10 Things That Need To Start, Stop or Change In 2010

by Stephen M. Fells on January 5, 2010

Stephen M. FellsI don’t believe in New Years Resolutions. We all have too many important things going on in our lives to make a handful more important just because it’s January. So (and I admit somewhat tongue in cheek) I list my top 10 things that need to start, stop or change in 2010. Enjoy :)

1. Stop poking me. Using Facebook doesn’t make it OK, I will unfriend you. If you poke me in real life I will respond physically.

2. The word ‘unique’ can’t have scale. Unique means ‘one of a kind’ so stop saying ‘very unique’ or ’somewhat unique’. It’s unique or it’s not.

3. If you get an email and it has other’s cc’d please reply to all. It saves me from having to forward your comments.

4. The inventors of CD and DVD wrapping should be hunted down and prosecuted for crimes against humanity.

5. If you win the World Series or Super Bowl stop calling yourself a “World” champion. I’m a huge Yankees fan but when a team from New York beats a team from Philadelphia they are domestic champions. And adding the Toronto Blue Jays doesn’t change a thing.

6. The number pads on telephones and computers should have the same layout and not be opposites (Apple would never have allowed this):

Keyboards

Which leads me to my next request:

7. Companies should stop using letters to represent their telephone numbers, numbers alone work perfectly well. Have you seen the blackberry keyboard?

Blackberry

Did you notice the letter/number combo doesn’t match a regular telephone? Try calling 1 800 MATTRESS (leave off the last ’s’ for savings… ) from your mobile (it’s not just the Blackberry). The truth is few people can remember more than two letter based telephone numbers so they are a total waste of time. (Go on, how many can you name?)

8. Ban voice recognition software. For the 97% of the world that doesn’t have an American accent (like me) the answer to “Did I get that correct?” is always “No!”

9. When leaving a message on someone’s voicemail start with:

  • your name
  • your telephone number S L O W L Y
  • repeat step 2
  • People don’t want to listen through your five minute message multiple times to get to your telephone number.

    10. “Winningest” isn’t a word. Any dictionary that says it is should be banned.

    Phew! I feel better now :) What would you like to see this year?

    { 1 trackback }

    uberVU - social comments
    January 5, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    { 13 comments… read them below or add one }

    Mike Jahnke January 5, 2010 at 9:24 am

    I have to agree on all points. I really agree with the letters for numbers. I don’t know how many times I’ve had to wait until I get to a land line phone to make a call because of this. Your list is the ultimate in uniqueness!!

    Reply

    Stephen M. Fells Stephen M. Fells January 5, 2010 at 11:52 am

    lol – thank you for the unique comment Mike! :)

    Reply

    Bunny Mostad January 5, 2010 at 11:26 am

    I agree Stephen, although I admit I was late to catch on. Like after I had ordered 1,000 new business cards with 1-800-OK-BUNNY on them. No, I’m not going to throw them out.

    Reply

    Stephen M. Fells Stephen M. Fells January 5, 2010 at 11:48 am

    You are brave to confess Bunny :)

    Reply

    LG January 5, 2010 at 12:13 pm

    I believe the keyboard on the computer follows the pattern on the adding machine which pre-dated the telephone. It was the phone company that created the upside down number pattern, which has been continued on cell phones. Remember when the telephone had letters on each number key? My biggest confusion comes when the company directory says ‘enter the first three letters of the person’s name.”

    Reply

    Stephen M. Fells Stephen M. Fells January 5, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    I didn’t know that. Separately I think I should check our own voice mail system for the ‘dial by name’ functionality…

    Reply

    anne January 5, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    Great sense of humour and thanks for the tips.

    Reply

    Stephen M. Fells Stephen M. Fells January 5, 2010 at 3:47 pm

    Thank you Anne and you’re welcome :) Also, thanks for spelling ‘humour’ correctly ;)

    Reply

    scott forcino January 5, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    The Yankees were the winningest team this year which makes them very unique

    Reply

    Stephen M. Fells Stephen M. Fells January 5, 2010 at 3:46 pm

    And World Champions no doubt ;)

    Reply

    Janice January 5, 2010 at 10:16 pm

    Absolutely agree on the World Championship part. Where did it start anyway! Good article.

    Reply

    Barb February 23, 2010 at 9:54 am

    #4 and #9 rock!!!

    Reply

    Sandra Paulow February 23, 2010 at 11:09 am

    I couldn’t agree more. Nothing is more annoying than listening to a voice mail only to here blah blah blah blah 7 as the return number and no matter how many times you listen it sounds the same.

    Reply

    Leave a Comment

    Previous post:

    Next post: