Yesterday was Apple IPhone Day in Canada. With all the call reception issues that are being reported you would think that their would be no market for the IPhone at this time. This could be not further from the truth. I walked by the Apple store at 3:15 in the afternoon and here is what it looked like in the lineup outside the store:

As each successful purchaser came out with his/her IPhone high fives were exchanged and the crowd roared. The gentleman who walked out at 3:15pm had been in line since 5am.

As always an Apple event is something to see. No wonder Apple users are so loyal and this is one more example.

As many of you know I spend a lot of time on Twitter and have been spending more and more on it. 40,000 tweets later I have finally decided that TweeDeck was not the client for me. Yes it handles multiple lists very well and helps you organize your twitter experience. At one time TweetDeck was king in the Twitter client market. It is time for it to move over since HootSuite has been enhanced and improved. Not only is HootSuite usable via any web browser, it is amazing on the Iphone. I have not had one crash as of yet due to HootSuite.

TweetDeck was a resource hog at times using at times 60% of my CPU. For a Twitter client that is unreal. Hootsuite puts almost no drain on my CPU.

HootSuite does not use proprietary lists but is smart enough to take advantage of Twitter lists. This works out well because I have now started to use Twitter lists to help manage my followers. The integration is amazing and slick. I can even create a new Twitter list from within Hootsuite.

Hootsuite with its built in stats and slick design should make it the Twitter client of choice for most people.

Please see the videos below on How HootSuite works:

As many of you know I lost both my father and his youngest brother in a period of 5 days. Both passed away after long health battles and the last month has been so stressful and trying on my family.

The last month I have not done much besides help in my Dad’s care in his declining health. It has been hard and trying at times. So hard that a put most other things on hold. Now I am trying to get going and re-look at what I have to do.

One of the things I am working on is launching 3 new blogs in areas of interest of mine that are not technology based. I was hoping to have them launched by now but the first one will be launched on Friday morning and the other 2 after that.

I am busy working on trying to get my new business going and I am going to strive hard to make this a success. Their is no substitute for hard work.

I will be updating my Twitter page, parts of my blog and more as time goes on. I have made a decision that I need to get my head wrapped around Linkedin. This will become a project sooner then later.

My Ebook on Backup Strategies has gone on hold my I am about to go back at that as well. I have most of the work roughed out, now just to work on the content.

I will be returning to my regular Sunday morning this week in review video cast. Stay tuned for Sunday’s

In this all, my family is and always will be number one. I will support them and help in anyway I can. They mean the world to me.

Rob

Almost a year ago I fired my phone company. That is right, I decided I did not need a conventional phone line and I went to using a
Magic Jack. Well now I am about to fire my cable company. Yes that is right, by the end of this month I will be no longer be on Rogers cable.

Why would i do that you might ask. Because of two reasons: A. I am tired of paying what I can get for free and B. Cable TV is bloat ware. Let me explain both of these ideas to you so you can get a better idea of what I mean.

A. I am tired of paying for what I can get for free

In Canada we now pay an extra charge for having local tv stations on our cable systems. It is absurd that we we have to subsidize them. I can pick all of these stations up using an HD antenna without paying for them. Not only do I get my local stations for free but the HD quality is better over the air instead of over the cable since the signal is not compressed.

B. Why is Cable TV Bloat Ware?

In the world of Digital Cable TV, I am forced to take all kinds of bundled in channels which I really do not want. When we analyzed the Non Sports programming that we were watching, we have realized most of our tv watching is on a handful of stations. So why do I need to pay for all these stations? So the cable company can make more money – no thanks.

These are the two big reasons I am going to fire my cable company. Later this week I am going to write a follow-up post that explains how technically I am making this happen. I thought I would start of with the reasons why. I have a tough time paying $80 dollars a month for things I do not use.

Have you considered firing your cable company?

On my blog I post on the right hand side a list of all the applications I use. I use Wakoopa to track real time what I am using.

I thought I will do something different and analyze the top 10 programs I use and what surprises me/does not surprise me.

My Top 10 as iI write this article is as follows:

1. Google Chrome – This is my prime web browser.

2. Thunderbird – This is my prime email program.

3. Tweetdeck – This used to be my primary Twitter client. It is no longer so this application will drop as time goes on.

4. Windows Explorer - This is the main program to explore files built into the operating system.

5. Skype – My prime VOIP application on my laptop.

6. Itunes – The program I use to manage my IPhone/IPod and for playing music/audio books/podcasts.

7. HootSuite – My current Twitter client that is browser based.

8. Google Search- Google’s Search – my primary search engine.

9. Twitter – The Twitter Web Site.

10. Microsoft Excel – This one will drop since I am gradually switching to Open Office.

The above list is an interesting mix. What it does show is that I spend a lot of time online and that I use a lot of social network sites.

What do you use?

As many of you know I am not an Apple Basher. Actually I believe in using what works best for you at the end of the day. Their have been so many articles on why you should purchase an Ipad, I thought I would do an article on why you should not purchase one. Here are the reasons on why you should not purchase an Ipad:

1. Cost – The device itself is expensive. If you choose the 3G model then you have an ongoing monthly data plan. They you have the cost of your applications and the content which you purchase.

2. A locked in Platform – The Operating System is a locked in platform and only available on the Iphone and Ipad. The Android operating system is much more open.

3. Google Android based tablets are coming. You should wait and see what the competition will come out with.

4. Even if you want an Ipad you should wait for the second release. Hardware and software issues are always cleaned up by then.

5. Duplicate Devices – If you already have a laptop/netbook what do you need an Ipad for? Is it just an expensive glorified Netbook? Some people think so.

6. At&T in the US. All I can says is dealing with AT&T is like dealing with the devil. Fortunately I live in Canada where we have choice for the Iphone/Ipad

Before you purchase an Ipad consider the above reasons and say can I wait?

As many of you know, I have a tough time with companies that do not care about their customers. Well this time, one company has really put themselves off the charts. That company is Megabus.

I was headed to Montreal originally this morning to see my Dad’s brother this morning on their 7:30am bus from Toronto to Montreal because he was extremely ill. Unfortunately he passed away late Tuesday night.

I tried to call Megabus’ Canada customer service number – 1-800-461-7661 Tuesday at 10:30pm. I did not get an answer. I also jumped on their web site and tried to put my ticket on hold. I was not expecting a refund but I wanted to hold the ticket for a future date. Their was no way to do that.

On Wednesday morning I got up and contacted the Megabus Canadian call center. I was told to contact another call center for customer service at 908-282-7420. I did that Wednesday around 10am. The number I called is 1-908-282-7420.

I spoke to a supervisor who told me she did not care about my situation and their corporate policy was no refunds. Not care – about a death in my family how cold and without tact is that? I asked to escalate to a manger and she told me she would not.

So your question might be how do I feel. I would say you should not ride MegaBus because they are a heartless company who does not care about their customers. I am far from done. My next step is to email them and write them to see where I can get quoting this blog article. I will be all over social media explaining to people how bad they are as a company and why people should not use them. I will also be sending them a copy of this post and explain to them what social media means to them.

Out of this I am starting a new blog which will focus on customer service good and bad. I am just waiting for the domain registration to be finished.

Below is my reservation for your reference. I will be posting the letter I send to them as well as any responses I receive. Please note I have blocked out the reservation numbers for security.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THIS IS AN AUTOMATED EMAIL, PLEASE DO NOT REPLY DIRECTLY TO THIS.
WE CAN BE CONTACTED FROM THE CONTACT US SECTION OF OUR WEBSITE

Thank you for making a reservation with megabus.com

This email confirms your reservation.

The reservation number provided below must be presented to our driver when
you board the vehicle.

—————————————————————————-
Y O U R R E S E R V A T I O N S U M M A R Y
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Note: All prices are shown in CAD. All times shown are local time in that city.

Order Number : xxxxxx

** Ticket 1
Reservation Test for 1 passenger
Price paid: CAD55.00

Reservation Number
xxxxxxx

Trip information:
Depart Toronto, Toronto Coach Terminal at July 15, 2010 7:30 AM
Arrive Montreal, Montreal Bus Terminal, Metro Berri UQAM at July 15, 2010 2:15 PM

** Ticket 2
Reservation Test for 1 passenger
Price paid: CAD38.00

Reservation Number
xxxxxxxxxx

Trip information:
Depart Montreal, Montreal Bus Terminal, Metro Berri UQAM at July 17, 2010 1:30 PM
Arrive Toronto, Toronto Coach Terminal at July 17, 2010 8:20 PM

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Fees
Booking Fee: CAD0.50

Fee Total: CAD0.50

HST: CAD7.21
QST: CAD2.99
GST: CAD1.90

Total Charge : CAD105.60

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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Reservation Confirmation
You must have your reservation number to board our vehicle, so please take
it with you. This reservation number entitles you to a seat on the trip you
selected. Reservations for trips originating or finishing in Canada are
sold in conjunction with Trentway-Wagar.

Luggage Policy
Passengers can only bring one reasonable sized suitcase (or other sealed
equivalent) per booked seat. Any further luggage will be carried at the
Operators discretion depending on space availability. Strollers and Medical
items are excluded from this policy and can be carried in addition to the
suitcase.

Check in Time
Passengers are required to be at their departure point at least 15 minutes
before their trip is scheduled to depart. This allows megabus.com drivers to
board passengers in a timely manner avoiding any delays that may impact on the
departure of the vehicle.

Questions?
Should you have any questions regarding the megabus.com service please contact
us through our website or call 877-GO2-MEGA.

Enjoy your ride!

The megabus.com Team

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Visit www.graylinemontreal.com for tour details.

http://www.graylinemontreal.com

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