The Final Stages of "The Beast" set up

Everything is up and running as it should. One thing won't update, Windows Explorer 11.  Oddly enough, when I tried to update it via downloading the update file, doing a clean boot with updating services enabled, I got message that the update didn't apply to my system.  Fine, I hid that update, and IE doesn't trip my trigger.

Right now, I'm performing a full system scan for viruses and malware. And when that is done... then comes the fun part (part two). Using Samsung Migration tool, move the OS to the 1tb SSD, leaving program files on the 2tb, moving some that I might want to run faster onto the SSD.

Zinstall was mostly to make a full system back up that would migrate to a new system. Now time for the final stage. Good thing about this, i can refresh windows installation without mucking up the data.

I have to give a shout out to On1 and Intelligent Imaging Solutions.  Their quick response, and patience helped to get things up and running very quickly, with minimal time loss.

Once more unto the breach...

aka data migration, 2nd attempt.

After sending diagnostic reports to Zinstall and my trading emails, they called me (gawd I wish they would pay attention to the time difference. I clearly stated UTC +8 Perth) but they told me that disabling Malwarebytes isn't good enough, that it has to be uninstalled. Also, even though it's not running, the AVG toolbar included in Google Chrome would also interfere with a clean data migration.

So, started Zinstall, letting it run overnight and  made a new container/image with no anti virus/spyware running. Then last night, I started Zinstall migration. Since I have it on an external USB drive it's taking longer. Currently at 22% done.

So, on my Vaio, but this time I have external HDMI monitor hooked up. Yes,my workflow is so ingrained, I hooked up monitor to the laptop.

How's this for a convoluted solution?

Ok, for some odd reason, CS6 won't kicks back all Camera Raw files as not the right kind of document.  And OnOne PhotoSuite 9 keeps erroring out with a strange code (have forwared it to OnOne)

CS6 64bit Bridge isn't reading Camera Raw files, but CS6 32bit does.

So, for now, until the problem is actually fixed the workflow is as follows.

Open Photoshop CS6

Open Bridge CS6 32bit

Open Raw image by right clicking "Open in Camera Raw"

Make Adjustments in ACR.

Save file as Jpg from ACR.

Open file in Photoshop, and use PhotoSuite version 8.

Yeah, a bit finicky but it will keep me working until this is figured out.

Well, Zinstall worked.. I think

Sort of.

It seems to have migrated the data over, but I have already had a few hiccups.  Adobe Photoshop CS6 is grouching that I am past my trial period, and giving me "Can not complete your request because it is not the right kind of document" when it comes to CR2 files. BUT CS5 isn't having a problem.  So, looked at About Plugins and noticed that ACR isn't listed. Oy.  Easy fix.

Actually much of what will probably have to be done will have to wait until I have it set up in here proper.  And then this computer will be boxed up and put away.  And I will be keeping the image file on a small external drive.

Migration at 40%

Although it seems it's taking so long to migrate the image file to the external SSD I have hooked up, I know that it would have taken a helluva lot longer to have had to deactivate, reinstall, reboot over and over.  Weeks before I had everything up and running the same.  My only problem might be some software that was on sale for a special price, might not work on the new computer.  If not, I will send email off to the vendors in hopes they will rectify the situation.

It's been a while since I've used my laptop for an extended time. I also think I got a bit spoiled with the dual monitors.  I got so accustomed to multitasking that I find it difficult to do it on a single screen.  heh

Day 3 of 'counting steps'

Although I have been 'lapping' the back yard, I had no way of keeping track of what I was doing, or progress, so installed a pedometer app on my phone.  I also have audio books installed so I don't get bored and stop too soon.

The only problem is this: I don't always keep my phone on me, so making sure I get X number in each day, not just during when I do the laps is a bit problematical.  Now, I do the laps at a quick clip, to increase heart rate and respiration and to maintain the elevated rate.  I will slow down if I find my left leg going all 'jelly' on me, and when it stops feeling as if I am dragging, the speed goes back up. When I find that slowing down doesn't stop the jelly leg feeling, I walk slowly to cool down, and then come back in.

Still find it funny that I can feel the muscles in my right quads twitch when I'm done, but nothing in the left leg.

Let me ‘splain

I finally pinned down why I feel someone's 'judgment' was so unprofessional and so wrong. Here is a clear explanation:

I don't like asparagus. I mean I loathe the stuff. I think it's the nastiest vegetable/plant in the world. It is on my 'hit list' of what should go into a composter, not on a plate.

That being said if someone took a photograph of it, on a plate, dressed with hollandaise sauce, it was well lit, properly exposed, all the right things, and I had to judge it, I wouldn't look at it and say "Oh I hate this, just the sight of this vegetable make me gag." and then ripped the photographer apart for taking a photo of something *I* hate.

This is what was done to me regarding my photograph. In my opinion, I felt the judge, who is a professional photographer, was extremely unprofessional. I feel he allowed his personal bias for something he didn't like to run rampant.

Yes, I know judging is subjective. I know this, but what was done to me was not subjective judging.

Now, I hope that clears up, and stops all the questions.

I saw what you tried to do, and you're not getting away with it

I was contacted by a CatMax representative.  She said she was going to refund my credit card $400.  Funny thing is I was overcharged $450.07. 

 

Hello ********;

when you called today to get my credit card details, you said I was being refunded $400.

According to P**** C*****, I was overcharge $450.07.  I hope there was no miscommunication between he and yourself about the amount to be refunded.

 

> On 2/06/2015 2:14:25 PM, p***c******* (*****@catmax.com.au) wrote:
> > Hi Sandra
>
> yes you are correct on this being over charged. the problem is is should
> have just been a call out fee plus materials. but was done as a quote of
> pictures and spread  sheet.
>
> so here is what you should have been charged
>
> 3 hours @ $76.00 = $228.00
> clearnet @$21.22
> cable ties@$12.00
> GST      @ $26.12
> *TOTAL = $ 261.22*
>
> CHARGED $ 711.29
>
> Sandra, sorry about the mix up I do apologise. you have credit for $450 .
> if it is any conciliation we can send you a new three teer pethouse nomally
> $475.00 plus $75 freight. we would send as exchange no freight charge. no
> more to pay.

According to Australian Consumer Laws, as they admitted to overcharging me, and even by what amount, they are LEGALLY obligated to give me a refund of the full amount of the overcharge.

No, I don't want or need other cat entertainments

CatMax keeps trying to get me to accept goods in place of giving me a refund for being overcharged.

We don't need or have the room for other items. We have cat towers (3), mini towers (2), scratch posts (2), hammocks (2)

What I don't have is the $400+ I was overcharged! I have put something off I wanted to get done because I did the responsible thing and had damaged property repaired.  They need to pony up and do the responsible thing and give me my money back.

Sometimes it does pay to politely complain

I got a response regarding the repair cost:

Hi Sandra

yes you are correct on this being over charged. the problem is is should
have just been a call out fee plus materials. but was done as a quote of
pictures and spread  sheet.

so here is what you should have been charged

3 hours @ $76.00 = $228.00
clearnet @$21.22
cable ties@$12.00
GST      @ $26.12
*TOTAL = $ 261.22*

CHARGED $ 711.29

Sandra, sorry about the mix up I do apologise. you have credit for $450 .
if it is any conciliation we can send you a new three teer pethouse nomally
$475.00 plus $75 freight. we would send as exchange no freight charge. no
more to pay.

I have replied thus:

Thank you for seeing to this so quickly, it is very much appreciated.  And so is the offer of the cat tower, but as we already have three cat towers, there is no room or need for a 4th. As this was charged to my credit card, I would prefer to have it refunded to that credit card.   You have my credit card details there, but if you need them again, I will gladly provide them.

Regards

Sorry lady, but your numbers are bogus

CatMax got back to me, sort of, trying to make excuses for their exorbitant charges (remember, I thought the damanged mesh wall was being replaced, and a few holes patched)

> Please see a break down of the total price of the job that you requested
> totaling $ 711.29.
>
>  Clearnet
>
> $ 21.22

This is the mesh I presume?

>
> Materials
>
> $ 195.41

What materials?

> Labour
>
> $ 380.00

$190 an hour??!!  

>
> Freight
>
> $ 50.00

What freight?  There is no freight on original CatMax enclosure.

>
> Gst
>
> $ 64.66

Had I known that we were only going to get holes patched, I would not have agreed to have  to pre-pay the full $711. I was expecting full replacement of the damaged wall, not patching.   I am looking
at the original order for the Enclosure.  There was no freight, and there was a lot of materials, not just one square meter of mesh and a few cable ties. You did not send me the break down of the
charges, leaving me to presume the damaged mesh wall was going to be replaced.  All you sent was your estimate, and bank details.

I did not expect to be charged over $700 for one square meter of mesh, a dozen cable ties, and 2 hours of work.    I could have done that job myself. 

Again, I do not feel that asking for a rebate is unreasonable.

I'm not going to hold my breath.

For that price, I expected more

Some rats attracted to our neighbors chicken coop invaded our cat enclosure. They chewed through it and it needed to be repaired.

I called Catmax, sent them photos, and was given a quote of $711.29 to repair the damage. Seeing as it cost us $2100 for the original installation, I thought it was fair because I thought they would be replacing the short side that had been rat chewed.

Now, don't me get wrong, the tradesman did a great job, but all he did was patch the holes with, using 1 sq meter of mesh and some small cable zip ties. It was what he was told that was to be done.

3hrs billable for over $700 for patched holes, when the last time the enclosure needed a bigger repair job (pergola being repaired caused a problem, Nigel fixed it) the bill was $200. 

$711.29 for 3 billable hours?  That is over $200 an hour!  For 1 sq meter of mesh? Again, for that price, I expected the wall to be replaced, not just patched!

I have submitted a polite displeasure to CatMax and have said "I don't feel it's unreasonable to ask for a rebate."