The Honest Type(Pad)

Even though I don't watch too much TV these days (other than sports and America's Test Kitchen), I still seem to filter everything through television moments. An email I got from TypePad (my blog host) the other day got me thinking about two obscure scenes.

I remember an episode of Night Court where Max, the court clerk, and his wife Quon Lee were worrying about the restaurant they had just opened that the new-to-America and naive Quon Lee was running. The restaurant wasn't making any money, they were going broke, and they were discussing how all of their marketing gimmicks were disasters, especially "Make Your Own Change Night." I still think that was the funniest line ever on what was a pretty funny show.

Then there was the episode of Taxi where Reverend Jim accidentally burns down Louie's apartment and Jim's wealthy father offers Louie a blank check for the damages. Louie spends about ten minutes trying to figure out just the exact amount for the check - not too low, but not so high that Jim's dad rescinds his offer. Louie finally settles on about $30,000 (it was something like thirty..... one..... thousand..... four.... no, three........ hundred..... aaaaaaand..... twenty.... thirty, thirty!... six.... dollars.......... and........ EIGHTEEN CENTS!). He's all proud of himself until he finds out that Jim's dad was happy he didn't have to pay out $200,000 like he expected to.

So, anyway, I was thinking about those classic TV moments because TypePad has made an offer to compensate their users for some recent glitches. I've had trouble posting, there's been trouble with visitors leaving comments, and even times when The Long Cut was completely off-line (yeah, I know, that's not always such a bad thing).

So TypePad emails an apology and an offer - 15 free days added on to your service. Or 30 days free if "performance issues made it very difficult" to use their service. Or how about 45 free days free if performance issues made the TypePad service "unacceptable for most of the month." Or, of course, if you weren't affected to the point of frustration you could just say "no thanks" and take no free days. Whatever the choice, it's completely up to the customer.

It's "make your own change night" all over again. Except I feel more like Louie De Palma trying to figure out just what I can get away with. The 15 day offer is the default, and that alone is pretty nice of them. 45 free days would be really cool, but I can't say that service was "unacceptable" to me. As bad as it was it was still better service than Blogger ever provided.

But if they want me to be honest, than I think I should get 30 days free. The performance did make it tough for me to post. I usually get one shot to get a post in and I'm committed to writing something daily. I can't have problems getting into my account at 11:30pm if still haven't put up my new post yet.

So I'm asking for the 30 days. Mac and Quon Lee would be proud of my honesty. Louie De Palma would probably just see me as a sucker.

Update (10:17pm, 11/16/05): I've had to correct "Image Not Available" errors on this post twice already today. This crap keeps up and I will be asking for the 45 day compensation.

Comments

[howard]

You're a very gracious guest -- I don't even have a typepad site, but I'd like month free just for all the clicks I've spent in vain trying to access several of my favorite blogs.

Seriously, I think your blog brand has been tarnished by the interruption -- maybe if you ask, they'll up it to 90 days?

[albert]

i asked for the 45 days and told them that i'm leaving typepad when my billing cycle ends next june unless some serious changes are made. i already have a wordpress blog set up for the foodie stuff and i'd be more than happy to set up another one to host my main blog. wordpress is also free. mmmm free.

[Janie]

First, I had no idea you actually PAY to do this! But I admire your honesty.

Second, the fabulous Night Court is still on only now it's set in a hospital and they call it 'Scrubs' instead.

Third, Jim "Iggy" Ignatowski is one of Jeff's all time favorite TV characters. If there is any doubt as to why, you only have to watch the 'Taxi' episode where Jim tries to cheat to get his drivers license.

Jim whispers: "What does a yellow light mean?"

Alex, et al whisper back: "Slow down."

Jim: "Whaaaat doessss a yellllow liiiiight meeeeean?"

[Donna]

Night Court is on TV Land every night. Its still one of the funniest shows on.

I had to laugh out loud watching Cheers the other night. It was the episode when Norm's wife, Vera wasn't considered suitable as a corporate wife at Norm's new job. She went to a wife's luncheon and as Norm put it, "couldn't pass the muster". When Woody heard that Vera didn't pass the muster with the other ladies at the lunch, he suggested that "maybe she couldn't reach it". Maybe it was because it was late at night, but I laughed for a good 10 minutes at that one. Still cracks me up thinking of it now.

[sam]

Jim is the best. I had trouble commenting on your blog a couple days ago, fwiw.

[Sherri W.]

I s'pose I've found one benefit of having been in a deep blue funk for much of the fall----my posting (and readership) had fallen off so naturally of its own accord that the Typepad difficulties affected me not at all.

I'm still taking the 15 automatic free days, thbough. I'm scuzzy that way. ;)