Nik Nak’s Encyclopaedic Teaser — 6-12-2016

You know, it’s not that often I want to slap a customer.

But ye gods … !

We had one caller, last night, who was … … very difficult … 

And refusing to listen to, or acknowledge, the fact the we could not help her with her emergency heaters.

Despite me talking to her, a colleague dealing with her — who found her just as challenging — and my colleague contacting the relevant engineer, to see what he could do.

The fact the customer had missed an earlier delivery: and had been informed of the date for her boiler repair?

Was also something she seemed to be ignoring.

I’ve got a lot of customer experience to my name: roughly thirty years worth.

So most aggressive customers?   Are people I can deal with, can calm down, and help.

This woman … ?

Was one of the three I’ve needed to walk away from … 

Before, in my anger, I did or said something stupid.

I don’t know about you … but I’m bloody thankful those customers are once a decade event … 

~≈Ê≈~

But let’s move on, shall we?   Before the rage takes over!

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga* and Debbi† putting in their answers: with both scoring five out of five.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s themed teaser, shall we?

Here it is, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) The first edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica was published.   On 6th December of which year?

Q2) It’s first editor was William … who?

Q3) Which plant has been used as the Encyclopædia’s logo for many years?

Q4) How many volumes are there: in the book’s index?

Q5) Finally … The most recent print edition is which version: the 13th, 14th or 15th?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 5th December, 2014, saw NASA perform a test launch of its newest manned spaceship.   That type of ship is named after which constellation: Orion, Pisces or Aquila?

A1) Orion.

Q2) 5th December, 1969 saw the earliest four node computer network, on what eventually became the Internet.    What was that early network called?

A2) The ARPANET.

Q3) Egypt broke of diplomatic relationships with four Arab nations: on 5th December, 1977.   Name ant one of the four.

A3) Syria, Libya, Algeria or South Yemen.

Q4) Martin Van Buren was born: on 5th December, 1782.   He was which president of the USA: the sixth, seventh or eighth?

A4) The eighth.

Q5) Finally … 5th December, 1890, saw the birth of director, Fritz Lang.   His best known film, Metropolis, was originally released in which year of the 1920s?

A5) 1927.   (Interesting film to watch.)

I’ll leave you with this …

“Utility ought to be the principal intention of every publication. Wherever this intention does not plainly appear, neither the books nor their authors have the smallest claim to the approbation of mankind.”

First line of the first edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica.

And this … 

Have a good day … 

*        Funny you should mention that, Olga: one had one client, last night — not the annoying one, thankfully — had near enough the same problem: a neighbour, upstairs, had a leaking washing machine, leaking over her balcony.   Funny how synchronicity goes, isn’t it … ?

†        Isn’t it just, Debbi … ?   (Funny old thing: the ARPANET was designed, originally, so the US Army’s computer systems could withstand a nuclear attack.   One of my favourite role playing games had a similar — ish — back story: about how an AI computer mistakes an incoming for an incoming meteor with a Soviet era missile strike … and develops  Paranoia as a result.   It’s sort Ghostbusters meets Logan’s Run … )