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Alternageek Episode 48: No One Is Laughing

techmonkey — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:11:28 +0000

…snickering maybe…

In this episode we have an update on the San Francisco network saga. We also talk about inquiries into rising text messaging rates, Apple app store rejecting a podcasting app, the latest Microsoft commercials, CERN’s big collider going online, installing Ubuntu games using Playdeb and the first beta of Google’s Chrome browser.

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Click here to download this episode in OGG format

Alternageek.com Podcast, Episode 48 for the week of September 15th, 2008 – Featuring Linuxchic and TechMonkey.

Twitter reports all is well on the home front

linuxchic — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 02:16:40 +0000

The latest post from Twitter on their blog states:“Update (12/15 4:30p): We’ve received word this issue has been resolved. We’ll continue to watch closely and let you know if anything changes. “Earlier today Twitter reported that the issue with T-Mobile users not being able to send or receive updates via SMS was appearing to be a technical issue between the company that handles the SMS technology for Twitter and T-Mobile. This was a hard road travelled because prior to that update even Twitter was confirming that T-Mobile was blocking communications between customers on the carrier and the web 2.0 service. One question still remains, why did T-Mobile continue to issue email communication to their customers that they were indeed blocking the Twitter short code and why did they treat their customers so poorly?I have heard from many T-Mobile customers prior to today that they chose T-Mobile because of their excellent customer service as well as their forward thinking in the mobile industry. They were one of the first mobile carriers to sign on with Google’s Android open mobile platform, they are already utilizing VoIP technologies and recently rolled out the T-Mobile Hotspot @Home service which allows customers to use approved wifi networks to make calls thus avoiding cell phone minute charges. Once the Twitter/T-Mobile SMS outages were discovered and confirmed, the response they issued was not only shocking but seemed to be completely against their prior service offerings and initiatives. This communication was not an isolated occurrence as it began popping up all over the blogosphere as more customers contacted the company and were issued the same canned response.Thankfully it appears that the technical difficulties between the Twitter SMS short code and T-Mobile’s network have been resolved and all Twitter’s loyal users may resume using their phones to update their accounts in 140 characters or less. What remains to be seen is how T-Mobile will respond to the backlash from the initial communications that were released from the president’s office. While Twitter users are relieved to have their service back they are still shocked and angry about how little their patronage means to their cellphone provider who’s slogan is “Stick Together”.

T-Mobile blocks Twitter?

linuxchic — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 04:30:40 +0000

Post last updated at 12/14/07 9:17 PM CSTAfter several days of no Twitter SMS service I contacted T-Mobile customer support. After the standard technical support for my phone (even though ALL phones on my account are denied access to Twitter SMS via 40404) I was told that they would NOT open a ticket as they don’t support SMS to that number. A friend of mine was told they are actively blocking Twitter SMS because they do not have a contract with Twitter. Of course, I don’t know what the truh is at this point since I had to explain what a short code was and what Twitter was. If they are blocking Twitter I have a problem with this on several levels:1) To block a certain number is like saying we are going to stop you from calling dear old Grandma because she is on AT&T.2) My unlimited text messaging plan is not unlimited if I am blocked from sending to anyone that is not “partnered” with T-Mobile.I have sent a request for confirmation or explanation to T-Mobile’s media relations department. If you are on T-Mobile, I recommend you contact them as well. Hopefully this is a misunderstanding or technical issue with their SMS gateway and will be resolved (or explained) soon. I have sent a message to Twitter support as well. I will update with more info as I get it.Update I still have not received a response from T-Mobile although Twitter has posted that they are working on the issue. I was able to reactivate my cell with Twitter a few minutes ago and am receiving messages from Twitter on it as of this minute. I am still receiving errors when I send an update to 40404.A friend contacted T-Mobile via email and has posted the response on his blog, part of which reads:“Twitter is not an authorized third-party service provider, and therefore you are not able to utilize service from this provide any longer.”My Nagios server isn’t an authorized third-party service provider either does that mean I can’t get SMS alerts from it? C’mon now, lets be serious! It then continues with more excellent customer service: “T-Mobile would like to bring to your attention that the Terms and Conditions of service, to which you agreed at activation, indicate “… some Services are not available on third-party networks or while roaming. We may impose credit, usage, or other limits to Service, cancel or suspend Service, or block certain types of calls, messages, or sessions (such as international, 900, or 976 calls) at our discretion.” Therefore, T-Mobile is not in violation of any agreement by not providing service to Twitter. T-Mobile regrets any inconvenience, however please note that if you remain under contract and choose to cancel service, you will be responsible for the $200 early termination fee that would be assessed to the account at cancellation.”Ok, that is really crappy. The responder is Marianne Maestas of the Executive Customer Relations department at T-Mobile. If you are a T-Mobile customer I would suggest that you let them know that this just isn’t acceptable. You can call them at800-937-8997 or email the CEO’s office at rdotson@t-mobile.com. Even if you AREN’T a T-Mobile customer, call them and tell them you never want to be a customer based on the fact that they censor your service.Update 12/14/07 9:17 PM CST: Biz Stone of Twitter has confirmed that they are seeing the block from T-Mobile at Get Satisfaction. Wow, this can’t be good PR for a company that has signed on with Google on Android and is saying they are supporting an open platform. Guess they don’t mind the open platform, just not open service. What will this mean for the third party apps, will they even work on the T-Mobile network?