This is a test of a new way to enter content. We shall see…
Curve Ball # 3
That evening, I am activating my SPOT personal locator beacon and one of the items that is needed is the serial number. It is on the device underneath the battery cover. I locate it after unscrewing the cover, hard to do with a pencil I might add. The serial number and authorization number is on a sticker but half of the last number is cut off. I called SPOT’s help line and they said they could get the last number to me within one day. I decide to try a few numbers because the last number looks like either a 5 or 9. I try my luck with the 5 and it works - success! Then I set up my Spot home page and the hour glass appears after I complete the required fields. It is up for fifteen minutes and so I decide to call the help line again. They inform me that their system is down. They said check back in ten minutes. I am not a whiz when it comes to GPS and internet technology but the layman’s question becomes “what if your system is down when I need help?” Read more on Lite Flyer’s blog
I’ve written about the excellent … at least in concept …. SPOT Personal Locator several times in the past. I still think the idea is gangbusters. But I also have written incessantly … I even retired, actually because of the idiocy … of government agencies and commercial companies who provide potentially life-critical services and, especially when the ‘Net is involved, just let failures occur and expect their customers to accept this bullshit.
Strong word? Damn right.
THERE IS NO EXCUSE for a life-saving or life-supporting system to be down. Period. Simple, relatively inexpensive fall back systems and techniques are readily available … if only company management would be less involved with their own compensation packages and ‘exit strategies’ and more thoughtful about what service they have contracted to provide.
Failure is not an option and furthermore, it is not necessary!
