Metrocast Sucks
24/04/2010 ArchivesRants | Technology
I am shocked I haven’t written about how much I despise Metrocast.
I have dealt with a variety of internet service providers over the years, and I can say with 100% certainty that Metrocast is the WORST ISP I have ever used. The “High Speed” technical service is mediocre at best. When I was in high school I was qualified to get my CCNA and I had an internship helping other prepare for the CCNA exam. Their customer service regularly talks down to me like I’m an idiot when I am probably 10x more qualified to do network technical support than they are. They even do this after I clarify how much I know.
Metrocast’s customer service is even more subpar. Here in Starkville, if you want any of your programming or your internet preferences changed, you have to go down to their local office. You can’t call and make changes over the phone and you sure and the heck can’t use the interwebz. Another thing, they also like to randomly jack your rates around without telling you. Last summer I got a bill for $300 because they switched VoIP providers and started to charge me for it. Shockingly, I was already paying for VoIP services, but they didn’t apply the new rates to my bills for a year. What’s even worse, I was never notified of the new rates.
The thing that sparked this rant is their internet connectivity. By far, the quality of their internet is so subpar there should be a class action lawsuit for false advertising. I am paying for their “high speed gamers” package. The perks of the package are 7mb down and 1mb up. I get 7mb down less than 50% of the time. The remaining time, my download speeds are around 1.0 - 1.5mb down, but I always get 1mb up.
A few weeks ago I had this exact same issue and I was tired of dealing with slow internet speeds. I called their technical support. I spent an hour on their phone for the technical support guy to tell me that Metrocast can’t guarantee 7mb service. Why? Because their backbone is connected to another provider who’s backbone can’t support their bandwidth. So, Metrocast, how and the hell can you advertise your internet speeds and not be able to standup to what you advertise? In my opinion this is a clear cut case of false advertisement.
I would move to DSL if DSL was available. I would figure that with all of the new development in my neighborhood that AT&T would get on the ball, but they haven’t. When DSL is available, I am jumping ship and changing services and I will go door-to-door in my neighborhood to convince everyone one of my neighbors to also make the switch to DSL.
Metrocast, stop sucking!
I have dealt with a variety of internet service providers over the years, and I can say with 100% certainty that Metrocast is the WORST ISP I have ever used. The “High Speed” technical service is mediocre at best. When I was in high school I was qualified to get my CCNA and I had an internship helping other prepare for the CCNA exam. Their customer service regularly talks down to me like I’m an idiot when I am probably 10x more qualified to do network technical support than they are. They even do this after I clarify how much I know.
Metrocast’s customer service is even more subpar. Here in Starkville, if you want any of your programming or your internet preferences changed, you have to go down to their local office. You can’t call and make changes over the phone and you sure and the heck can’t use the interwebz. Another thing, they also like to randomly jack your rates around without telling you. Last summer I got a bill for $300 because they switched VoIP providers and started to charge me for it. Shockingly, I was already paying for VoIP services, but they didn’t apply the new rates to my bills for a year. What’s even worse, I was never notified of the new rates.
The thing that sparked this rant is their internet connectivity. By far, the quality of their internet is so subpar there should be a class action lawsuit for false advertising. I am paying for their “high speed gamers” package. The perks of the package are 7mb down and 1mb up. I get 7mb down less than 50% of the time. The remaining time, my download speeds are around 1.0 - 1.5mb down, but I always get 1mb up.
A few weeks ago I had this exact same issue and I was tired of dealing with slow internet speeds. I called their technical support. I spent an hour on their phone for the technical support guy to tell me that Metrocast can’t guarantee 7mb service. Why? Because their backbone is connected to another provider who’s backbone can’t support their bandwidth. So, Metrocast, how and the hell can you advertise your internet speeds and not be able to standup to what you advertise? In my opinion this is a clear cut case of false advertisement.
I would move to DSL if DSL was available. I would figure that with all of the new development in my neighborhood that AT&T would get on the ball, but they haven’t. When DSL is available, I am jumping ship and changing services and I will go door-to-door in my neighborhood to convince everyone one of my neighbors to also make the switch to DSL.
Metrocast, stop sucking!
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L.A. Times: Beer Battles Brewing in Alabama
17/04/2010 ArchivesRants
I found this article from someone else’s blog: http://www.auburnbrewclub.org/2008/03/10/la-times-beer-battle-brewing-in-alabama/
I am responding to this article because I think it does a good job showing some of the same beer law issues that are also present in Mississippi.
I know that Alabama has changed from their alcohol content laws from 6% ABV to 13% ABV. That is a huge step in the right direction.
There are some comments I would like to reply specifically about.
“The Rev. Dan Ireland, a former preacher who leads an advocacy group billed as “Alabama’s Moral Compass,” has spent considerable time in the Capitol lobbying against the bill on practical as well as theological grounds. He says legislators seem responsive to his warnings that high-alcohol beer will endanger teenagers, making it easier for them to get drunk.”
Really!? I highly doubt teenagers will spend $10+ on a few high end beers to get drunk. Plus, where do they get their beer in the first place? Last time I checked you needed to be carded to buy beer, so how are these kids getting their hands on beer? If they have a source to buy the beer, they are going to purchase the cheapest they can get their hands on. Plus, most of these kids aren’t going to like the taste of these beers. These beers are usually stronger in taste and more complex. Teenagers don’t care about such things, they just want to get drunk. If they have a source for alcohol, why would the buy expensive beer when they can by cheaper liquors and get drunker more quickly? It’s also easier to hide liquor bottles from the parents. The last time I checked a 24 pack of “Natty Lite” wasn’t small. If they are stealing the beer from their parents, they don’t dare steal mom or dad’s high end beer because they WILL notice.
“We’re losing too many kids now on the road because of drinking and driving. Why aggravate that?” says state Rep. DuWayne Bridges.
How about Alabama teach parents to keep better tabs on their kids so they aren’t drunk driving in the first place. In the south hunting isn’t anything new to teenagers. I know hunting accidents also take the lives of teenagers. So, why don’t you make hunting illegal?
“I don’t even like being drunk,” Tipton says. “I just enjoy beer.”
This is the general consensus of people who buy high end beer. We don’t drink this stuff to get drunk. We drink it because we like the tastes and experiences that go along with these beers. If I want to get drunk, I am going for the tequila and the rum and cokes because it’s hell of a lot cheaper.
“Oberman’s basement, lit by a bare bulb dangling from the ceiling insulation, is loud and warm; not surprisingly, it smells like a brewery. Jim Trollinger, 46, a big man with a wild beard, takes in the scene with a grin. “This is all an exercise in civil disobedience,” he says proudly.”
I am proud of Jim Trollinger for standing up for our hobby. I would also like to try some of his home brews. I don’t see why it should be difficult to perform one of the practices all of the founding fathers had preformed when this country was fonded. I don’t like it when religion gets involve with politics, there is a reason for a separation of church and state. Any laws that are passed based on religion should be abolished.
Also, It would also be stupid and resource wastefulness to have local law enforcement beat down the doors of home brewers. There are plenty of drug dealers, meth labs, murders, and a plethora of other things where their time would be better spent. I know for a fact that right now, if I were a teenager, I could walk into the Starkville High School and buy as much weed wanted. Now if I went to the high school to buy a high end beer or a home brew, I would be out of luck.
Keep your sermons in your church and out of politics. If you don’t want people to drink these beers, then preach about it on your church and stop trying to cram your religious views down anyone else throats. Remember, not everyone practices the religion or has the same political views. So stop trying to restrict those that don’t have the same views.
It’s no longer prohibition, so change these damn laws!
I am responding to this article because I think it does a good job showing some of the same beer law issues that are also present in Mississippi.
I know that Alabama has changed from their alcohol content laws from 6% ABV to 13% ABV. That is a huge step in the right direction.
There are some comments I would like to reply specifically about.
“The Rev. Dan Ireland, a former preacher who leads an advocacy group billed as “Alabama’s Moral Compass,” has spent considerable time in the Capitol lobbying against the bill on practical as well as theological grounds. He says legislators seem responsive to his warnings that high-alcohol beer will endanger teenagers, making it easier for them to get drunk.”
Really!? I highly doubt teenagers will spend $10+ on a few high end beers to get drunk. Plus, where do they get their beer in the first place? Last time I checked you needed to be carded to buy beer, so how are these kids getting their hands on beer? If they have a source to buy the beer, they are going to purchase the cheapest they can get their hands on. Plus, most of these kids aren’t going to like the taste of these beers. These beers are usually stronger in taste and more complex. Teenagers don’t care about such things, they just want to get drunk. If they have a source for alcohol, why would the buy expensive beer when they can by cheaper liquors and get drunker more quickly? It’s also easier to hide liquor bottles from the parents. The last time I checked a 24 pack of “Natty Lite” wasn’t small. If they are stealing the beer from their parents, they don’t dare steal mom or dad’s high end beer because they WILL notice.
“We’re losing too many kids now on the road because of drinking and driving. Why aggravate that?” says state Rep. DuWayne Bridges.
How about Alabama teach parents to keep better tabs on their kids so they aren’t drunk driving in the first place. In the south hunting isn’t anything new to teenagers. I know hunting accidents also take the lives of teenagers. So, why don’t you make hunting illegal?
“I don’t even like being drunk,” Tipton says. “I just enjoy beer.”
This is the general consensus of people who buy high end beer. We don’t drink this stuff to get drunk. We drink it because we like the tastes and experiences that go along with these beers. If I want to get drunk, I am going for the tequila and the rum and cokes because it’s hell of a lot cheaper.
“Oberman’s basement, lit by a bare bulb dangling from the ceiling insulation, is loud and warm; not surprisingly, it smells like a brewery. Jim Trollinger, 46, a big man with a wild beard, takes in the scene with a grin. “This is all an exercise in civil disobedience,” he says proudly.”
I am proud of Jim Trollinger for standing up for our hobby. I would also like to try some of his home brews. I don’t see why it should be difficult to perform one of the practices all of the founding fathers had preformed when this country was fonded. I don’t like it when religion gets involve with politics, there is a reason for a separation of church and state. Any laws that are passed based on religion should be abolished.
Also, It would also be stupid and resource wastefulness to have local law enforcement beat down the doors of home brewers. There are plenty of drug dealers, meth labs, murders, and a plethora of other things where their time would be better spent. I know for a fact that right now, if I were a teenager, I could walk into the Starkville High School and buy as much weed wanted. Now if I went to the high school to buy a high end beer or a home brew, I would be out of luck.
Keep your sermons in your church and out of politics. If you don’t want people to drink these beers, then preach about it on your church and stop trying to cram your religious views down anyone else throats. Remember, not everyone practices the religion or has the same political views. So stop trying to restrict those that don’t have the same views.
It’s no longer prohibition, so change these damn laws!
Teen Beating - Was it really necessary?
07/04/2010 ArchivesRants
I found this on cnn today: http://www.justnews.com/news/23077184/detail.html
First of all, the boy’s parents have failed at their duty to raise a proper human being. Who and the heck raises a child to let them think it’s ok to beat up on women? I feel bad for the girl and their families, no one deserves to be in this situation because of a silly text message. I also feel the girls parents should sue the crap of the boys family for raising such a piece of trash. I hope he finds that beating up this girl was worth it, because I don’t think it was necessary or even proper. I also hope the local court system tries him as an adult.
First of all, the boy’s parents have failed at their duty to raise a proper human being. Who and the heck raises a child to let them think it’s ok to beat up on women? I feel bad for the girl and their families, no one deserves to be in this situation because of a silly text message. I also feel the girls parents should sue the crap of the boys family for raising such a piece of trash. I hope he finds that beating up this girl was worth it, because I don’t think it was necessary or even proper. I also hope the local court system tries him as an adult.