The Clan Lord Sentinel

Alright, I know this has been mentioned before, but I find it absolutely ridiculous that it hasn't been implented yet. Why the hell isn't there a webpage or an automated phone system for ordering more time for characters? There's a call center at Delta Tao for ordering software, I know this, I've called it before accidently for trying to order more time. Why can't at least these people have the power to renew accounts/order time for existing accounts? As far as I know, there are only 2 people at DT authorized to do this request (Joe and Nancy), and if they're on vacation or busy elsewhere, you're fucked. Granted I could wait a day or two, which even that is ridiculous, but sometimes it takes alot longer. Nancy is usually fairly good about getting back to you, within a day or two, but again, if she's on vacation or business elsewhere, there's nothing you can do. What they do is none of my business, I shouldn't need to be given an excuse just to give them business. Over the telephone I have been told quote "We are happy to get your money any way we can." Well why the fuck can't I give you money and get my damn business done instantaneously. At this current time, I have been waiting over a week for a phone reply or an e-mail response from Joe or Nancy, where I've left them both numerous requests for an account renewal. I am guessing maybe it has something to do with the 4th of July, but I still find it ridiculous. Why has nothing been done about this huge problem, when DT is so eager for business? Is it so hard to implement a webpage for ordering?

Suu'ub wrote:Is it so hard to implement a webpage for ordering?

Yes, it's hard.

You need an ordering system (not tooooo hard.) You need a connection to a credit card company with encryption (harder.) You need an accounts database (not too hard) that communicates and syncs with the Clan Lord account "database". This last one has taken lots of effort and resources.

All the while, you need logging, encryption, and periodic audits while dealing with repeated attacks on the CL server. (BTW, some people aren't too smart here.)

So, yes, I and a helper are diligently working on it. But, no, it's not ready. But, progress is being made. My first order of business is getting to a point where Nancy does all her work from the new system. That way, all the databases are in sync for the next step - allowing users to modify things.

How about those people at the call center who, when I called and asked to order more time for a clan lord account, had *absolutely* no idea what I was talking about. Can't this person/these people be trained to do this?

OK, it is hard to make this system and you are working on it, but isn't there something else in the meantime? Joe and Nancy are evidently very busy. That's none of my business. I just feel I shouldn't have to beg, plead, and wait an undertimined amount of days to have you take my money for Clan Lord.

...and after numerous attempts to reconcile his playtime and real life, Su'uub decided the best thing to do was post a message on the sentinel. And thus the greatest joke ever was born:

"Take my money. Please?"

Suu'ub wrote:I just feel I shouldn't have to beg, plead, and wait an undertimined amount of days to have you take my money for Clan Lord.

I agree! I'll send an email to Joe.

For the record, I promise to give you no hassle if you want to give me money. (Okay, maybe it's poor timing for a joke....)

Theoretically, if you send an email to joe@deltatao.com, I get it and respond, usually promptly. (Though often my response is that I'm clueless and can't do anything.)

In practice, however, my spam filter is hyper-aggressive. Since I've had the same email address since, oh, 1996 or so, I get a lot of spam. With no filters, something like 6,000 per day. Ouch! So I try to tune mine so it kills 99% of it, leaving about 60 spams per day.

Alas, this also ends up killing a few legitimate emails. I figure it's probably not as many as I'd accidentally kill if I had to manually sift through 6000 spams a day.

Just letting you know: Just because I seem to ignore you doesn't mean I hate you.

Only reason I cause a fuss is because I feel I've exhausted every method to get this done and all have failed. Mailed joe@admin and joe@deltatao with subjects of "Time ordering" and "Account renewal." I have no idea what other subject I could use to have it not eliminated by spam.

Alright, sent a mail to Joe@deltatao.com with the label "I love Joe." Lets see if that works...

Joedelta wrote:Theoretically, if you send an email to joe@deltatao.com, I get it and respond, usually promptly. (Though often my response is that I'm clueless and can't do anything.)

In practice, however, my spam filter is hyper-aggressive. Since I've had the same email address since, oh, 1996 or so, I get a lot of spam. With no filters, something like 6,000 per day. Ouch! So I try to tune mine so it kills 99% of it, leaving about 60 spams per day.

Alas, this also ends up killing a few legitimate emails. I figure it's probably not as many as I'd accidentally kill if I had to manually sift through 6000 spams a day.

Just letting you know: Just because I seem to ignore you doesn't mean I hate you.

I can understand Joe's problems with spam....

BUT this is now a problem for all of us who play. Using the same old e-mail address with hyper-sensative spam filtering is keeping some people from getting their accounts renewed in a timely fashion. This annoys people who want to give DT money. Here is a potential short-term solution until you get automated ordering up and running:

Create a new e-mail address ONLY for account renewal. Do not put this address on any web pages. Have the ONLY place it appears be within the clanlord application - have it appear in the right-hand column in a red system message when an account is about to expire or when someone tries to log into an expired account - something like: "Your Clanlord account has or is about to expire. You can renew by sending email to: bugjoeaboutaccountrenewal@clanlord.com" and also tell people what info they need to send to renew. If spam-bots get the email address somehow, you can change it quickly.

Joedelta wrote: In practice, however, my spam filter is hyper-aggressive. Since I've had the same email address since, oh, 1996 or so, I get a lot of spam. With no filters, something like 6,000 per day. Ouch! So I try to tune mine so it kills 99% of it, leaving about 60 spams per day.

OUCH, indeed.

OTOH, I find it rather funny what we wannabe-payers have to do to get a payment through to you guys Made me even happy when you quoted 2 credit cards in the end, for the same account, and the same period. Rather I pay twice than not at all, eh

Anyway, would a temporary solution be, that you get another email adress just for payments? Maybe top secret, given out only in the member login area (if that is safe from prying eyes).

Joedelta wrote:In practice, however, my spam filter is hyper-aggressive. Since I've had the same email address since, oh, 1996 or so, I get a lot of spam. With no filters, something like 6,000 per day. Ouch! So I try to tune mine so it kills 99% of it, leaving about 60 spams per day.

Joe,
Would you be able to tell us a way to get through your filter? Like putting "CL:" or "Clan Lord" in the subject? Even if you somehow get spam (besides Suu'ub's) which references CL, there must be something that would work.

Crunch wrote:

Joedelta wrote:In practice, however, my spam filter is hyper-aggressive. Since I've had the same email address since, oh, 1996 or so, I get a lot of spam. With no filters, something like 6,000 per day. Ouch! So I try to tune mine so it kills 99% of it, leaving about 60 spams per day.

Joe,
Would you be able to tell us a way to get through your filter? Like putting "CL:" or "Clan Lord" in the subject? Even if you somehow get spam (besides Suu'ub's) which references CL, there must be something that would work.

Yes I second that, I've sent you 2 emails about my account and also at accounts at admin dot clanlord dot com (and nancy's but that one bounced) and no result.

Give us a keyword that passes through your spam filter please!

Did you try sending an e-mail to nancyatdeltatao.com? That's the one she answered me with.

Suu'ub wrote:Alright, sent a mail to Joe@deltatao.com with the label "I love Joe." Lets see if that works...

Try using the subject "Affordable pharmaceuticals".

Phineas wrote:

Suu'ub wrote:Alright, sent a mail to Joe@deltatao.com with the label "I love Joe." Lets see if that works...

Try using the subject "Affordable pharmaceuticals".

No no no... I has to be

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