Mon 25 Apr. 2005

Goodbye Hotmail!

The Carl D. Goldin saga documented in actual correspondence exchanged with Micro$oft

It should also serve as fair warning to anyone who is considering using this flawed and (now) virtually useless service.

(via MoFi)

4 Comments »

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  1. one little side note to mr. godin (godwin?), though, despite the painfully hilarious exchange with the Gates of Hell. Hotmail was developed by Sabeer Bhatia, whose name might irk Mr. Godwin for it’s non-anglo-saxon ring if ever he were to recieve an email from said innovator. Indian-born Bhatia & partner Jack Smith (ahh, that’s better?) — who both worked at Apple — launched hotmail & sold it in 1997(?) to Micro$oft ($400M), who promptly added innovative features such as attaching a loud siren and flashing neon signs to each account that said, “SEND SPAM HERE!”

    Comment by mackinaw — Wed 27 Apr. 2005 @ 04:04 pm

  2. The man’s irritation at the non-anglo-saxon “support” is most unfortunate, especially since it the problem is clearly endemic to the company.

    Comment by sennosen — Thu 28 Apr. 2005 @ 01:04 am

  3. >”one little side note to mr. godin (godwin?)”

    What is your difficulty in correctly spelling a name that appears clearly written before you?

    >”Hotmail was developed by Sabeer Bhatia, whose name might irk Mr. Godwin for it’s non-anglo-saxon ring…”

    I’m aware of the origins and history of hotmail (I have been active in the computer industry for more than 40 years). I have nothing against “non-anglo-saxons” (and, in fact, am “non-anglo-saxon” myself). ONE (and only one) of my complaints referred to having “support” services rendered by those lacking the linguistic skills needed. The complaint would have been the same had they been British or American illiterates.

    I have lived and worked around the globe. In each instance, I took the time to learn the local language and culture. I don’t fault someone for having an accent, or not knowing a language. However, such a person should not be working in a position where communication is important.

    As should be obvious from the article I posted, my objection is to Microsoft outsourcing their support services to those incapable of providing them.

    >The man’s irritation at the non-anglo-saxon “support” is most unfortunate, especially since it the problem is clearly endemic to the company.

    My irritation is clearly with the policies of “the company”. Most of the “support” problems pre-existed the outsourcing, and I voiced the same complaints to the personnel involved and (directly) to Mr. Gates long ago, before M$ opted to save money by moving their “support” to India.

    However, my irritation is ALSO with those INDIVIDUALS who refuse to read a problem report, but rather focus on the first recognizable keyword, and then deliver an illiterate, inapplicable and inaccurate form letter responding to the keyword rather than the stated problem. This is indexcusable even if they do this in adherence to company policy.

    Additionally, I strongly object to M$’s policy of addressing customers by their first name. This is considered rude and patronizing throughout the globe, including India. Thus, my complaint was well understood by the “support” personnel to whom it was addressed.

    It’s ironic that a perfectly valid complaint has been misconstrued as bigotry. Your erroneous conclusions demonstrate the very bigotry to which you object.

    Comment by Carl D. Goldin — Wed 01 Jun. 2005 @ 08:06 pm

  4. No idea why my previous commentator got your name wrong - perhaps it was just a typo.

    However, despite the fact that I understand and sympathize with your reaction towards M$, I’m afraid I do not share your judgment with regard to the people they employ. As I see it, it is nonetheless the company that is to blame for the poor attitude and lacking skills which its employees exhibit.

    No bigotry and thus no irony there - just my view.

    Wishing you well.

    Comment by sennosen — Fri 03 Jun. 2005 @ 02:06 pm

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