Obama vs. Pesky Fly
Our beloved leader, Barack Obama, is making headlines for swatting an insect during a televised interview with CNBC's John Harwood. Who hasn't killed a fly, at least once? Apparently, PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - is outraged by Obama's seemingly normal response to this bothersome pest. "He isn't the Buddha," Ingrid Newkirk, President of PETA stated. "He's a human being, and human beings have a long way to go before they think before they act."
Ah, thank you PETA, for revealing that Barack Obama has yet to reach enlightenment. As a longtime vegetarian and presently strict vegan, I can provide an unbiased opinion on the topic that has become an Internet sensation. I place a strong value on the well-being of creatures large and small, but the hype is absurd! The obsession with Obama's fly-bashing has gotten a little out of control.
On the bright side, I think we could all use a break from topics such as universal healthcare, national defense and the economic recession. Swat-away, Mr. President!
Al Roker 'Attacks' Speidi on "Today" Show
Yesterday on NBC's "Today" show, Al Roker interviewed reality TV mongers Spencer and Heidi Pratt, a.k.a. Speidi. The couple, famous for being famous, met on MTV's "Hills." Since, the two have 'fallen in love,' married, and kicked and screamed to stay in the spotlight. The couple's recent stint on "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" has further raised eyebrows, leading Roker to question Speidi's behavior. "Are you proud of all this," he asked repeatedly. Heidi circumvented the question, and felt 'attacked' by Roker's 'mean' tone. Anyone who has watched this interview can see that Roker, clearly, holds little esteem for Spencer and Heidi. Still, 'attack' is a bit of an exaggeration. It's more likely that Roker was asking questions that we all want the answers to... Aren't interviews supposed to be interesting? Seems like Speidi was expecting to be doted on, but I'd imagine the controversy pleases them. Anything to stretch those 15 minutes of fame!
Facebook Offers Vanity URLs
Have you heard the latest Facebook news buzzing around the Internet? Tonight at 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Facebook users will be able to choose a personalized URL. Your current Facebook URL probably looks something like this:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=987895253After selecting a username, your URL will look more like this:
http://www.facebook.com/username
Vanity URLs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, though certain celebrities and businesses will have usernames reserved for them. Restricting usernames for public figures and corporations is meant to avoid confusion for the remaining 200 million Facebook users. If you type in http://www.facebook.com/britneyspears, you want to find Britney Spears - not Al Yankovic, right?
If you are a business owner with a Facebook account, click here to fill out an online form in order to save the trademark of your company. If you are not a business owner, I suggest that you stay close to an Internet-ready computer at midnight this evening to ensure that you get the vanity URL that you want. Please note that usernames with obscenities will be prohibited (shucks!).
TV Stations Are Going Digital - Finally
After many delays, analog TV signals will finally cease to broadcast on Thursday, June 12. The original date for the digital transition was February 17, but the Obama administration decided that postponing would enable more Americans to prepare for the switch. If you aren't a cable or satellite TV subscriber, you must acquire a converter box in order to enjoy uninterrupted local television service. Are you ready to make the switch?
The current state of the economy doesn't allow for many luxuries, but local programming is a necessity. Keeping up-to-date with news and weather conditions affecting your community is important. Affordable solutions are available - just do some research on the Internet! Many satellite TV providers offer affordable entertainment packages, and for those on a super-tight budget, $40 vouchers are available at www.dtv2009.gov.
Verizon Support Website Ranks Top 10
New York City-based Verizon Communications has been honored for operating one of the Ten Best Web Support Sites of 2009, by the Association of Support Professionals (ASP). Verizon's consumer support Website was the first entertainment/broadband company Website to be recognized on the Ten Best list.
"We are honored to receive such a prestigious award and to be recognized for our commitment to provide the best online service experiences for our customers," said Verizon Director of eCommerce Mark Studness. "Verizon customers receive outstanding online customer support when they use our interactive site. It takes their specific questions into consideration and provides an easy-to-use interface to find the answers."
Online service and support sites were judged by a panel of judges according to design and navigation, knowledge base and search implementation, overall usability, customer experience, and major site-development challenge. This year marks the 12th annual Ten Best Web Support sites competition.
"The Verizon site developers faced a challenge that they solved quite effectively - how to provide a single customer experience that works across a very wide range of products and customers," said ASP Executive Director Jeffrey Tarter. "This kind of integration is extraordinarily difficult to deliver, but Verizon shows that it can be done."
In July, the Association of Support Professionals will publish a book, "The Ten Best Web Support Sites of 2009," profiling this year's ten best websites.
What does Verizon's award-winning support side provide customers with? Users can get information on various subjects including television, broadband, telephone and wireless products and service. This tool guides customers through self-help procedures, and features:
- Verizon Community Forums integrate user discussion, encouraging greater participation.
- Immediate solutions and step-by-step support via chat, with an Ask Verizon virtual agent.
- Peer-to-peer communication about Verizon-related topics through community forums.
- Easy-to-find, information-rich support for Verizon's top product lines
- Television
- Phone Service
- Broadband
- Wireless