So I've been having minor computer woes.
Specifically, after running Software Update, and letting it install a security update, I now get no audio in WMV, RM, MPG or SWF files. The latter is the biggest pisser of all, because of my profession. I'm working with audio in Flash movies on an almost daily basis.
Of course the obvious thing to do, is troubleshoot it yourself, then search the Internet, because "hey, someone else is bound to have had this problem, right?" Wrong!
Apparently, no-one else has had this problem. So my last resort: calling Apple. I feel like I should be putting in the giant false teeth and doing my very best Esther Rantzen impression...
Esther: ...so we called the Gas Board, and they said...
Bloke: Madam, we're the Gas Board, we supply North Sea gas. Try AppleCare, you daft bint
Esther: ...so we rang Apple, and they said...
Cool Mac Bloke: Hello dude, welcome to Apple. That'll be £35.
Esther: Sorry?
Cool Mac Bloke: £35 please.
Esther: ...for just saying hello?
Cool Mac Bloke: ...well, it's about as much value for money as you'll get here
...at which point things got a bit more technical. I spent fucking ages going through what was wrong, what I'd tried by way of troubleshooting, and what was it that they could do to help.
For £35, I expected a bit more help than getting me to reinstall my Operating System from the DVDs that came with the Powerbook. I'm a little under-whelmed. On the upside, I get to pester them for a full thirty days, until the matter is resolved to my satisfaction. That should get my money's worth then, surely?
Well, yes, but the sneaky bastards are using an 0870 number (ie. 40p/minute). However, I can be a sneaky bastard too, and so went to my dear old Say No to 0870 and found non-premium numbers I could call instead.