cox@jolnet.ORPK.IL.US (Ben Cox) (01/02/90)
I just got off the phone with Prentice-Hall. I was merely trying to get some info on how *many* diskettes were being shipped to me (I have just ordered 1.3 from them). I called 1 (201) 767-5937. Do not call this number. They don't know. Anything. I asked them; they gave me a tech number, which had been disconnected -- "No further information is available. Please check the number and try your call again." I called them back and they transferred me to some secretary who knew *exactly* the same as them: nothing. She gave me the number of the software department. I called: it was a security guard company. They didn't know anything about software, or even Prentice-Hall for that matter. I was ticked. I live in IL, and it costs MONEY to call New Jersey. I called the first number again. They gave me AN 800 PHONE NUMBER! I said, "You mean I could have ordered from them in the first place!?!?!" "Oh yes, of course." Now I was pissed. I called them. They told me what I needed to know, and some other stuff too. But, I don't believe them. They told me that there are only 5 diskettes. They said it was for XT/AT (read: 360k diskettes). Sure. Right. Like MINIX with a compiler and source and everything fits on 5 360k diskettes. I'll believe it when I see it. BTW, it was too late to have my order changed to specify 1.2 MB diskettes (I had forgotten to specify before). Of course, I would much prefer 1.2 MB diskettes, as it would require 4 times as many on 360k as on 1.2 MB. Does any kind soul out there feel like telling me how many diskettes I can expect to see in the mail? And has anybody else had troubles with ignorant P-H phone droids? BTW, the toll-free number of the P-H Software Dept. is 1-800-624-0023. Ben Cox b-cox2@uiuc.edu (this gets forwarded to me wherever I am)
holm@handel.mpr.ca (Terrence W. Holm) (01/05/90)
In article <2648@jolnet.ORPK.IL.US> b-cox2@uiuc.edu writes: > I just got off the phone with Prentice-Hall. > ... > And has anybody else had troubles with ignorant P-H phone droids? Yes, many people have. We all know the problem is not restricted to Prentice-Hall employees either (have you ever tried to get useful information from Microsoft?). P-H has had problems with "software" as a new "book", but there have been few complaints over the past year from the network, so I am led to believe they are improving. (And Usenet is a wonderful way to complain, if 0.1% of the buyers complained their broadcasting of the sad news would kill a product.) Don't know why I should defend P-H: It took 8 months from the time I ordered Minix v1.1 until my interaction with them was resolved. I received an incorrect order, was told the item was out of stock, was double billed, etc, etc.
anderson@vms.macc.wisc.edu (Jess Anderson) (01/05/90)
In article <1993@eric.mpr.ca>, holm@handel.mpr.ca (Terrence W. Holm) writes... ]In article <2648@jolnet.ORPK.IL.US> b-cox2@uiuc.edu writes: All these PH horror stories make me feel like a geek. I've had nothing but cordiality and complete competence in my two Minix dealings with them (they didn't even want money up front, which I thought was pretty decent). The one and only time I ever called Microsoft (since Terrence mentions them), I got a thoroughly helpful person with *unusually* good phone manners. Must be extra lucky, I guess. If some kind soul has 1.5.0 nos. 49 and 70 and would mail them to me, I'll be grateful. Otherwise, I guess I can figure out where to ftp 'em from. ==Jess Anderson===Academic Computing Center=====Univ. Wisconsin-Madison===== | Work: Rm. 2160, 1210 West Dayton St., Madison WI 53706, Ph. 608/263-6988 | | Home: 2838 Stevens St., 53705, 608/238-4833 Bitnet: anderson@wiscmacc | ==Internet: anderson@macc.wisc.edu====UUCP:{}!uwvax!macc.wisc.edu!anderson==
cur022@zodiac.ukc.ac.uk (Bob Eager) (01/05/90)
In article <2916@dogie.macc.wisc.edu>, anderson@vms.macc.wisc.edu (Jess Anderson) writes:
(various horror stories)
I have been dealing with P-H since April 1989 and have still not received 1.3.
I wanted it on XT disks.
Attempt 1: delivered 1.2 for XT
Attempt 2: delivered 1.3 for AT
Attempt 3: delivered 1.3 for XT, with faulty disk
Attempt 4: delivered 1.2 for XT (again)
Attempt 5: delivered 1.2 for XT (again)
This brings me up to the present time.
All this despite detailed conversations with them. Sigh.
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Bob Eager | University of Kent at Canterbury
rde@ukc.ac.uk | +44 227 764000 ext 7589
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*** NB *** Do NOT use the return path in the article header ***************
---------------------------------------------------------------------------ast@cs.vu.nl (Andy Tanenbaum) (01/07/90)
In article <1993@eric.mpr.ca> holm@handel.UUCP (Terrence W. Holm) writes: >Don't know why I should defend P-H ... You shouldn't. But if people post information about specific incidents telling what they screwed up, there is a chance they can fix it. One thing that is now obvious is that ordering by ISBN number greatly eliminates confusion, since their computer speaks ISBN, even if the folks answering the phone don't know a floppy disk from an interrupt controller. All in all, they ARE improving. I get quite a bit of feedback from sources outside the net, and the volume is definitely going down (thank goodness). Andy Tanenbaum (ast@cs.vu.nl)
HEEB@ibm.com (Hansruedi Heeb (914) 945 1904) (01/09/90)
Speaking about ISBN numbers: I have not yet seen the one of the 1.3 distribuition on the net. So here it is: MINIX + ref. manual (for AT): ISBN 0-13-584418-5 prize: $ 119 (I got that that after *numerous* phone calls to PH). You can order 1.3 only by ISBN, since the "title" they have in the computer is identical to 1.2 Hansruedi Heeb
fortinp@bcara13.bnr.ca (Pierre Fortin 1573589) (01/11/90)
In article <5056@ast.cs.vu.nl>, ast@cs.vu.nl (Andy Tanenbaum) writes: > One thing > that is now obvious is that ordering by ISBN number greatly eliminates > confusion, since their computer speaks ISBN, even if the folks answering > the phone don't know a floppy disk from an interrupt controller. This may generally be a safe thing to do, but when the MINIX registration card for the Atari ST reads: "___ Copies of MINIX Reference Manual (ISBN 0-13-584400-2" and I get "MINIX for the IBM PC, XT, and AT", I can somewhat understand since everything is probably the same. BUT, when the same card reads: "___ I would like to receive all MINIX updates for $29.95" and I check this off, I would expect that a Prentice-Hall supplied registration card would at least be READ by P-H. What I got was "MINIX 1.3 Upgrade Kit" for the IBM PC. If anyone has succeeded in feeding 5.25" disks into a 3.5" drive I would like to hear how I should proceed... While you're at it, instructions on running 808x code on a 68000 would be appreciated... :) To date (original package shipped Oct 5th), P-H have only responded by sending more bills. :( > Andy Tanenbaum (ast@cs.vu.nl) Oh well... I guess it's gotta be ST V1.1 for a while yet... Pierre Fortin (fortinp@bnr.ca)