Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with service

Where to find volunteer pen-pals for elders?

cross_impact — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 07:37:28 -0800

Mission of Mercy Filter: How can I find sources of cheery personal mail for my lonely elder Alzheimer's patient? I live with my mother-in-law who has middle stage Alzheimer's. She does a lot of sitting and staring. She has no attention span for books or magazines or TV. She lights up for visitors, dessert, church... and personal mail. I am looking for a service that arranges (basically, one-directional) "pen-pals" for elder shut-ins. She has just enough means to assure her basic care, but not much for extras. This would have to be a volunteer service like a charity or ministry. I am getting involved in some mail art swap sites in order to direct my part of the swap to my MIL. I am also going to send her some stuff on my own. But I got to wondering -- isn't there a service out there that does this kind of thing? And if not, isn't that a great idea for a service?

If sitting down and jotting a note to someone would make someone's day, wouldn't that be worth doing? I would volunteer for such an effort if it existed. Can you help me find one?

The MTA took my baby away

orville sash — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:15:39 -0800

Why does the New York City's Metro Transit Authority keep losing money? After seeing fares rise significantly in my tenure as a New Yorker, I have read over and over again that the MTA is going to have to put service and lines on the chopping block in order to overcome budget shortfalls, but I have yet to see an article that thoroughly explores what is causing these budget shortfalls. Can anyone tell me why this continues to happen, especially in light of the fact that they had a budget surplus in the winter of 2005-2006?

Proposing an official name for an Oregon Hiking Trail..how exactly?

naplesyellow — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:17:33 -0800

What procedure would one conceivably follow in order to propose a hiking trail be named for a person in the state of Oregon? A couple of years ago a man who was instrumental in mapping the hiking trails throughout the Columbia Gorge passed away. He had worked for the Forest Service. Many of the hiking trails are identified only by number. One trail in particular was his favorite and some of his friends and family want to propose naming the trail for him. Trouble is, no one has one clue how this type of thing is accomplished. Do we approach it as a formal proposal and submit it to the State of Oregon? or the Forest service? Can we consider it as a petition?

I apologize if this seems a simple question--I have tried googling to no avail. He truly was a wonderful guy and most instrumental in the preservation of the trails. I can help put together a packet to promote the idea..I have no idea if there is a procedure in place to follow. I didn't necessarily want to call the US Forest Service, if any of you already know what direction I should start in. Thanks for your ideas.

IPR for a new Google business service?

Eltulipan — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:17:03 -0800

How do I go about proposing a new business service concept to Google? So I got this great idea for a new business service on Google. See http://www.google.com/friendconnect/home/overview?hl=en for an example. My question is how to go about protecting my idea and entering into a meaningful discussion with them on feasability. Apologies for being vague about the idea itself, for obvious reasons.

How to find a taxi/care service to get parents from Jersey City to Long Island on Xmas?

anitanita — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:47:29 -0800

Shot in the dark filter: Does anyone have any ideas about how I can find a taxi/ car & driver service who can get my parents from Jersey City, NJ to Long Island for Christmas? Hi all,

Since you never know until you ask, I was wondering how I could find a car service that can get my folks to the family christmas party at my cousin's in Long Island this year. When I visit them for christmas, I usually drive, but this year I probably won't be able to make it. I know there are public transport options, but the folks are hitting 80 this year, and my father has sight issues, so I'd rather find another way.

I've never hired a car service before, and can imagine that getting someone on christmas must be like hitting a lottery ticket. But, I thought I'd ask the hive mind.

I'd just need them to get out there, and they could stay overnight. I could hire a different car service/taxi cab the next day (I think it might be easier to hire a taxi/car service on the 26th).

Bonus points if you have any ideas about how car services charge? If I can do this, it is easier just to give them my credit card up front and make sure my parents have money for tip? Money isn't really the issue, their comfort is.

Anything else I should be thinking of?

Thanks All!

Prepaid iPhone data plan in Mumbai?

jesseendahl — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:40:15 -0800

Hi, I will be living in Mumbai for 11 weeks next summer. I have an unlocked iPhone 3G. What is my best bet in terms of carrier and plan for the cheapest and most reliable data access? I plan to do local calls over the cell phone voice network and international calls via Skype on the iPhone. Thanks in advance!

Is AmeriCorps a good lead-in for Peace Corps?

ramenopres — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:03:28 -0800

(Inter)national service filter: Does an AmeriCorps stint make you a more attractive Peace Corps candidate? If what I really want to do is Peace Corps, would NCCC help me get there or be valuable of itself? Peace Corps fits into my goals, background, most intimate dreams and desires, etc. However, the application process is very long and I still don't have all of the skills to make myself a competitive applicant (I have a BA, limited experience with agriculture, team service project experience, etc., general savviness, motivation, international experience and language, but nothing like long-term business planning experience or forestry or ___). NCCC sounds like the kind of thing I enjoy doing --working on a team to do active projects-- and it would give me concrete skills in things like disaster response. Would that make me a way more attractive Peace Corps candidate (and is it realistic to go through the PC application process while serving the 10 months in NCCC)? Should I apply for VISTA programs instead? Hold out for the Peace Corps? (Go to grad school? Okay, that's a separate question.)

If you're familiar with NCCC, is it actually a good choice for someone who enjoys thinking and analyzing as well as getting down and dirty? The admission requirements seem sort of low and the interview felt more like advertising than screening.

Creative Ideas to get my money's worth post facto-

priested — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:08:07 -0800

I might have to pay money for a service I basically never used. Any creative ideas on how to get my money's worth post situation? I requested new home phone and Internet service from Verizon approximately 7/30/09, after which I was told a phone number was issued to two homes simultaneously.

My phone service did not get connected until 8/4/09 and my Internet service was never connected. By 8/7/09, I requested the entire plan be discontinued as a result of Verizon’s unprofessional handling of the situation (spent about 7 hours on hold or speaking with supervisors that couldn't do anything but give me the run-around, and not even politely at that).

Upon original receipt of requested payment, I contacted Verizon’s credit department and was told I would be issued a credit for the amount owed, essentially nullifying the amount owed.

I requested this in writing but did not receive this. Now I got a letter from a collections agency (which I've in-turn disputed after getting no where on the second round of calls).

I am being asked to pay for a service I did not use for anything outside of contacting Verizon to fix the problems they created (can they charge me a whole month's worth for 3 to 4 days use?).

Additionally, they are saying I had the service longer than I did (4 days of it the phone didn't work, although their system says it did because the number was duplicated and worked elsewhere).

Here's the real question... Assuming I do have to pay the amount (it's under 100 bucks, but it is the principal!), any suggestions on how I can get my money's worth out of them? I've considered printing up thousands of flyers and posting them around town, etc...

The more creative, the better.

Experiences with Schwan's Delivery Service

inturnaround — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:20:57 -0800

Does anyone have any experience with Schwan's Food Delivery service? Are they a good value? I had never heard of the company before I saw them mentioned on Top Chef, so I checked them out and saw that their delivery charge seemed actually more than reasonable. Is it really or is the idea of $1.00 too good to be true?

Has anyone tried them before? Are they a good deal? What's a must-order?

Creak-creak-creak

pised — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:27:18 -0800

What's this creaking sound my car is making and how long should I wait to get it fixed? My car ('07 Jeep Compass) has been making a creaking sound when it goes over speed bumps and into driveways -- basically anywhere there's potential for a bump. It's been doing this for about a month or so now. My next service is the 3rd week of November, but I'll drive about 600 km before that. What's the likely source or problem that's causing the creaking? Shocks? Struts? Suspension? Should I bring it in for service right away or can it wait the 3 weeks and 600 km?

The car is regularly serviced (last time was late August) and it has over 25000 kms on it so far. There have been no other problems with it since I've had it. It's parked outside most of the time, on a very slight incline (always with the parking brake on), if that matters.

I really hate dusting. Like, A LOT.

Kimberly — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:34:12 -0800

Does anyone in the Denver Metro area (or even better: Aurora) have a recommendation for a house cleaner for bi-weekly cleanings? We prefer not to use Merry or Molly maids, someone who has their own business is preferred. I'm checking out Craigslist and following a few other leads, but personal recommendations would be great. If you can tell me about how much you spend either in this thread or via mefi mail it would be appreciated.

Thanks!

SEO Study Help

snapplepop — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:25:27 -0800

Can you help me become a Foreign Service Security Engineering Officer? I have recently been granted the opportunity to be assessed/interviewed for this job. In less than a month, I will take a series of written and oral tests that cover my technical knowledge and current world events. They didn’t give me any advice on what to study, except to tell me to read the job posting and be familiar with the description of duties and qualifications. Here is what I’m a little hazy on:

1. Specify, design, procure, install, and certify equipment or products for technical security and information technology systems, such as:

--Technical systems/closed-circuit television, intrusion detection and alarms, locking devices, access control and denial systems, countermeasures equipment, and acoustic/RF attenuation technologies.
--Computer systems/encryption, firewalls, forensics, network intrusion monitoring, and system security audit products.

2. Understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum, and RF interrelationships and characteristics as they relate to the design and operation of electronic and electromechanical systems

3. Knowledge and hands-on familiarity of computer systems, computer security, and familiarity with operating systems, hardware platforms, and networks

I currently hold a bachelors in mechanical engineering and am finishing up my masters in mechanical engineering where I am studying automation and mechatronics. My real worry is the computer and network security, but I would like to be more familiar with everything. That being said, could you guys recommend any technical or current event related study material for me?

Oh, and I have seen this post.

Help me find a vibrant Protestant church in the Cleveland area. I'm between denominations.

debbie_ann — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:54:45 -0800

Help me find a vibrant Protestant church in the Cleveland area. I'm between denominations. I love the idea of going to church, but I've yet to find one where I feel comfortable coming week after week. Maybe you know the denomination I'm looking for.

I presently go to children's weekday Mass at a wonderful little Catholic church. I love it for the following reasons
+ The sermons are wonderful. We always learn about a Saint or a story about Jesus, and then the Priest helps us understand how to apply the lessons to daily life.
+ We all sing together. 100 school children, their teachers and many grandparents sing a simple song every week. Last year it was "we are made for service".
+ There is a fantastic sense of community. I know everyone. Everyone knows me. When we pass the peace, we mean it.
+ We all pray together.
+ I leave feeling refreshed and inspired to be a good person, with very clear directions about where a good person should head this week

However, I am not Catholic for all of the reasons that Protestants usually state. I'd like to find a church where I can take communion. I've tried the following... and had the following problems.
- Going to my parents Presbyterian church. It's mainly blue-hairs. I feel lonely during coffee hour. Everyone who talks to me pretty much just asks how old I am now, and tells me how much I've grown.
- Going to a Unitarian service. It seems to be more of a theological class than a worship service. We didn't pray.
- Going to a born again nondenominational church. We sang and prayed for a half hour, which was AWESOME..... but then the sermon would invariably be a half-hour pro-life rampage and during coffee hour teenagers would pass around petitions to overturn Roe vs. Wade.
- Going to a Non-denominational Contemporary church. Very vibrant, but the service lasted for hours. I had to leave because I was faint with hunger....and my ears rang all day from the excessive volume.
- Not going to Church for years. It leaves me with an emptiness... a yearning.
- Going to a Lutheran church. I felt bored and couldn't sit still.
- Going to a different Presbyterian Church. Great sermon.... but we're given about 5 seconds to 'privately confess our sins' before being forgiven. I find myself both too hurried to reflect, and bored after the sermon. Also, just a handful of adults under 40.

The issue is rather pressing because I'd like my son to have Sunday school experiences. I'd like to find a church (in or near Cleveland) with the following qualities, where I can settle down . . .
+ Young people. I'm in my late 20's and would like to be part of a community that includes a substantial number of adults under 50. Other families with kids would be great. People in their 20's and 30's would be awesome!
+ Protestant denomination
+ a sense of community
+ reasonable amounts of singing
+ prayer
+ sermons that teach about Jesus, God, the Bible and how to be a good person
+ vibrant worship (as opposed to the soul-stifling sound of an entire congregation boredly reciting 'Alleluia' and 'it is right to give thanks and praise in unison)

My Vehicle is a Piece of Crap

Sassyfras — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:54:10 -0800

Car repair: I have a 2003 Kia Sedona. Due to a humming sound coming from the front end, we've taken it in to be diagnosed. It gets complicated . . . The vehicle is a 2003 and has 54,000 miles on it.

We took it to our usual repair shop where it was determined that it needs new bearings and (possibly) hubs. For the shop to do it the cost would be about $900.00.

However, we decided to check to see if is still under warranty and called two Kia service (dealership) places.

1. Kia Place 1 told me that the bearings and hubs would be covered under warranty as long as we have proof that our timing belt has been replaced. He said that needed to be replaced at 5 years or 60k.

We have not replaced our timing belt because it has not hit 60,000 miles yet (even though it is over 5 years old).

Kia Place 1 then told me that if I got the timing belt replaced (a $540.00 chore) then the bearings and hubs would be covered.

2. I called Kia Place 2 (which is located about 2 HOURS away) that has our service records from another Kia service center that closed down. I explained what was happening.

He said that what Kia Place 1 told me wasn't the case. He said the timing belt doesn't need to be replaced until 60,000 miles and that the bearings and hubs would be covered as long as we showed minimum service on the vehicle (oil changes every 7500 miles).

3. I called Kia Place 1 back and told them what Kia Place 2 had said - that we just need proof of oil changes and that the timing belt doesn't need to be replaced until 60,000 miles. Kia Place 1 told me that Kia Place 2 didn't have it right and that it was 5 years or 60,000 miles - which ever came first to get the timing belt changed. He also said that he's known of cases like this going to court and that Kia has won.

So, who do I trust if anyone? Why get the timing belt changed before 60,000? What if I only drove it 10,000 miles in those 5 years, would I still need to get it changed?

I guess my question is: where do I go from here? Kia Place 2 spent a lot of time on the phone with me and looked stuff up for me telling me as long as I had oil change records the bearings and hubs would be covered. The problem I see with Kia Place 2 is that it is 2 hours away (one way) and if I take it there, there is a chance that they'd renege on that and require the timing belt be changed in order to get the bearings and hubs covered. I'm pretty sure they won't guarantee anything over the phone without looking at the vehicle first - and two hours one way is a long way.

Need a free online newspaper clipping service

punkfloyd — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:26:50 -0800

I need a free online newspaper article clipping service that will let me view images of actual print articles, front page headline stories. Sort of a free Burrell's. Newseum sort of helps, but I need to search for articles throughout 2009. Can anybody point me in the right direction? Didn't Google used to have something like this?

Tell me about the Texas State Guard

flipmiester99 — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:39:22 -0800

TexasStateGaurdFilter:Im interested in the Texas state guard. Can you all give me some details other than what on the website, which is really not that informative. Can i be deployed overseas in the TSG? What can i expect? Im in my mid thirties, married and two young kids, and ive always wanted to contribute to my country and state. Just looking for some details..Thanks!

Third-party email service suggestions

supermedusa — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:42:08 -0800

Recommendations for a good third-party email service provider please. A client has requested suggestions for a better third-party email service (they currently use SquirrelMail). Searches of both AskMe and Google have not yielded recommendations or critiques from first-hand experience, which is what I would like to hear. Providers with strong anti-spam features a plus.

Help me think of a new career.

speedoavenger — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:57:44 -0800

I feel like a career change. I need help brainstorming the possibilities. Which careers do you think may meet my skills and requirements? I'm currently working in a cubicle doing IT work in the Insurance industry, but I'd like to find a new position that better meets my interests.

I greatly enjoy working with computers. I would like a position that allows for more human interaction on a daily basis with a large variety of people. The position would need to have a direct, positive, noticeable impact on people. Lastly, is it possible to find a career that also allows for working outdoors part of the time? :-)

Here is my background

-Graduated with a 4 year degree in Management Information Systems
-Currently 25 years old
-Over 10 years experience working with computers, mostly doing Systems Administration and Help Desk Support type work

...and here is what I am looking for.

-I would like to be more social and interact with more people on a daily basis
-I would like to feel like I'm helping to bring about positive substantial changes to peoples lives.
-I would like to spend more time outside in the mountains and/or forests.
-I would like to make a significant difference in childrens/disadvantaged peoples lives
-I would like to live in the Phoenix area
-I would prefer a salary of at least $40,000, but I'm open to the idea of making less if I really enjoy the work.

Some possible career ideas that have crossed my mind include:

-teaching grade school kids about computers
-becoming an IT Volunteer in the Peace Corps
-becoming a Technical Trainer for a corporation
-Working for the federal, state, or local government as a trainer or advocate.
-Working at a job re-training center, assisting people who are training for a new career.
-working for a non-profit

I'll take any career ideas you've got, no matter how crazy they sound! ;-)

Best voice+SMS GSM carrier for one month of travel in Europe?

thewalrus — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:30:50 -0800

What is the best flat calling rate pan-European GSM SIM card for temporary use? Two people with iPhone 2G (iPhone1,1) quad band unlocked phones will be in Europe for one month. We want voice and SMS only, not GPRS data, and the ability to add credit to either phone by scratch cards... From around August 20th to September 20th I'm going to be in western Europe with my wife. Our area of travel will primarily be Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Italy.

We both have unlocked iPhone 2G (first generation) phones, pwned with pwnagetool... There's no doubt the phones are unlocked as they have been successfully used for voice+SMS service with GSM carriers in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

We would like to buy a pair of SIM cards and prepaid service (scratch cards) for voice+SMS service only but are not sure which carrier has the best flat rate coverage of western Europe. We don't care about GPRS data service as there's ample 802.11b/g coverage at the places where we will be staying.

Last part of the question: Can anyone tell us specifically where at the Frankfurt airport a mobile phone shop is located, or near the airport? It should be accessible from international arrivals, after customs, so I think anything in the departure lounge areas is probably not possible...

I need an inexpensive, yet reliable moving company in Chicago?

shrimpsmalls — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:17:34 -0800

Can anyone recommend a reliable, yet reasonably priced moving service/company in Chicago? We are moving September 1 from Bucktown to Ukrainian Village, so the distance is not an issue. I have always rented a van and called on friends to help with the move (friends that we have helped in a similar capacity), but this year I don't have anyone that I feel comfortable asking to help with such a big feat. My bf and roommate is already dreading the move, and given our size/strength differences, moving everything ourselves is going to be very stressful if not impossible. We don't have a lot of stuff, so I am just looking for someone with a van and a few dudes to lift our stuff. We don't have much, but we do have a few nice pieces of mid century furniture that I would hate to be damaged in the process, so I would greatly appreciate any recommendations for a reliable company for the best price.

Undercharged for DSL and land line. Now what?

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 10:42:29 -0800

Telecom has undercharged me for DSL and land line service the past couple months. Is this going to bite me in the butt? If so, when and how severely? Back in December last year, I signed up for DSL internet service from my local telecom on a "first six months free with two-year commitment" promotion for longtime residential phone service customers. In the spring of this year, before the six months were up, they mistakenly started charging me for DSL, and I had to call them several times to get them to adjust my bill.

They rectified it and then some: since then, they've been crediting me on every billing cycle for more than the amount of the DSL charges, so that my total bill, including land line phone service, has been ridiculously low. The six month free period ended in late June, and I should now be paying around $70.00 per month for the two services. My July bill came last week: the erroneous credit is on it again, and my total amount due is about a dollar.

How likely is it that they'll discover their mistake? If they do, are they likely to bill me for all of the charges I should have been paying during the time they've been crediting me incorrectly? If they do that, do I have any recourse, since it was their error? Should I a) notify them of their error, b) simply start paying what I think I actually owe without comment, or c) continue paying the exact amount they're billing me? Thanks.

AT&T, I DEMAND GOOD PHONE RECEPTION!!!

Zeker — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:54:53 -0800

Cellular reception is horrible in my area. I get at least 2 dropped calls during my commute to work, and every cellphone I've used is generally worthless indoors. What's the best way to pester my service provider into fixing this? I live in central coast California and spend at least 2 hours a day traveling up and down the 101 (between Salinas and San Luis Obispo). If I take an entire trip down the 101 between those two cities, WITHOUT FAIL I will get AT LEAST 2 dropped calls. I've switched cellphones twice (previously a Samsung Eternity, currently a Sony Ericcson slider).

Outside my own home (in the middle of town, I don't live out in the woods or anything) AT&T gives me an average of 2-3 bars out of 5 for reception. Indoors, however, my phone is absolutely worthless. It doesn't matter who's home I'm under, the process I endure to send a single text message consists of either:

A) Gingerly placing the phone on a stationary surface, pressing the send button while simultaneously observing if my finger on the button increases or decreases the reception enough for the message to send.

B) Constantly checking the outbox to ensure that the message went through... and that it went to the right person.

C) Playing peek-a-boo with my single, disappearing reception bar. PEEKAB... awwww it's gone :(..... WHOAH! PEEKABOOOO.... damn, gone agai--- OH GOD! :D PEE--- BASTARD COME BACK!

D) Pacing around the house for a sweet spot. I find that being in front of mirrors improves the chances of getting a signal for some reason. Also, laying the phone on a solid surface increases reception. I think the accelerometer changes how the antenna interacts with the signal... but I dunno, I'm just guessing/talking out of my ass here.

E) Giving up and walking outside.

I honestly feel that my plea will fall on deaf ears if I call AT&T. The only way they'd give a damn is if I'm a big company who has lots of business with them, or if I threaten to cancel my accounts... but lately, they don't seem to respond to that anymore (I call them on occasion for my company and they're still lousy). In fact, I don't feel I should be paying for such a crappy service since it doesn't work as well as promised. Is there anything I can do to get better service? Anyone I can call that would actually do something about it?

PS.

If you work for AT&T... FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PASS THIS ON TO YOUR SUPERIORS. I'd switch carriers, but I already signed another slave contract for 2 years and I still got another year to go.

How do I deal with Dell Inc. customer service hell?

Twinedog — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:41:02 -0800

How can I get any service from Dell Inc. Help they seem to have lost my order and won't give me any answers etc. I know Dell's customer service is so bad its legendary but is there any way to bypass the phone menu which doesn't seem to understand me?

They seem to have lost my order. it says it was shipped on 6/26/09 3-5 day Fed Ex but it has not arrived. I keep getting the run around and am spending hours on the phone just trying to find out what happened and if not have them replace the order. This is ridiculous.

I keep getting hung up on by surly indian customer service reps who seem to lie to me ( claim they have no employee id no etc.) and then tell me conflicting things.

Any advice would be appreciated.

As if you had to guess I will never ever buy a Dell again.

Windows-Service-workable FTP Client?

Picklegnome — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:33:55 -0800

Free/cheap FTP Client as Windows service? I have a headless home server running Windows, and in order to run a program, I need to be logged in - via Remote Desktop, right now. Not so with services. I can force a program to act as a service, but that means I won't get the benefits of a GUI. I need the server to take care of downloading files without my being logged in. Downloading only; uploading either won't be necessary or can be handled on a case-by-case basis with a different client.

What FTP client can I use that has a web- or command-line-interface, or would otherwise allow me to control it even as a service?

Legal/Debt Filter: How to deal with improperly served summonses

scharpy — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:23:13 -0800

For the third time now I've discovered that I've been improperly served a summons, and for the second time I've had a default judgment entered against me because I was unaware of the court date. It seems ridiculously difficult to take action against service processors for this behavior as it's your word against their affidavit and there are no regulatory agencies governing them. Are there legal avenues that I'm not aware of? The previous two times they were served to someone at an old address and this time they "served" me at my current address by ripping open the edge of a package that was outside my apartment door and sliding the papers it inside of it. I didn't open the package until last night (way after the court date) only to find papers in it along with the book I had ordered. Of course, the service processors' affidavit makes no mention of this.

So, this time it seems to me like the service processor committed a felony tampering with my mail and I'm thinking maybe I have a case, even though I have very little evidence.