Remove Duplicates From Rdio Playlists

This has driven me nuts ever since I started using Rdio (sign up using this link to support me). I like to listen to other peoples playlists to find new music and if I hear something I like I add the track to my "favorites" playlist. Unfortunately Rdio lets you add the same song multiple times to the same playlist and there isn't an easy way to find and remove duplicates so I end up with Ice Cube's Check Yo Self in my favorites 5 times.

Here's my solution.
1) Install this bookmarklet by dragging it to your bookmarks or right clicking and selecting "add to bookmarks"
2) Browse to the playlist you want to cleanup in Rdio
3) Run the bookmarklet.

If you're interested in other Rdio hacks be sure to checkout my Rdio remote control PartyQ

Roku Support 2011 Bug

This is the fun chat I had with Roku support today. To be fair this was an honest mistake and totally excusable, but what I'm not impressed with is the reason I had to contact them in the first place. I bought 2 Rokus as gifts last year. My sister's Roku had an issue and she contacted their support. They determined it needed to be replaced but they needed proof of purchase which means I had to contact them. Grrr. When I called they only offered a fax number to fax the email receipt from Amazon. I was finally able to get an email from Tom, but after forwarding the receipt they want me to call back later to confirm they got it and to proceed with the RMA. So I have to contact them 3 times to RMA a gift. Kill Me.

How Not to Implement Unsubscribe

UPDATE 10/14/2010 11:55 AM CST: SpeakerRate may not have done the unsubscribe correctly. But they know customer service. Thanks guys!
http://twitter.com/#!/speakerrate/status/27356776561

This is just plain unacceptable. I rated one speaker and used my email address to do so. I get a newsletter from SpeakerRate the next day which is fine because I planned to just click the Unsubscribe link at the bottom. Here's what I was presented with:

Do you really think I want to create an account?

Comcast EcoBill Eco Sucks

If you're a Comcast Business customer make sure you write down your account number before signing up for EcoBill otherwise Comcast won't help you. I tried to add Basic TV to my Internet service and first the customer service rep says I can't have business TV since my business is a "residence" so she transfers me to Residential Service where I wait on hold for 10-15 minutes before being told they can't do anything for me since I'm a business customer and they transfer me back to the SAME WOMAN! This time I say the business service is at a "business" so I get to the "next level" in their little game. Now she needs my account number or she can't help me. I ask where to find it and she says on the statement. I get electronic EcoBill statements and guess what? No account number. I searched for Comcast emails and every time I found my account number the beginning is "starred out". So tell me again A) how EcoBill saves me time and money? B) why the hell do I do business with this company? It's rumored you can save time and money by figuring out where the notch filter is for your service and removing it yourself.

UPDATE: Received a call back from my original Sales Rep after shooting him an email about my experience. This is what customer service is supposed to be. He took the time to explain there are some licensing issues with Business Class TV in a residence, etc. So I do indeed need to setup Residential TV Service but the rate should be the same as the one packaged with Business Internet.
2 Tips:

1. Basic Analog Cable does exist even though I can't find it on their web page
2. Call after 10pm to avoid commissioned sales reps

Printers Suck

Tried to install a consumer, all-in-one printer for the first time in a loooonnnnggggg time tonight. All I can say is WOW! Are we moving backwards in regards to easy of use? How would someone who is not in IT ever use this thing? The printer is a HP C4580 and I'm running Windows 7 Enterprise. What a disaster install. First attempt a "fatal error" happened during the installation itself, but it "found a solution" or at least that's the lie it wanted to stick to. After I finally got the computer to connect to the printer over WiFi, I tried to launch "Solution Center" and it came up with another error and would not launch. Tried to re-run the installer like it suggested and the only option presented was to uninstall which sounded like a great idea to me! The funnest part of the process were the no-warning reboots HP decided to include with the installer. Nothing like hitting Ok and then watching all your windows close.

There is a reason I hate hard copy and avoid printing documents and it's name is HP (printers). I've hated printers ever since I stared using computers and my hatred is completely renewed for at least another 5.

Better go. I have one more program to uninstall (why it left one behind after saying it would uninstall "everything" is beyond me) which I'm guessing will cause a reboot so better publish now. Way to go HP! You suck!

Message to Apple: Enough with the Terms of Service!!!

Every other time I open iTunes I have to accept a new Terms of Service. WTF? Not only does it do it every time it installs one of its frequent software updates, but when I go to update the Apps on my iPhone I get another one for the iTunes Store in the middle of trying to update my apps. And then when you accept you have to go back and re-request the app updates. Why do I buy stuff from this company? And while I'm on the topic why do I have to reboot my computer to update iTunes? It should not be installing low level drivers but apparently it does because my DVD/CD Drive under Windows 7 disappeared one day. Go here for more info:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2615

Either Apple is losing it or all the hype they get for such a great user experience is completely undeserved.