Come Monday...Customer Service

“Come Monday…” is a weekly series that will involve a review of, or commentary about,  websites, movies, documentaries, television shows, sports, music, and whatever else may tickle my fancy at the time.  Be assured that these reviews will be generally positive, as in accordance to the Jimmy Buffett song “Come Monday.”  This is subject to change, however.  In fact, I would be most derelict in my duties to neglect going on a rant every once in a while.  For rants promote change, and change can be good—right?  Therefore, since good is generally considered as being a positive force in 99.3% of the parallel universes that I am aware of, even a rant could be considered as being something positive, and a genuine hissy-fit would be even better (so I’m told).

NOTE: Since this is basically a promised update of a previous review, it seemed prudent to start with the original, which was first published on April 26, 2010.  Next will come the exchanged emails, which will be edited to offer some protection for both the innocent and the guilty, and then I will offer some observations.

Last week, I received a very nice email from an associate of [Digeus], who was asking me to post something about their [registry cleaner], with the promise of receiving a full version for free if I did so.  Since I had already decided to forego posting about every new episode of [Treme], I had an opening in the schedule.  So, I emailed her back, and promised to post a review of their product in the upcoming Come Monday…, which is this one (for you folks keeping score at home).  Along with saying that I would download their free version and be checking it out while waiting for her reply, I also asked her some rather journalistic-like questions, such as how their product stacked-up against [CCleaner], which I have been using, as well as what difference there was between their free version and the fully functional one.

Yes, as a matter of fact, I actually can be rather journalistic-like at times.  For I have seen a few editions of the [Wall Street Journal] here and there in my time, and that is good enough as a qualification in my book.

Well, after I did not hear back from her as soon as I thought I should, I went ahead and downloaded the free version.  Now, I have made it quite clear that I consider myself to be as technically-challenged as anyone can be.  Therefore, it should not come as any shock to your system that there was a fair amount of apprehension involved, but after not finding any negative reports on the product, I fired it up.

Whoa, the first scan only took a few minutes to complete, and it said that I had 3,346 registry errors.  Since it has been taking a good 10 minutes to reboot at times with a computer that is supposed to be really fast, I thought I had finally “found” something that could cut that reboot time down to mere seconds, which is the way it was when I first got it.  In fact, I was entertaining a fantasy of having to make sure all fingers and toes were safely out of the way between the time when the message on the screen flashed Shutting down… and Welcome.

Of course, in order to make that fantasy a reality, I had to get rid of all of those registry errors, and it was right about then when I discovered the difference between the free version and the fully functional one.  For the free version will only fix 5 errors at a time, and I later discovered that there is little that can be done to limit each scan.  In other words, one must do another relatively full scan before another 5 errors can be fixed.

Yes, I should have just left well enough alone as soon as I saw that only 5 errors could be fixed at a time, but I am evidently genetically incapable of letting something go unfixed once I discover a potential problem.  Well, I suppose I should take that back.  For after TEN STRAIGHT HOURS of rescanning (with a liberal amount of breaks mixed-in, in accordance to the most recent collective bargaining agreement that I am sworn to uphold), I finally had to slink off to bed with a little over 1,000 errors left unfixed, and it still taking FOREVER AND A DAY to reboot.

SOOOO, I don’t know what to conclude about the [Digeus Registry Cleaner].  For those errors remain unfixed, it still takes forever and a day to reboot most of the time, and I still haven’t heard a peep out of the lady who first emailed me.  If I ever do hear back from her or someone else from the company, I will add an update to this review.  Until then, download and use this product at your own risk, and considering the amount of customer service I have received so far…

From Me (4/26/2010): You can view the review that I posted of your product [here].  I am sorry that it sounds so negative, and I would be happy to add an update if I ever hear from you again.

From Stacey (4/26/2010): Dear Jerry, Thank you for placing the link to the Registry Cleaner.  In order to get a registration code please send me a verification code from About dialog of the Registry Cleaner.  To get a Verification code please run Digeus Registry Cleaner, go to about dialog and copy Verification code from that.  Then send it to me.  Looking forward to hearing from you.

From Me (4/27/2010): Verification Code: xxxxxxxxxxxx

From Julia (9/12/2010): Dear fishhawk, May I ask you to place the link below to our Screen Capture Software 3.7.33287 anywhere on your blog?
If you agree, please send me the link where you placed the link and I will provide you a copy of SnapIt for free.  Here is a brief information about our product:
SnapIt Screen Capture 3.7
SnapIt is easy to use screen capture software which allows you to easily capture anything on the screen including windows, menus, full screen, rectangular regions, web pages and take shots of moving images.
It is a very convenient tool for bloggers. When you write posts on your blog you need to capture and crop images from different sources - this tool is for you.
- Supports hotkeys, auto-saving, clipboard
- Automatically copies screenshots to the clipboard
- Tracks capture history, auto-saves captured images
- Saves files in BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG and TIFF formats
- Auto-names captured images
Here is the link:
<a href="http://www.digeus.com/products/snapit/snapit_screen_capture_3_5.html">Screen Capture Software</a>
You may place this link alone without description or on existing post or create new post with a short description (language and text is up to you)
Feel free to get information about product here: http://www.digeus.com/products/snapit/snapit_screen_capture_3_5.html
P.S. Don't change text in the link. It should be "Screen Capture Software".

From Me (9/12/2010): No, I would rather not.

From Alise (9/12/2010): Dear Jerry, I would be honored if you’d take the time to review our product on your blog.  In exchange for an unbiased review, We will provide a copy of the product for free!  We will also place link to your review from our product's page with your logo.  The review may be written in any language you want, min 100 words. You are free to get photos and sample description from our site:

http://digeus.com/products/systemoptimizer/system-optimizer.html

If you use Facebook, Twitter, Digg or MySpace, please add this tool to your bookmarks.  The button for adding to bookmarks is located here:

http://digeus.com/products/systemoptimizer/system-optimizer.html

Here is a brief information about our product:

Digeus System Optimizer 8.2

Digeus System Optimizer is the smartest way to solve computer problems and protect your valuable data. This easy-to-use software helps you eliminate system crashed, prevent computer problems, and restore your system to a healthy state.  Here is a list of tools included in suite:

* Digeus Data Encryptor

* Digeus Disk Space Analyzer

* Digeus Drivers and Programs

* Digeus Duplicate Files Finder

* Digeus Icon Manager

* Digeus IE Manager

* Digeus Junk Files Cleaner

* Digeus Memory Cleaner

* Digeus Multimedia Settings Tweaker

* Digeus Optimization Wizard

* Digeus Privacy Protection

* Digeus Process Manager

* Digeus Registry Cleaner

* Digeus Registry Defragmenter

* Digeus Repair System Settings

* Digeus Service Manager

* Digeus File Shredder

* Digeus Smart Uninstaller

* Digeus Startup Manager

* Digeus System Customization

* Digeus System Info

* Digeus System Security Tweaker

* Digeus System Speed Optimizer

* Digeus Unnecessary Files Cleaner

Download and install System Optimizer 8.2:

http://www.digeus.com/downloads/systemoptimizer/files/8/sysoptimizer_8_2.exe

Learn more what is included in System Optimizer 8.2:

http://digeus.com/products/systemoptimizer/system-optimizer.html

Looking forward to hearing from you.

From Me (9/13/2010): This is a joke--right?  For I never received the code that was needed to unlock the features on the Digeus Registry Cleaner 5.4.316065 that I published a review of a few month ago, and after all of this time, I don't want one.  So, in answer to your request, I would not want to publish a review of anymore of your products.  Just in case you are curious, the one I dealt with the last time was Stacey, with the first email coming on April 18, 2010.

From Alise (9/13/2010):  Dear Jerry, Please mention in your blog about a giveaway for your readers if they also create a review in any blog/forum/twitter/facebook, etc, and contact me with link to the review,

I will issue a reg code and name for them. 

Here is your registration information:

Registration name: Jerry Beuterbaugh

Registration code: xxxx-xxxx-xxxx

Please enter this information in [Help]->[Registration] dialog of the program.  We recommend you to copy-paste registration code as sometimes people may confuse characters '0' (zero) with 'O' (Orange), etc.

Please note, you don't have to download or reinstall this product again.  This license releases all restrictions.  If you have any questions about our products, don't hesitate to ask them.

From Me (9/14/2010): Well, your reply here certainly confirms that your company must be a joke.  For you completely ignored what I told you about my last encounter with you-all.  Please take me off of your list.

From Isabella (12/26/2010): Dear Jerry Beuterbaugh, Thank you for your review! It is great.  Please mention in your blog about a giveaway for your readers if they also create a review in any blog/forum/twitter/facebook, etc, and contact me with link to the review, I will issue a reg code and name for them.

Here is your registration information:

Registration name: Jerry Beuterbaugh

Registration code: xxxx-xxxx-xxxx

Please enter this information in [Help]->[Registration] dialog of the program.  We recommend you to copy-paste registration code as sometimes people may confuse characters '0' (zero) with 'O' (Orange), etc.  Please note, you don't have to download or reinstall this product again.

This license releases all restrictions.  If you have any questions about our products, don't hesitate to ask them.

From Jennifer (8/28/2011): Dear Jerry, May I ask you to again to evaluate our new product named JCopia on your blog in exchange for the free copy of the product for you ? Last time you helped us very much and we decided to contact you again.  You may create a short review in any language you want, on any your blog/forum, or just place the link below anywhere on your blog. If you use Facebook (you are welcome to become my friend, my page is http://www.facebook.com/jennifjohnson), Twitter, Digg or MySpace, please mention about this tool there.

The link : <a href="http://jiteco.com/jcopia.html">Capture flash video and audio from any website to your computer</a>

Here is a brief information about our product:

JCopia 4.7.0

Have you ever thought how to download video and audio from flash players on internet sites like Youtube, Google Video, MySpace, DailyMotion, Metacafe, Break, Blog sites of your friends with embedded audio and video content and so on?  So, JCopia does it all. It captures flash video / audio / stream from any website to your computer as files. Just play your media online and watch as JCopia saves any clip / music / movie to your computer. 

JCopia detects and begins to download any clip, video, music, radio stream, video stream, Flash game or presentation that is played in your browser. Increase your video and audio collection with JCopia now!  It is a very convenient tool for collections video and audio files on disk.

Download and install JCopia 4.7.0:

http://jiteco.com/download/jcopia/jcopia.exe

Learn more what is included in JCopia 4.7.0:

http://jiteco.com/jcopia.html

Feel free to include a link to you article:

<a href="http://jiteco.com/jcopia.html">Capture flash video and audio from any website to your computer</a>

Feel free to learn more about JCopia from video on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYTzUGWjOd0

Looking forward to hearing from you.

From Me (8/29/2011): No, I don't think so, and I can't believe that you consider what I did last time as being helpful.  For it was a fairly negative review.  Are you going with the modern attitude of, "Any publicity is good publicity," or is it that you never actually read what I wrote before?

From Deborah (11/17/2011):  Dear Jerry, It is again me :) Remember me ? Last time you promoted our product for license. I hope you received it and enjoy the product.  This time I want to offer you to promote our new product called Riviera for Skype. It is a Skype call recorder.  In exchange for promotion you will receive a full copy of the product.  You need to create a short post with a few sentences about Riviera for Skype (like I wrote below) and include this back link:

<a href="http://www.jiteco.com/skype_call_recorder.html">Skype Call Recorder</a>

Riviera for Skype is a Skype call recorder. It automatically records Skype calls and conversations to MP3 files.  Very convenient for recording interviews, tech talks, conferences, audio casts, pod casts for learning later, etc.

You may get more food for thought from Riviera for Skype home page: http://www.jiteco.com/skype_call_recorder.html

Here is a link to download Riviera for Skype : http://www.jiteco.com/download/riviera/riviera.exe

And don't forget to add me to Facebook friends. My Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003127731389

If you are not interested, please ignore this email.

From Me (11/17/2011): I am sorry, I do not remember you.  I do remember dealing with Stacey, Alise, Isabella and Jennifer before, and if your records were even close to accurate, I do not believe that you would want to remember me.  For the only review I have published about a Digeus product stopped just short of not recommending it for use--let alone purchase, and I have tried to make it quite clear to everyone associated with your company since that I was not interested in doing another review because of having no confidence in the quality of your customer service.  After all, if it is apparently impossible to document the case of an unhappy reviewer, what can an unhappy customer expect?  Please understand that I am not blaming you for this gross incompetence, but if you really are a Senior Public Relations Specialist, I would highly recommend you doing what you can to make some very necessary changes.

From Deborah (11/17/2011): Dear Jerry, I am so sorry for my previous colleagues. How can I fix the problem with you? What kind of licensed you didn't receive last time? I will solve it.

From Me (11/18/2011): I suppose the easiest way to explain it to you, is to provide a link to the original review.  In any event, I still wouldn't want to publish another review.  Besides, I don't use Skype, nor have a camera set-up to do so.  So, I wouldn't be a good pick, anyway.
http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2010/04/come-mondaydigeus-registry-cleaner.html

From Deborah (11/18/2011): Dear Jerry, Here is your license for Registry Cleaner. No comments what you wrote in review. It is a disease. Incurable. According to your logic - don't start computer until you know know how it works.

Registration name: Jerry Beuterbaugh

Registration code: xxxx-xxxx-xxxx

From Me (11/18/2011): Yes, you should go far in customer service.

From Deborah (11/19/2011):  Dear Fishhawk, We would like to promote our Skype Call Recorder on your blog. Its name is Riviera for Skype.  In exchange for promotion you will receive a full copy of the product.  You need to create a short post with a few sentences about Riviera for Skype (like I wrote below) and include this back link:
<a href="http://www.jiteco.com/skype_call_recorder.html">Skype Call Recorder</a>
Riviera for Skype is a Skype call recorder. It automatically records Skype calls and conversations to MP3 files.  Very convenient for recording interviews, tech talks, conferences, audio casts, pod casts for learning later, etc.  You may get more food for thought from Riviera for Skype 3.6.30475 home page: http://www.jiteco.com/skype_call_recorder.html
Here is a link to download Riviera for Skype 3.6.30475: http://www.jiteco.com/download/riviera/riviera.exe
If you are not interested, please ignore this email.

From Me (11/21/2011): Here is a link to what I just published.
http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2011/11/come-mondaycustomer-service.html

From Deborah (11/21/2011): Dear Jerry, Thank you for your desire to create a review.  Please send me the link to your review as soon as you create it.  Here is your registration information:

Registration name: Jerry Beuterbaugh

Registration code: xxxx-xxxx-xxxx

Please enter this information in [Help]->[Registration] dialog of the program.  We recommend you to copy-paste registration code as sometimes people may confuse characters '0' (zero) with 'O' (Orange), etc.

Please note, you don't have to download or reinstall this product again.

This license releases all restrictions.  If you have any questions about our products, don't hesitate to ask them.

In regards to Deborah’s shot about having to know how something works before trying it, this is not really a bad idea at all—especially when it comes to registry cleaners.  For I have read some horror stories about bad registry cleaners deleting essential files that required a reinstall of some programs in order to make them usable again.

Needless to say (I hope), I do not need to know just exactly how something works before I will try it, but it would be helpful to give reviewers a fully-functional product to try.  For how is one supposed to give an informed opinion on how somethings works until they are able to actually use it?

Alas, far too many companies have embraced the philosophy of, “Whatever we make, some idiot will buy it, and if they become unhappy, there are many more idiots out there.”  This appears to be especially true in cyberspace, and there appears to be no question about it when it comes to Digeus, Jiteco or whatever they go to call themselves next.

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