What year is it?

L

Lindberg

Final Approach
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Display name:
Lindberg
I swear it isn't 1998. How is this the most popular and often recommended training provider around? Is it really worth the hassle just to use this program? Could one of the tech heads around here please help them join the Internet age?


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Please share your list of grievances. I’m curious.
 
SkyChaser said:
Obviously, I am not the OP, but I'm guessing he's upset that he can't enroll online on their website.
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Likely. I'm guessing that the philosophy is based on their past experience.
 
‘98 was a great year, and their program will get you an A if you follow it. Guaranteed.

0/10 rant, no points given
 
AggieMike88 said:
Please share your list of grievances. I’m curious.
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Just to start:

I have to download and install a Windows program.
Said windows program appears to have been designed for Win 3.1 and never updated in light of decades of UI/UX knowledge.
I can only use it on one machine.
There's no mobile version.
You have to call, during business hours, to get a license key.
They use AOL for business email.
It's unintuitive to use and requires you to follow instructions on multiple README files.
That's before actually using it.

The bottom line is that if they had a mobile app, or even a web based system, they'd have gotten my money last night. I'd actually have paid double what they're asking. And I'm 10000% certain mine is not the only sale they've lost.
 
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Kritchlow said:
I wish all places published a phone number, and you could talk with an actual live person. Preferably one that speaks English.
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Having a phone number is not a problem. Like you, I think that's a good thing. But only doing business over the phone, and during limited hours, is not.
 
Kenny Phillips said:
Likely. I'm guessing that the philosophy is based on their past experience.
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I don't know what that means, but they should solve whatever problem they have and figure out how to do business on the Internet. There are people who can do this for them without great expense. All of the potential problems in delivering a product like this online have been solved many times over.
 
Lindberg said:
I swear it isn't 1998. How is this the most popular and often recommended training provider around? Is it really worth the hassle just to use this program? Could one of the tech heads around here please help them join the Internet age?
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I agree. I was looking at purchasing a CFI course from them a few weeks ago, and I'm still on the fence about it because of the install limitations and the presentation of their product. I have to use other sub-par training software interfaces for other stuff I'm involved in, and volunteering for another such experience isn't something I'm eager to do.
 
Phone service at 2 AM means the person answering is English as a second language. Passing the FAA test is a secondary skill, and the Sheppard course would be more expensive.

Sheppard has spent money to make their site complete and accurate for airpersons who are flexible. Adapting to new equipment is important, but coping with an airplane with antiquated (In your view) systems is essential for flying in a fast developing technology. Sheppard is so often recommended because you pass the FAA if you pass the Sheppard test.

I have not used them, but as a technical trainer for a number of years, I learned that well designed material on obsolete format often produced far better results than professionally prepared video lessons and tests, designed for self study.
 
I second the complaint. I have a real job, so I generally think about training after hours. I went 3 weeks not using this because I was never free during their business hours. Annoying.
 
geezer said:
Sheppard has spent money to make their site complete and accurate for airpersons who are flexible. Adapting to new equipment is important, but coping with an airplane with antiquated (In your view) systems is essential for flying in a fast developing technology. Sheppard is so often recommended because you pass the FAA if you pass the Sheppard test.
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The Internet isn't new equipment. Smartphones aren't new equipment. Almost 2/3rds of Internet traffic is from mobile devices. And almost 3/4 of e-commerce.
 
Does anyone know? Does anyone really care?

Oh wait. You asked for the year, not the time. :D
 
Salty said:
I second the complaint. I have a real job, so I generally think about training after hours. I went 3 weeks not using this because I was never free during their business hours. Annoying.
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I have a fake job, so making a 7 minute phone call is the highlight of my day. Besides imparting pearls of wisdom onto POA.
 
I'm trying to figure out why you don't consider outdated software, OS, and website to be perfectly appropriate for prepping for a test from an outdated FAA.
 
My netscape cross-domain email still works with my aol one. When I think of my life in 1998 this icon is always at the forefront of my mind.
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Waiting on that porn .jpg to fully load on that 33.6k modem, then the anticipation of 54K baud rates man, brings me back to a time of such optimism. :D
 
I had a Compuserve number, and more than a few AOL addresses, and a Yahoo email, but my own domain has been around since … oh … 1998. Actually this is my second one, but the first got sold with the company.

And the only thing I miss is being able to call a company and have an English speaker with either half a damn clue or the extension of someone who has one. That seems to be more out of fashion than disco shirts and the Carpenters.
 
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