One thing to consider in the corporate world, for those that can't understand why companies take a while to upgrade hardware, is that you have to consider that all assets, even a laptop, must both be in service for a period of time to make the purchase cost effective, and the lifetime costs of the item (initiail purchase, support) must be realized over a set period of time by the accounting department. Each person can't go buy a new $500 laptop every year (or even 2, or 3). We're completing a global refresh project now with all new hardware (laptops, desktops, and some servers). Typically this is done every 5 years at which time the hardware can be taken off the books and disposed/sold/donated. The new CIO says that in another 5 years, instead of a big refresh project, every user gets an allocation of funds and can purchase whatever hardware they want. BUT, at the same time, we are currently piloting running ALL apps via Citrix XenApp. So while all the Mac freaks will be excited to go buy an overpriced piece of junk, they're just going to be using Citrix! Even Office 2010 and Communicator are in Citrix.
I live less than 5 miles from their headquarters and it was all over the news here when the FBI raided their place a couple years ago (or whenever it was). Their headquarters/call center is a one level shit hole that used to be a JC Penney credit card call center. Check Google Maps Streetview for Waycross Rd & Mill Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45240. Their building is the small one under the sun in that view.
These "coupons" are processed the same as credit cards on Visa's network.
https://www.ntiadtv.gov/docs/CouponRedemptionFunctionalOverview.pdf "Purchases made with this non-branded payment card will be authorized through the same payment network connection through which you process Visa transactions even though the payment will not be a Visa transaction." - "After successful eligibility confirmation during the retailer certification process, the ISO-assigned BIN range for this non-branded payment card will be communicated to each retailer. You will need to confirm that your POS systems and devices are capable of accepting this BIN range and correctly routing authorization request messagesassociated with cards under this BIN to the same acquiring processor used for Visa transactions."
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnotices/2007/DTVFinalRule_2b.htm
17. Other commenters, particularly retailers, supported the use of an "electronic coupon card" (ECC) on which the $40 value can be credited towards the purchase of a CECB. Many commenters agreed that use of the ECC was the most efficient way to administer the program as well as the best way to reduce fraud.[ 41 ] CERC stated that an ECC should (a) bear a "use by" date on its surface and should be coded to expire after the time indicated on its surface; (b) carry a unique serialized number (encoded in a magnetic strip and printed in human-readable form on the card) that can be transmitted to a central database immediately upon submission for on-line verification; and (c) provide clear and succinct rules concerning coupon use.[ 42 ] CERC also noted that the use of ECCs would permit more consumer friendly converter exchanges.[ 43 ] It was also noted that the use of ECCs would facilitate real-time transmission of information on redemption rates which is important because transmission delays may limit NTIA's ability to monitor performance or to request additional congressional funding.[ 44 ] There were, however, concerns expressed about the use of ECCs. For example, ORC Macro noted that these cards may not be compatible with electronic scanning devices used by participating retailers, and that the requirement for electronic systems may eliminate small retailers from participating.[ 45 ] NTIA also received conflicting comments on whether ECCs could be encoded to limit use to a specific product.[ 46 ] Retailers suggested that ECCs may require significant up-front costs for software, payment processing and employee training.[ 47 ]
18. The coupons will not carry any "stored value," but the appropriate amount will be identified on the cards and authorized for redemption when matched to the central database to verify each transaction. In light of the comments received, particularly those from retailers, NTIA will provide coupons that are capable of electronically encoding information that is necessary for the program to run efficiently and permit electronic tracking of transactions. NTIA also believes that electronically encoded coupons will reduce opportunities for fraud in the program. NTIA notes that electronic information may be encoded on paper coupons as well as plastic cards.[ 48 ]
I don't know why each county in Ohio has to do its own thing. I live in Hamilton County (Cincinnati) and here we use paper ballots. You color in the boxes on the double sided, large print ballot. Then you stick it into a scanner at the polling station. Every polling place has at least one scanner. The scanner ensures that there are no errors. On the screen, the user who inserts the ballot either sees a green checkmark and a thank you message or a red x and it spits the ballot back out. The ballots do get counted at a central location, but the voter also gets immediate feedback to make sure that they voted properly.
The problem with Ohio voting is that the systems used are different for each county. The county board of elections chooses what they want to use, presents it to the state, and it gets implemented if the state approves. - Here in Cincinnati (Hamilton County), we use paper ballots. You color in the big box with a pen next to your pick. When you are done, you insert the ballot sheet into an optical scanner which scans it and collects. It shows a green checkmark and a "Thank you for voting" screen if it is ok. If there is a problem, you see a red "X" and then you can call over one of the little old ladies that sit at the table.
Yes, I'm still not clear on what the original author's problem is exactly, but if you can't see the option to open Add/Remove Programs, then bring up the Run box (in Vista that's Windows Key + R), and enter: appwiz.cpl
While this guy is complaining about his FILES not being compatible, the software problems are a totally different beast. I have experienced a somewhat similar problem. On MS KB 929992 MS explains how to install Office 2007 side-by-side with an existing installation of Office 2003. The instructions specify how to install it such that you choose to continue using Outlook 2003 or you switch to Outlook 2007 because it says that: "By default, the earlier version of Outlook is removed because two versions of Outlook cannot coexist."
I followed the instructions for the installation so that I would keep Outlook 2003 and would end up with Office 2003 and Office 2007 installed side-by-side. I did this because I have a full retail version of Office 2003, but my key for Office 2007 was free from Microsoft and can only be used to activate ONCE, no more. (For those that attended Microsoft Launch events for Office 2007 & Windows Vista, you got a free key for Office 2007 Professional. You have to download the trial and then activate it using the key.) I did this because I wasn't completely ready to make the switch and wanted to be able to toy with Office 2007 but still use 2003.
Even though everything is suppose to work smoothly here, I left 2007 unactivated and in trial mode. During the installation of 2007, I did not enter a key when prompted. I assumed that only 2007 would be affected, but 2003 was hosed. Now 2007 apps will open but will prompt you to activate every single time, as expected. However, all 2003 apps are hosed, EXCEPT Outlook! If I try to launch any of the 2003 apps, Windows Installer kicks off, and I am prompted to repair the Office 2003 installation. After letting run, it then prompts to activate Office 2003 again! Killing it just starts the repair, re-activate cycle over again.
So much for the side-by-side successful installation.
I support remote users for a global NYC-based firm and Comcast recently made some changes to their network in the NYC metro area and now our vpn users basically cannot connect. Now they have to use either citrix or we have to route their vpn connection through a different global node of ours (europe, asia, etc.) to get them connected. - I swear they are about one little speck away from sucking as much as Time Warner does in general.
Slashdot Mirror
One thing to consider in the corporate world, for those that can't understand why companies take a while to upgrade hardware, is that you have to consider that all assets, even a laptop, must both be in service for a period of time to make the purchase cost effective, and the lifetime costs of the item (initiail purchase, support) must be realized over a set period of time by the accounting department. Each person can't go buy a new $500 laptop every year (or even 2, or 3). We're completing a global refresh project now with all new hardware (laptops, desktops, and some servers). Typically this is done every 5 years at which time the hardware can be taken off the books and disposed/sold/donated. The new CIO says that in another 5 years, instead of a big refresh project, every user gets an allocation of funds and can purchase whatever hardware they want. BUT, at the same time, we are currently piloting running ALL apps via Citrix XenApp. So while all the Mac freaks will be excited to go buy an overpriced piece of junk, they're just going to be using Citrix! Even Office 2010 and Communicator are in Citrix.
I live less than 5 miles from their headquarters and it was all over the news here when the FBI raided their place a couple years ago (or whenever it was). Their headquarters/call center is a one level shit hole that used to be a JC Penney credit card call center.
Check Google Maps Streetview for Waycross Rd & Mill Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45240. Their building is the small one under the sun in that view.
https://www.ntiadtv.gov/docs/CouponRedemptionFunctionalOverview.pdf
"Purchases made with this non-branded payment card will be authorized through the same payment network connection through which you process Visa transactions even though the payment will not be a Visa transaction." - "After successful eligibility confirmation during the retailer certification process, the ISO-assigned BIN range for this non-branded payment card will be communicated to each retailer. You will need to confirm that your POS systems and devices are capable of accepting this BIN range and correctly routing authorization request messagesassociated with cards under this BIN to the same acquiring processor used for Visa transactions."
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnotices/2007/DTVFinalRule_2b.htm
17. Other commenters, particularly retailers, supported the use of an "electronic coupon card" (ECC) on which the $40 value can be credited towards the purchase of a CECB. Many commenters agreed that use of the ECC was the most efficient way to administer the program as well as the best way to reduce fraud.[ 41 ] CERC stated that an ECC should (a) bear a "use by" date on its surface and should be coded to expire after the time indicated on its surface; (b) carry a unique serialized number (encoded in a magnetic strip and printed in human-readable form on the card) that can be transmitted to a central database immediately upon submission for on-line verification; and (c) provide clear and succinct rules concerning coupon use.[ 42 ] CERC also noted that the use of ECCs would permit more consumer friendly converter exchanges.[ 43 ] It was also noted that the use of ECCs would facilitate real-time transmission of information on redemption rates which is important because transmission delays may limit NTIA's ability to monitor performance or to request additional congressional funding.[ 44 ] There were, however, concerns expressed about the use of ECCs. For example, ORC Macro noted that these cards may not be compatible with electronic scanning devices used by participating retailers, and that the requirement for electronic systems may eliminate small retailers from participating.[ 45 ] NTIA also received conflicting comments on whether ECCs could be encoded to limit use to a specific product.[ 46 ] Retailers suggested that ECCs may require significant up-front costs for software, payment processing and employee training.[ 47 ] 18. The coupons will not carry any "stored value," but the appropriate amount will be identified on the cards and authorized for redemption when matched to the central database to verify each transaction. In light of the comments received, particularly those from retailers, NTIA will provide coupons that are capable of electronically encoding information that is necessary for the program to run efficiently and permit electronic tracking of transactions. NTIA also believes that electronically encoded coupons will reduce opportunities for fraud in the program. NTIA notes that electronic information may be encoded on paper coupons as well as plastic cards.[ 48 ]
I don't know why each county in Ohio has to do its own thing. I live in Hamilton County (Cincinnati) and here we use paper ballots. You color in the boxes on the double sided, large print ballot. Then you stick it into a scanner at the polling station. Every polling place has at least one scanner. The scanner ensures that there are no errors. On the screen, the user who inserts the ballot either sees a green checkmark and a thank you message or a red x and it spits the ballot back out. The ballots do get counted at a central location, but the voter also gets immediate feedback to make sure that they voted properly.
The problem with Ohio voting is that the systems used are different for each county. The county board of elections chooses what they want to use, presents it to the state, and it gets implemented if the state approves. - Here in Cincinnati (Hamilton County), we use paper ballots. You color in the big box with a pen next to your pick. When you are done, you insert the ballot sheet into an optical scanner which scans it and collects. It shows a green checkmark and a "Thank you for voting" screen if it is ok. If there is a problem, you see a red "X" and then you can call over one of the little old ladies that sit at the table.
Yes, I'm still not clear on what the original author's problem is exactly, but if you can't see the option to open Add/Remove Programs, then bring up the Run box (in Vista that's Windows Key + R), and enter: appwiz.cpl
While this guy is complaining about his FILES not being compatible, the software problems are a totally different beast. I have experienced a somewhat similar problem. On MS KB 929992 MS explains how to install Office 2007 side-by-side with an existing installation of Office 2003. The instructions specify how to install it such that you choose to continue using Outlook 2003 or you switch to Outlook 2007 because it says that: "By default, the earlier version of Outlook is removed because two versions of Outlook cannot coexist."
I followed the instructions for the installation so that I would keep Outlook 2003 and would end up with Office 2003 and Office 2007 installed side-by-side. I did this because I have a full retail version of Office 2003, but my key for Office 2007 was free from Microsoft and can only be used to activate ONCE, no more. (For those that attended Microsoft Launch events for Office 2007 & Windows Vista, you got a free key for Office 2007 Professional. You have to download the trial and then activate it using the key.) I did this because I wasn't completely ready to make the switch and wanted to be able to toy with Office 2007 but still use 2003.
Even though everything is suppose to work smoothly here, I left 2007 unactivated and in trial mode. During the installation of 2007, I did not enter a key when prompted. I assumed that only 2007 would be affected, but 2003 was hosed. Now 2007 apps will open but will prompt you to activate every single time, as expected. However, all 2003 apps are hosed, EXCEPT Outlook! If I try to launch any of the 2003 apps, Windows Installer kicks off, and I am prompted to repair the Office 2003 installation. After letting run, it then prompts to activate Office 2003 again! Killing it just starts the repair, re-activate cycle over again.
So much for the side-by-side successful installation.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929992/en-us
(and, yes, I know that the KB talks installing a non-trial version of 2007)
I support remote users for a global NYC-based firm and Comcast recently made some changes to their network in the NYC metro area and now our vpn users basically cannot connect. Now they have to use either citrix or we have to route their vpn connection through a different global node of ours (europe, asia, etc.) to get them connected. - I swear they are about one little speck away from sucking as much as Time Warner does in general.