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	<title>Note to Self &#187; Life outside work</title>
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	<link>http://notetoself.vrensk.com</link>
	<description>lest I forget</description>
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		<title>UX challenge: Sending a letter to Sweden from Spain with Tarifa A</title>
		<link>http://notetoself.vrensk.com/2016/02/ux-challenge-sending-a-letter-to-sweden-from-spain-with-tarifa-a/</link>
		<comments>http://notetoself.vrensk.com/2016/02/ux-challenge-sending-a-letter-to-sweden-from-spain-with-tarifa-a/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 25 Feb 2016 17:59:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David Vrensk</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Life outside work]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[User experience]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notetoself.vrensk.com/?p=99</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;d better put it in Spanish too: Como enviar una carta desde España a Suecia usando sellos &#8220;Tarifa A&#8221;. Spanish &#8220;Tarifa A&#8221; stamps don&#8217;t have a printed value. Instead their value is whatever the cost is to send a normal 20g letter within the Iberian peninsula. So in order to send a letter, one has [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;d better put it in Spanish too: Como enviar una carta desde España a Suecia usando sellos &#8220;Tarifa A&#8221;.<br />
Spanish &#8220;Tarifa A&#8221; stamps don&#8217;t have a printed value. Instead their value is whatever the cost is to send a normal 20g letter within the Iberian peninsula. So in order to send a letter, one has to perform a three-step process at <a href="http://www.correos.es/" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.correos.es/?referer=http%3A%2F%2Fnotetoself.vrensk.com%2Fcategory%2Flife-outside-work%2Ffeed');">www.correos.es</a>:</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="line-height: 13px;">Click &#8220;Enviar Documentos&#8221; and then &#8220;Calculador de tarifas&#8221; and select &#8220;Enviar Documentos&#8221;.  In the form that loads,</span>
<ul>
<li><span style="line-height: 13px;">select &#8220;Carta y tarjeta postal internacional&#8221;, enter the weight (10g in my case),</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 13px;">do NOT tick &#8220;Normalizado&#8221; after doing some math: a C5 envelope is made for an A4 sheet (which I happen to know is 210&#215;297 mm) folded in half, which should give 210&#215;149, which does not fit in either &#8220;14&#215;9 cm. y 23,5&#215;12 cm&#8221;</span></li>
<li>select Destino: Suecia</li>
<li>wonder why there are two places where you pick origin, and leave both on &#8220;Península y Baleares&#8221;</li>
<li>click &#8220;Obtenga su tarifa&#8221;</li>
<li>write down &#8220;1,55&#8243; somewhere and assume that it is Euros.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><span style="line-height: 13px;">Enter &#8220;cuanto vale un sello tarifa A&#8221; in the search box.  This gives the helpful answer &#8220;El valor de un sello con la tarifa A, es el de la tarifa de una carta con origen y destino dentro de España, cuyo peso sea igual o inferior a 20 gramos de peso y sus dimensiones sean normalizadas&#8221;.</span></li>
<li>Find your way back to the calculator, and this time pick
<ul>
<li>Carta y tarjeta postal nacional</li>
<li>20 g</li>
<li>&#8220;Normalizado&#8221;</li>
<li>Click, tadaa: 0,45.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Now we have all the data and all that is left is the calculation: 1,55/0,45 = 3,444444444, so no less than 4 stamps.  OK.</p>
<p>Redoing the calculation for a &#8220;normal&#8221; (C65?) envelope gives a price of 1.15 which is 2,555555556 stamps.</p>
<p><strong>Update 2016-03-11:</strong> Finding the value of an <em>A2</em> stamp is nigh impossible, but my best guess is that it&#8217;s worth 0,57€.  The guess is based on an <a href="http://www.elcorreogallego.es/tendencias/ecg/nuevos-sellos-felipe-vi-muestran-su-valor-letras-vez-euros/idEdicion-2016-01-05/idNoticia-973016/" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.elcorreogallego.es/tendencias/ecg/nuevos-sellos-felipe-vi-muestran-su-valor-letras-vez-euros/idEdicion-2016-01-05/idNoticia-973016/?referer=http%3A%2F%2Fnotetoself.vrensk.com%2Fcategory%2Flife-outside-work%2Ffeed');">article published by Correos Gallego</a>.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>FedEx needs help</title>
		<link>http://notetoself.vrensk.com/2011/01/fedex-needs-help/</link>
		<comments>http://notetoself.vrensk.com/2011/01/fedex-needs-help/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:19:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David Vrensk</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Life outside work]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[User experience]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fail]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FedEx]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ux]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notetoself.vrensk.com/?p=81</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I can&#8217;t pass up an opportunity like this, it&#8217;s just too bad.  I just got an SMS from FedEx.  The message says that they have a parcel for me and that I should call for delivery.  The message starts with something I can only assume is a parcel number, or whatever they prefer to call [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I can&#8217;t pass up an opportunity like this, it&#8217;s just too bad.  I just got an SMS from FedEx.  The message says that they have a parcel for me and that I should call for delivery.  The message starts with something I can only assume is a parcel number, or whatever they prefer to call it, consisting of three letters and twelve digits.  Here&#8217;s what happens:</p>
<ol>
<li>I press the phone number in the message and my phone dials it.  The machine in the other end asks me to pick a language.  I pick the first one, which is Swedish.  TMITOE says that the office is closed, and that I can press 1 to arrange a pick-up or get tracking information.  No other alternatives, no opening hours, the message just repeats.  #FAIL</li>
<li>I enter fedex.com in my web browser.  I get a big honking box with the word &#8220;Flash&#8221; in it (I run ClickToFlash).  There is nothing to interact with outside the flash box.  #FAIL</li>
<li>I go to fedex.se which redirects to fedex.com/se.  The menus read (in translation) Send, Track, Account Mgt, Customs Tools.  I suppose that Track is the option that is least remotely connected to Deliver, which is what I want them to do.  I pull down the menu only to discover that there are two tracking options: Track with tracking number, and Track with reference number.  What&#8217;s the difference?  What do I have?  I pick the first one and enter the long string of letters and numbers from the SMS and press &#8220;Track&#8221;.  The site tells me the number is invalid and tells me to check it (it is exactly as in the SMS).  No clues are provided. #FAIL</li>
<li>I pick the second option, Track with reference number.  I enter the same number (copy, paste) and my country and postal code.  No hits.  #FAIL</li>
<li>I redial the number in the SMS but this time I pick English.  TMITOE tells me that the office is closed, and that the opening hours are 8 am to 7 pm.  It&#8217;s 6.30 pm.  #FAIL</li>
<li>On a whim I go back to the web site and enter <em>just the digits</em> from the tracking number. Ta-daa!  Detailed information about my parcel, which apparently is in Paris.  There is a form that I can use to add email addresses.  One is labeled &#8220;From&#8221;, one &#8220;To&#8221; and there are three more without labels.  Reading the help texts (by hovering over little question marks) I get the impression that I can register email addresses to get automatic delivery notification, or an email if something gets stuck in customs.  There is nothing to even hint that I should get in touch with them about my delivery.  #FAIL</li>
<li>I call back to TMITOE and press 1 for Swedish, 1 (the only option) for pickup-or-tracking, and 2 to &#8220;display (!) tracking information&#8221;.  I enter the tracking number.  TMITOE thinks a bit and then tells me that the parcel has been picked up by a courier, and to press if I want more information.  There&#8217;s no typo there; it didn&#8217;t tell me what to press, just to press.  #FAIL</li>
<li>I redial and redo it in English.  &#8221;The package has been picked up by a courier.&#8221;  Oh, press *0 for assistance!  All their lines are busy.  I wait.  I wonder if I keep my position in the queue.  I wonder how many clerks are working hard to get down to my call.  Actually, I don&#8217;t need to know the exact number, I&#8217;d just like to know that there will be someone there eventually, especially considering that their office might be closed.  After just six minutes, I get a ring tone.  And then I&#8217;m disconnected. #FAIL</li>
<li>I&#8217;m going to use the form for registering email addresses and see if I can get a message through.  I&#8217;ll send them a link to this note.  I&#8217;ll keep you posted. #JURYSTILLOUT</li>
</ol>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Gueuze Fond Tradition</title>
		<link>http://notetoself.vrensk.com/2009/08/gueuze-fond-tradition/</link>
		<comments>http://notetoself.vrensk.com/2009/08/gueuze-fond-tradition/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:34:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David Vrensk</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Life outside work]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beer]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notetoself.vrensk.com/?p=56</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[After last week&#8217;s got.rb meeting we went out to grab a beer and continue our geeky discussions.  I just want to make a note to myself that the wonderful beer I had (after CJ refused it) was a Gueuze Fond Tradition from Belgium.  It&#8217;s not available at Systembolaget, much like this summer&#8217;s first favourite, Gjutarns [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/212/5212" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/212/5212?referer=http%3A%2F%2Fnotetoself.vrensk.com%2Fcategory%2Flife-outside-work%2Ffeed');"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-57" title="picture-3" src="http://notetoself.vrensk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/picture-3.png" alt="" width="95" height="277" /></a>After last week&#8217;s <a href="http://gotrb.org/calendar/10914739/" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/gotrb.org/calendar/10914739/?referer=http%3A%2F%2Fnotetoself.vrensk.com%2Fcategory%2Flife-outside-work%2Ffeed');">got.rb meeting</a> we went out to <a href="http://www.restaurangguiden.com/gbg/centrum/delirium/omossRG.aspx" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.restaurangguiden.com/gbg/centrum/delirium/omossRG.aspx?referer=http%3A%2F%2Fnotetoself.vrensk.com%2Fcategory%2Flife-outside-work%2Ffeed');">grab a beer</a> and continue our geeky discussions.  I just want to make a note to myself that the wonderful beer I had (after CJ refused it) was a <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/212/5212" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/212/5212?referer=http%3A%2F%2Fnotetoself.vrensk.com%2Fcategory%2Flife-outside-work%2Ffeed');">Gueuze Fond Tradition</a> from Belgium.  It&#8217;s not available at Systembolaget, much like this summer&#8217;s first favourite, <a href="http://skebobruksbryggeri.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=1971-03-14T00%3A00%3A00%2B01%3A00&amp;updated-max=1971-03-18T00%3A00%3A00%2B01%3A00&amp;max-results=1" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/skebobruksbryggeri.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=1971-03-14T00_3A00_3A00_2B01_3A00_amp_updated-max=1971-03-18T00_3A00_3A00_2B01_3A00_amp_max-results=1&amp;referer=http%3A%2F%2Fnotetoself.vrensk.com%2Fcategory%2Flife-outside-work%2Ffeed');">Gjutarns Bästa Bitter</a> (et al.) from Skebo Bruksbryggeri.  Note within note: according to the <a href="http://skebobruksbryggeri.blogspot.com/1971_06_01_archive.html" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/skebobruksbryggeri.blogspot.com/1971_06_01_archive.html?referer=http%3A%2F%2Fnotetoself.vrensk.com%2Fcategory%2Flife-outside-work%2Ffeed');">homepage</a>, Skebo&#8217;s beers should be available at Delirium and <a href="http://www.bishopsarms.com/" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.bishopsarms.com/?referer=http%3A%2F%2Fnotetoself.vrensk.com%2Fcategory%2Flife-outside-work%2Ffeed');">three</a> <a href="http://www.hitta.se/ViewDetailsPink.aspx?vkiid=zVaMLGX1RdJeoW63V%20r9gw==&amp;vad=Plain+Kitchen+and+Sports+Bar" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.hitta.se/ViewDetailsPink.aspx?vkiid=zVaMLGX1RdJeoW63V_20r9gw==_amp_vad=Plain+Kitchen+and+Sports+Bar&amp;referer=http%3A%2F%2Fnotetoself.vrensk.com%2Fcategory%2Flife-outside-work%2Ffeed');">more</a> <a href="http://www.therover.se/" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.therover.se/?referer=http%3A%2F%2Fnotetoself.vrensk.com%2Fcategory%2Flife-outside-work%2Ffeed');">venues</a> in Gothenburg!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>It&#8217;s fun to thrash bikes</title>
		<link>http://notetoself.vrensk.com/2008/10/its-fun-to-thrash-bikes/</link>
		<comments>http://notetoself.vrensk.com/2008/10/its-fun-to-thrash-bikes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:10:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David Vrensk</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Life outside work]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bike]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pleasure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[saving money]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notetoself.vrensk.com/?p=34</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Note to self: don&#8217;t leave your bike parked downtown (or indeed on public streets) over the night.  Apparently there is a great deal of pleasure to be had by thrashing other people&#8217;s bicycles.  And while I take pleasure from seeing my fellow man enjoying himself, I cannot really afford to sponsor it any more. I [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Note to self: don&#8217;t leave your bike parked downtown (or indeed on public streets) over the night.  Apparently there is a great deal of pleasure to be had by thrashing other people&#8217;s bicycles.  And while I take pleasure from seeing my fellow man enjoying himself, I cannot really afford to sponsor it any more.</p>
<p>I parked my bike on Magasinsgatan last night in order to watch <a href="http://www.korenrabalder.se/" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.korenrabalder.se/?referer=http%3A%2F%2Fnotetoself.vrensk.com%2Fcategory%2Flife-outside-work%2Ffeed');">Rabalder</a> perform Requiem. (The concert was a treat in a way that would have made Mozart green with envy.  He would have died to have electric guitars in his setting!)  After the concert, I left the bike there and chose to walk to the next event (this being <a href="http://www.kulturnatta.goteborg.se/" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.kulturnatta.goteborg.se/?referer=http%3A%2F%2Fnotetoself.vrensk.com%2Fcategory%2Flife-outside-work%2Ffeed');">Kulturnatta</a>) together with friends.  I live three blocks away and planned to pick up the bike on my way home.  Of course, I pride myself by not living by plans, and when picking up the bike on the way home turned out to be a six block detour, I decided to leave it for today.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ll have to walk more than six blocks to the bike shop to have the three kicked-off spokes replaced, though.  Hopefully it will be cheaper than having the front wheel replaced, like last time, or replacing the night lights the time before that.</p>
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