Gizmodo Australia » fail

Virgin’s Velocity Frequent Flyer Program Is All Class

Nick Broughall — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:20:58 +0000

Last Friday, I was minding my own business when an email from Virgin’s frequent flyer program, Velocity, landed in my inbox. I’d been upgraded to Gold status because I was so close to making the grade. “Kinda weird” I thought to myself, considering I haven’t flown Virgin for over 12 months, “but a free upgrade is a free upgrade”. Except it wasn’t, as the follow up email I got four hours later was so quick to point out.

Oops! Due to an error you’ve received our previous email by mistake. Please disregard the free upgrade communication as unfortunately you do not qualify for that upgrade.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Warm regards,

The Velocity Team

From all accounts, it seems they sent the upgrade email to a pretty big chunk of their Velocity membership.

Considering I very rarely fly Virgin, I’m unsure whether or not I should be bemused or outraged at the mixup. Anyone want to suggest an emotion for me this morning?

12 Apple Products That Crashed And Burned

Sean Fallon — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Not everything that Apple touches turns to gold. Case in point — the Apple Pippin gaming system. Never heard of it? Don’t worry, you are not alone. Like many of the other products on Oobject’s list, it failed miserably.

While certainly not on par with these 12 products, the Apple TV might be the most recent Apple endeavour to fall well short of expectations. Clearly, there is no reason to spend a substantial sum of money on a box with limited functionality when there are better options available. [Oobject]

It’s Been A Long Week

Matt Buchanan — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:00:21 +0000

I feel exactly the same way, and it’s only Thursday. [BBG]

Dallas Cowboys Stadium Continues Streak Of Giant Screen Fails

Dan Nosowitz — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 05:00:00 +0000

After their giant screen blocked a punt, you’d figure the owners of the Dallas Cowboys stadium would be extra careful with their massive displays—but it looks like somebody didn’t shut down his computer properly. Whoops! [Thanks, Richard!]

Here’s One For The PC Fanboys…

Nick Broughall — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:55:03 +0000

See? We’re not Apple fanboys. We show off all operating systems’ failings here at Gizmodo. It’s not our fault we see one type more than the other. Or that saying “Blue Screen of Death” is just so damned catchy…

[Thanks Matt!]

One Mandatory Filter Trial ISP Only Had 15 Customers Opt In…

Nick Broughall — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:27:24 +0000

Like we needed more proof that Conroy’s mandatory filter is a complete waste of time and money – ARN has reported that one of the ISPs involved in the trial – Nelson Bay Online – had just 15 people opt in, or about one percent of their customers. Yeah, that’s a surefire way to get some useful information, right there.

Apparently many of the ISPs involved in the trial are reporting that there wasn’t really any noticeable slowdown in Internet speeds. But considering the numbers, that’s not really a surprise. After all, if only 15 people were to attend an event at the MCG, getting out at the end of the match would be super-fast.

ARN also quoted some statistics experts who essentially say that the results are complete BS in the eyes of science. The downside is that the government is likely to twist the results to reflect the positive aspects of the trial, and neglect the fact that there weren’t actually any large numbers of people involved.

As always, keep voicing your displeasure at this intrinsically flawed Government plan to fuck up the internet.

[ARN]

Entire 13-Story Building Collapses In Shanghai, Only One Person Killed

Dan Nosowitz — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:30:00 +0000

This past Saturday, an entire apartment building in Shanghai collapsed. To be fair, the building was under construction and thus unoccupied, but it’s still a minor miracle that there was only one fatality.

Sounds like there was a problem with some nearby flood prevention walls at the Dianpu River, but there’s no hard evidence as to why this huge building simply fell over. Anyway, here are some sweet pictures of the architectural carnage. [Cellar.org via Twitter]

Wolfram Alpha Fail Is Appropriately Nerdy

Dan Nosowitz — Sat, 16 May 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Wolfram Alpha, the dorktastic computational search engine, got off to a bit of a rocky start when it launched last night. At least its first fail message had the foresight to include a HAL reference.

As it’s an alpha, we’re not too bothered that it’s run into some overload problems. Hey, at least people are using it, right? But be warned, Wolfie: A pithy error message can only charm us for so long. [via Twitter]

UK’s MI6 Scrapped Multi-Million Dollar Undercover Operation Because of Lost USB Drive

Adrian Covert — Sat, 02 May 2009 02:00:00 +0000

You’d think MI6 agents would handle top-secret data more carefully than on memory stick in a purse, right? Well that purse was left behind on a train in 2006, compromising a multi-million dollar drug operation.

Secure Computing says that an agent only known as T was responsible for the gaffe, which took place on a Colombian passenger train. Apparently the fallout from the incident resulted in a number of agents having to be relocated for safety purposes. But MI6 assures us all that they now take more secure precautions with sensitive data. [Secure Computing via Wired]

In a Fight Between Candle and Laptop, Candle Usually Wins

Adam Frucci — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Here’s a tip: never, ever leave a big candle burning over your computer. Ever. [FailBlog]