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July 29, 2005

Perspective

Nearly two weeks ago now, my close friends Aaron and Kari were in a serious car accident while on their way home for a visit. Fortunately, Aaron was not injured, but Kari sustained serious spinal cord injury. She continues to heal well, but will almost inevitably have some degree of paralysis.

Since then there has been an incredible outpouring of support from all corners of Kari's and Aaron's lives. I've spoken to Aaron only a few times, but he has told me how many people from his past and present have stepped up to the challenge to be present and to be caring for his and Kari's needs.

We've also set up a blog for friends and family to post and be updated on Kari's and Aaron's status. I have seen names on that blog I haven't thought about for years, but of people I care deeply about. Mrs. Barrett, Ian Garrett, Katie Bost. It's overwhelming how quickly news travels, and to see how much people care.

I'm thankful every day that Aaron and Kari survived this accident, and that they have such an unbeatable support network. The perspective that such a life-changing event provides is a one-of-a-kind feeling. It isn't often that we remember how many people care about us in this world. And it isn't often that we remember how thankful we can be for the health we have.

Kari and Aaron, you guys are serious inspirations.

Posted by bengel at 07:17 PM | Comments (1)

July 19, 2005

Why does it all suck?

I'm in the mode of organizing my finances for a potential home purchase, and am trying to actually budget as a part of this process. A few years ago, I tried Quicken and found it to be very difficult to use. It had odd account management features, and just tried to do more than I needed. Had the experience not been so painful, I would go back into the program and see why I hated it so much and enumerate the reasons here, but I cannot face the pain.

And so this time I thought I would try Microsoft Money instead. This proved to be an endeavor unto itself. I now present to you a thorough (although not exhaustive) task analysis of downloading Microsoft Money.

  1. Search on Google for Microsoft Money
  2. Click on first result
  3. On Microsoft's site, click on Download Now
  4. Decide between:
    • I need Microsoft® Passport Network credentials
      Select this option if you don't have Microsoft® Passport Network credentials, or if you're not sure.
    • I already have Microsoft® Passport Network credentials (or a Hotmail.com or MSN.com e-mail address)
      Select this option if you already have Microsoft® Passport Network credentials. If you have a Hotmail.com or an MSN.com e-mail address, you already have Passport Network credentials.
  5. Select "I already have" because you think you do, but forget for sure
  6. Go to login page
  7. Delete your friend's user ID that is stored in a cookie somewhere on your computer
  8. Enter what you think was your username and password (sfurbanhiker@hotmail.com)
  9. Get an error
  10. Try another password
  11. Get an error
  12. Try another password
  13. Get an error
  14. Try Forgot Password process
  15. Enter username
  16. Read Turing Test image
  17. Squint at Turing Test image
  18. Make best guess at contents of Turing Test image
  19. Enter contents of Turing Test image
  20. Get an error
  21. Make best guess at new contents of Turing Test image
  22. Enter new contents of Turing Test image
  23. Get an error
  24. Push the speaker button next to Turing Test image, because, what is that for?
  25. Get pop-up window
  26. Read long paragraph explaining what the speaker was for
  27. Push "Play Audio Now," which causes original pop-up window contents to disappear in favor of... QuickTime player?
  28. Push Play on QuickTime player
  29. Audio begins immediately
  30. Hastily go to open Notepad to write down numbers
  31. Realize the voice is already ahead of you
  32. Go back to pop-up window
  33. Push Play on QuickTime player
  34. Audio begins immediately
  35. Load first few digits read out loud into short-term memory while alt-tabbing back Notepad
  36. Write digits as they are read
  37. Go back to beginning of line and enter digits from short-term memory
  38. Alt-tab back to pop-up window
  39. Push Play on QuickTime player
  40. Alt-tab back to Notepad
  41. Double-check audio with digits in Notepad
  42. Copy from Notepad
  43. Alt-tab back to pop-up window
  44. Look for Back button to return to input box for entering numbers that were read aloud
  45. Realize the back button is not there
  46. Try Alt-left
  47. Realize it doesn't work
  48. Close pop-up window
  49. Click speaker again
  50. Wonder if the audio has changed
  51. Press Play Audio
  52. Realize the audio has changed
  53. Repeat steps of alt-tabbing and entering contents into Notepad
  54. Try alt-left to go back again, and wonder why it works this time
  55. Press Done
  56. Pop-up window closes
  57. Press Submit
  58. Get an error
  59. Press back repeatedly
  60. Try the other option ("I need Microsoft Passport Credentials")
  61. Enter first name, last name, desired user name, password, birthday, enter place of first employment
  62. Get an error
  63. Append @hotmail.com to username, re-enter place of first employment
  64. Press Submit
  65. Get an error
  66. Replace @hotmail.com with @msn.com
  67. Press Submit
  68. Get Buy Microsoft Money Form
  69. Wonder whether you really want to buy Microsoft Money
  70. Search for "compare microsoft money quicken" on Google
  71. Click on first result
  72. Read that CNET rates Microsoft Money 7.7, and comments that it is still "edged out by Quicken."
  73. Click on Comparison tab
  74. Click on Quicken
  75. Read that CNET has dubbed Quicken an Editor's Choice, and rates it 8.1 ("Excellent")
  76. Scroll down to user reviews
  77. Read that average user rating is 2.5 ("Terrible")
  78. Wonder to self: "why does it all suck?"
  79. Blog blog blog

Posted by bengel at 12:38 AM | Comments (2)