Nominations for TechnoStress-Ful Products, Services and Organizations

Dr. Michelle Weil and Dr. Larry Rosen

authors of

TechnoStress: Coping With Technology @Work @Home @Play

present their

Nominations for "TechnoStress-Ful"

to the following products, services and organizations for creating a TechnoStress-Ful environment for consumers

Magnavox CD Clock Radio

(Model AJ3920)

Purportedly allows two people to wake at different times. Unfortunately, when the first alarm goes off (perhaps a soft CD of your choice), the button that you must press to shut it off unleashes a loud BEEEEEP that awakens person number two (and everyone within earshot!). And believe us, there appears to be no way to turn off this obnoxious feature. Unbelievably poor design! Guaranteed to start your day with TechnoStress!

Any Watch, Game or Gadget That Beeps

People all over the world are now hearing "phantom" beeps all through the day and night from watches, games and other technological devices that can emit beeping sounds. When you lose the instructions you also lose nearly any opportunity to stop the beeping. Most people just give up and either throw it away or put it in a drawer or the garage to muffle the sound.

California Department of Motor Vehicles Automated Appointment System

This system clearly wins the prize for one of the most complicated automated appointment system we have heard. Requiring dozens of button pushes, it takes up to 15 minutes to successfully make an appointment. Unless you get cut off first, which happens if you make a mistake. This is a clear case of a "TechnoStress-Ful" automated system. We suggest you push "0" and get a real person.

Wells Fargo Bank

No, you can't call your local branch if there is a problem. They no longer have a number. You must call an 800 number that forwards you who-knows-where to wait and wait on hold. Automated, unfriendly letters are sent to inform the business customer that their deposit was inaccurate, and money has been removed from their account. Isn't that special... no call, no investigation, just take the money! It takes dozens of telephone calls, explaining your situation to countless, faceless people (some who are downright rude), much time spent waiting on hold (because you can't ever call anyone directly) and weeks of waiting to get the bank to correct their mistake and redeposit your money. This bank's use of technology and the loss of a personal "touch" creates a very TechnoStress-Ful environment.

Let us know what products, services and organizations YOU find TechnoStress-Ful!

E-mail your nominations and a brief description to TechnoStressFul@technostress.com

Return to TechnoStress Home Page

	Dr. Michelle Weil and Dr. Larry Rosen authors of
	*TechnoStress: Coping With Technology @Work @Home @Play*
	present their
	Nominations for "TechnoStress-Ful" to the following products, services and organizations for creating a TechnoStress-Ful environment for consumers

	Magnavox CD Clock Radio (Model AJ3920) Purportedly allows two people to wake at different times. Unfortunately, when the first alarm goes off (perhaps a soft CD of your choice), the button that you must press to shut it off unleashes a loud BEEEEEP that awakens person number two (and everyone within earshot!). And believe us, there appears to be no way to turn off this obnoxious feature. Unbelievably poor design! Guaranteed to start your day with TechnoStress!
	Any Watch, Game or Gadget That Beeps People all over the world are now hearing "phantom" beeps all through the day and night from watches, games and other technological devices that can emit beeping sounds. When you lose the instructions you also lose nearly any opportunity to stop the beeping. Most people just give up and either throw it away or put it in a drawer or the garage to muffle the sound.
	California Department of Motor Vehicles Automated Appointment System This system clearly wins the prize for one of the most complicated automated appointment system we have heard. Requiring dozens of button pushes, it takes up to 15 minutes to successfully make an appointment. Unless you get cut off first, which happens if you make a mistake. This is a clear case of a "TechnoStress-Ful" automated system. We suggest you push "0" and get a real person.
	Wells Fargo Bank No, you can't call your local branch if there is a problem. They no longer have a number. You must call an 800 number that forwards you who-knows-where to wait and wait on hold. Automated, unfriendly letters are sent to inform the business customer that their deposit was inaccurate, and money has been removed from their account. Isn't that special... no call, no investigation, just take the money! It takes dozens of telephone calls, explaining your situation to countless, faceless people (some who are downright rude), much time spent waiting on hold (because you can't ever call anyone directly) and weeks of waiting to get the bank to correct their mistake and redeposit your money. This bank's use of technology and the loss of a personal "touch" creates a very TechnoStress-Ful environment.