Why Virgin Mobile South Africa sucks… July 6, 2009
Posted by nicolascallegari in Rants, SA Business.Tags: cellular, mobile phone, south africa, virgin mobile
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If you’re one of my followers on Twitter or you’re a friend of mine on Facebook (or even if you know me in the real world), you’ll know of my deep-seated dislike of Virgin mobile South Africa.
I was a very loyal MTN subscriber for close-on 10 years but as has been the case with MTN, the gradual fall in customer service quality and the general lack of concern the company has for keeping its existing customers happy over acquiring new one – and I decided to cancel my decade-old contract for “greener pastures”
Virgin Mobile had all the great promises – the lowest call rates in South Africa, no contract tie-ins, free text messages, true per-second billing and a very low per/MB rate for its data traffic. Heck, they even had the phone I wanted so badly at that point in time (Nokia E90), so it looked like heaven compared to MTN.
I suppose I should have noticed the first warning signs when it took me three visits to the Virgin Mobile Sandton City retail store in order to sign up for the package that I wanted.
Two of the three times I was told that “the system is down” – an excuse that would become the most spoken phrase at Virgin Mobile over coming months – even if they didn’t know it yet.
I eventually ended up signing a 24-month package with Virgin Mobile. And so began my slow decent into mobile phone hell.
And here’s why:
- After about 3 months, my Nokia died and had to be sent in for repair. It took Virgin Mobile over a month to fix a simple software glitch – FAIL
- In October 2008, Virgin Mobile “migrated to a new system”, which sent their billing and other systems into total disarray. To date, errors that were caused by the system migration still persist and the migration is still being blamed by call centre agents as the cause for billing and Vrewards problems – FAIL
- On the subject of Vrewards – the system has been broken from day one. Virgin Mobile claims that its Vrewards have real cash value – which they initially did. But later Virgin Mobile decided to change these “real cash” Vrewards to airtime, which is now credited to your account – even though the pre-recorded message on their phone lines still claims that their Vrewards have “real cash value” – FAIL
- Free unlimited SMS packages were falsely advertised as so and are now subject to a draconian “fair usage policy” – FAIL
- Virgin Mobile piggy-back on Cell C’s GSM network as a virtual network operator. Cell C’s network is not the best when it comes to coverage and quality of service – and as a result dropped calls, “Network Busy” errors and terrible data speeds are a sad reality for Virgin Mobile subscribers – FAIL
- The claimed “super fast” data network is based on Cell C’s Edge network and is slow, continually times out and has some of the biggest latency issues I’ve ever seen. 3G is not even on Cell C’s radar – EPIC FAIL
- Earlier this year, Virgin decided to “bring it’s 1-year free itemised billing” to an end and automatically slapped R20 extra onto my account – which, despite having been asked to stop it, is still being charged to my account – FAIL
- The average hold time on Virgin mobile’s call centre line is 20 minutes – FAIL
- The company’s call centre agents have no power whatsoever – they continually over-promise and under deliver, never call back when they promise to do so and are merely a mechanism for blaming continual system problems for the ongoing issues that Virgin Mobile has. – FAIL
- Virgin Mobile’s network is horribly broken. It takes numerous attempts to make a call. “Network Busy” seems to be Virgin’s new payoff line. – FAIL
There are all sorts of rumours going around about the future of Virgin mobile in South Africa – especially because of uncertainty around Cell C’s future and I, for one, am scratching together every cent I have to get myself out of this God-forsaken 24-month agreement.
Admittedly, all I need to do is pay the outstanding balance on my phone and Virgin will “set me free” (unlike the jail sentence that MTN or Vodacom tie you into when you sign a contract with one of them) – there are no penalties for cancelling contracts early.
The only thing is, with the total and utter incompetence that Virgin Mobile staff demonstrate on a daily basis, am I willing to take the risk of paying R3,500 to Virgin to cancel my agreement and then sit with a six-month battle to stop the debit orders and subsequent wrongful credit bureau blacklisting that Virgin is all too happy to slap onto innocent people.
We’ll have to see. But one thing is certain, Virgin Mobile is doomed to failure if they carry on the way they do – and I’ll put money on it, by 2010, they’ll be gone.
Richard Branson would be ashamed.
O.M.F.G! It’s Aprillia’s new RSV4 July 2, 2009
Posted by nicolascallegari in Check this out..., Cool!.Tags: aprillia RSV4, motorbike
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Check out the original story on Wheels 24 here: http://tinyurl.com/ngn7ds
Aprilia’s RSV4 Factory, claimed to be the world’s most advanced superbike, has finally arrived in South Africa and it’s clear designer Sergio Robbiano has kept his 2006 promise that “everything else will be old after the RS4”.
The Aprilia RSV4 is the only V4-engined superbike in production, and it’s already proved to be competitive against the best that Japan, Italy and Germany can serve up at the highest level of superbike racing. Max Biaggi is fifth in the world superbike riders’ championship halfway through the RSV4’s first season of competition, and Aprilia lies at a comfortable fourth in the manufacturers’ championship.
According to Aprilia the RS4 is as close as you will ever get to the real WSB deal. The adjustable geometry chassis allows parameters such as the position and inclination of the steering head, and the height of the rear swingarm pivot to be adjusted. The positioning of the engine in the frame can also be altered to change handling characteristics to suit rider preferences and different circuits.
The Factory version that’s just arrived has Öhlins Racing front forks, with their 43mm stanchions titanium nitride coated to minimise friction. As in Biaggi’s and Shinya Nakano’s race bikes, the forks allow precision adjustment of pre load and compression and rebound damping.
Looking after the rear end is an Öhlins Racing shock absorber that can be adjusted for pre load, compression and rebound damping, and length, allowing ride height to be optimised to suit rider preferences.
Brakes up front are some of the finest radial calipers, Brembo monoblocks, mated to 320mm diameter stainless steel floating discs developed by Aprilia especially for this machine. A Brembo “Serie Oro” system utilising a 220mm stainless disc and dual piston caliper with a racing type pump and integrated reservoir slows down the rear wheel.
Naturally it was a challenge for Aprilia to develop a brand new four-cylinder engine – their first – which would be capable of delivering the performance the chassis deserves. The Italian engineers’ creation is said to be superb, though, and Max Biaggi proved it at Monza in May by establishing a new World Superbike top speed record of 326km/h.
“The super compact 65 degree V4 combines the factory’s mechanical engineering know-how, gained in winning well over 300 World Championship races, with state of the art electronics, to produce a truly significant engine for the 21st Century,” says Aprilia.
The bike utilises full ride-by-wire technology with no mechanical link between the twist-grip and the throttle valves, which are controlled by the latest generation Marelli control unit.
Each cylinder bank has a dedicated servo unit, actuating the relevant throttle bodies only, allowing the processor to manage the fuelling for each cylinder independently. Three engine mapping programmes are available, controlled from the handlebars, allowing the rider to change the power delivery mode to suit prevailing conditions.
By using a 65 degree V-angle layout rather than the 60 degree of their V-twins, Aprilia was able to build the engine very over-square, with the resulting large bores allowing for very big valves and high revs. The bike allegedly revs happily to 14 200 r/min and produces its peak power of 132kW at 12 500 r/min, with the torque peak of 115Nm arriving a little earlier, at 10 000 r/min.
To keep control the weight of the RS4 as tightly as possible, Aprilia’s engineers made use of ultralight materials for the engine, with all valve covers and external housings being made from magnesium. The frame, at just 10.1kg, weighs virtually the same as that of the twin-cylinder RSV, while the trick aluminium swing arm weighs just 5.1kg.
The Aprilia RS4 Factory is the closest you are likely to ever get to the WSB version, but at R245 995 this privilege doesn’t exactly come cheap.
To ease the blow Aprilia will throw in a 24-month unlimited distance warranty.
Technical specification
Engine: V-4 cylinder, 4-stroke
Displacement: 999.6cc
Bore x Stroke: 78 x 52.3mm
Max torque: 115Nm at 10 000r/min
Max power: 132.4kW at 12 500r/min
Dry weight: 179kg
Ster Kinekor – miles ahead of Nu-Metro in so many ways June 30, 2009
Posted by nicolascallegari in Marketing & PR, Rants, SA Business.Tags: cinemas, movies, nu-metro, ster kinekor
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For the longest time now I’ve been going to Nu-Metro cinemas to watch movies – mostly because they’re in the places that I choose to frequent (like Bedford Centre, Montecasino and Clearwater Mall).
One thing I’ve constantly noticed with Nu-Metro cinemas is that the quality of service at most of the cinemas has been less than adequate on so many levels and I’m not the only one who thinks so.
Twitter and Facebook are constantly filled with comments on how Nu-Metro’s staff have ruined the cinema experience of so many people – particularly if they are attending a huge movie that they have been dying to see – and cannot be enjoyed on anything but a big screen.
Complaints range from bad popcorn, to rude staff, massive queues for concessions and movies either being out of focus, sounds problems, in-cinema advertising and even projectionists that forget to change the aspect ratio of the movie when the ads have finished and the main attraction begins.
I’ve even been turned away by cinema staff because I was not allowed to bring the left-overs (doggie bag) from my pre-movies dinner into the cinema “because it wasn’t purchased here”.
I’ve also personally had it on numerous occasions where the picture has been out of focus or the surround sound has not been turned on and nothing was done even despite reporting it to cinema management.
It’s just not good enough and I think Nu-Metro is suffering because of these issues, which, let’s face it, amount to incompetence and laziness at all levels – from ticket staff right up to cinema management.
But what a breath of fresh air it has been, my last two visits to Ster Kinekor cinemas (Crest and Fourways Mall).
Both visits were for fairly epic movies (Transformers 2 and Terminator Salvation) and my experiences at both movies were just what I would have expected to have had at any cinema.
The sound was perfect, the picture was in-focus, the ticket staff were happy, there were very short queues for concessions and the popcorn was fresh and tasty. (although it has to be said that the prices of concessions are ridiculously high).
What I found even cooler at Fourways Ster Kinekor was the self-service ticket kiosks. Touch-screen kiosks don’t only allow you to pick up pre-booked tickets, but you can buy tickets from then, select your seats and even do other stuff like buy airtime – which again put Ster Kinekor miles ahead of Nu-Metro in my eyes.
Look, the downside to all of this is that Ster Kinekor cinemas aren’t in the places I usually go so I would end up having to go to places that I don’t particularly like in order to attend a movie at a Ster Kinekor cinema (like Westgate, Cresta or Fourways) – but I’d do it for the movie experience that is way ahead of the blunders that keep pissing a lot of people off at Nu-Metro.
In my eyes, Ster Kinekor is the way to go and Nu-Metro could seriously learn a few lessons from its number one competitor on how even the smallest changes can make a huge difference.
Update from the Marine Expedition June 24, 2009
Posted by nicolascallegari in Science.Tags: admin hell, marine expedition, moving sushi
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http://www.marine-expedition.co.za/
Hi everyone
This past month has proven to be a very difficult and testing time for the expedition. Who knew you could make it across West Africa with so much ease, only to be flummoxed by Europe.
Since our last update from Morocco, we have left the African continent and driven via Portugal to Madrid, Spain. Leaving Morocco was interesting, but with all the required documentation for the extension of our visas in hand, we were back on track. A few days behind schedule we entered Tarifa, Spain.
Unfortunately due to some mixed information we were not allowed to purchase vehicle insurance in Spain for a South African vehicle. There was no issue getting into Spain, but if the police stopped us, we were essentially driving illegally. Not one South African insurance company was interested in helping and we were refused vehicle cover. Running further behind schedule we had to leave Spain and enter Portugal, as we had some dives lined up.
We were lucky that a Dutch company was able to insure the vehicle all the way to Russia, so after 2 weeks of driving around Europe illegally we managed to get the required green card, though some help from Mr. Schonknecht, for which we are extremely grateful.
Arriving in Madrid we secured meetings with Oceana, a huge marine based conservation organization and with ICCAT, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna. The meeting with Oceana was excellent and we were brilliantly received. Not only were we able to interview the Director and chief scientist, Oceana supplied us with a huge collection of images and video footage for our documentary. We are grateful to their generosity and passion for which they conduct their work. As Oceana is looking forward to branching into Africa, and will keep in contact offering advice from our side to the hopeful inception of Oceana in South Africa (Oceana Africa Program), this would be fantastic.
Our meeting was delayed with ICCAT until the 8th of June due to Linda and my visa application for the UK been denied. We do feel it was denied unjustly and look to make a comment about the situation at a later stage. This problem was huge for us as it blocked our entry to a country where we would get the car serviced, acquire visas for the next leg of the expedition, and would allow us to ferry across to Norway. Furthermore due to our Shengen days running out we had to fly to Croatia where we could bunk down in our house and work on all the admin to change our flight plans to the US, figure out how the vehicle would get to Norway etc. The circumstance has unfortunately necessitated our need to return to South Africa briefly, firstly to organize our US, Russian and Japanese visas, and to lay an official complaint with the Ministry regarding the UK consulate in Madrid. I may depart SA after a few days and use my Croatian passport to drive the vehicle into the UK (as no visa is required) and then meet Linda in Oslo, either or, the British have really dented a smooth passage for us and have throw us into administrative hell. What this means is that we are currently back in South Africa and are in the process of getting all our visas for Asia, and it looks as if the UK will have to remain off our list of countries to visit as we simply do not have the time to still get the visa and make it to the conference in the USA, and get to Russia by October.
If anyone wants to get hold of us our new numbers down here are Linda 083 348 8474 and Mike 0785218478. We should be around for about three weeks while we pull ourselves towards ourselves and possibly begin work on a new trailer for the Documentary.
Hope you are all keeping well, were disappointed that we will not be seeing everyone in the UK ,but im sure well meet up soon.
Till then
Happy travels
Mike and Linda
BT Paintball announces TM-15 June 24, 2009
Posted by nicolascallegari in Total g33k out, paintball.Tags: BT TM-15, paintball, paintball marker
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zOMG!!! *Drroooooollll*
The BT TM-15 is an excellent choice for any woodsball or mil-sim paintball enthusiast. Its high performance body is strong, yet light enough in weight for all-day action. Equipped with features usually found on much more expensive markers, the BT TM-15 features a true electropneumatic operating system as well as reduced sound signature for stealth firing in any of the multiple firing modes. With the standard multiple Picatinny rails, accessory options are nearly endless. Internal airline operation eliminates external hoses. Plus, front and rear sights ensure you get your shot.
Features
- • High Performance, Ultra Strong, Lightweight Magnesium Body
• Bolt Out Back Design for Easy Cleaning and Maintenance
• Modern Styling
• True Electropneumatic Operating System
• Shift-On-The-Fly, 4-Position Recreational Firing Mode Switch
• Multiple Firing Modes: Semi/PSP/NXL/Millennium
• Stealth Body Design Works in Conjunction with the Barrel to Reduce Sound Signature
• 14” Barrel with Sound Signature Reduction Porting
• Flip-Up Front and Rear Sights
• Clamping Feed Elbow
• Universal, Mini Style Barrel Threads
• Single-Finger Trigger (Double Trigger Kit Available)
• Multiple Picatinny Rails Allow for Extra Accessories
• Quick-Change Battery in the Removable Magazine
• Collapsible/Adjustable Rear Stock
• Low Pressure Operation (200psi)
• No External Hoses; Internal Airline Operation
Finally! Put a stop to pesky tele-marketers… June 23, 2009
Posted by nicolascallegari in Check this out..., Marketing & PR.Tags: cold-calling, direct marketing, tele-marketing
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If you’re anything like my colleagues, you probably get harrased by tele-marketers from companies like Cell C and Altech Autopage Cellular trying desperately to sell you a mobile phone contract or insurance companies marketing some form of death and disability cover.
And no matter how many times you ask to be taken off their databases, it just doesn’t happen.
But redemption is at hand, I heard on Radio 702 that you can register your name on the Direct Marketing Association’s “Do Not Call” list, which should put an end to cellular and insurance comapneis purporting to have “specially selected you for an unbelievable deal”.
I registered myself on this Opt-Out list a few months ago and I’m very pleased to say that I’ve seen a HUGE fall in the number of unsolicited cold-calls that I receive.
Most notably, the biggest culprit that still calls me on the odd occasion is ABSA.
The last call I got was pretty ingenious becuase the [very well-spoken and professional-sounding] lady who called claimed to be the assistant to the financial manager of ABSA’s Cresta branch.
Her exact words were: “Mr. Callegari, ABSA has notified my boss that he absolutely HAS TO see you with regards to securing your bond with life cover. When could you possibly come in?”
The sad thing is that there are people out there who would have fallen for this little trick and walked into the office of yet another financial planner that doesn’t know you from a bar of soap but has an entire portfolio of insurance products that you simly “must have in order to survive”.
In any event, I’m glad to say that I have not received a cold-call or unsoicted SMS in months and I’m all the more sane for it.
R2D2 In Star Trek | Robot Living June 19, 2009
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Sadly the contest to win a prop from the movie is over. Read on to find out exactly where R2D2 does appear in the new Star Trek film.
**SPOILER ALERT**
During the Drill Machine sequence as the Enterprise comes out of its barrel role amidst destruction of the other Federation ships above Vulcan, we cut to an interior Enterprise bridge over the shoulder of Kirk that is looking out through the front viewscreen. In space, R2-D2 is floating in the debris from about the top middle of the screen to the bottom right.
Samuel L. Jackson vs. Master yoda June 19, 2009
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This is just too good not to share 
M-Net tooth fairy advert June 2, 2009
Posted by nicolascallegari in Check this out..., Funny :-P, Marketing & PR.Tags: advert, m-net, tooth fairy
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Cracker – Mnet tooth fairy advert – funny.
It’s been a long time since I really laughed at an advert on TV. It’s partly down to the fact that I have a PVR and I can just fast-forward past the adverts. But it’s also down to the fact that, well, let’s face it, the vast majority of adverts on South African TV are shite.
Well done on a truly fantastic advert
TomTom – Not the most up to date maps May 29, 2009
Posted by nicolascallegari in Check this out..., Cool!, Technology.Tags: accurate, garmin, map data, tomtom
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Garmin's still tops for up-to-date maps in Africa.
Originally posted here: http://mybroadband.co.za/news/General/8178.html
Battle between Garmin and TomTom about “most up-to-date maps” in South Africa
In February 2009 the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA) ruled that TomTom’s claim of having “South Africa’s most up-to-date maps” was unsubstantiated. TomTom was instructed to withdraw the claim with immediate effect and to not use the advertisement in the same format in future.
This ruling however did not stop TomTom from running another advertising campaign claiming to have the “best maps” and “the world’s most up-to-date maps.
Competitor Avnic Trading, distributor of Garmin products, lodged another complaint against TomTom, saying that this “misleading advertising cannot be tolerated in terms of the General Principles of Advertising.”
The Attorneys Webber Wentzel, on behalf of TomTom, submitted that the advertising material referred to in the complaint was commissioned prior to the lodging of Garmin’s original complaint against the respondent in 2008. “Since December last year the respondent has not paid for or commissioned advertising that makes the claim that it has the most up to date maps.”
It was further submitted that TomTom’s advertising agency was advised of the outcome of the complaint and it did not take steps to remove the said material from the public arena. “TomTom has now requested its advertising agency to remove the materials as soon as possible,” they said.
The ASA was not convinced. “While TomTom has now taken steps to remove the offending claim, this action is belated,” the ASA said. The ASA was also not satisfied with the excuse that TomTom’s advertising agency did not take steps to remove the offending claim from the public arena.
The ASA subsequently ruled that TomTom should remove the claim “South Africa’s most up-to-date maps” with immediate effect and ensure that the claim is never used again in that format.
The advertising Authority further afforded Garmin the opportunity to comment on whether or not sanctions are appropriate, and if so, which sanctions.
