Paypal Disputes

/* Posted November 30th, 2008 at 10:00am [Comments: none] */
/* Filed under Uncategorized */

Hi Guys,


Just wanted some advice on how to do things in Paypal. I currently got scammed for a pretty sum $761 AUD, and now I filed a dispute with Paypal. I sent the product back straight away under an express post with tracking number and have been acknowledged (after much haggling), that it has been received. . . . two days later when I threatened to turn it into a claim through Paypal. 
Now, Apparently after a dispute is opened and not resolved for twenty days, Paypal will close the dispute automatcially. I was thinking of opening up another one, but apparently, it cannot be for the same reason. 
Quote: 
Question:What happens if my dispute automatically closes? 
Answer: If a dispute is not resolved or escalated within 20 days after it's opened, the dispute is closed automatically. The dispute can no longer be escalated to a claim for PayPal to review, and the transaction is not eligible for PayPal protection coverage.  
With that in mind, I thought to myself, I'm on the losing side here for the moment. I have no product (it's now with the seller), and also no money. The only thing I have is video recording of the times that I've opened it and posted it to the postmaster. I also have proof that she received it, and kept all transaction emails. Which will be useful if they decide to turn their back and say that I was lying about the product and transaction. 
Now, apparently it is taking a lot of time for the seller to get those funds back to me. Apparently THEY, the seller, have to prove that the product on the line was a fake, I mean, since when does the Paypal have to be directly involved in this much detail when she knows and I know that it's a fake product? I thought all she had to do was send a refund, as I have seen in my account. 
Is she buying time? Do you guys think that on the 19th day I should hit the claim button to cover my arse?

The only things I have hope for that she will honor her part in this dispute is that she has given me a residential address, not a PO Box, and also her Paypal email is based off her full name from Australia's ISP.

Amazing Unicycle Skills !!!

/* Posted November 30th, 2008 at 9:00am [Comments: none] */
/* Filed under Uncategorized */

Bruce Lee plays ping pong with nunchuck

/* Posted November 30th, 2008 at 8:00am [Comments: none] */
/* Filed under Uncategorized */

CG, but bada$$: Bruce Lee plays ping pong with nunchuck

Macy’s Parade Rickrolled

/* Posted November 30th, 2008 at 1:01am [Comments: none] */
/* Filed under Uncategorized */

The Macy’s Day Parade was RICK ROLLED!!!!!

Adobe’s Interactive bideo Object Manipulation

/* Posted November 30th, 2008 at 12:14am [Comments: none] */
/* Filed under News */

adobe logo

Check out the link below to see some of Adobe’s new technology

Adobe’s Interactive bideo Object Manipulation

This demo illustrates our research to bring interactivity to video editing: Our system analyzes videos using computer vision techniques, enabling interactive annotation, browsing, and even drag-and-drop composition of new still images using video footage.

This is a joint research project of Adobe and the University of Washington.

Microsoft Sues to Defend Visual Studio Users

/* Posted November 30th, 2008 at 12:04am [Comments: none] */
/* Filed under Microsoft */

microsoft logo

Microsoft Sues to Defend Visual Studio Users

This is scary, folks. If you use Microsoft Visual Studio to create web services, you could be subject to lawsuits for patent infringement. Yes, simply using a software program puts your company and livelihood at legal risk, yet another sign of how terribly flawed is the U.S. software patent system.

Fortunately, Microsoft is coming to save the day. Microsoft filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in San Francisco last week to defend users of its Visual Studio development tools. The lawsuit seeks to invalidate several patents that WebXchange is using to sue three large companies: Allstate Insurance, Dell computer and FedEx.

WebXchange is an online transaction services provider based in Menlo Park, California. The WebXchange lawsuits claim the online services offered by the three companies violate its patents. For example, WebXchange alleges FedEx infringes three patents in an online system FedEx launched four years ago that enables customers to send print jobs to its Kinko’s stores.

Microsoft is not named in any of the WebXchange lawsuits. In its suit, Microsoft asks the court to declare WebXchange’s patents invalid because they are overly broad and clearly based on existing technologies. These are common symptoms of bad software patents, of which there are way too many these days. Microsoft has attempted to negotiate with WebXchange, but WebXchange has refused to talk and has instead chosen to fight in court.

Allstate, Dell and FedEx have all sought indemnification from Microsoft. Most large software vendors indemnify their customers and accept responsibility for patent infringement and other legal problems caused by use of their products. It’s great to see Microsoft step up to the plate to fight bad software patents.

More at ComputerWorld

PSA Spoof: Switching over to from Analog to Digital

/* Posted November 29th, 2008 at 11:59pm [Comments: none] */
/* Filed under How-To */

At midnight on February 17, 2009, all televisions in the United States will switch from analog to 100% digital. If you are still receiving your signal over the air, you will have to convert your analog signal to digital. This public service announcement (spoof) will guide you through the simple process.

Five Strategies Microsoft Got Right…And What It Teaches

/* Posted November 29th, 2008 at 11:53pm [Comments: none] */
/* Filed under Microsoft */

http://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/news-a-analysis/41-november-2008/323-five-strategies-microsoft-got-right.html

Directions on Microsoft published an interesting list this week - Five Strategies Microsoft Got Right. I wont steal their thunder by adding all the details but here are the chosen 5


Software Is King

Outsource Your Sales Force

Technology for the Masses

Developers, Developers, Developers!

The Long View

It’s a pretty good list. In fact it’s a very good list and I can’t think of anything I would replace in that list. Perhaps a #6 would be hiring smart people across the whole organization. That’s one thing that never ceases to amaze me is the calibre of talent. 
Some of the 5 are pretty obvious but one people often overlook is #5. Microsoft does take a very very long view and invests in an incredible amount of research and diligence around those investments. Some would argue too much and that hampers nimbleness which I could agree with…but the long view is something I really admire about the company. 
People will concentrate on the 5 but what is a more useful list in many ways is what it teaches according to DOMIS

Lesson #1: Question the rules. Change the game. Lesson #2: Create win-win partner situations to grow fast Lesson #3: Don’t neglect your customers’ most important need: a better price Lesson #4: Make it easy for partners to customize your product. Lesson #5: Business isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Be persistent.