This experience (left) serves another example. I search for “Queen’s Road Central”, but am returned result for “Queen’s Road East”. Below that: Did you mean “Queen’s Road Central”?. Argh!! That’s what I bloody typed in the first place.

Ever dialed the wrong number because some shop or restaurant listed is total and utter crap? Those poor guys at home who keep getting phone calls from strangers wanting to book a table.

Surely, one of the most powerful web companies in the world can do better?

Me:
  “I don’t need this service, thank you”.
Telemarketer in a clingy (嗲) voice:
  “I understand, but I just need to meet my quota, only a tiny bit away.”
Me:
  “Perhaps, but i’m not going to buy something I don’t want just to meet your quota. I have to WANT the thing.”
By this point extremely annoying telemarketer:
  “I understand, but perhaps you can help me? Just buy it anyways.”
Me:
  “If you understand then why are you asking me to buy? I told you I don’t need it.”
Excruciatingly annoying telemarketer:
  “We can be friends. Here’s my number [#], all you need is just pay $xx…”

- I tried to be nice; at that point I hung up. This lady was trying to sell me prepaid IDD calling card services. I told her I have cheaper suppliers, and I don’t like prepaid. She tried to pull a clingy girlie voice on me, assuming guys would fall for that. Even though I don’t need what she’s selling.

Is this how people sell in Hong Kong now? More disturbingly, is this how companies are training their salespeople?

Since late 2007 the unsolicited electronic messages ordinance (CAP 593) came into effect. Unfortunately this OFTA ordinance governs electronic communication only – that being SMS, fax, or recorded voice messages. It does not prevent telemarketers from cold-calling. What’s more one has to opt-in to the Do-not-call register by calling 1835000 from that number.

It’s a starter, but much more needs to be done. I don’t agree with then director-general Marion Lai Chan Chi-kuen who suggested that barring personal interactive calling “could hurt small and medium-sized businesses“. How about hurting privacy, adding to illegitimate phone charges (overseas roaming – I won’t even go there), and wasting people’s time? Welcome to Hong Kong: where the pro-business government cares little about individuals.

There has been little debate since. The government run Anti Spam Website gives advice on cutting down unsolicited contact, whilst a voluntary code of practice has been put into place by many institutions, including the HKDMA (Hong Kong Direct Marketing Association). But voluntary self-regulation is not enough – and surely i’m not the only one fed up of sales calls by now.

When will this practice finally be banned? Or, at the very least, extend the DNC register to cover personal marketing calls too. It’s about time.

Far from putting a blanket over the incident the peace prize has only just become more controversial, more publicised. Never mind that Liu wasn’t present: the symbolism of an empty chair is now virally spreading around China, arguably more powerful than his attendance would have been. An incident they could have spun in their favour has simply backfired. After all these years, the government have learned little; PR skills seemingly having gone nowhere.

Spokesman Jiang Yu was recently quoted to say (I paraphrase from Chinese): “the actions in Norway do not change the fact that of whether Liu has committed a crime”.

Indeed. As I previously commented – nobody ever claimed that obtaining a prize changes the fact of whether a crime is committed. The question is: did Liu really commit a crime or are his charges politically motivated?

Regardless… it’s about time the politburo hired a good PR firm.

In addition to the Clio Coddles on Shanghai’s prestigious Nanjing Road (南京路), I came across HengHee (pictured) – two in fact, one not far from the famed Peace Hotel. In this small area, nearby is NuoManDiEYu and just opposite that: the real deal LaCoste.

Although HengHee is not an entire rip off, the attempt to re-use the crocodile is obvious considering the number of other reptile choices. What impresses me is they all clearly do well enough to afford the Nanjing Road rental costs. What I wonder is, how many people buying are actually from Shanghai vs. unsuspecting tourists from outside provinces.

If country bumpkins are cash cows, I feel like i’m missing out here!

Anyone want to invest in a Collo Collo? I’ll use an upside down crocodile as my logo.

I stumbled across this by chance, but it got me thinking: i’ve long been curious if any government schools in Hong Kong allow girl students to wear trousers. I certainly haven’t seen any out and about. I’ve also wondered whether any girls have complained or sued on grounds of sexual discrimination. I was surprised not to find anything online.

If I were a girl i’d fight for that right to wear trousers. Or maybe, if I were one, i’d genuinely enjoy the skirts…

Spotted in a cheap Beijing shopping mall: Tuogo Jeans.

This casual, hip clothing brand looks to me like a blatant rip-off of Hong Kong brand Tough Jeans. Surely the logos are not a coincidence?

Apple users in China have long been treated as second class citizens when it comes to surfing the web. Quite simply, many sites just don’t work well. Often one is confronted with buttons that don’t click, pictures that are misaligned, or login boxes that don’t allow you to login. Alipay (支付宝) and Taobao (淘宝网), China’s biggest online payment platform and auction site respectively have long required special Active X / Javascript plugins to work properly – typically these are released exclusively for Internet Explorer only. Now, however, it’s possible to download a Mac version of this plugin.

Note: This only works on Safari at present.

Upon entering Alipay or Taobao, you should notice a link (请点此输入密码) in lieu of the password prompt at the login form. Click this link, and you will get an inline popup. If you do not see a link but are able to enter your password in the form, you might have already installed the plugin or Alipay might have finally come to their senses!

Otherwise, now click the button (立即安装) to download the plugin.

The plugin will work for both Alipay and Taobao sites (they are both same company), though may require a restart of your safari browser first.

That Apple users are finally gaining some recognition in China is excellent news, though there’s still a long way to go. Unfortunately even after your purchase on Taobao you will be faced with a payment problem as most online banking platforms are not Apple compatible. Nonetheless it’s a good beginning, and at least payment is still possible via pre-deposit into Alipay or through other methods such as mobile phone topup card.

Lots of PRC flags on display throughout Tibet

I put this issue to my guide: apparently some Tibetans have been harassed in the past for not being patriotic enough. So there you have it – the secret to a harmonious society: coercion and forced patriotism.

Surely the local party chiefs can’t be this stubborn?

This is alongside updated pricing plans (linked tariff for non-iPhone users), promising greater data quota’s than previous packages and China Mobile’s current offerings. The higher the service plan used, the cheaper the iPhone is sold for. This offer requires a 24 month service commitment.

Details of 3G and 3GS pricing and service plans available on China Unicom Online Store (or in English via Google Translate). There are slight differences over the standard packages, notably increased data quota and free SMS bundles.

Note: Chinese iPhones have WiFi disabled, but are not carrier locked. For a full featured unlocked phone, consider purchasing from Apple Store Hong Kong. Or wait for a WAPI/WiFi release in China.

Update 2010-11-12:
iPhone 4 has superseded the 3G/3Gs for a while now, and therefore the above is no longer relevant. Chinese iPhone 4 now includes WiFi, and is sold with updated pricing plans. Contract period remains 24 months, with upfront payment of RMB5,880. This is rebated in airtime, depending on your chosen package, with the RMB 286+ packages giving 100% rebate on phone cost, and RMB 96 plan rebating only RMB 1981.

Case in point: note the following series of screenshots (apologies for the bad quality). This series exemplifies the three-step payment process at the automated machines available in most China Mobile outlets in China. Through these machines you can pay your bill using bank card, without need to queue.

Tap “payment” to proceed with the payment.

Never mind the announcement that the ‘receipt printer works’ (though it’s nice to know) – note the “Credit Card” option. Tap here to select credit card payment method.

- and of course, finally an announcement that this feature is not yet supported. Which begs the question “why the hell is there a choice in the first place?”.

This example is not unique : many online payment gateways will “accept” credit card, only to disappoint later with a notice that the feature is not yet implemented. Similarly, we recently came across an option for “online submission” on our local tax receipt reporting form (地税发票审报) that we must regularly update with the government. Upon submitting the form (in person) we are told that there is no online submission yet.

If you take the express train to Tianjin and purchase your ticket at the aptly named TVM (Ticket Vending Machine), you are again given an option to pay with card (incl. bank card) – but none of those are currently supported.

When will China learn the importance of easy user interface and user experience vs. creating a false image of offerings it cannot fulfill? I suspect a lot of hairs can be saved if developers and system designers can finally come out of their bubbles and realise the time and frustration that can be prevented if something were designed properly.