Invision Power Board – Just DON’T

Ξ June 5th, 2009 | → 2 Comments | ∇ Rant |

Having just ported our [www.numeracyintervention.net] to a Linux server; we have troubles with our database:

IPS Driver Error
There appears to be an error with the database.
You can try to refresh the page by clicking here

So, having paid good money for this, we ‘called’ Technical Support.

The reply was:

“I have reviewed your account and it appears that the tech support on your perpetual license has expired. You may renew your license by logging into your client center and click “Your Invoices” then select “Expired Invoices.” You will be able to submit payment for the license to renew it. Once payment has been submitted, please reply back to this ticket.”

Nakisha Thomas
Invision Power Services
Director of Customer Satisfaction

To which I replied:

I *know* that this is futile, but I cannot resist:

“perpetual license” — perpetual = ‘continuing or enduring forever; everlasting’.

And, as I know that there are more sites out there that have never paid for iPB – yet we have – and given that we’re a charity; well, I would have thought that you might of at least lent some sort of a hand here; rather than towing the ‘corporate line’. and telling us to basically ‘f off‘.

My recommendation?

Don’t ever buy a product from invisionpower.com.

I very much doubt that we’ll hear anything back from them … but I’ll let you know if we do!

 

Wolfram|Alpha

Ξ June 5th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Software, Technical, Writing |

Thought it might be interesting to post these here. A two part article on Wolfram|Alpha I did for Computer Weekly [WARNING: may contain traces of coin tossing references].

Here’s a pdf of the first bit, and here’s a link to the edited version on Computer Weekly’s website.

And – wait for it …

Here’s a pdf of the second bit, and here’s a link to the edited version on Computer Weekly’s website.

Just in case you do compare the version, I should add that I did some minor edits after they were sent in.