This is a follow up to my recent post, HP’s Shipping Shenanigans.

On Thursday, January 7, I got my laptop back from HP. I excitedly opened it up to find that they did, in fact, fix the problem.

As it turns out, my system had been overheating due to a clogged heatsink. I should have probably checked for this long before it was a problem, and I feel a little dumb for that. Regardless, they replaced the mainboard, and the heatsink/fan assembly. Given my previous experiences with HP’s support, I expected far less.

Not only did they replace these system components, they also replaced the cosmetic components that were damaged. Now, this was also covered under my warranty, but again, given my experience with HP, I didn’t expect them to replace these parts. After all, I had sent the laptop back before to have just these parts replaced, and they instead replaced something else entirely. Something that didn’t need replacing.

To top it all off, they cleaned my entire system of dust and debris. I got it back in like-new condition, all shiny and pretty like the day I bought it.

Wrapping up, I think it’s safe to say HP support has started cleaning their act up, at least a little. I’m much happier with them now than I have been at any point since purchasing my laptop. I may be getting another HP in the future, after all.

Today, I’m proud to announce the launch of the first iteration of my beer tasting web application, Beer Register.

I’ve been working on it for the last month or so, and it’s ready to go with some basic functionality. I will be working hard to add more functionality in the near future, including brewery information, pre-populated beer data, and social features that let you see what others rate beers, breweries, and even bars!

Visit http://www.beerregister.com/ and sign up to get started today!

I got the idea when a friend of mine, Tyler, showed me that he was using the notepad application on his Android-powered phone to keep track of beers he tasted. This was far simpler than using one of the existing beer applications or sites, which generally ask you a wide array of questions about the beer when you add it to your list.

After doing some research, I found he was correct. All of the mobile applications and beer tracking sites are designed primarily for use by beer connoisseurs. Not to say there isn’t a place for that, because these are valuable resources indeed, but something simpler would be nice.

I set out to create a site that was accessible on both computers and mobile devices that easily lets you track basic information about beers you taste, when you taste them.

In the future, I plan on releasing mobile applications as well, including an iPhone app and an Android app. Stay tuned for updates!

So last Saturday (the 20th), the display adapter in my HP notebook failed. It’s about three years old, and considering the fact that Brent spilled beer all over it in late 2008, I’m surprised this is the first problem I’ve seen.

I got on HP’s website, and to my delight I discovered that they now have chat support. I was excited, as this meant that I didn’t have to decode someone’s accent while still trying to properly communicate the problem I was experiencing. I told the chat technician of my problem, and a few other cosmetic defects that my warranty also covers, gave him my info, and we were done. A box was on it’s way to my place.

I impatiently watched the tracking on the FedEx site. It showed up a few days later… but at the wrong place. The place I lived in 2007. This is a problem.

So I called the 800 number, and told them of the mishap. They created a new service order, collected my current address, and a new box was on it’s way to my place.

Again, I awaited the “Delivered!” status on the FedEx site. Again, it was shipped to the wrong address. Now putting the wrong address on the order once was excusable. These things happen. Doing it a second time, when I called to correct the issue, was a little ridiculous.

So I looked up and called their corporate office (650-857-1501), and told the operator of my issue. She quickly forwarded me to a support manager, and a new box was on it’s way. This time the box showed up the next day! Less than 24 hours later. They shipped it Priority Overnight, signature required, to my front door.

So the only problem we have now is that with this new order (they apparently have to make a whole new service order to change one detail, which I find weird), the description of the problem has gone from “no display, missing keys, cracked case” to “System no function,” which I don’t think really explains the problem fully.

I guess I’m gonna have to stick little red arrows all over it and include a letter with large type telling the technicians what to fix. I’ve sent this laptop in for repair in the past, and they’ve traditionally been really bad about fixing it. They usually replace something that didn’t need to be replaced, and the broken piece remains broken, forcing me to send it back again.

Wish me luck. I’ll update here on the progress.

Okay, Facebook. It’s time we had a talk.

Now, we both know why I left MySpace. I can’t have a relationship with a social network that’s so flaky. What, with the slow servers, the errors left and right, the images that never load, and don’t even get me started on the links that never worked…

Well, Facebook, I’ve started to recognize a few of these ‘qualities’ in you over the past few months, and I’m disappointed. You can be better than this. I know you can. If things don’t get better, I fear I may have to leave you, too.

Please don’t let me down… Make me a happy man.

Dear bicyclists of [insert city/municipality name here]:

Please consider a few things before you rant about my driving practices and complain about my discontent for how the majority of bicyclists handle themselves on major streets amongst traffic.

1 – I, contrary to what you may think, have no problem with you. Please don’t take my discontent for the average bicyclist to heart. Unless, of course, you were the one driving in the middle of the right lane of the curvy part of Lamar at 15mph during rush hour. In that case, screw you. You need to either learn to use back roads or learn to ride your bicycle faster than 15mph.

2 – I support public transportation, walking, bicycling, and carpooling. I care about the environment, and I do as much as I can to reduce my impact on it, as well as the impact of those around me. I live at The Triangle. You may say it’s just like Dallas (*obviously* you’ve never been to Dallas), but it affords me the ability to walk to several restaurants/eateries, a few convenience stores, a drug store, a liquor store, and my favorite bar. I have a bicycle. I don’t ride it because I’m too tired after my 60 hour work week to even think, yet alone pedal around in 104 degree heat.

3 – Why is it that you MUST take major roads all the way to your destination? I know that it’s not possible in all cases to take back roads, but it is in most. There is no reason you need to ride 12mph down a 3 mile stretch of Guadalupe. Take Rio Grande or Ave H. They all go to the same place. Taking back roads for the majority of your trip is not only less annoying for drivers-of-cars, but safer for you. Far, far safer. Have you seen the way most people operate motor vehicles? I’m afraid to be in a car near them, yet alone a bike.

4 – I don’t drive like the people you talk about when you bitch about clumsy, inconsiderate driving. Please keep this in mind when bitching at me about how hard it is to ride a bicycle in the city.

5 – I would ride the bus to work if I could. I have before, and only stopped after my life was threatened on the 338 by a man with a knife who followed me home. As it stands, I would have to transfer twice, then walk or ride a bicycle the rest of the way. That would be fine with me if the rest of the way wasn’t a 3 mile leg of Capitol of Texas Highway through the hill country. I work in a professional environment, and carry a laptop to work every day. The risk is far too high for me to be riding a bicycle down Highway 360 at rush hour twice a day. Not to mention, it looks bad to walk into a 9:00 conference covered in sweat. This is Texas, after all. Given this information, how do you propose I get to and from work without the assistance of a motor vehicle? Please, indulge me.

6 – I will vote yes on the bicycle paths. I will do my best to help this city accommodate bicycle and foot traffic. I am, after all, a pedestrian myself. I will not, however, stand idly by and let laws be created that disadvantage me when a bicyclist does something stupid like pull out in front of me when I’m going 40mph. Given the choice to swerve into another car, or hit the bicyclist, I’ll probably choose the bicyclist. They may die. That is not my fault, and I refuse to let it be. Your bicycle will do far less damage to my car than my car and the car I would hit avoiding you will do to each other. Not to mention, if I swerve into that car, multiple people could die, not just one. Drive your bicycle with the same precaution and consideration with which you expect me to drive my car. It’s only fair.

7 – No, I will not give you and your bike a ride home from downtown because you’re too tired to ride. You should have thought of that before you rode your bike downtown. Take the bus next time.

These are just a few of my thoughts on a recent rant by a bicyclist friend of mine. I’d love some feedback. Only constructive conversation, though. No bitching. That would wholly defeat the purpose of this post.