I have decided to start a new forum post (this one) and maybe blog later called Brick bats and Bouquets.

Simply put, it is easy to whinge about services we get but how often do we praise people publicly.

So here goes for a hall of shame and hall of fame forum post, and maybe blog to come.

Brick Bat - iTunes Store.

My son got given an itunes card. As an avid non user of itunes we figured out what to do by using the back of the card, downloaded iTunes and went to sign up for a store id.

Complaint 1 - no cursor or indication of what field is currently focused and where in the field the cursor is. Had to physically click and type to see where on earth focus on the form was.
Complaint 2 - Password complexity doesn't meet requirements message. Hmmm What is required. I don't know as there is no message saying what the requirement is. AppleIsReallySuck123!@# didn't work but Applesuck5! does. Needs a capital, number, symbol and not to be longer than about 12 chars long.
Complaint 3 - Complexity doesn't meet requirement  message even after over writing the passwords. You have to tab back to the email field then tab forward to clear the previous password. Deleting it doesn't work.
Complaint 4 - Hitting backspace too often in a field returns you to previous itunes app page deleting the fields you have filled in.
Complaint 5 - Seems I am not old enough to join iTunes. Being 44 and having put the 6th June, 1968 as a birth date in I am told i am too young to join iTunes - seriously?????
Complaint 6 - Went to the help page area (btw the online page failed as it is under going work at present. I seem to remember getting that issue a few years back too).
Complaint 7 - Went through the itunes app contact us process. Put in a help request. Told it would be responded to in 24 hours. Checked its status an hour later (curiosity only) and was told it was closed. Again - seriously - how about responding to the damn help request before closing it.

I am now waiting for the call back I registered for on their site. Hopefully that will work

iTunes - how bloody hard can it be use a gift card my son got to buy music off you???? Get a life and improve your systems cause right now they suck.


Boquets: - NoCowboys.co.nz

I signed my business up to them to get an independent review system working for me.
Their site works simply, it hasn't failed in two years, they phone to see how things are going and their staff are brilliant.

What is more they have put their hand in their own pockets and are providing incentives I can email my clients to rate us on their site - things like going in the draw for $1000 worth of petrol or other really useful stuff.

A kiwi company making good. Really pleased and am happily recommending them to everyone.

Boquets2: - Geekzone

Thanksto geekzone for a place to read techie stuff that is well run, funny, annoying, helpful, disparaging, friendly, welcoming and donkey kicking all at the same time. Its like belonging to a family - with the added bonus I can just turn you guys off if I don't want to read your comments hehehehe.

Seriously - this a truly community site driven from the grass roots up. I am even going to subscribe, I believe in it that much and believe it is an important tool for the geek community.