Unbelievable

I am usually patient person with technical support representatives. It is a grueling job on the best of days. Now, they cram 100 people in 50 square feet in some rigged up call center in New Delhi. The handlers have them take phone calls, email and chat sessions simultaneously with minimal documentation, training or other resources.

Symantec has been notoriously lacking in the support department for years. It is one of the reasons I refuse to use their products on my home systems. Unfortunately, they are the preferred standard at work. Here is a transcript from a 45 minute chat session I had with a Symantec representative recently.

Chat ID: 6ea2c6bf-ba3d-405f-aefc-3d961f81ea8a

Problem : Question regarding online storage

Sazed: Hello CmentMixer. My name is Sazed.

Sazed: Welcome to Symantec Technical Support.

Sazed: Hi,how are you doing today?

CmentMixer: Hello, I am looking for details regarding the Online Storage feature included with Norton 360

CmentMixer: Well, thank you

Sazed: Okay. I will help you in this.

CmentMixer: What is the security in transport? What is the security on the server? What is the encryption on the file?

CmentMixer: If there is a URL with this information, please provide it.

Sazed: You can check it through www.symantec.com

CmentMixer: Where on the site?

Sazed: Go for Norton 360 product and then store options.

CmentMixer: let me check before you disconnect, please

Sazed: Okay.

CmentMixer: Store Options?

CmentMixer: There is no such link

CmentMixer: Hello?

Sazed: May I know the doubt you have?

CmentMixer: I have spent 45 minutes browsing the Norton site. I cannot find specifics regarding the Online Storage feature. I want you to provide the URL for that information. The information you have given to me is not detailed enough or is outright wrong.

CmentMixer: "Go for Norton 360 product and then store options" means nothing to me.

Sazed: Okay.May I known what information you need regarding the Online Storage .

CmentMixer: As I stated before...What is the security in transport? What is the security on the server? What is the encryption on the file?

CmentMixer: What are my assurances or guarantees against my file not being hijacked in transit? What are the security measures in place to guarantee transport? How are the servers secured physically and virtually?

CmentMixer: What is your retention policy? If I remove the file from your servers, how long does it actually remain in your files before it is purged from your systems?

CmentMixer: If I have multiple licenses, how do I restore a specific backup to a re-imaged machine?

CmentMixer: Hello?

Sazed: You will be having only 2GB of space over all the computers.

CmentMixer: I know that, thank you.

CmentMixer: I even know I can purchase more, thank you.

CmentMixer: Symantec is quick to sell, but I want details about what it is you are offering beyond the marketing spin on the store web-site.

Sazed: You can go to www.symantec.com and then search option you can find all these things.

CmentMixer: No, begging your pardon, I CANNOT! I have already communicated that this information is not that readily available at that URL. I need a specific URL from you to the spec page for this feature.

CmentMixer: If it is that easy, YOU do it and show me where you find it.

CmentMixer: Hello?

Sazed: Once you remove the file it will be automatically removed from our server also. (CmentMixer: This is not true; the file is deleted only after your subscription lapses.)

CmentMixer: Ok, that's a start. What about security getting it to your servers? Is this FTPS or HTTPS? Is the backup file encrypted on my system before transport? If so, what type of encryption is used?

CmentMixer: Oh, and where do I access the files from? I do not see a link from My Account.

CmentMixer: Hello?

CmentMixer: Hello?

Sazed: Sorry for that.

CmentMixer: Do you have any additional information for me?

CmentMixer: This transaction has now taken 35 minutes. If you are unable to assist, please let me know who at Symantec I should contact. In the intervening time, I have Googled my question. There is no information to be found on the Web either.

CmentMixer: Hello?

Sazed: Analyst has closed chat and left the room

Another 90 minutes spent with a different representative. That conversation went somewhat better.

Chat ID: 10438f31-0393-4b47-b842-0a9ce18ff244

Problem : Question regarding online storage

Kamal: Hello CmentMixer. My name is Kamal.

CmentMixer: Hello, Kamal.

Kamal: Thank you for contacting Symantec Support. Please give me a moment while I review the issue you have described.

CmentMixer: Then you have the transcript from the previous Rep?

CmentMixer: I will be happy to submit my bill for 1 hours time to Symantec.

CmentMixer: Though, it would appear I could expect nothing more that to be ignored, then disconnected.

Kamal: May I confirm that the issue you are encountering is that you need to know about the online storage?

CmentMixer: That is correct.

CmentMixer: Does Norton 360 uses the same process as the Symantec Online Storage for Backup through the Symantec Protection Network service? I found a .PDF that has some of the information I am looking, but it is for the Symantec Protection Network service.

Kamal: Thank you for confirming your details. Please make a note of this case no.488198647 for your future reference. This case number will include the details of today's chat.

CmentMixer: Thank you.

CmentMixer: Hello?

Kamal: I need to verify some information. Do you mind waiting while I check this information for you?

CmentMixer: Yes, but please not too much longer. This has now been 1 hour.

Kamal: Thank you.

Kamal: Thank you for your patience. I now have the required information to help you

CmentMixer: Great!

Kamal: The Norton 360 has a 5 GB online storage. It stores in the same way as the Symantec Online Storage.

CmentMixer: The 5GB is an upgrade from the 2GB offered with the application. What about security?

CmentMixer: I am not looking for more space. I am looking for information on the security of the backup and storage.

Kamal: CmentMixer, Yes of course. You will have the same Symantec Protection Network Platform.

CmentMixer: Now, really, why would I assume this as a matter of course? Is this confirmed with your manager? Please pardon my skepticism that my answer is conveniently given back to me.

Kamal: The Symantec Online storage for backup is an enterprise product. The Norton 360 is for a Home office product.

CmentMixer: I understand that. So, what is the consumer platform security?

Kamal: The Technology is one and the same for both the products.

CmentMixer: So, you will confirm that "All backups use private-key 256 AES encryption and data is transmitted using SSL. The backups are checked after transmission on both ends to verify the transport was successful and not hampered during transmission." is a correct statement and is backed by Symantec?

Kamal: The data stored will be secure.

CmentMixer: That is a very broad statement. Am I to just trust you or is there a more formal guarantee? It also does not answer my original set of questions, which is how will the data be secured?

Kamal: Yes, The data is encrypted to store.

CmentMixer: Ok, is it private-key 256 AES or another encryption process?

CmentMixer: Also, can we step up the time between responses. We are now at the 90 minute mark for this conversation.

Kamal: We are storing the data by AES. The data transmission is done through SSL.

CmentMixer: You are encrypting the data with AES?

Kamal: Data to be stored is encrypted using 256-bit AES encryption and the transmission is encrypted using 128-bit AES encryption.

CmentMixer: Ah, you must have found something. Is this paper available to the public or is it only an internal document?

Kamal: You can get the information from the Symantec Website.

CmentMixer: Where?

Kamal: CmentMixer, You can search about the online storage for the Norton 360.

CmentMixer: I must insist, again, that my searching revealed nothing from the Norton 360 site. That is why I ended up on the SPN site.

Kamal: I have all the information with me now.

CmentMixer: Ok, thank you.

Kamal: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?

CmentMixer: I would still like to get more details on the storage side. In addition, how do I access the backup? What happens in the situation where I have multiple backups in storage?

CmentMixer: Can I have multiple backups in storage?

CmentMixer: What about a scenario where I am not restoring to the original machine or O/S?

CmentMixer: These are some very large gaps in the documentation.

Kamal: If you have Reinstalled your operating system you can Restore the date using the following steps

Start Norton 360.

2 Click Tasks & Settings.

3 In the Tasks & Settings window, click Change Backup Settings.

4 Next to Backup Location, click Change.

5 Click Secure Online Storage.

6 If prompted, type the email address and the password used to create Norton Account.

7 In the Tasks & Settings window, click Restore.

8 Under Restore From, click Secure Online Storage.

If you are not able to find Secure Online Storage, click Change next to "Restore From."

9 In the Restore Now window, click Secure Online Storage.

10 Under "Select PC Nickname," select the name of computer that you have used to back up the files before uninstalling Norton 360, and then click OK.

11 If prompted, type the email address and the password used to create your Norton Account, and then click Next.

12 In the Restore Now window, click Restore Now.

13 Click OK, once the restore is completed.

CmentMixer: Good, thank you.

CmentMixer: However, this means I cannot remove a backup from your servers. Is that correct?

CmentMixer: Except, of course, if I let my subscription lapse.

Kamal: Yes, Once create a backup it will be there for you to access at any time.

CmentMixer: Ok, I'm done for now. I still have outstanding questions, but I have no more time.

CmentMixer: Thank you for your assistance.

Kamal: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?

CmentMixer: No

Kamal: Before I close this case can I please confirm with you that this issue has been resolved to your satisfaction?

CmentMixer: It has not been resolved to my satisfaction; however, I do not have any more time today to devote to it.

CmentMixer: It took 2 hours to get 2 sentences. I cannot spend more time on this.

Kamal: I apologize for the inconvenience.

CmentMixer: Thank you.

Kamal: CmentMixer, Now that we have successfully resolved this issue to your satisfaction, Can you please confirm, if your system is responding as required. To further optimize your system's performance we offer our valued customers a free system optimizer tool which you can download and run by clicking on this link http://www.norton.com/pc_checkup

The tool will detect and fix problems which affect your computer's performance and security.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Kamal: I would like to encourage you to provide feedback for this chat, as this helps in our ongoing efforts to improve the service we deliver. You can contact my manager at Symantecmanagers at symantec.suth.com.

Thank you for contacting Symantec, have a pleasant day.

CmentMixer: And to you as well.

Kamal: Analyst has closed chat and left the room

Unbelievable.

Title by: EMF

April Showers

I hired a new landscaper for this season. The previous vendor just did not seem to be on our agenda. The lawn looked terrible and he just did not see that it was his responsibility to do something about it. The crab grass was the pool guy's fault; the moss was from too much water (never mind the fact that he controlled the sprinkler system); the budget for the stones too small. I call it the 2-syndrome: too much water, too much sun, too little time... You get the idea.

The new landscaper would have ideally been in during the Blitz, unfortunately, the timing and weather did not cooperate. This and the Wednesday only restriction means the landscaper has been playing catch-up for the past 3 weeks. His crew has done a fantastic job of squeezing what would have been 2 weeks of cleanup and setup into 3 very long days. I hope he is successful.

Title by: Sugarland

Ballroom Blitz

March means "Spring Blitz" in the environment. The P's version of spring cleaning, spring maintenance and annual projects rolled into a 10-14 day period, usually while they are on spring break.

In 10 days, I had 12-14 vendors with 20 or so people on the property. Here's a sample of what we did:
Sand and refinish the floors in 2 rooms
Steam clean all curtains & carpets
Deep clean each room (move all furniture, sweep/vacuum, wipe down walls, scrub, scrub, scrub)
Clean all bedding
Clean all windows (inside & out) (There's over 100 windows, BIG JOB!)
Caulk & paint entire master bedroom suite
Caulk & paint foyer
Repair driveway gates
Replace sprinkler control panels
Replace storm windows for screens on most windows
Tune-up all vehicles
Tune-up boilers (3) & A/C units (5)
Repair dryer (again, and it's still not working!)
Send out art piece for minor framing restoration

So, that is a part of Spring Blitz. Of course, there is still a ton to do to get a property this size ready for the summer season. My Wednesdays are packed for the next few weeks with outdoor painting and repair projects.

The Ps gave me 4 stars out of 5. Next year, it should go easier.

Title by: The Sweet

Wednesday Morning 3 A.M.

Vendors are only allowed in the environment on Wednesdays. It is a privacy thing for the Ps. This means that Wednesdays turn out to be coordinated chaos.

There are usually 3 or 4 vendors on the property, plus the normal maintenance crews for the tennis court, pool and lawn. Wednesdays sometimes remind me of software deployment weekends at Manpower. Or, like running downhill. You cannot really slow down and there is the nagging fear that your head will get ahead of your feet.

On a completely different note, the ticks here are thick as ants! They are everywhere. I'll have to get the property sprayed here before long. We are on a nightly tick check for the Ts and Luci. I just plucked one off of the wall. It was sitting there, like a spider. Unbelievable.

Title by: Simon & Garfunkel

Yes I Am

I've been brooding over this post for a couple of months. Well, a month anyway. I have probably already attested that this entire experience has been a test for everyone from the Ts to grandparents, friends, associates, etc.

However, I believe the person that was pushed the hardest was ma cherè. She was a single Mom for three-quarters of a year. She did it with a cool efficiency; however, not without harboring a level of resentment.

My half was perhaps the riskier side of the equation, lots of unknowns. Will the school be easy or hard? Will I get a job in the field with no experience? Where will I end up? What will the principals be like? Will I be able to handle the responsibilities, the hours, the staff, the contractors...? Some unknowns were exciting, most were the mundane things of everyday.

Ma cherè, on the other hand, had all the "heavy lifting". We knew what her day/nights/weekends would be like. It is the routine of a middle-class family. We thought we understood what she was in for. Unfortunately, we seriously underestimated what it would take for her to pull it off alone. Frankly, we underestimated both our roles.

Thank goodness we know how to communicate. It might not always be pretty. It certainly is painful, but the results make the trial worth it. I had to promise not to remind her "I do that for a living, you know." She let go of the thought that I was drinking Dom Perignon poolside every night. (Just on weekends...I swear).

Title by: Radiohead

Mulberry Bush

In order to cover the general basics, the family is doing well. It is a tease to leave it like that, I know. Check back the next few days as I fill in the details.

When I mentioned that the house was cleaned and ready for the family's arrival, I did not mention that it took 2 days of my cleaning just to get the kitchen and 2 bathrooms decent enough to use. I was very frustrated that anyone could live in that kind of mess, much less leave it for the next tenant. I spent 8-10 hours just cleaning the cabinets, drawers and doors in the kitchen. It was like reliving the days leading up to moving into our townhouse (which is still for sale - by the way).

Ma cherè later discovered that it was an older couple that were living there. She thought it was a sad testament that there are people that might not be able to see that there is filth in the kitchen. What kind of medical issues might be avoided for the elderly if someone were to really clean their kitchens and bathrooms once a week?

Title by: Traditional English