Ok, I have an issue with our US based companies farming out or having their technical support departments in other countries. Simply for one reason. The majority of the individuals cannot speak English.

For the most part, I rarely need to call tech. support as I can handle most situations myself. However, the other night I had an issue with a wireless pc card/router conflict. So I called Linksys tech support. After waiting on hold for about ten minutes, I get a guy who answers the phone that clearly speaks VERY broken English and with a hard East Indian (?) accent. He says "Thank you for calling Linksys Technical Support, this is Bob, how can I help you?"

Ok, first issue:
Use your real name. It was almost amusing to hear this guy try and tel me he was a "Bob". This guy ended every sentence with "Ok, tell me". It was very annoying. After being on the phone with him for almost an hour, he was not able to resolve anything. I finally had to play trial and error and I finally resolved the issue myself.

My second issue:
If you are going to deal with English speaking individuals, then they need to be able to carry on a conversation. My point is that if he could have spoken better English, we probably would have been able to communicate better and possibly been able to resolve my issue.

I realize that companies can save big dollars by moving their Tech. Support to other countries, but not at the expense of their customers.

I have always been a HUGE fan of Linksys but unfortunately will be questioning whether or not I will choose Linksys when making my next network purchase.

From FOXNews.com:

Saddam Claims He Was Beaten in Detention
Wednesday, December 21, 2005

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Saddam Hussein launched into an extended outburst at his trial Wednesday, alleging he had been beaten and tortured by his American captors while in detention after a witness testified that his agents had tortured people by ripping off their skin.

Chief prosecutor Jaafar al-Mousawi said he would investigate and that if American-led multinational forces were abusing the former Iraqi leader, he would be transferred to the custody of Iraqi troops.

"I want to say here, yes, we have been beaten by the Americans and we have been tortured," Saddam said, before gesturing to his seven co-defendants around him, "one by one."

OK, now for my response:

GOOD!

How does it feel...

It amazes me that President Bush received enormous criticism over the lack of federal response to hurricane Katrina (I too had criticism for him). Yet France President Jacques Chirac is catching very little flack from what I have read in the MSM.

These riots need to come to an end. I have a very simple solution:

1. Go on television and inform everyone that in four hours there is going to be a mandatory curfew imposed.

2. Activate the military.

3. Instruct the military to use rubber bullets and that anyone caught outside
after the curfew is in effect, they are to be instructed to go inside. If they decline, they are to be shot and arrested.

4. If rioting continues, have the military reload with real ammunition. Instruct them to shoot the individuals in the knees or legs. Alert the local hospitals there will be casualties.

5. Replace President Jacques Chirac.

If you think this is being overly aggressive, then read some of the stories below. I think the family of the man who died from injuries he received during a riot, or the people that had their cars destroyed may disagree with you.

FOXnews

NY Times

CNN