You want to see an AOL conversation? It's been adjusted to protect the 
innocent.

I had to talk with AOL support today. As is typical, if they think 
you're a spam sender, they block your IP address and you have to call 
them to unblock:

     554- (RTR:SC) http://postmaster.info.aol.com/errors/554rtrsc.html



Now look at the last line of that site:

     Please Contact Us to have this block removed.



So the client at work had a problem with this, so I thought I should 
call AOL.

AOL: Can I take your home phone number.
Me: Sorry, I don't have an AOL account, my client is running a mail 
server on a different ISP and when they send a mail to an AOL user they 
get the 554 error and the IP is block. It's asking for me to contact you 
to get the block removed. Can you put me through to the right section?
AOL: Ok. One moment.

AOL 2: Can I take your screen name or home phone number?
Me: Sorry, I don't have an AOL account, my client is running a mail 
server on a different ISP and when they send a mail to an AOL user they 
get the 554 error and the IP is block. It's asking for me to contact you 
to get the block removed. Can you put me through to the right section? 
Your useless phone system doesn't have an option for this.
AOL 2: Well this is billing. Why have you come through to me?
Me: Can you just put me through to the right people then?

AOL 3: Can I take your account name or phone number?
Me: No. I don't have an AOL account, my client is running a mail server 
on a different ISP and when they send a mail to an AOL user they get the 
554 error and the IP is block. It's asking for me to contact you to get 
the block removed.
AOL 3: Sure, but can I take your screen name first?
Me: I don't have an AOL account.
AOL 3: Then I can't help you.
Me: Well can you put me through to someone who can help in relation to 
postmaster?
AOL 3: We deal with everything here.
Me: Well your system is blocking me.
AOL 3: Our systems don't block anything.
Me: It is. Im getting error 554, it's complaining because it thinks the 
sender is a spam source or something and we need to get the block removed.
AOL 3: Sir, our systems don't block anything. You must have some 
software on your computer blocking it.
Me: But it's a mail server. There's no software on this. Trust me, Im a 
computer engineer. Your systems are blocking it.
AOL 3: No sir. Our systems don't block anything.
Me: But I have this URL that says to call you to get the Block removed. 
BLOCK. It's blocking me. I need the block removed.
AOL 3: What's your account name?
Me: I don't have an account.
AOL 3: Then how can we help you?
Me: Your systems are blocking me!
AOL 3: Our systems don't block anything. What email software are you using?
Me: Why?
AOL 3: We only support specific email software.
Me: It doesn't matter. This isn't an email software issue, your systems 
are blocking my IP address.
AOL 3: What software do you use?
Me: Fine. Telnet. Port 25. Im seeing the error that your systems are 
blocking my IP.
AOL 3: Sir, our systems don't block anyone.
Me: Yes they are. They say there are. The URL says you put Blocks on. 
You're being condescending and obstructive. I want to speak to your 
superior.
AOL 3: I can't put you through to them. Our systems don't block anything.
Me: Do not lie to me. You're being condescending and completely mocking me.
AOL 3: But sir, our systems do not block anything. There must be 
something on your side.
Me: This is absolute incompetence and a joke.
AOL 3: One moment.

Pause

AOL 4: What can I help you with?
Me: I don't have an AOL account, my client is running a mail server on a 
different ISP and when they send a mail to an AOL user they get the 554 
error and the IP is block. It's asking for me to contact you to get the 
block removed.
AOL 4: Our systems don't block anything.
Me: (exasperated) But they do. The email response says they do, telnet 
says they do, and this URL says they do.
AOL 4: No they don't
Me: Look, I have this URL.... Please.... Just spend two minutes looking 
at it... (slowly) h-t-t-p-colon-forward slash-forward 
slash-postmaster-dot-info-dot-aol-dot-com-forward slash-errors-forward 
slash-5-5-4-r-t-r-s-c-dot-h-t-m-l
AOL 4: Can I take your account name?
Me: But I don't have an AOL account, our email is being blocked.
AOL 4: What email software are you using?
Me: That's irrelevent. It has nothing to do with software. It's error 
554 rtrsc and the error says to contact you to get the block removed.
AOL 4: Well if I can take your screen name, I can look at the history 
for you?
Me: But I don't have a screen name. Im not an AOL customer.
AOL 4: Sir, we can only help AOL customers.
Me: But your systems are blocking my IP address!
AOL 4: Our systems don't block anything.
Me: Yes they do! I've got the proof!
AOL 4: Sir, you're not listening to me. What's your screen name?
Me: This is a joke right? You're accusing me of not listening to you?
AOL 4: Yes that's right.
Me: I've just told you over again that I have the details that show that 
your systems are blocking my IP, to contact you, and I've told you 
again, I do not have AOL.
AOL 4: What email software are you using.
Me: Exchange. It's a mail server. I've got the details that say the 
emails are being blocked.
AOL 4: Our systems don't block anything.
Me: I have the URL to prove you do. Have you checked it yet?
AOL 4: No sir. What's the URL?
Me: Excuse me? I gave that to you five minutes ago? You havent checked 
it yet? You're treating people abysmally. Alright. Here's the URL...
AOL 4: It's not coming up with anything.
Me: I'll give you the URL again...
AOL 4: No. Im not seeing anything.
Me: Right, well look, it just says to call you guys regarding a block. 
In fact here are the rest of the details.
AOL 4: Our systems do not block anything.
Me: Yes they do.
AOL 4: If I can take your account details.
Me: I don't have an account. Your systems block me. I'm not getting 
anywhere. I want to make a complaint.
AOL 4: Certainly. You can do that. Login to AOL...
Me: Log into AOL? How do I login to AOL? I don't have an account!
AOL 4: If you don't have an account, then why are you speaking to us?

This is when i saw red... You don't want to know what happens next...

A few hours later, I speak to American AOL:

Me "Yes, Im getting 554 RTRSC and your systems are blocking my clients 
IP address, I need to get this block lifted."

AOL "Certainly. What's the IP?"

Me "XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX"

AOL: "Is that a new IP?"

Me: "Yes"

AOL "Ok that's in the system and will take two business days to become 
active."

Why is it in the UK, we have to pay more and put up with less?

lesson here.

DO NOT USE AOL

Sorry had to shout so they would hear? :)

It's Me wrote:
> lesson here.
> 
> DO NOT USE AOL
> 
> Sorry had to shout so they would hear? :) 
> 
> 

Everyone knows that, apart from the AOL users. But when you have to send 
email to people who should know better, you kind of have to find someone 
with an IQ level of at least 50 in order to be able to help fix THEIR 
email systems.

In news:6965teF3106ljU1@mid.individual.net,
Simon Dean  typed, for some strange, unexplained reason:

[snip]

: Me: Log into AOL? How do I login to AOL? I don't have an account!
: AOL 4: If you don't have an account, then why are you speaking to us?
:
: This is when i saw red... You don't want to know what happens next...

(All together now..!)

"Oh Yes We Do"..!!!


: A few hours later, I speak to American AOL:
:
: Me "Yes, Im getting 554 RTRSC and your systems are blocking my clients
: IP address, I need to get this block lifted."
:
: AOL "Certainly. What's the IP?"
:
: Me "XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX"
:
: AOL: "Is that a new IP?"
:
: Me: "Yes"
:
: AOL "Ok that's in the system and will take two business days to become
: active."
:
: Why is it in the UK, we have to pay more and put up with less?

Because we're British. The Americans wouldn't put up with our charges for 
0870, our petrol prices and a lot more besides.


Ivor

On Fri, 16 May 2008 22:33:32 +0100, Simon Dean 
wrote:

>Everyone knows that, apart from the AOL users. But when you have to send 
>email to people who should know better, you kind of have to find someone 
>with an IQ level of at least 50 in order to be able to help fix THEIR 
>email systems.

We're contemplating adding a 25% surcharge for new website clients if
they have an AOL address in order to allow for the extra support
they'll need...
-- 
Locate your Mobile phone: <http://www.bizorg.co.uk/news.html>
Great gifts: <http://www.ThisBritain.com/ASOS_popup.html>

Ivor Jones wrote:
> In news:6965teF3106ljU1@mid.individual.net,
> Simon Dean  typed, for some strange, unexplained reason:
> 
> [snip]
> 
> : Me: Log into AOL? How do I login to AOL? I don't have an account!
> : AOL 4: If you don't have an account, then why are you speaking to us?
> :
> : This is when i saw red... You don't want to know what happens next...
> 
> (All together now..!)
> 
> "Oh Yes We Do"..!!!
> 
> 

Ok... What happens next...

(Remember, Best Indian accents for AOL3 and AOL4)

Me: Because your F***ing systems are blocking my email
AOL 4: This is a professional line sir.
Me: <Bangs phone as loud as a I can against the desk three times on the 
desk and slam the phone down>



Honestly. Why am I speaking to him.

Five minutes ago, he accused me of not listening to him. Cheeky little 
pissant. I can't stand people lying to me or insulting my intelligence, 
especially when they're in a customer service role.

"Ivor Jones" <ivor@thisaddressis.invalid> wrote in message 
news:696j0aF317c5eU1@mid.individual.net...
> In news:6965teF3106ljU1@mid.individual.net,
> Simon Dean  typed, for some strange, unexplained reason:
>
> [snip]
>
> : Me: Log into AOL? How do I login to AOL? I don't have an account!
> : AOL 4: If you don't have an account, then why are you speaking to us?
> :
> : This is when i saw red... You don't want to know what happens next...
>
> (All together now..!)
>
> "Oh Yes We Do"..!!!
>
>
> : A few hours later, I speak to American AOL:
> :
> : Me "Yes, Im getting 554 RTRSC and your systems are blocking my clients
> : IP address, I need to get this block lifted."
> :
> : AOL "Certainly. What's the IP?"
> :
> : Me "XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX"
> :
> : AOL: "Is that a new IP?"
> :
> : Me: "Yes"
> :
> : AOL "Ok that's in the system and will take two business days to become
> : active."
> :
> : Why is it in the UK, we have to pay more and put up with less?
>
> Because we're British. The Americans wouldn't put up with our charges for
> 0870, our petrol prices and a lot more besides.

Another one who's never lived in the US

In news:1AHXj.19925$sv3.9921@newsfe13.ams2,
Gizmo. <mo¬01@ltlrm3.com> typed, for some strange, unexplained reason:
: "Ivor Jones" <ivor@thisaddressis.invalid> wrote in message
: news:696j0aF317c5eU1@mid.individual.net...
: > In news:6965teF3106ljU1@mid.individual.net,
: > Simon Dean  typed, for some strange, unexplained
: > reason:
: >
: > [snip]
: >
: > : Me: Log into AOL? How do I login to AOL? I don't have an account!
: > : AOL 4: If you don't have an account, then why are you speaking to
: > : us?
: > :
: > : This is when i saw red... You don't want to know what happens
: > : next...
: >
: > (All together now..!)
: >
: > "Oh Yes We Do"..!!!
: >
: >
: > : A few hours later, I speak to American AOL:
: > :
: > : Me "Yes, Im getting 554 RTRSC and your systems are blocking my
: > : clients IP address, I need to get this block lifted."
: > :
: > : AOL "Certainly. What's the IP?"
: > :
: > : Me "XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX"
: > :
: > : AOL: "Is that a new IP?"
: > :
: > : Me: "Yes"
: > :
: > : AOL "Ok that's in the system and will take two business days to
: > : become active."
: > :
: > : Why is it in the UK, we have to pay more and put up with less?
: >
: > Because we're British. The Americans wouldn't put up with our
: > charges for 0870, our petrol prices and a lot more besides.
:
: Another one who's never lived in the US

Are you so sure of that..? Ok I've never been resident there but I've 
spent a lot of time there and have more than a few friends there, and I 
know what their feelings on the subject under discussion are.

Are you calling me and them liars..? Be honest.


Ivor

: > Because we're British. The Americans wouldn't put up with our charges 
for
: > 0870, our petrol prices and a lot more besides.
:
: Another one who's never lived in the US

Petrol prices are higher in the US.

"Cork Soaker" <ISawYourMotherLast@Night.invalid> wrote in message 
news:97u3g5-r25.ln1@quarkbomb.dyndns.org...
>
>
> : > Because we're British. The Americans wouldn't put up with our charges
> for
> : > 0870, our petrol prices and a lot more besides.
> :
> : Another one who's never lived in the US
>
> Petrol prices are higher in the US.
>
>

You think $3.80 a gallon is more expensive than £1.10 per liter?
I think you need to do some basic maths revision before you next SAT.

On Sat, 17 May 2008 21:10:39 UTC, "Cork Soaker" 
<ISawYourMotherLast@Night.invalid> wrote:

> : > Because we're British. The Americans wouldn't put up with our charges 
> for
> : > 0870, our petrol prices and a lot more besides.
> :
> : Another one who's never lived in the US
> 
> Petrol prices are higher in the US. 

If you mean 'higher than in the UK', then I'd love you to provide the 
full derivation for this amazing statement.

-- 
Bob Eager
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

: If you mean 'higher than in the UK', then I'd love you to provide the
: full derivation for this amazing statement.

No, why?

: You think $3.80 a gallon is more expensive than £1.10 per liter?
: I think you need to do some basic maths revision before you next SAT.

No.  Do you?

"Cork Soaker" <ISawYourMotherLast@Night.invalid> wrote in message 
news:q7b4g5-aj4.ln1@quarkbomb.dyndns.org...
>
> : If you mean 'higher than in the UK', then I'd love you to provide the
> : full derivation for this amazing statement.
>
> No, why?

From your refusal to comply with a sensible request to put your money where 
your mouth is, I can only assume that you are bullshitting.

Let's use the figures that someone else supplied: $3.80/US gallon versus 
£1.10/litre.

There are 3.78 litres/US gallon (http://members.virtualtourist.com/vt/tt/3/)

Friday's dollar/pound conversion rate (NatWest web site) is $1.86 = £1.

So £1.10/litre is 1.1 * 3.78 * 1.86 = $7.73/US gallon

I think that proves that US prices ($3.80/USG) are a lot less than UK prices 
($7.73/USG).

Any comments now, Cork Soaker? Or are you going to carry one sulking?

: Any comments now, Cork Soaker? Or are you going to carry one sulking?

Nobody's sulking.  Maybe you should find something better to do with your 
time.

On Sun, 18 May 2008 00:52:52 UTC, "Cork Soaker" 
<ISawYourMotherLast@Night.invalid> wrote:

> 
> : If you mean 'higher than in the UK', then I'd love you to provide the
> : full derivation for this amazing statement.
> 
> No, why? 

Oh, I see. You made a deliberately ambiguous statement with the purpose 
of trolling.

-- 
Bob Eager
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

It's Me wrote:
> lesson here.
>
> DO NOT USE AOL
>
> Sorry had to shout so they would hear? :)

But pretty much all the large ISPs have farmed out their first line customer 
support to the same call centre in India.

Gaz

Gizmo. wrote:
> "Ivor Jones" <ivor@thisaddressis.invalid> wrote in message
> news:696j0aF317c5eU1@mid.individual.net...
>> In news:6965teF3106ljU1@mid.individual.net,
>> Simon Dean  typed, for some strange, unexplained
>> reason: [snip]
>>
>>> Me: Log into AOL? How do I login to AOL? I don't have an account!
>>> AOL 4: If you don't have an account, then why are you speaking to
>>> us? This is when i saw red... You don't want to know what happens
>>> next...
>>
>> (All together now..!)
>>
>> "Oh Yes We Do"..!!!
>>
>>
>>> A few hours later, I speak to American AOL:
>>>
>>> Me "Yes, Im getting 554 RTRSC and your systems are blocking my
>>> clients IP address, I need to get this block lifted."
>>>
>>> AOL "Certainly. What's the IP?"
>>>
>>> Me "XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX"
>>>
>>> AOL: "Is that a new IP?"
>>>
>>> Me: "Yes"
>>>
>>> AOL "Ok that's in the system and will take two business days to
>>> become active."
>>>
>>> Why is it in the UK, we have to pay more and put up with less?
>>
>> Because we're British. The Americans wouldn't put up with our
>> charges for 0870, our petrol prices and a lot more besides.
>
> Another one who's never lived in the US

I ahve lived in the US, and yes, some of their larger companies can be 
shabby, but the cost of living is generally substantially lower then here.

Gaz

Cork Soaker wrote:
>>> Because we're British. The Americans wouldn't put up with our
>>> charges for 0870, our petrol prices and a lot more besides.
>>
>> Another one who's never lived in the US
>
> Petrol prices are higher in the US.

rofl.

Gaz

On Sun, 18 May 2008 17:17:20 +0100, "Gaz"  wrote:

>Cork Soaker wrote:
>>>> Because we're British. The Americans wouldn't put up with our
>>>> charges for 0870, our petrol prices and a lot more besides.
>>>
>>> Another one who's never lived in the US
>>
>> Petrol prices are higher in the US.
>
>rofl.

In terms of how far you travel per dollar they are. :o)
-- 

Martin

"Martin" <me@address.invalid> wrote in message 
news:qpl034p5v8vlcfaklr95mbdt957m1svhtf@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 18 May 2008 17:17:20 +0100, "Gaz"  wrote:
>
>>Cork Soaker wrote:
>>>>> Because we're British. The Americans wouldn't put up with our
>>>>> charges for 0870, our petrol prices and a lot more besides.
>>>>
>>>> Another one who's never lived in the US
>>>
>>> Petrol prices are higher in the US.
>>
>>rofl.
>
> In terms of how far you travel per dollar they are. :o)

Yeah well that's the Americans' silly stupid fault for continuing to use 
huge vehicles with enormous V8 gas-guzzling engines and automatic 
transmission instead of doing like Europe has and downsizing to 
smaller-engined cars, sometimes with diesel engines, and with manual 
transmission. If their fuel was as expensive as ours, there'd be an 
incentive to be more efficient.

Mortimer wrote:
> "Martin" <me@address.invalid> wrote in message
> news:qpl034p5v8vlcfaklr95mbdt957m1svhtf@4ax.com...
>> On Sun, 18 May 2008 17:17:20 +0100, "Gaz"  wrote:
>>
>>> Cork Soaker wrote:
>>>>>> Because we're British. The Americans wouldn't put up with our
>>>>>> charges for 0870, our petrol prices and a lot more besides.
>>>>>
>>>>> Another one who's never lived in the US
>>>>
>>>> Petrol prices are higher in the US.
>>>
>>> rofl.
>>
>> In terms of how far you travel per dollar they are. :o)
>
> Yeah well that's the Americans' silly stupid fault for continuing to
> use huge vehicles with enormous V8 gas-guzzling engines and automatic
> transmission instead of doing like Europe has and downsizing to
> smaller-engined cars, sometimes with diesel engines, and with manual
> transmission. If their fuel was as expensive as ours, there'd be an
> incentive to be more efficient.

I agree with most of that except for automatic transmissions - they are one 
of mankind's best inventions - especially in the stop/start nose-to-tail 
traffic we have here  :o)

In news:97u3g5-r25.ln1@quarkbomb.dyndns.org,
Cork Soaker <ISawYourMotherLast@Night.invalid> typed, for some strange, 
unexplained reason:
: : > Because we're British. The Americans wouldn't put up with our
: : > charges
: for
: : > 0870, our petrol prices and a lot more besides.
: :
: : Another one who's never lived in the US
:
: Petrol prices are higher in the US.

Higher than where..? Certainly not here (UK)

Ivor

"Ivor Jones"  wrote:

>> Petrol prices are higher in the US.

> Higher than where..? Certainly not here (UK)    Ivor

It is a none-too-subtle joke.
Ask anybody in the US if fuel "prices are
higher" and I'm sure they will agree that
not only are they higher but that they are
now far too high

"John" <replyingroup@notemail> wrote in message 
news:14CdnaJbre6ltqzVnZ2dnUVZ8t3inZ2d@bt.com...
> Mortimer wrote:
>> "Martin" <me@address.invalid> wrote in message
>> news:qpl034p5v8vlcfaklr95mbdt957m1svhtf@4ax.com...
>>> On Sun, 18 May 2008 17:17:20 +0100, "Gaz"  wrote:
>>>
>>>> Cork Soaker wrote:
<snip>
>> Yeah well that's the Americans' silly stupid fault for continuing to
>> use huge vehicles with enormous V8 gas-guzzling engines and automatic
>> transmission instead of doing like Europe has and downsizing to
>> smaller-engined cars, sometimes with diesel engines, and with manual
>> transmission. If their fuel was as expensive as ours, there'd be an
>> incentive to be more efficient.
>
> I agree with most of that except for automatic transmissions - they are 
> one of mankind's best inventions - especially in the stop/start 
> nose-to-tail traffic we have here  :o)
and the latest CV autoboxes are actually as efficient,
if not more efficient than manual boxes.

Steve Terry

Mortimer wrote:
> "Cork Soaker" <ISawYourMotherLast@Night.invalid> wrote in message 
> news:q7b4g5-aj4.ln1@quarkbomb.dyndns.org...
>> : If you mean 'higher than in the UK', then I'd love you to provide the
>> : full derivation for this amazing statement.
>>
>> No, why?
> 
> From your refusal to comply with a sensible request to put your money where 
> your mouth is, I can only assume that you are bullshitting.

The guy is a troll, don't waste your energy.

In <g0sdkg$ktv$1@news.albasani.net> "Steve Terry"  writes:

>> I agree with most of that except for automatic transmissions - they are 
>> one of mankind's best inventions - especially in the stop/start 
>> nose-to-tail traffic we have here  :o)
>and the latest CV autoboxes are actually as efficient,
>if not more efficient than manual boxes.

Indeed, I have just acquired a Honda Jazz with CVT, and it is fascinating
to watch it adjusting the engine revs to exactly what is required to suit
what you are asking it to do at that moment. The "official" figures show
hardly any difference between the mpg with and without CVT.

-- 
Charles H. Lindsey ---------At Home, doing my own thing------------------------
Tel: +44 161 436 6131 Fax: +44 161 436 6133   Web: http://www.cs.man.ac.uk/~chl
Email: chl@clerew.man.ac.uk      Snail: 5 Clerewood Ave, CHEADLE, SK8 3JU, U.K.
PGP: 2C15F1A9      Fingerprint: 73 6D C2 51 93 A0 01 E7 65 E8 64 7E 14 A4 AB A5

"Charles Lindsey"  wrote in message 
news:K16CEL.61C@clerew.man.ac.uk...
> In <g0sdkg$ktv$1@news.albasani.net> "Steve Terry"  
> writes:
>
>>> I agree with most of that except for automatic transmissions - they are
>>> one of mankind's best inventions - especially in the stop/start
>>> nose-to-tail traffic we have here  :o)
>>and the latest CV autoboxes are actually as efficient,
>>if not more efficient than manual boxes.
>
> Indeed, I have just acquired a Honda Jazz with CVT, and it is fascinating
> to watch it adjusting the engine revs to exactly what is required to suit
> what you are asking it to do at that moment. The "official" figures show
> hardly any difference between the mpg with and without CVT.
> Charles H. Lindsey
>
If you drive a manual habitually making late gear changes, a CVT
like the Hondas will  be more efficient changing at the correct revs.

BTW I saw that Top Gear recommend the Diesel Jazz over hybrids
for best environmental reasons, as it could return 75mpg!

Steve Terry

On Sun, 18 May 2008 01:52:39 +0100, Cork Soaker wrote:

> : You think $3.80 a gallon is more expensive than £1.10 per liter?
> : I think you need to do some basic maths revision before you next SAT.
> 
> No.  Do you?

Idiot. <PLONK>