A View from the Prairie...

I recently bought a book that I really enjoy...

... however, when reading the book there is a curious notation at the bottom of most of the news stories. So I decided that I would 'call' customer support. I'm very disappointed in the answer, but not altogether unsurprised. Nowadays, it's very hard to get simple answers to support the things that you purchase.

Here is a copy of an email 'support' request to penguin books:
--------------------------------

Recently you requested assistance from our on-line support center. Below is a summary of your request and our response.

If this issue is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may reopen it at any time.

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Subject
book notation question

Discussion Thread
Response (name of Penguin books 'support') 06/27/2005 12:22 PM
Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately, we do not have access to the information you've requested. We're sorry we can not be of assistance to you.
Customer (xxx) 06/25/2005 11:20 AM
In your book "World War II Day by Day", there is a notation on most
of the 'news events' that looks like this:

( --> X )

... where X is a number, potentially a calendar date. Nowhere in the
book does it say what the notation means.

Could you explain to me what that notation means?

Thanks,

[ name removed ]
Austin, TX


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Question Reference #050625-000014
Date Created: 06/25/2005 11:20 AM
Last Updated: 06/27/2005 12:22 PM
Status: Closed

Don't you just love the status line... Closed!

"Now that I am 40+ I'm just getting to know myself
enough to know what I really want to do in life as a
vocation. I now know that my real dream would be to be
an inventor. I don't know how, but somehow I feel that
life as an inventor could also be a spiritual life as
well as one rich in family and friends.

One aspect of inventing is ideas. I've kept an idea
list for many years now, writing them down as I have
them. Not as a todo list, but just to remember. Maybe,
just maybe, one will jump out at me (and the family)
and we'll do something gutsy.

Originally, I never shared my ideas. After doing the
list for over 10 years though, I've been very free
with them with anyone crazy/interested enough to
listen. That by the way is ultra-counter-intuitive to
what the attornies/society tell you to do.

Anyway, it's always refreshing when I hear messages,
particularly those with a Christian grounding that
confirm that maybe my approach isn't all bad.

Here is the 'radio' spot that I thought was very well
done and made me want to forward to the group along
with a little anecdote on why it struck a note with
me.
.
I hope everyone can read the link."

<http://thehighcalling.org/WeeklyMessage/audio.asp?MessageID=188>

// posted by The Author @ 6/20/2005 08:23:00 AM (0) comments