Tech support? I'd get better support from a shovelful of sand.

[bktheirregular]

One of the side effects of working from a backup on my desktop computer is that I have to go through the Microsoft activation procedures all over again. Now, the first thing they say is to connect to the Internet. *looking around* No phone line, so that ain't happening.

Second thing they say is to call Microsoft. *looking around* See above re: no phone line. *checking belt* Oh, wait. Cell phone.

*dialing toll free number*

*recorded message says no such number*

*computer says to call England*

Er, ain't happening. On the other hand ... I can use Skype, and not get charged for it, since they give a toll-free number in the U S of A.

*schlepping laptop over to Starbucks*

*calling Microsoft*

*autodial computer can't hear my voice and instead of telling me to push a button, bounces me to a tech support person who's probably camped out in Calcutta*

*after much difficulty, tech support person gives me an activation confirmation number*

Me: OK, I want to read that back to you to be sure I've got it right. I'm not at the computer, so I need to be sure I wrote it down right.

TSG: Go ahead.

Me: *reads off number*

TSG: That's right. Now click OK.

Me: I'm not at that computer. *sound of Skype disconnecting* Hello? HELLO?