I got a small package today from Verizon. It was a new power adaptor for the wireless router they provide (it's only for MI424WR routers). It came with a letter that begins:
"At Verizon, we are committed to delivering the future of the Internet to you today. To achieve that goal, we continually monitor and test our products, searching for ways to improve them. We have recently improved the life expectancy of your FiOS router power adapter and are excited to share this enhancement with you."
Ok, obviously that's bullshit, but what must they have found to send everyone a replacement power adaptor? I've had mine for a little over a year. The other fun part is this: "Please follow the simple steps in the instructions sheet to replace your router power adaptor". Really, there's an instruction sheet. It has eight steps and five pictures.
Step 1 is turn off the router is which unnecessary (after all, they survive power failures) and step 2 is unplug the adaptor from the router and wall which is fair enough. Step 3 is fun, "Discard the old power adapter so that you do not get it confused with the new power adapter (they are visually identical)." They really thought that if I'd get the two confused these steps would prevent that?
Step 4 is perhaps my favorite, "Remove the new power adapter from the box. Step 5 says "Plug the new power adapter into the Black Port labeled "5VDC" on the back of the router and also into a wall outlet." Step 6 is turn it on. Step 7 is wait for a green ethernet light and step 8 is wait for a green WAN light. There are little notes about if you have a "white ethernet cable" etc.
It's really pretty amazing that changing the power adaptor can be so complicated.
1 comment:
Probably written by the same guy who invented the term "power cycle". For those not in the know, to "power cycle" a computer is to turn the danged thing off then turn it back on again. The important part being "danged".
I think this would be a great way to recall the engine in a car. "Dear loyal customer. We at Lexus are constantly monitoring your vehicle to discover new ways of improving your customer experience. If you are reading this letter while driving, please immediately pull to the side of the road, shut the car off, and take fifteen paces back. Then, contact your local Lexus dealer where a customer experience specialist will be happy to dispatch a flammability specialist to perform some routine maintenance. Please understand that the siren being emitted from the flammability specialist's vehicle simply serves as a warning that he is arriving; it should by no means cause you to fear that you are in any way in danger of your automobile spontaneously combusting. As a final note, please do not power cycle your Lexus until the flammability specialist has completed the maintenance procedure.
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