Chatting with Norton

 

When paying my bills for this month, I noticed a post on my credit card bill that I did not recognise. It seemed to be an automatic renewal of a subscription for anti-virus software that I had on my old laptop, which I got rid of (scrapped) last spring. I never moved that over to my new laptop since my IT guru (also known as my brother) assured me that the protection I needed was included in Windows. And I knew I had cancelled that subscription, because I had just recently been receiving emails from Norton, first to remind me that it was about to expire, and then that it had expired. - So what on earth was this about??

Logging into my account, I found to my surprise that besides the expired subscription, I seemed to have another one, which had been auto-renewed without any emails to notify me about that.  I can only assume that this one must somehow have been included in the purchase of my new laptop, even though I never downloaded and used it. In spite of that, it had now been auto-renewed for another year - at a cost of around $45 (£36). 

I probably spent at least another hour that evening just trying to figure out how to cancel that subscription as well. After having (hopefully) managed that part, I gave up for the evening.

Today I resumed my quest, to see if I might even manage to get a refund of the payment already made. I found some info to indicate that this might be possible, as it was less than 60 days time since the payment was made. However, I found their whole website totally confusing. I was looking for a way to get in touch with their support, but all links seemed to just have me going round in circles. They kept referring to their "chat", but there seemed to be no links actually leading there. I still can't retrace how or where, but after about two hours of increasingly desperate searching, I suddenly happened to find it after all...

Below is a summary of what followed - I copied it all to a text document before I closed, partly for documentation, but also because in the midst of my frustration I found the chat itself rather fascinating. (I'm still not convinced that person No 2 was a real human either. Just in case she was, though, I'm omitting that name below, and just calling her "A---". )

 The whole chat lasted about 25 minutes from start to end.

N: You are now connected with Norton Support. Hello! My name is Kate and I am a virtual assistant for Norton. In a few words, please tell me how I can assist you

Me: I just detected that I had an automatic renewal of a subscription that I did not know that I had, and that I have never used. I have ended it but I want a refund

Kate: I was able to locate your account. I need to authenticate you using a verification code. --- I've emailed you the 6 digit PIN. --- You've been successfully authenticated.
As a virtual assistant I am only able to offer limited assistance. One of our agents will be able to assist you with your refund request. Please wait while I connect you with an agent to assist you with your refund request. Your estimated wait time is less than 5 minutes. ---
We are connecting you with a human agent

A--- just joined the conversation
You are now connected with A---

A: Welcome to Customer Support for Norton and LifeLock products . My name is A---. I would like to apologize for the long wait time you had to experience. We are receiving a high number of chats at the moment and we are working on reducing the queue time as soon as possible.

Me: I recently found I had been billed for a renewal of a subscription I did not know that I had, and have never used. I have ended it but I want a refund.

A: Hello, Thank you so much for your patience. How are you doing today?
Please be rest assured I will surely help you with the cancellation and refund. [silence]

Me: Yes?

A: Please take note of case number xxxxxxxx for future reference. You can contact us back with this same number if this chat session is disconnected. [silence]

Me: What info do you need from me?

A: Please allow me a minute to check with the details. As I can check that you have a subscription of Norton Utilities Ultimate under your Norton account which got auto renewed on Mar 16, 2024 due to which you were charged SEK 499.00 to your account. Am I correct?

Me: Yes. I have no idea what that is about. I don't have Norton installed on any device.

A: [Enters into a very long description of 'Norton Utilities Ultimate' and the 'Norton Automatic Renewal Service']  "Norton would have sent a notification to the registered email address between 50 to 65 days before your subscription expired and also before any payment was billed...." ...(They did not!)... "I would like to inform you that we do not had such intension to charge you and this is the reason we offer 60 days refund policy to our customers. as you are a valuable customer to Norton and you have contacted me regarding your concern, if you like I can also offer you a 20% refund of the automatic renewal price, and you can continue to use your Norton Product for the next year. Is this something you might be interested in?"

ME: I don't want this subscription.

A: I totally respect your decision and there is nothing more than your satisfaction. I do not waste any more of your time. I will go ahead and process 100% refund back to your account. As well as I will check that such issue will never repeat again and make sure that the Automatic Renewal service is disable from your subscription. --- Please allow me a minute to process the refund and share the details.--- As requested I have started the refund process --- Please allow 5-7 working (business) days to process and it will show up in your next billing cycle (within 10 working days depending on your bank). Please, take a note of your refund confirmation number xxxxxx. You will also receive an email confirming the refund and another email confirming your Automatic Renewal cancellation.

Thank you for all your time and patience and I do apologize for the time taken, you are awesome and was very supportive throughout the chat. This is very rare to get such a calm and wonderful customer like you. Apart from that Is there anything I can assist you with?

ME: I would like to close my Norton account permanently after this has been resolved and I have got my refund

A: Please do not worry as I have already cancelled your subscription so you not be charged ever again and if you wish I can delete your billing information so that you will never face any issue ever again.

ME: Yes please.

A: Please allow me a moment. --- I have successfully deleted the billing info and I assure you that you will not be charged in the future.

ME: Thank you

A: I am really glad to help such a wonderful customer like you. You were also very supportive and cooperative throughout the chat. You will receive a Customer Satisfaction Survey by email within the next few days. You are welcome to express your overall opinion of Norton Service and Support in the survey. Your feedback is much appreciated and helps us improve our customer service.

ME: OK. Bye! 

A: It was a pleasure to assist you. I will pray to keep you and your family safe. Thank you for contacting Norton LifeLock support and have a great time! Good Bye and Cheers for the day.

PS. I did also receive email confirmation of the refund. Remains to be seen when it also turns up in my bank account. (When it has, I may investigate further how to close the whole account altogether...)

PPS. It's certainly a first for me to have a customer service chat ended by prayer! ;-)

Weekend Reflections

 

Photos from my walk into the city centre (Borås, Sweden) on Thursday this week. After a rainy and windy period, this was a day with blue sky and the river still like a mirror. The building covered in plastic is being renovated. It was one of the first buildings here to be decorated with a large mural, ten years ago. (Link to a Weekend Reflections post from back then.) This summer, it will be getting a new and different one. A few other murals will also be replaced during this year's Art Biennial. 

Linking to Weekend Reflections (Friday, April 26, 2024)

Cherry Blossom 3

 

Still wearing my winter coat... But a little bit warmer today, no wind, and glimpses of the sun. So I grabbed the opportunity for a rather pleasant walk into town (and back), to get some things from the pharmacy - and to just enjoy the progress of spring on the way. (If anyone is wondering about the building in the top photo, in the past it was a spinning mill, but is nowadays home to various offices and businesses - including a fitness gym.)

 

(Saving a few more pictures for another day.)

Maple Tree and Daffodils

Some more photos from my walk on Saturday. After I had been to check on the cherry blossom trees, I took a little detour to check on another park nearby.

The big tree is not an oak but a maple.

 

Some daffodils in bloom - but looking a bit "downcast" from the capricious weather.

A park area with big lawns down by the river used to have flowerbeds of daffodils and tulips in spring, but those parts of the park are obviously under re-construction just now, so I didn't bother going down there this time...

No real change in the cold weather since the weekend. Less windy today, but raining...

P.G. Wodehouse - Blandings Castle

 

Something New by P.G. Wodehouse
(Blandings Castle, Book 1 - first published in 1915)
Audio book narrated by B.J. Harrison - 8 hrs 2mins

P.G. Wodehouse - or Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse (1881-1975) - was an English author, and one of the most widely read humorists of the 20th century. (The link will take you to an extensive Wikipedia article about him.)

I read several books by Wodehouse already in my teens. He's perhaps best known for his stories about Jeeves and Wooster - with the young English gentleman Bertram Wooster as the narrator, but his manservant Jeeves really the main character. (There's also a memorable British TV-series from the early 1990s based on those books, starring Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster, and Stephen Fry as Jeeves.)

But there is also quite a long series of books about Blandings Castle, involving among others the elderly Lord Emsworth, and his son Freddy Threepwood. (My parents had two or three of those in Swedish translation, but I can't recall this first one being among those.)  

In his books, Wodehouse makes fun of both English aristrocrats and wealthy Americans; and also the hierarchy among servants on big old estates in England, like Blandings Castle.

This first book in the Blandings series was published in 1915 - in the UK entitled Something Fresh, but in the US Something New. One recurring theme in this and following books set at Blandings is that people often seem to be visiting there under false name - for various reasons pretending to be someone else than they really are. Leading of course to lots of complications until finally sorted out... There is also often some object (or animal) involved that more than one person wants to get their hands on. In this book, it's a lost or stolen ancient Egyptian scarab (a beetle-shaped amulet).

I enjoyed listening to this audio book; but have to admit that I would not be able to satisfactorily sort out neither characters nor the plot from memory afterwards... 

So I'll leave that to the publisher's summary:

Here, we have a glorious ensemble of Woodhousian characters knocking elbows to foreheads in the elegant and grand Blandings Castle. Meet Freddy Threepwood, the vagrant son of doddering old Lord Emsworth of Blandings Castle. Freddy has recently become engaged to Aline Peters, the American heiress of an irascible father. The snag is that Freddy seems to have at one point become enamored of a struggling actress, Joan Valentine, and written some impetuous and imprudent letters to her. Joan has now moved on and is currently employed as a writer for a magazine's society column. Freddy has employed a certain R. Jones, a man of portly and dubious character, to attempt to buy back Freddy's letters, and keep his engagement safe. We also meet Ache Marson, an athlete who writes the Gridley Quayle series of pulp mystery stories, and also lives in the flat just below the actress/writer Joan Valentine. Got that straight? Sounding confusing? Wait till we get going.

(Publisher's summary copied from the Audible website)

More Cherry Blossoms

I went back to revisit the little park with the old cherry blossom trees today, and I do think there were more flowers visible in the top branches today than when I was last there (four days ago). So probably no need to worry too much about the health of the trees as such.

 

One thing may still be a concern, though: Standing under these trees in spring is usually also connected with hearing the buzzing of a lot of bees and bumble bees. This year, I've so far not heard a single buzz... 

Daytime temperatures are still just around +7'C (44'F); and frost warnings issued for the nights. And the sky keeps changing very quickly. Yesterday the weather changed while I was dressing to go out, and when I got outside I was met by a snow-and-hail shower. (My walk was cut very short...) Today I managed to get out while the sun was shining, and as you can see from the photos, when I got to the park with the cherry trees (15 min walk or so), the sky was a lovely blue colour. But before I got back home (another 20-25 min), it was overcast and raining again!

I asked Copilot for a poem about the fickleness of spring:

In the dance of dawn, where dewdrops reign,
Spring whispers life, a transient train.
Blossoms bloom with a fleeting smile,
Gracing the earth, yet just for a while.

She waltzes in on a zephyr's wing,
A fickle queen, the heart of spring.
Sunshine and storm her crown adorn,
Today she's warmth, tomorrow she's torn.

Petals pirouette in the fickle air,
Spring's tender touch, both foul and fair.
A symphony of growth, then a silent fling,
Such is the caprice of the vernal king.

Yet in her fickleness, there lies a truth,
The cycle of life, in age and youth.
For in each ending, a beginning springs,
A constant change, the fickleness brings.

Bird-in-a-bush

 

Did you start looking for a bird in that first picture? Sorry! There isn't one (I think). But according to Wikipedia, bird-in-a-bush is one of the names for this flower.

When I came across the flower on my walk today, I had no idea what it was called in any language, Swedish included. So I used Google Image Search to find out. 

It seems to be one of those plants that go by many different names. In Swedish it's called stor nunneört. A direct translation of that to English would be something like "big nun's herb" (but implying it's the herb that's big rather than the nun). In Latin it's called Corydalis solida. In English, it's goes by the names fumewort and bird-in-a-bush. Another article on only Corydalis adds that the name comes from Greek korydalís = crested lark. (Latin Galerida cristata, Swedish tofslärka). 

So does "bird in a bush" refer to crested lark? I still had difficulties quite seeing it...

Image from Wikipedia

But then I read on a bit further still about the bird, and found this passage: 

Francis of Assisi considered the crested lark a bird of special significance, based on similarities he perceived between it and the life of the Friars Minor: its plain earth-coloured plumage and hood, its humility ("for it goes willingly along the wayside and finds a grain of corn for itself"), and its time spent in song.

Now perhaps we're getting there? The flower also grows along the wayside, and "sings quietly" (but with colour rather than sound).

(PS. In the article about the crested lark, there are also a couple of video clips where you can listen to it sing, sitting on the ground.)

Cherry Blossoms

Having seen the magnolia tree in bloom on Monday (previous post), yesterday I went to check on some Japanese cherry trees in my neighbourhood. And yes, they're blossoming now as well, in spite of still rather chilly spring weather so far.

I'm not really sure how these old trees have coped with the harsh winter this year, though. Only the lower branches seemed to have flowers on them. But maybe the impression will be different in a few days? (I shall try to remember to go back and check again!)

 

Magnolia

 

Spring is still very slow here, and as some of you will have noticed, I "went away with the fairies" over the weekend, visiting the distant land of Eldoria. (Previous 5 [!] posts...) Yesterday, however, the rain had stopped and the wind died down. I called my hairdresser and asked if she could fit me in some time during the day. She could; so I went for a walk into town around noon. And walking through the park, I was happy to see that in spite of the rough weekend weather, the big magnolia tree there is starting to blossom - one sure sign of spring, after all...

After my haircut (as usual long overdue, but once I get there it does not take very long for my hairdresser's magic scissors to fix it), I went to "have a look" in a few clothes shops in the city centre. Somehow my two pairs of jeans seem to have mysteriously shrunk in the wardrobe over winter. No doubt the healthiest way to deal with that problem would be to shrink myself a bit too - but alas that's always easier said than done... On the other hand, the same ("easier said than done") goes for finding what I want in the shops. One might think those little labels with size numbers would be helpful; but more often than not, especially with trousers, it seems to me that sizes too keep changing with Fashion (even those years when I haven't changed much myself). Anyway... I did not manage to find any new jeans that "felt right" this time. But I did find one pair of thinner ('recycled linen blend'), wide, straight, black summer trousers with legs 'cropped' - which for me (not among the tall and slender) meant full length, and no need to crop them further... So I bought those. (The fact that they're black means they'll go with just about any top in my wardrobe.) 

Some day when the spring weather matches my mood, I might also take a trip to the shopping centre "across town" to see what they have to offer there.

Eldoria, part 4: From Darkness to Light

My instructions to Copilot:
Please continue the story, starting from the end of the following summary: - The Wizard Alaric and the two fairies Thalia and Liora (descendant of Elara, and now guardian of Elara's magic toothbrush that was used in the past to defeat the monster Gargantooth) are exploring the castle of Eldoria. In the Vault of Virtues they found the Crystal of Coalescence, which according to Alaric "can amplify the power of the magic tooth-brush, but only a true descendant of Elara can wield it." They also found a scroll with a prophecy about "a time when Eldoria would face a darkness greater than Gargantooth, and only the combined strength of the wizard, the guardian fairies, and the Crystal of Coalescence could banish it forever." With the crystal's power now bound to Liora, they left the vault; the crystal secured and the prophecy etched in their hearts. -

Chapter 4 - The Shadows of Skotos *

* In Ancient Greek, “σκότος” (skótos) means darkness or gloom. It can refer to physical darkness, as well as metaphorical darkness like ignorance or deceit. The word has also been used in various forms in religious texts to denote moral darkness or the darkness of the netherworld.

As the trio emerged from the Vault of Virtues, the castle of Eldoria stood bathed in the golden hues of dusk. The Crystal of Coalescence, now bound to Liora, pulsed with a gentle light, its rhythm in sync with her heartbeat. Alaric, with his staff in hand, led Thalia and Liora through the winding corridors, the prophecy echoing in their minds. 

The Gathering Gloom

Night fell over Eldoria like a velvet cloak, and with it came a chill that seeped into the bones. The stars, usually a glittering tapestry above, were dimmed by an unseen force. Alaric's brow furrowed as he sensed the stirrings of dark magic. "The shadows of Skotos," he murmured, "the darkness the prophecy foretold."

 

Thalia, with her fairy sight, peered into the night. "The stars are hidden, not gone," she whispered. "We must find the source of this darkness and restore the light."

The Quest for Light

Liora clutched the crystal, feeling its power surge. "The Crystal of Coalescence," she said, "it can guide us to the darkness's heart."

Alaric nodded. "We must be swift. The longer the darkness lingers, the stronger it becomes." With a wave of his staff, a map of Eldoria materialized, glowing lines tracing a path to the forest of Fae'lyn, where the darkness seemed to originate.

 

The Forest of Fae'lyn

The forest of Fae'lyn was a place of ancient magic, where the trees whispered secrets and the air shimmered with enchantment. As they entered, the darkness grew palpable, a smothering blanket that threatened to extinguish their resolve.

 

Thalia's wings fluttered, scattering motes of light that pushed back the gloom. "We are not alone," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
 

The Guardian of the Dark

From the shadows, a figure emerged, its form shifting and changing. "I am the Guardian of the Dark," it intoned, "and you shall not pass."

Alaric stepped forward, staff raised. "We seek only to banish the darkness, not to conquer it."

The Guardian's form solidified into that of an ancient tree, its branches creaking. "Then prove your worth," it challenged.

The Trial

The trial was one of wit, courage, and purity of heart. Riddles woven from the threads of time itself, creatures born of shadow and fear, and illusions that tested their very perception of reality.

With each challenge, the Crystal of Coalescence shone brighter, its light a beacon of hope. Liora's lineage, her connection to Elara, gave her the strength to wield the crystal's power, dispelling illusions and revealing truths.
 

The Heart of Darkness

At the heart of the forest, they found it—a vortex of shadow, the source of the darkness that threatened Eldoria. Alaric and Thalia stood by Liora as she raised the crystal high.

"By the light of Elara, we banish thee!" Liora declared. The crystal unleashed a torrent of light, piercing the vortex, shattering the darkness.

The Dawn of Hope

As the darkness dissipated, the stars reappeared, twinkling like diamonds on a canvas of night. The prophecy had been fulfilled, but the journey of our heroes was far from over. For now, Eldoria was safe, but the world beyond its borders beckoned, and with it, new adventures.

And so, with the dawn came hope, and with hope, the promise of tomorrow.

THE END
(...for now...)

All images created by feeding quotes from the text back to Microsoft Designer or Image Creator.

Eldoria, part 3 - The Vault of Virtues

My instructions to Copilot:
Please continue the story with another chapter, starting from the end of following summary and quote: “Having listened to the wizard Alaric’s tale about how the fairy Elara had used her magic tooth-brush in the past to defeat the monster Gargantooth, the two fairies Liora (descendant of Elara) and Thalia felt a renewed sense of purpose. They knew that their journey was about more than just adventure; it was a quest to uphold the legacy of those who had protected Eldoria before them. - And so, with the tooth gleaming from its place in the castle's window, and the path ahead bathed in the stained glass’s kaleidoscopic light, they stepped forward, ready to face whatever mysteries awaited them in the heart of the castle. The kingdom of Eldoria, once buzzing with anticipation, now held its breath, waiting for the new chapter of its history to be written by the brave wizard and the two fairies, guardians of its past and hope for its future.”

The Echoes of Eldoria

As the last echoes of Alaric's tale faded into the hushed corridors of the castle, Liora and Thalia, with the wizard by their side, ventured deeper into the heart of Eldoria. The castle, a living testament to the ages, whispered secrets through its ancient stones, and the air was thick with the magic of yore.

The Enchanted Hallway

The trio entered a long, narrow hallway, its walls lined with portraits of Eldoria's past rulers, their eyes seeming to follow the fairies' every move. At the hallway's end stood a grand door, carved with runes that shimmered under Thalia's touch. "These are the ancient scripts of protection," Alaric murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "They guard the entrance to the Vault of Virtues, where the most sacred relics of our kingdom are kept."

With a determined nod, Liora reached out, her fingers tracing the glowing symbols. The door responded, the runes dancing like fireflies before settling into a new pattern. The door creaked open, revealing a chamber bathed in a soft, golden light. 

 

The Vault of Virtues

Inside the vault, treasures of untold value gleamed, but it was the Crystal of Coalescence* that caught their eyes—a gem said to harmonize the energies of Eldoria. "This crystal," Alaric explained, "can amplify the power of the magic tooth-brush, but only a true descendant of Elara can wield it."

Liora, feeling the weight of her lineage, stepped forward. Her hand hovered over the crystal, and as her fingers made contact, a surge of energy coursed through the room. The crystal glowed brighter, its light enveloping her in an ethereal embrace.

*Coalescence = the joining or merging of elements to form one mass or whole. Some common synonyms of coalesce are amalgamate, blend, commingle, fuse, merge, mingle, and mix.

 

The Prophecy Revealed

As the light subsided, a scroll materialized before them, unfurling mid-air. Alaric caught it gently, his eyes widening as he read the ancient text. "It speaks of a prophecy," he said, his voice trembling with excitement. "A time when Eldoria would face a darkness greater than Gargantooth, and only the combined strength of the wizard, the guardian fairies, and the Crystal of Coalescence could banish it forever."

The revelation hung heavy in the air, a destiny foretold now resting on their shoulders. They knew what they had to do. With the crystal's power now bound to Liora, and Thalia's unwavering spirit, they were ready to face the coming storm.

Together, they turned to leave the vault, the crystal secured and the prophecy etched in their hearts. The kingdom of Eldoria, once silent in anticipation, now thrummed with a newfound energy, its fate intertwined with the courage of its guardians.

And so, the journey continued, not just a quest for adventure, but a mission to fulfill a destiny written in the stars, to protect the realm and ensure that the light of Eldoria would never fade. 

 * * * * * * *

Would you have been able to stop here, without pursuing it further? I could not; so the story will go on with one more chapter. Then I'll try to at least take a break from it for a while! ;-)  

AI and the mysterious "Eldoria"

 

The readiness of Microsoft's Copilot and Designer to introduce me to the fantasy kingdom of Eldoria (cf my previous two posts) rather took me by surprise. It seemed like a whole fantasy world by that name already exsisted "out there" and was just waiting to be explored further - rather like a computer game.

Before going on, I decided to ask Google what they knew about Eldoria. Now I was in for another surprise, because even though I can't recall ever having come across it before, it seems that 'Eldoria' is all over the internet, in all kinds of confusing and contradictory versions... There are lots of books written about it, but by different authors. And there are computer games, and images, and YouTube video clips, and websites I'm not even sure exactly what they do (I'd probably have to create an account to find out). And also people wondering in various kinds of forums why 'chatGPT' always seems to lead to Eldoria whenever they try to create something in the fantasy genre... (Which was also what I had started to suspect myself.)

Still finding it hard to quite make sense of it all, I returned to Copilot and asked straight out:

Me: Is the Eldoria used by Copilot the same as other Eldorias on the web?

Copilot's answer:

The term “Eldoria” can refer to different concepts and creations across various platforms and media, and it’s not exclusive to any single use. The Eldoria I mentioned earlier, such as the one in Roblox or on World Anvil, are independent creations that share the name but are not necessarily related to each other or to any version that might be used by Copilot.

Each Eldoria has its own unique context and content, created by different individuals or groups for specific purposes, like gaming, storytelling, or worldbuilding. The common thread is the name “Eldoria,” which seems to evoke a sense of fantasy and adventure, but beyond that, they are distinct from one another.

If you’re asking whether there’s a specific “Eldoria” that Copilot uses as a reference or a base for responses, the answer is no. Copilot does not use a singular Eldoria but can provide information or create content based on the various interpretations of Eldoria available on the web, as long as it aligns with the guidelines and capabilities I have as an AI. 

Thanks, Copilot. Knowing that, I think I feel a bit better about continuing to explore a bit more...

(At least one more episode already prepared, and will be coming up soon. I'll just give my readers as well as myself time to digest the above for a bit first...) 

(PS. It was raining all day yesterday as well... LOL)