Do not like the way any answers is going at all

Do not like the way any answers is going at all

Didn't find your answer?

In recent months I am really disappointed with the way Any Answers in going. They are a very small number of people whose intention is to humiliate, embarrass, question the competence and in some cases embarrass the person so much that he/she stops contributing on AW. Could this be termed as cyber bullying?

I fail to understand why some will click a thread, read it and type something that is clearly intended to humiliate another person. This is leaving aside how people perceive things. I am not talking about disagreeing with people ideas and suggestions.

I think majority on AW are great. It always the very few who spoil it for others.

I think the thanks link is now used to form factions on a thread. This does not help. I am really pleased that AW did not go with the thumbs down idea.

I am not saying I am holier than thou. I give in at times when I get repeated insults.

Is it best to move on if there is nothing helpful to say on a thread?

It is such a shame the way things are going. I hope it changes.

Replies (97)

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By ShirleyM
16th Aug 2011 09:59

I'm still confused

This was not a very bright allegation to make as our client bank statement clearly shows the refund coming in, and 3 days later it being transferred to his bank account minus our fee.  

In the original thread, you said you had deducted his fee,

Never mind, Top Cat. I'm sure the courts will sort it out.

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Replying to Rebecca Cave:
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By User deleted
16th Aug 2011 10:39

Shirley,

ShirleyM wrote:

This was not a very bright allegation to make as our client bank statement clearly shows the refund coming in, and 3 days later it being transferred to his bank account minus our fee.  

In the original thread, you said you had deducted his fee,

Never mind, Top Cat. I'm sure the courts will sort it out.

I would imagine that was for the last year, the subsequent work on the s9 investigation, including that in discovering the prior year omission, would still need to be billed?

I like smillies, here's one I made earlier :oP

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Replying to Rebecca Cave:
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By Top_Cat
16th Aug 2011 12:45

Extras

ShirleyM wrote:

This was not a very bright allegation to make as our client bank statement clearly shows the refund coming in, and 3 days later it being transferred to his bank account minus our fee.  

In the original thread, you said you had deducted his fee,

Never mind, Top Cat. I'm sure the courts will sort it out.

 

 

Correct - but in the last 16 months further considerable fees have accrued.

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By User deleted
16th Aug 2011 10:06

Smileys

Could we have those smiley / angry etc faces as a feature AWeb? The Open University has them and it might make it more obvious when someone is making a joke rather than being insulting - after all its very easy to misinterpret a written comment but if there's a smiley face after it (or a grump) then people might think again about how the comment was originally meant...

If more people smiled the world would be a happier place....

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Replying to newmoon:
By ShirleyM
16th Aug 2011 10:21

Yes please AWeb

I would like smileys, too, the full works, with ones that have tears, scowls, blushes, big cheesy grins (sorry Becky, I forgot cheese was restricted to Time Out) .

Most forums have them these days. They do help to convey our feelings and prevent misunderstandings.

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By User deleted
16th Aug 2011 10:09

Wasn't that a book ...

Smiley's people :o)

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FT
By FirstTab
16th Aug 2011 10:31

No, no, no

Please no smileys. I have seen it used here and on OU where people are insulting then put a smiley as if that makes it acceptable.

I have had three years of it with OU. Really disliked them.

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By User deleted
16th Aug 2011 10:41

Yes! Yes! Yes! :)

But maybe the comments really are meant humorously (hence the smiley) and its just differing senses of humour?  

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By ShirleyM
16th Aug 2011 11:40

@OGA

Yes, that is one aspect I possibly overlooked, but I got the impression (maybe mistakenly) that the s9 investigation was a recent event, and the s9 services were not invoiced 16 or 18 months ago. (EDIT: I am astounded you allowed a debt to go unpaid for so long!)

I can be quite persistent with clients when I get conflicting information, so maybe it has become my second nature, and I am applying it here.

In my own defence, I did say to Top Cat 'never mind'. The courts will sort out any conflicts over incorrect claims for refunds or payments.

I guess you want me to shut up now, OGA, even though you like my smilies ;)

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By Mike Bassy
16th Aug 2011 10:57

[removed by mod]

[removed by mod - inflammatory]

 

 

 

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By User deleted
16th Aug 2011 12:26

@ Mike Bassy

[removed by mod - continuation of above]

 

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By petersaxton
16th Aug 2011 11:56

Upgrade

I'm surprised that the notifications of posting still take us to the start of threads rather than the posting it is notifying, I pointed out the improvement and thought it would be simple to implement given that the Group notifications are able to do it. I suppose we have to accept it as an example of "Broken Britain". I've just come back from Lloyds TSB bank and at 11 am every day their big screen shows "Good Afternoon". It's been like this for two years. If they can't get that right I don't suppose we should expect they are capable of getting anything right. Regarding the upgrade again, is the spell check still US English or UK English? I've done some tests but it's not giving errors for any of the words I have tested.

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By User deleted
16th Aug 2011 12:07

Shirley ...

You do me false again, I even posted some more tunes for you last night!

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By stephenkendrew
16th Aug 2011 12:12

just testing!!!

 

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By User deleted
16th Aug 2011 12:27

@ stephenkendrew

Now that's what I'm talking about!!!

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By Top_Cat
16th Aug 2011 12:52

V

I like the idea of smileys - but we need the full range - can we have one with a "Churchilian salute" ?

 

 

 

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By ShirleyM
16th Aug 2011 13:01

@OGA
Old Greying Acc... PM | Tue, 16/08/2011 - 12:07 | Permalink

You do me false again, I even posted some more tunes for you last night! 

Oops! I keep putting my foot in it. Have I always been so cack-handed, I wonder?

OGA - I am maybe a little too obtuse with my humour, so I will spell it out. I think you have the most wonderful sense of humour (although, like Nora Batty, I always suspect you are secretly criticising my wrinkled stockings!).

I am beginning to think you are picking on me, OGA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will it be duelling guns at dawn? Flash, will you be my second, please .... or would I be better off with Harry Potter and his wand ... or maybe Frodo or Gandalph .... as lead troll I should be able to call in a few favours  :)

EDIT: I'll play my sympathy card now ..... would you really shoot a cute little penguin ;)

 

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By User deleted
16th Aug 2011 13:23

@ Shirley

I'll be your second as long as you promise that I won't end up vomiting slugs like Ron Weasley! And I'll borrow Bilbo's ring & the invisibility cloak so we can disappear, sneak around behind him and then jump out and scare him :)

There'll be no penguin-shooting around here! No shooting of any little creatures at all in fact. Bigger 2-legged creatures I might allow......!

(Apologies for the 3 !s and the happy face)

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By PennyC
16th Aug 2011 13:32

Because it's slipped out of sight on to the first page

"Does your receptionist advise every caller that they are being recorded, or do you have an automated message for this?"

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By ShirleyM
16th Aug 2011 13:54

Top Cat & everyone else, too

I am interested, too.

Do most accountants record all calls? Should I be recording them, too, and how do you handle the filing, and accessing of these recorded calls?

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Replying to jaybee661:
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By Top_Cat
16th Aug 2011 15:12

Simples

ShirleyM wrote:

I am interested, too.

Do most accountants record all calls? Should I be recording them, too, and how do you handle the filing, and accessing of these recorded calls?

 

 

It is automated - recorded onto hard disk, at the end of each call we have the option to save or delete the call. 99% are of course deleted, but, many calls with HMRC where disputed issues have been discussed, and other assorted conversations are saved for use in case of dispute about what was said. We find it very useful although it does involve a bit of "housekeeping".

They are saved as MP3 files which works out at (very roughly) 1 Mb per minute so you can record about 1,000 minutes (16 hours) on a 1Tb hard drive  so storage is not a problem, we use a Buffalo's LinkStation Pro Quad with 20Tb of dedicated storage so we have never had any issues with storage.

Conversations that are saved are filed by client name & date.  If HMRC it is filed by client name_HMRC_date.

  with 20T

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Replying to John Stokdyk:
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By PennyC
16th Aug 2011 15:37

Are callers aware, though?

Top_Cat wrote:

 

It is automated - recorded onto hard disk,

That doesn't quite answer my question - I was asking if every caller (or indeed recipient of outgoing calls) is automatically (or otherwise) advised in advance that the conversation is being recorded?

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By petersaxton
16th Aug 2011 14:30

"Do most accountants record

"Do most accountants record all calls? Should I be recording them, too, and how do you handle the filing, and accessing of these recorded calls?"

I don't record calls but it's easy to have a system that does. There's no problem with filing and accessing calls. I would place the file in the client folder with the date and any other relevant information as the filename. It only takes a double click to hear the call.

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By User deleted
16th Aug 2011 14:33

Bloody northerners ...

... subtle as a brick as ever.

I think it is moi who is too obtuse I know you are joking Shirley, I am teasing you, and I'm blushing now - lol

As for shooting penguins, well, not quite but this is fun:

http://www.methodshop.com/games/play/yeti/yeti2.shtml 

 

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Replying to justsotax:
By ShirleyM
16th Aug 2011 15:35

OGA ... which just goes to show ......

Old Greying Accountant wrote:

... subtle as a brick as ever.

I think it is moi who is too obtuse I know you are joking Shirley, I am teasing you, and I'm blushing now - lol

As for shooting penguins, well, not quite but this is fun:

http://www.methodshop.com/games/play/yeti/yeti2.shtml 

 

We should have 'blushing' smilies :)

ps. I tend to use those quite a lot on internet games chat, because I'm always putting my foot in it!

pps. you can tease me all you like, because I quite like it too ... but I would be very upset if I upset you, and I would never deliberately upset you ... but I know I sometimes upset people ... ok - I'll shut up now ;)

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By User deleted
16th Aug 2011 14:52

stephenkendrew

Your massive smiley did make me laugh. Thanks

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By ShirleyM
16th Aug 2011 15:44

Oh - Top Cat - can I have more please?

I love gizmos and gadgets! I have a Buffalo Link Station (among other gizmos & gadgets).

Can I beg & steal a bit more info, please.

Do you use VoiP, or is it a phone system linked to your server? If it is VoiP, which provider do you use, or is a bolt on system?

I'm about to rehash our telecommunications ie. getting rid of current phone system which sends the calls through our file server to the PC's & I'm seriously considering VoiP. I want to get rid of our servers, and I think this is possible with VoiP.

EDIT: Sorry, Penny. I think I hijacked your question, but I would like to know how it works too.

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By Steve Holloway
16th Aug 2011 16:16

You lot are great!

I now imagine loads of accountants with whole walls full of revolving tapes like an MI5 film from the 60's! Doesn't anyone out there just sit by themselves with only a snoring lurcher or two for company? Last year it took me three months before I realised that my answer message was still saying I was on holiday .... sigh....

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By petersaxton
16th Aug 2011 16:23

Similar

"we use a Buffalo's LinkStation Pro Quad with 20Tb of dedicated storage so we have never had any issues with storage."

20Tb? I have the same box but mine only has 4 x 0.5Tb hard disks and I use RAID1 so I only store 1 Tb of data with the other 1 Tb being used to immediately back up the data.

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By Top_Cat
16th Aug 2011 16:29

How to

You need a voice capable modem card in your computer. The phone line is plugged into the card imput - cable from card output to phone.  There is plenty of suitable software out there - specify the drive to save to and you're away.

Get the right software and automated warnings etc can be set. It will also double up as an ansaphone (providng the computer is on).

This works with any landline system.

 

 

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By User deleted
16th Aug 2011 16:35

@ Steve

2 snoozing cats and a snoozing dog. But I do fancy the idea of a buffalo, provided he or she also liked an afternoon nap and didn't insist on hogging the sofa!

It's nice though how the rest get so excited over the technology - you can almost see their little faces lighting up (cue another smiley for the collection, with little fireworks exploding out of their heads) :)

Oh well, that's enough technical stuff from me. I need a nice cuppa & a flapjack after my power nap. (Still a bit bleary)

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By Top_Cat
16th Aug 2011 16:38

Peter

You're underusing it Peter - I believe, 30Tb is the maximum capacity it will handle.

 

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By ShirleyM
16th Aug 2011 16:52

Thanks Top Cat

I'm not sure that setup would work for us. We want comms over a network and not just a single PC.

I haven't done a lot of research (as yet) but there are some VoiP units you can plug into the router (or switch unit, can't remember which) and they work with, or without, a PC being switched on.

The big sticking point for me is retaining our current phone no. which is very easy to remember. I would also want to avoid the cost of redoing all our stationery, signage, etc.

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By Steve Holloway
16th Aug 2011 16:55

Mmmm ... flap jack!

Just about my favourite thing in the whole world. When I come across to your side once a week the highlight is the vast chocolate covered flap-jack sold on Wight-Link ferries. About 1000 calories ... and worth everyone of them!

What's the difference between and Buffalo and a Bison ?

You can't wash your hands in a Buffalo ... boom boom!!!

 

 

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By PennyC
16th Aug 2011 17:06

Oh well

Looks like I'm not going to get an answer to what I thought was a very straightforward question.

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Replying to Isla:
By gerrysims
16th Aug 2011 17:14

You know why

It's probably a case of 'pleading the 5th' Penny.

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Replying to Isla:
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By ACDWebb
16th Aug 2011 17:43

@PennyC

PennyC wrote:

Looks like I'm not going to get an answer to what I thought was a very straightforward question.

I believe the answer is that there is no need to advise callers that they are being recorded, it is just a courtesy. Mind you that is not what THIS seems to say or possibly THIS, so what do I know
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Replying to Isla:
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By Top_Cat
16th Aug 2011 18:16

Penny

PennyC wrote:

Looks like I'm not going to get an answer to what I thought was a very straightforward question.

 

Penny - as i SAID - it is set to automatically warn callers that their call may be recorded - the same is set for outgoing calls. 

 

QUOTE - Top_Cat PM | Tue, 16/08/2011 - 16:29 |

Get the right software and automated warnings etc can be set.

 

I do hate answering the same question twice.

 

 

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Replying to Richard Messik:
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By PennyC
16th Aug 2011 18:40

No need to shout

Top_Cat wrote:

PennyC wrote:

Looks like I'm not going to get an answer to what I thought was a very straightforward question.

 

Penny - as i SAID - it is set to automatically warn callers that their call may be recorded - the same is set for outgoing calls. 

 

QUOTE - Top_Cat PM | Tue, 16/08/2011 - 16:29 |

Get the right software and automated warnings etc can be set.

 

I do hate answering the same question twice.

Thank you for now answering my question, it is appreciated. But at risk of my being called pedantic, you have in fact answered the question only once. There is a world of difference between stating that if you get the right software, automated warnings can be set, and actually buying and implementing it. All I wanted to know is whether you had in fact done so, which you have now confiirmed. Again, thank you.

But I'm now curious as to how the warning applies to outgoing calls. Are you telling me that if you were to call me, the first thing I would hear is an automated voice telling me the call may be recorded? If so, there's a fair chance I would hang up immediately.

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By Top_Cat
16th Aug 2011 19:02

Not a problem

It can be turned on or off - off if calling a client, on if we feel the call should be recorded.

There is no need to warn HMRC as they know that all calls to them are recorded by their own system (the one they will deny exists if it doesnt suit them to disclose it).  If a party knows that a call is or may be recorded by one party (HMRC themselves) there is no requirement to warn them that the other party may also be recording it.

 

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By ShirleyM
16th Aug 2011 19:13

I'm going to start a new thread on this

I am curious as to how it may affect the relationship with clients.

Also ... I haven't any use for my Buffalo Link Station. I bought it to put Dropbox on it, so I could get rid of my servers, and realised (too late) that you can't use a NAS drive for Dropbox!

Anyone want a cheap Link Station? Original packaging, still under guarantee, and unused!

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By Top_Cat
16th Aug 2011 19:17

It doesnt
 ShirleyM PM | Tue, 16/08/2011 - 19:13

I am curious as to how it may affect the relationship with clients.

 

 

I think nowdays people are so used to a message saying their calls may be recorded that they take no notice of it.

 

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By User deleted
16th Aug 2011 19:28

Buffalo Link Station

I'll have the buffalo but does it really need its own station to link with other buffalo? I'd be happy to give it access to email and the phone. I don't think there's really room in the back garden for a station and I'm sure the neighbours would object.....

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Replying to kathik123:
By ShirleyM
16th Aug 2011 19:35

@Flash

It doesn't each much. It just needs a little juice to keep it going :)

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By User deleted
16th Aug 2011 19:43

Buffalo dietary requirements

I can do it orange squash but alas I've drunk all the juice :) The grass is nice and long though if it would like a snack & to do me a favour at the same time....

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Replying to DanielMurray:
By ShirleyM
16th Aug 2011 20:11

I'll have to find a use for it, Flash

It will get fat & lazy if I don't give it some work to do.

I have thought about using it for historical backups of Dropbox. Currently, I pay the extra fee on Dropbox for permanent retention of older versions, and deleted, files, but I wouldn't have bought the Buffalo for that purpose alone, as the Dropbox fee is so small.

I could put my CD's and DVD's on it, and I have loads of downloaded films (paid for, and legal) in Dropbox that don't really need realtime backup, but not sure I want to spend hours & hours loading it all on.

I guess it's going to get fat & lazy, unless I can find a new home for it.

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By petersaxton
17th Aug 2011 03:12

The OP should make up his mind

 

FirstTab complains about other people’s posts in his original post. Yet when people complain about what he does he simply says:

“If people do not like posts or find them annoying- just don't read them. Move on would be the best thing to do.”

In another post he says it his right to decide what to post and he should be able to ignore people when they are trying to help him.

It seems really hypocritical to make the above comments. He is saying that he should be allowed to do what he wants yet at the same time he is complaining about what other people do.

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