Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Time Warner Turing Test
After constant starts and stops while trying to watch a movie via Netflix Watch Now (over Time Warner Road Runner) I decided to contact support. Time Warner has "24/7 Live Support Chat".
However, from the first paragraph it seemed the phrasing of questions and answers seemed a bit too canned (and too rapidly delivered). I wasn't sure if I was even talking to a real support person. So I tried a quickly considered Turing Test. Result? I'm still not sure...
[10:27:36 PM] Benjamin Smith > Thank you for contacting Time Warner Cable. At the end of our chat you will be given the option of taking a brief survey. My name is Benjamin. Please give me a moment while I access your account.
[10:27:46 PM] Benjamin Smith > Could you please elaborate on the issue?
[10:28:11 PM] Phil > very slow internet connectivity in the range of 200-300kbps.
[10:28:26 PM] Benjamin Smith > You are experiencing slow browsing issue. Am I correct?
[10:28:28 PM] Phil > is this a computer?
[10:28:48 PM] Benjamin Smith > No, I am a real person.
[10:28:50 PM] Phil > no - not slow browsing - slow connectivity.
[10:28:57 PM] Benjamin Smith > I apologize for the inconvenience.
[10:28:58 PM] Benjamin Smith > I will guide you to the right support.
[10:28:59 PM] Benjamin Smith > It seems that this issue needs to be escalated to National Road Runner support. We will transfer you to that support group. Do you have any further questions before I transfer you?
[10:29:39 PM] Phil > yes - can you finish this phrase: "Peanut butter and (blank) sandwich"
[10:30:29 PM] Phil > I just want to know if this is a real person or an automated support response thingie.
[10:31:05 PM] Phil > and please transfer me to the National Road Runner support
[10:31:25 PM] Benjamin Smith > Peanut butter and (Cabbage) sandwich"
[10:31:28 PM] Benjamin Smith > Is it correct?
[10:31:56 PM] Phil > no - but you were close
[10:32:06 PM] Benjamin Smith > Oh, I see.
[10:32:16 PM] Benjamin Smith > May I know the correct answer?
[10:32:37 PM] Benjamin Smith > Actually I don't like sandwich a lot.
[10:33:04 PM] Phil > please transfer to National Support - thx
[10:33:11 PM] Benjamin Smith > You are welcome.
[10:33:15 PM] Benjamin Smith > Again, my name is Benjamin. Thank you for chatting with Time Warner Cable. We value you as a customer and are here to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you would like to take a brief survey, please click on “done” and the survey will load. Have a great day!
Update. I think dial up is faster!
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5 comments:
cabbage!?! seriously? hahahaha!
Still... what a smart computer program - kinda scary.
I *like* peanut butter and cabbage sandwiches!
and it took "benjamin" nearly 2 minutes to come up with cabbage?
that's great! I'm surprised you haven't heard of the peanut butter and cabbage sandwich... roughage!
maybe your problem here is a cultural one. maybe Ben is overseas and he really digs cabbage sandwiches with his peanut butter and the rest of it is all scripted....
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