Okay, so for those of you who haven’t seen it, check out the Double Rainbow video at the bottom of this post. We’ve just finished our first t-shirt design, and it’s ready to purchase!

OMG Double Rainbow T-Shirt

Go to our store at: http://www.cafepress.com/OMGDoubleRainbow

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted and that’s primarily because I’m lazy, but also because a few months ago, I started in a position at Bazaarvoice here in Austin as an Implementation Engineer. Bazaarvoice is a start-up in Austin whose primary product/service is to provide the ratings and reviews software that runs on many popular retailer websites (Best Buy, Walmart, Home Depot, etc.).

In my time here, I’ve quickly come to appreciate the values of the company, as well as the people within it. Observing the way this company is run has given me a new outlook on small and medium business management, and confirmed my hopes that not all companies treat their employees like crap.

For anyone interested, Bazaarvoice is still hiring! You can find job listings here: http://www.bazaarvoice.com/about/jobs.

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.

Hey guys, I’m finally pushed my new design live. What do you think?

I’m still working on the resume and portfolio. My old design was alright, but I know I can do better (even if I am only a developer).

Wow! I just noticed that there are actually a decent number of ratings for my portfolio entries. 208 for ThaoPhotography, 192 for ThinkMPG, 185 for Freud and Forest. Nice!

Keep letting me know what you think of my work guys. I know, I haven’t updated the portfolio in like a year, but I will. Give me one weekend full of boredom, and it’ll get done.

P.S. I am doing some design tweaks soon, so check back! My MySpace page will change at the same time.