14:11:17

It said this yesterday too. If I don't change my password, will it forever expire later "today"? ;)

Now you see it; now you don't

Published on 2011-04-28 09:53:38

Anyone else notice an intermittent display problem with Netflix on the Wii?

Infinite Skype

Published on 2011-04-28 09:35:33

This past weekend, on April 23rd, I participated in the European Weekend Testing session. During the session, participants explored the chat message size boundaries of Skype. During the couple hours of the session, I received many messages from other

An Interruption

Published on 2011-04-28 01:29:43

After inserting my ATM card and PIN, I select the option (an automatically generated button) to repeat a recent past activity: withdraw $40 from my primary checking account. In the past, selecting this option has resulted in the ATM dispensing cash a

Help Me Help Me Not

Published on 2011-04-26 09:03:14

Filling out a BBB complaint form, I don't see a problem classification option that quite matches my complaint. So I click the provided Help icon (question mark). A new window opens, but it isn't very helpful. That Primary Classification Help l

You must make your data conform to our database field format...

Published on 2011-04-26 01:41:28

... because stripping dashes and parentheses from phone numbers is just too darn hard. ...

Not Offline; Broken

Published on 2011-04-22 23:13:20

I click a Google search result link to the National Conference of State Legislatures site and get a page stating "We are very sorry, but the page that you are looking for could not be found." I'm not surprised. Sometimes web sites change. Sometim

No data is ever transferred to our server

Published on 2011-04-22 01:23:52

How can Twipho.net search Twitter for images without transferring data to their server? It appears they may be able to do that; however, the browser still transfers data to their server. In spying on the network traffic, it does appear that the clie

Corrupt and unreadable

Published on 2011-04-21 22:46:26

I've read that it is a good practice to stop a program when corrupted data is encountered. Tweeted by @ruslanpiano

How to improve chances that no one will ever read a software license agreement.

Published on 2011-04-20 10:05:25

After turning on an logging into my computer, an Adobe Flash Player install dialog appears on my screen. The dialog is asking me to read and agree to a license agreement. I click the link to read the license. Firefox opens beneath the installer dial

How long is the installation time?

Published on 2011-04-20 09:58:54

Time Travel Tests

Published on 2011-04-19 12:25:37

I've been working on some performance tuning of .Net tests in Visual Studio 2010. My tests now complete before they start. Awesome!

You require permission from yourself

Published on 2011-04-14 08:04:00

So, I need permission to make changes to a folder. Trouble is it says I need permission from the user currently logged into the system -- me, aka myself, aka I.

Pay us nothing, or else!

Published on 2011-04-13 20:10:52

Today, I received a threatening email from the electric company. It seems their system incorrectly believes I have not paid my bill, and I have a past due balance of $0.00 that must be paid immediately, or they will disconnect my service. I think

The Nutritional Value of Television

Published on 2011-04-12 12:32:39

You don't need to understand Spanish to detect something amiss with the specifications for this TV at exito.com. Does the calorie content of TV vary with the programming? ;) Submitted by: José Alejandro Betancur Álvarez

Nothing to do.

Published on 2011-04-07 09:46:03

I repeatedly attempt to delete a file from within a Compressed (ZIPped) Windows XP folder. Each time I try to delete the file, Windows reports "Nothing to do." I then try to copy the file and am told there is nothing to do. After some investigation,

Surprise! You must restart!

Published on 2011-04-06 11:28:00

I finally give into Adobe Acrobat Reader's requests to install an update. Then after several minutes of installing, it tells me I must restart my computer before using the Reader. Had I known a restart was required, I would not have upgraded at this

On the Bleeding Edge of Technology

Published on 2011-04-06 10:11:25

To file an Arizona state tax return online, you can use Internet Explorer 6 or Firefox 1, but not Chrome.

Transactions continue on next page

Published on 2011-04-05 09:49:00

As I am reviewing credit card statements, I notice something odd. At the bottom of the first page, I notice the statement "Transactions continue on next page" appears AFTER the "TOTAL TRANSACTIONS" line. If the transactions have been totaled, I exp

Taxing Dialog

Published on 2011-04-04 01:45:23

This "Any changes you have made will not be saved" dialog that's displayed after submitting a Colorado tax return via NetFile is a bit disconcerting. It told me that my return was submitted. Now it says changes will not be saved.

There are unused icons on your desktop

Published on 2011-03-30 09:22:00

@mandreano: Everyone loves a good airport Windows #fail

Who is asking?

Published on 2011-03-29 12:13:30

So, you've detected that I am simultaneously accessing a file with more than one application. You've detected that the file has been "changed by another application". I appreciate being asked if I want to reload the file after it has been changed in

Stop the Unknown

Published on 2011-03-28 22:59:36

I have little confidence in the unresponsive unkown.

He's Dead, Jim!

Published on 2011-03-26 21:28:12

It looks like the Chrome "Oh Snap" error message has changed! Change is good. :)

Saints and Sinners: Bing!

Published on 2011-03-25 19:59:46

Checking to see if Bing has yet crawled and indexed anything on my new quotes website, ribbit.cc, I perform a search for "site:ribbit.cc". It appears to show only one link to a specific quote (not the home page), but also shows "POPULAR LINKS" for th

One or more, directly or indirectly

Published on 2011-03-24 18:52:40

Thank you, Visual Studio, for telling me that you can't run one or more tests. How about telling me which test, or tests, in the selected context could not be found? How about giving me an option to run the tests that can be found? I must now, direc

You must accept the Terms of Use to not use

Published on 2011-03-23 19:44:57

When installing Eclipse, disabling the "Usage Data Collector" requires that I agree to the terms for enabling Eclipse's "Usage Data Collector" -- the thing I told it I don't want to use. Then, once the "Usage Data Collector" is supposedly turned of

Security Questions

Published on 2011-03-23 08:55:51

Wells Fargo requires that I provide answers for four of the following "Security Questions". I can't come up with four of these for which I will have a consistent answer and aren't information I'd consider to be secure (not known by others) enough to

The Bug that Blocked the Super Bowl

Published on 2011-02-07 11:52:35

After a run to two grocery stores to purchase more junk food than we should be eating in a month, I turn on the TV to watch the Super Bowl. I enter the channel number of the local Fox station. The screen remains black. A few seconds later, a blue bo

Sorry, you do not have any Data Details

Published on 2010-12-21 13:17:37

If you are going to add $190.70 in data usage fees on top of my unlimited plan fees, the least you can do is provide details as to how you calculated that amount.

Script Error

Published on 2010-12-09 14:54:00

@decarboxy reports: "ATM fail". Doesn't it make you feel better to know that ATMs are running on Internet Explorer? ;)

Can software commit perjury?

Published on 2010-09-21 17:02:18

The PDF document generated by the online filing system shows something different than what I submitted to the state. That's not my name and address.

The Door is Ajar

Published on 2010-09-15 10:45:32

I knew my hard disk has windows, but not a door. ;)

Importing Browser Settings Has Positively Failed

Published on 2010-09-07 09:01:12

Wait...was it successful or not? Big red X marks do not indicate a positive outcome.

Please zoom in to see your results

Published on 2010-09-04 00:01:37

I search Realtor.com for homes for sale within my postal code. Wanting to see listings for the homes closest to mine, I then click the "Map" button. While I expected that I may need to zoom in a little and navigate to my house, I expected a bit

Your alert found new jobs

Published on 2010-09-01 19:17:30

I received the following alert email from HotJobs informing me that new job listings have been posted that match one of my saved searches. Notice a problem? The search results section is blank. If it found new jobs matching the search criter

Normal document template

Published on 2010-08-25 01:33:48

If Word is going to automatically save changes that I didn't make, why doesn't it automatically load them?

All those other errors were jokes. This time it's serious.

Published on 2010-08-23 21:18:40

@undividual: HEY! It's SERIOUS ERROR time!

No internationalization required

Published on 2010-08-23 11:56:44

@shradz: Error message #fail when uninstalling something on vista And to think, someone went to the trouble of coding this very informative error dialog.

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