Where is Darran?

Thanks to the wonderful people at NetQoS (who look out for me even though I jumped ship), I now have a job playing with NetQoS products in Australia. I started with Global Asset Systems on the 20th of May. Since then, I have helped provide support both virtually and in person, write up data reviews, provide input on product configurations to troubleshoot performance issues, and prepare product presentations for clients. It has been a substantial change from the lifestyle of the last 10 months. The contrast between both lifestyles has provided a great perspective of what both have to offer. I am also in a different role than what I was previously in. I enjoy the increased client interaction in the new role and the challenges that come when working in an environment in which the product is out in the wild and not in a lab. I also like the excitement that comes with being involved in the sales process.

New Zealand residence is coming closer. I have now collected all the documents to send in a complete application. I was given a pleasant surprise by New Zealand immigration yesterday. I was invited to come to New Zealand and meet with an Immigration Officer to have my application fast tracked. I’ll be flying to Auckland next weekend and meeting with the Officer on Monday the 8th of June. It will be my first time to set foot in New Zealand. Beautiful.

On another note, I have updated the Travel Log. It crashed again and I transferred the recovered data to Google Docs. It is easier me for update the Travel Log in Google Docs and the page loads faster now. The spacing has gone crazy, but it makes the log easier to read.

Note: I eventually got a brand new Nokia 5800 replacement. Due to time constraints, I have not outlined the entire process. However, some of my experience is documented below. If you have any questions, feel free to post a comment or e-mail me.

It all began with the desire to experience the Nokia 5800. After months of reading about the 5800 online, I decided I should save some time and purchase one. I looked at Brick and Mortar shops, Australian online stores, Amazon.com and eBay. After about a week of contemplating over the appropriate channel to purchase the phone, the decision to purchase the Nokia 5800 on eBay was the result. I reviewed the sellers and decided upon 7272wil. Image purchase below

Bank Deposit from my bank to 7272wil:

Despite selling Hong Kong phones and the difficulties with warranties surrounding HK phones, I felt comfortable ordering from 7272wil because his ad stated the following twice:

“We offer 1 year Australia local warranty:

Should your product experience problems, you no longer have to send it long way back to overseas with high postage cost and reduce risks item lost during transit but to our local office (not service agent) in Australia.”

Can be seen here:

and here:

The ad also states that the phone would come with a screen protector from Japan and it did not.

After three very exciting and enjoyable weeks of use, I bricked the 5800 while plugging it into a USB port. Prior to this, the phone was getting flaky with recognizing files in Explorer/Nautilus on the SD card when plugged in via USB. COMPLETELY BRICKED. Nothing will make this phone respond. It won’t even power on.

I decided I would e-mail 7272wil to RMA the phone.

NO response. OK. Maybe he didn’t get the first message for some reason. A few days later, I messaged him again:

A couple days went by and my friend suggested that I open up an eBay dispute. So I did. What do you know? Suprise! 7272wil had been ignoring my messages.

7272wil responds to tell me to send my phone to Nokia. This is COMPLETELY different and in conflict with what and how his ad stated returns would be handled. I have tried to contact him twice since his initial response and he has remained quiet.

7272wil: I have a $500 phone purchased from you. You stated in your ad that you would locally assist with the warranty. The ball is in your court.

-darranx18ew

I continued to message 7272wil using the eBay Resolution Centre and informed him of the post I had made on this blog (everything prior to this).

It must be good.

The light from the buttons on the Nokia 5800 can be distracting when watching movies. Fortunately, it is easy to turn off these buttons using a program called LightCtrl.

Step 1

Download LightCtrl here.

Step 2

The program is unsigned. You must get it signed to install it. You will need your IMEI to do this.

Find your IMEI by typing *#06# on the touch keypad of the Nokia 5800.

Using your IMEI, visit SymbianSigned.com and get LightCtrl signed.

Step 3

Transfer the signed LightCtrl file to your Nokia 5800.

Step 4

Using the File Manager(Applications->File Manager), browse to the location of the LightCtrl file and install it.

Step 5

Once installed, open the application and set the Primary Keyboard setting to “Light off”. DONE! In addition, I set the Primary Screen setting to “Control by System”.

Please take some time for some food for thought and see The Story of Stuff.