Restaurant service

Photo: kennethgmorgan.com

At some point in your life, I am sure that you have paid a visit to a restaurant. In fact, I am sure you have visited a restaurant many times. I can also quite confidently assume that 99% of these visits are pleasant ones.

I fit right into this category. Tonight, unfortunately, I experienced service that falls into the other 1% of visits - extremely poor.

We had a table booked for 9PM and turned up promptly. We stood by the typical "please wait to be seated" sign and waited. Waited. Waited, and waited some more - the place wasn't even that busy. 10 minutes of the waiter walking past us multiple times and he finally opened his mouth. "Are you here for the 9PM Valentine's dinner slot?.. we'll just prepare your table, please take a seat". It took the best part of 20 minutes to prepare this table and all it consisted of was a cheap cloth and paper napkins.

Fast forward to ordering, which took a further 15 minutes to produce the waiter. We ordered our food and proceeded to wait again. We requested a jug of water and never received it (we were actually handed a fresh jug from another dining couple because they could see we had clearly been forgotten).

The food was sub-par. I ordered the chicken stuffed with brie and wrapped in parma ham, whilst Sam opted for the carvery. Our meat was tough, vegetables were soggy and I couldn't even taste the brie!

When it came to dessert, we decided to choose our own from the counter which was in the other section of the restaurant. Upon entering this section we saw around 7 other waiting staff hoovering and setting the tables for breakfast, leaving our waiter on his own in the Valentine's room with about 6 other full tables.

We ended up returning to our room at 11PM - a whole 2 hours after our original booking. We don't take that long to eat. If we had been served promptly then we'd have been up and out by 9:45. This meant the rest of our night was unnecessarily cut short. 

Sam is now tucked up nicely in bed and I'm rambling. Just another day at the office.

Republic see red

Photo: itsoneiota.com

The latest high street company to get themselves into hot water is clothing brand Republic. Words from the press state that Republic has officially appointed administrators - putting approximately 2,500 jobs on the line.

The administrators are obviously hoping to sell off the brand and they are confident that this will happen, "...Republic is well recognised, particularly in the North", "it has a powerful website...very attractive and profitable stores". This sounds like a sales pitch to me - surely if the stores were very attractive and profitable Republic wouldn't be in this predicament, or maybe that's just my skewed view.

This recent announcement does kind of make sense. The amount of sales and promotions Republic have been running over the last 12 months has been immense. Every time I stepped in one of their stores they had a store-wide sale operating.

Unfortunately, our well known high street brands are being knocked down like dominoes. We've had stores such as Woolworths, Peacocks, HMV, Jessops and, most recently, Blockbuster go out of business. This recession has killed off all of our top names and I am afraid to say that this trend is set to continue.

Of course, the recession isn't the only reason these companies are disappearing from our streets... 

Photo: kpib.co.uk

The other major reason is e-commerce or online shopping. The recent explosion of online retail has been extraordinary. It saves people the need to drive into the town centre to shop - saving money on fuel, parking and overheads factored into the cost. Online shopping allows people to relax in the comfort of their own home, browse items even in the early hours of the morning, and it is usually much cheaper than walk in stores.

The online market has much more flexibility that walk in stores just cannot compete with. If I were a part of these stores, I would seriously consider attempting to make some kind of online presence as soon as possible. The only problem with this is that the online market is already well established. There are lots of trusted online marketplaces, such as eBay, Amazon and Play that might make it difficult for newcomers.

Stores are going to need to make a very important decision, develop a solid business plan that must include a highly attractive website that offers great deals and tip top service, or they may very well be the next domino in line.

Valentines Day

I have a mixed opinion regarding valentines day. On the one side, I think it's a great time of year to spend some quality time with your other half. On the flip side, I don't see why valentines day is needed to show your other half that you love them. Surely you should be showing them this on a daily basis.

Photo: cms.ccps.us

There also seems to be this aura of money grabbing for valentines. Restaurant and hotel prices go up, flowers become more expensive, people are deliberately cashing in on people who are loved up. Now, whilst I appreciate that they're businesses who are in the game for profits but surely there's something not quite right when they raise their prices so much just because they know people will be "forced" into buying.

Photo: zoelifemagazine.com

This leads me nicely onto my next statement. Money does not equal love. I don't see why we should have to buy something for someone to prove we love them. If your other half expects something to be bought for them on valentines then you are with the wrong person, plain and simple. Of course, a card is a different story. I think everyone should at least pick up a card. They're an inexpensive little token of affection for the day.

At the end of the day, valentines day, just like Easter, is there for the big wigs to count their profits. It is something we just have to deal with but is something we can avoid. Why not, next year, agree to not purchase anything. Why not just spend some quality time with your other half, whenever you are both free, to really show the meaning of valentines day - expressing your love for the person you hold dear.

Java development

I am currently studying towards a BSc in Software Development and Networking. Part of this course requires me to undergo the learning of Java. Now, this is what I have wanted to do for such a long time. My first experiences with computer programming came when I studied computing at A level. VB.NET was the language for that course.

Needless to say I loved every aspect of it so I cannot wait to jump right into developing with Java. I am a complete novice with the language so I have some resources to help me along the way, one of which is the "Beginning Programming with Java for Dummies" book. I got this for my Kindle and it makes for a really interesting read.

Photo: amazon.co.uk

I've started downloading the programs I will need to start, namely Eclipse. I've heard of many others, but I've heard Eclipse be name dropped before and it appears to be very good so I will be using it.

Now, I haven't programmed in about 12 months so it is going to be strange getting back into it but I'm sure I'll pick it all up again in no time - just got to bare with it. Whilst learning Java I might delve a little back into VB.NET which is the language I am affluent in. I used to love just creating a small program and then every week just adding a little to it here and there. It became my little project so I very much hope the same happens with Java.

Please feel free to leave a comment if you have learnt, or are learning Java - perhaps we could study as a group and throw ideas around.

Road tax - where does it all go.

Photo: www.parkers.co.uk

I always ponder this question. The answer is plain and simple - no one actually knows. Well, except maybe the thieves who take it in the first place.

My route to work covers many main roads, or 'A' roads as they are more commonly classified. The amount of potholes I come across on these roads is ridiculous. 

Photo: www.rossandersonuk.blogspot.com

The potholes on UK roads are just too much to handle. I mean, the average person is going to forking over at least £135 for 12 months of road tax. This is a hell of a lot of money, on top of the price of your MOT and insurance. For the money they take they certainly don't reflect this on the condition of the roads.

I know that weather takes its toll on roads but surely, as we are getting extreme weather every year now, it makes sense to invest in improving the roads. Look at roads on the continent - they can survive much harsher weathers than ours can! The money it would save not just us, but the whole country, is probably unthinkable.

The sad truth is that the money is probably spent topping up MP wages, or covering expenses scandals, paying for their luxuries whilst the rest of the country fork out road tax to them each and every year.

Of course, the alternative is to purchase a car with low enough emissions to qualify for free road tax. Unfortunately, not everyone's situation warrants such a car. They tend to have much less capacity so are no good for those with families. That said, low emission technology, especially hybrid vehicle, are becoming more popular and I can foresee them improving on their current model to allow larger vehicles to reduce their emissions.

The Government will always introduce a new tax when they see fit. The more popular hybrid technology becomes, and so less people have to pay road tax, they'll find some other area of motoring to con the population out of more of their hard earned pennies.

How to: Deal with ISP technical support

Photo: www.gaia-tech.com

1. Don't talk like you know everything. You're obviously ringing a technical desk for support. If you knew it all, you wouldn't be phoning so don't go there – it makes you sound like an egotistic moron.
2. Don't lie. At the end of the day, technical support are there to help you fix something. If they suggest a resolution, don't lie and say you've already done it just because you don't think it will work. Remember point 1, you rang for support. This is exactly what you're getting. By lying you'll only delay a fix.
3. Explain your problem. In order to get the best possible support, you're going to need to explain the problem you're having quite well. Remember, the agent you are speaking to isn't in the house with you so they rely on your explanations to understand the issue.
4. Be nice. At the end of the day, you have called up for help. Would you honestly want to help someone who is shouting down the phone non stop, refusing to co-operate and demanding someone senior? No. You wouldn't. Don't treat the agent like crap and maybe they'll be more inclined to offer their best.
5. Use manners. Thank the agent for their help, it's nice and you might very well cheer them up and brighten their spirits after a previously difficult call (ie a customer who doesn't follow these steps).

Talking to technical support isn't brain surgery. All you need is a little common sense, some manners and a willingness to co-operate. Without these qualities you're not going to get very far. You will get your problem fixed, but it will sure as hell take a lot longer than you hoped for.

A key thing to remember is that you are speaking to another human being. A lot of people like to use the fact that they are talking over a telephone as a way to be downright rude. You wouldn't do it to someone in person, so why do it over the phone?

Also, you're not the only person who wants to speak to technical support. Don't be moaning about a queue the minute an agent picks up your call. This is how a queue works – you wait your god damn turn!

Following these simple steps will ensure you get the very best experience when phoning for support. 

I keep being left for dead!

Photo: www.techradar.com

So I have been playing some Left 4 Dead 2 recently. I've got to say it's a really enjoyable game and really cannot believe I sold my first copy. Owing to the fact I have been away from the game for such a long time, I am incredibly rusty - as a result I've brought in some of the guys from work to help show me the ropes once more. Up to now it's been semi successful.

Just from looking at the main menu, it's clear that Left 4 Dead 2 is a fruitful game. There are many different modes to try out, including one that I used to play a lot of on my first copy - survival. 

At the moment, we've been playing versus and versus only. This is the mode where you take it in turns to play as the survivors and the infected. Each round trying to get more points than the other team.

Survivors

Photo: www.kotaku.com

As the survivors, you must make your way through each round in an attempt to reach the safe room at the other end. As you play through the round, there will be certain pickups that will aid your adventure. The things to note are items such as ammo, first aid kits, new weapons, pain pills and molotov cocktails to help disperse tanks quickly. 

Infected

Photo: www.left4dead.wikia.com

As the infected, it's your job to stop the survivors from getting too far. Each special infected have their own unique abilities that can help stop the survivors in their tracks.

Charger: The charger is a lot stronger than the other infected so has more health. The charger's ability is to, as expected, charge into the survivors. It will grab one of the survivors and pummel them until either they die or the other survivors kill off the charger.

Spitter: Quite low health. Special ability is to spit toxic liquid which can completely destroy a survivalist team if used correctly. I find a spitters best use to be spitting on either an already downed player, or a player that is already being restricted by a charger or smoker. This both deals extra damage and prevents the other survivors from helping.

Smoker: A smoker's special ability is to shoot it's tongue at a survivor, grabbing and pulling them towards it so it can claw at them. These are best used from heights, so you can pull the survivor upwards. This leaves them dangling and much harder to save.

Jockey: A jockey will jump onto it's victims head and ride them just like a real life jockey would a horse. The best way to use these is to steer the survivor away from the group, into the horde/regular infected. This isolates them and allows for an easy kill.

Hunter: The hunter leaps onto a survivor and starts to claw at them repeatedly. These are best used if a survivor breaks away from the group or as a surprise attack when survivors come around corners, through doorways etc. It may also be useful to attack with the hunter to stop a survivor helping a team mate in trouble.

Boomer: My least favourite of the infected. They throw up all over the survivors, covering them in boomer bile. This not only blinds the survivors, but also attracts the horde to the covered victim. However, they're incredibly slow and make for quick, easy kills before they even have chance to attack.

Tank: By far the strongest of the infected. Whilst the tank will find it incredibly difficult to catch up to a fully healthy survivor, it can use the environment to it's advantage. If you get the chance to control a tank, don't hang about. Charge straight in and do some damage. Tanks also have a lot of health and the only real, effective strategy of quickly dispersing one, is to use molotov cocktails.

Witch: The witch is a powerful infected that is best undisturbed. Lights off and quiet sneaking past her will avoid conflict. I wouldn't count on the AI shooting a distanced zombie and startling her though... The witch is an unplayable infected - unfortunately.

Back to the game...

I have found I am much better as a survivor than the infected. I don't seem to make full use of the infected at the right moments, so always end up spending more time on the loading screen waiting to spawn, than I do racking up kills and stopping the survivors in their tracks.

I think I definitely need to learn the maps again. I might play through the campaign, either solo or get the guys to go through this with me to take a break from versus. This should help me get to grips with everything a lot quicker and make for some better versus gameplay.

The game is still retailing quite high if you buy it brand new. However, you can pick it up quite cheap second hand. eBay, Blockbuster and Amazon are likely places to find a bargain - Blockbuster moreso due to it's recent announcement of calling in the administrators.