Darin’s Blog

I just went to check my server usage stats and learnt that my hosting provider, Media Temple, has just released an iPhone version of their Account Center. While I think that is a bit silly since the iPhone can supposedly display any web page just like normal, I guess it looks pretty and fits the iPhone branded image.

But what caught my attention was the preview images. Check out this one for the reboot a server panel.

You can almost read that domain.

dv3.**andgoodman.com

Once before when Media Temple upgraded their services, a domain name was displayed in the demonstrations, and if you went to the domain there was a code to get a discount on hosting through them. However in that case, the domain was not blurred, so there is most likely nothing of that sorts at the end of this rainbow, but it still strikes an interest. Anyone able to read what it says?

UPDATE: I was able to figure it out, ryandgoodman.com, and it’s certainly hosted on Media Temple: acmkokecgk.gs01.gridserver.com (64.13.192.80). Although there is really nothing there just as expected. Oh well, it was a fun little treasure hunt while it lasted.

Living away from home, especially as far away from home as modern human technology allows (I can’t exactly go to the moon right now), communication with those back home is something that I have to think about. There’s email and blogs, but really sometimes you just want to talk on the phone. Even though I have VoIP service in my apartment, I’ve been using Skype for quite a long time to talk with people back home because it’s cheaper, and the ability to get an incoming phone number (SkypeIn) is a great feature.

But the software (at least the Mac version) just sucks. It takes up lots of memory, it’s slow, it doesn’t interface well with the OS, and it’s just plain ugly.

Fortunately, there are alternatives. Primarily, there is Gizmo. Gizmo is the same type of computer based VoIP system/software/service as Skype, but the software just does things better. First and foremost, it’s not the resources hog that Skype is, which means I can just leave it running at all times to have it ready and waiting for an incoming call, with Skype I turn it on when I’m expecting a call, or check it once in a while for messages like I would an old fashioned answering machine. It’s pretty, and it works great with Mac (it’s got a nice little icon on the top system bar like iChat that gives you all the information you want right at your finger tips). And to top it off, it’s cheaper then Skype! (1.9cents/min vs 2.1cents/min)

But there is a huge problem with Gizmo, they refuse to take my money. And without my money, they won’t provide me any services. It all started way back in April. I downloaded the Gizmo Project software, tried it out with the included free credits, and was very happy with it. Naturally when my free credits ran out, I tried to purchase more. I was given a message saying that my card could not be processed automatically and that they would manually have to process my card which could take a day or two. Not a problem, because I had some time left on Skype. But the days kept coming and going, and I got no response. So I tried again, same problem. This time I filled a claim ticket.

Darin ten Bruggecate
Posted on: 25 Apr 2007 04:17 PM

The other day I tried to purchase Call Out time and a Virtual Call In number, however I was told my credit card could not be automatically processed and I would have to wait while it is manually processed.

That was a few days ago and I haven’t heard anything yet, so I would just like to check on that.

After a few days, I heard nothing.

Darin ten Bruggecate
Posted on: 04 May 2007 07:55 AM

Nevermind, I’ll just use Skype. Their billing works. I can’t wait any longer.

So that was the end of that for a while.

But I just wasn’t satisfied with Skype, and why should I use a product I’m not satisfied with when there are options in this free market economy we live in. So I tried Gizmo again, with no luck. Since their official support forums proved just as worthless as their billing system did, I choose to directly email.

Darin だりん to orders Jun 6

Please, one of these times take my money. I’ve been having a heck of
a time even trying out your guys’ service — I’ve tried 3 credit cards
now, and every time I get a message saying that it has to be processed
manually and I’ll have an answer in 24 hours. 700 hours later
(roughly a month) and still no response, so I’m trying again.

I’ve attempted to contact my bank about it but everything seems fine
on their end.

Account name: darintenb

Just one of these times if you’d take my money, it’d be great. I
can’t imagine you wouldn’t want it…

Darin ten Bruggencate

This time I promptly received a response, however it really wasn’t the response I was looking for.

SIPphone Orders to me Jun 7

I’m sorry to hear that you’re having trouble ordering on our web page.

We do have a number of different security filters that check our
potential orders before they are processed. As a web-based company that
offers international calling, we need to be very carefull about
screening our orders.

If the web site is not accepting your credit card, then there must have
been some kind of flag raised about your order. We appreciate your
interest, and would still like to do business with you.

I would recommend creating a PayPal (http://www.paypal.com) account, and
verifying it with Paypal. Paypal transactions have much better security
than credit card transactions, so we are able to process them far more
easily.

Paypal payments have been integrated into our
http://members.gizmoproject.com website, to make it easy for you to use
these payment methods.

Our online store policies can be found here:
http://www.gizmoproject.com/e-commerce-policies.html

Thank you for choosing Gizmo Project!
(and sorry for any inconvenience)

SIPphone Support

I just don’t think it should be necessary to make a PayPal account, go through their whole authorization process to protect against the massive amounts of international money laundering they’re used for, all to get phone credits that I can get hassle free from Skype.

Darin だりん to SIPphone Jun 7

I understand PayPal as an alternative option, but I just don’t like
the idea of giving my credit card information out to anyone more than
necessary. I don’t really think it should be necessary to bring a 3rd
party into it, especially when you already do accept credit card
payments on your page.

Is there any way to check into the issue and find out what is setting
off ‘the flag’ so it can be resolved? Because in all reality, you’re
getting a false positive and it’s costing you money.

Darin ten Bruggencate
Gizmo ID: darintenb

This time progress was made, the problem seemed to be with my name, address, and card all not matching.

SIPphone Orders to me Jun 8

It is not accepting the address input. Please verify that it is correct
and that it matches what your credit card provider has on file as your
current billing address.

SIPphone Support

But to be honest, I immediately suspected that to be a line of BS. Why? Because I know my name, address, and credit card number, and I’ve also never had problems before. Never-the-less, I checked with my bank and card company for the 100th time, and sure enough, no problems on my end. So I try again, no luck, so I give up on Gizmo for the 2nd time.

So here we are today, almost 6-months, half-a-year from when I first tried to get Gizmo to work. Tonight, I think about calling home, start up Skype and see I have 13 cents credit remaining. Before I recharge my Skype, I decided to give Gizmo another try.

STIIIIIIIIIIIIRIKE THREE, YOU’RE OUT

Nope, Gizmo still doesn’t like money. They refuse to accept my money. I’m not going to bother trying to contact their customer support again, the issue should have been resolved in the series of emails the last time. To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if the tech support person didn’t even look up my information before they said their was an error with the input — the format of the email strayed from the others and took a ‘just go away, I’m trying to trim my toe-nails’ tone one takes when they just say whatever it takes to make someone leave them alone.

I guess I can’t really complain too much and say that they’re theifs, I mean it’s not like they’re taking my money or anything. In fact, I’d rather the did take my money, that’s the whole problem. That way I could use the service, and if they didn’t provide the service even after taking the money, I could file a complaint with Visa and get the whole thing worked out. But right now, who do I complain to? And what do I say?

Me: “Um yes, I’m trying to give these people money, but they wont have anything of it. What should do do?”
Visa: “Use Skype, they’re online credit card system works. It’s even verified by Visa to be extra safe. Works much better than just denying everyone for BS security reasons.”

Oh well, three strikes and you’re out. Gizmo is now being deleted from the hard drive.

If by chance someone from the Gizmo Project team does see this, please do something about it. I liked the small taste I got of your service, and I’m just itching to give you money. I can’t imagine you can run a successful business when you have no income. I’ll certainly update this post (or give you a new one) with the person to contact with you guys who actually cares about the customer enough to do their job that they’re presumably getting paid for.