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How not to run a web site
Today I went to view my insurance bill online and when I went to view it or save it, I got the standard Apache Internal Server Error message. That's pretty bad for an insurance company that seems to be beefing up its online presence. If that wasn’t bad enough, they neglected to change the default administrator email address (you@your.address). Should I be afraid that if they didn't change that default value that they haven't properly secure their server?
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Overly cautious customer?
The other day a potential ReceiptWallet user asked if we stored credit card numbers when people purchase ReceiptWallet. That is a completely legitimate question and I replied that we only keep the last 4 digits of the number (which is appropriate per credit card industry standards) and that our credit card processor (PayPal) keeps the number for 60 days (in case we need to issue a refund). I've never had that question before and never thought to ask it of a vendor probably because I know it really doesn't matter. Why do I say this? Look at the major losses of credit card numbers and they are big merchants like TJ Maxx. If I asked every vendor big and small about their storage policies, I'd never buy anything. Also, as a consumer, I'm protected against fraudulent purchases (identity theft is a different story). While it is a pain to have to get a new card and deal with a stolen number, I've had to do this 3 times in the last 7 years (once I have no idea how they got the number, the second time my wife's card was stolen and the third time, CitiBank told me that they had to close the account for security reasons).
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Wacky Chinese Packaging
For Hanukkah this year, my wife decided to get me some little things that I could put on my desk. The things she got me were definitely not on my wish list (OK, I don't have a wish list as I just buy what I want within reason). One of the items she bought me was a flashing coaster. My son seems to enjoy it and it is kind of entertaining. What was even more entertaining for me was to read the package.
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Stumped by poor user interface
On and off I've had some difficulty with hearing people with iChat when I used a headset. I always attributed this to my PlayStation 2 USB headset which is a rebranded Logitech model (it cost $15, but it worked). I finally got a new Plantronics M214i headset as it had a USB adapter and let me use it with one of my cell phones (I have 3, one personal which doesn't have a 2.5 mm plug, an iPhone, and a Sanyo, the latter two being for work). I needed a wired headset as I have yet to have good luck with Bluetooth headsets. This option was excellent as I could use it with iChat and my cell phone.