http://www.lettuce.com.au A blog of thoughts and activities of Lettuce Systems en-us http://www.lettuce.com.au/blogview.aspx?id=How_do_you_interpret_the_word_deposit?1
Now that I've got that off my chest, let me tell my story. I, like thousands of other Apple Fanboy's, was very excited when the Australian release of the iPhone was announced. I spent a lot of time (like a jack-rabbit) jumping between the three major teleco's looking for iPhone related information.

Optus were the first to announce they would be stocking and supporting the iPhone. In what I thought was an attempt to gauge the level of demand, they quickly launched a Pre-Order Deposit on their website where you put down your details and $50. That I had no problem with as I was keen (an understatement) to get my hands on an iPhone.

It was clearly sold as a Deposit and fully refundable. Given nearly every other context of deposit in the financial sense, I assumed it would be offset on my first bill / payment I made at the store (if I was going to buy my phone).

Well... My first bill has arrived and the $50 is no-where to be seen. I had another billing enquiry so I rang Optus only to find out that it wasn't a deposit but rather a once-off fee.

I've lodged a query with Optus, so lets hope, but I don't like my chances. On this issue I'm concerned Optus, has been misleading, deceptive and practiced what I would constitute bait advertising.

I wait and will be happy to stand corrected. Come on Optus, don't blow two years of brand loyalty and otherwise admiration. The ball is in your court.]]> http://www.lettuce.com.au/blogview.aspx?id=How_do_you_interpret_the_word_deposit?1 http://www.lettuce.com.au/blogview.aspx?id=Hisbiscus_Holiday_Park_is_live...1
Core to this site is our SaladBowl CMS platform and our CRM IcebergHQ.

In this site we wanted to build something that was:

• Bright
• Fast
• Google and SE friendly
  
• CSS Compliant
• Easily maintained
• Flash free but still use some groovy AJAX
• Mashed nicely with Google Maps

Check it out and let us know what you think.

http://www.hibiscusholidaypark.com.au/]]> http://www.lettuce.com.au/blogview.aspx?id=Hisbiscus_Holiday_Park_is_live...1 http://www.lettuce.com.au/blogview.aspx?id=We_love_nice_words_about_us.1 mention must be made for these guys' commitment and continued improvement
throughout the program (which is saying something 'cause they were great
to start with ...) I'm sure we're only just seeing the surface of these
guys (get it?) (God, I'm witty). Boys, expect a call to help with next
year, if not before hand (infact Angus, looking forward to lunch next time
I'm down).


Thanks Justin. We love you too.
]]> http://www.lettuce.com.au/blogview.aspx?id=We_love_nice_words_about_us.1 http://www.lettuce.com.au/blogview.aspx?id=Global_Roaming_Rates_for_Mobiles1
Well after a recent trip to Europe (and in fairness I was using a 3G Data Card) the bill was a staggering $1600 for 4 weeks worth of surfing. And let me say I wasn't surfing that much (I was on holidays and not working). Its unbelievable in this time and age to think that network access could cost that much.

Now before the local telco's jump down my throat about the transfer pricing etc etc, let me acknowledge this is a global problem of not enough competition in the mobile space that creates this extortion, but lets just say our local friends aren't doing enough to help. Its Grand Theft Mobile.

And as for the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association well you equal FAIL. Chris Althaus, I guess as a lobbyist we should expect you to blast the report, but you don't exactly contribute much to the debate do you?

Come the Teleco's world wide, don't make us hate you.

Article from The Age
]]> http://www.lettuce.com.au/blogview.aspx?id=Global_Roaming_Rates_for_Mobiles1 http://www.lettuce.com.au/blogview.aspx?id=Lettuce_survives_MEGA_pitch_day1
Its been a busy and nerve racking couple of weeks preparing both the final parts of the software and the presentation and true to the charter of MEGA, we've spent a lot of time refining our business model.

In the end, we didn't take out any prizes or invited to participate in the Sydney pitch day but that's alright by us.  In the end we were extremely happy with the experience and the performance we put in. We also place high value in the feedback received from the panel. Thank you to all the judges who have given up their time to be on the panel.

Congratulations to PlanItMe for taking out pitch of the day. We think you have a great idea and look forward to seeing where it goes.

Also stand-outs for us were Artabase and 1440 Productions. Hotness on both their respective fronts and great folks too boot.

Also a big thankyou must go out to Justin Brow and the crew that put the MEGA program together. I would hate to think of the number of planes he's been on or the number of nights on the road, but from everyone at Lettuce we salute you for the work you've done to bring the crew this far.

Long live the MEGA.

]]> http://www.lettuce.com.au/blogview.aspx?id=Lettuce_survives_MEGA_pitch_day1 http://www.lettuce.com.au/blogview.aspx?id=iTransit:_iPhone_access_for_Melbourne_Public_Transport1
This application (albeit at a proof-of-concept phase) does everything that TramTracker was supposed to do but without the usability or accessibility issues (that's another post all together).

Its only early days but this application is solid.

Check it out at:

http://iphone.itransit.com.au
]]> http://www.lettuce.com.au/blogview.aspx?id=iTransit:_iPhone_access_for_Melbourne_Public_Transport1 http://www.lettuce.com.au/blogview.aspx?id=Google_launches_StreetView_in_Australia1
I know, I know the privacy advocates around us tell us of the concern, but as long as Google has timely methods to lodge and then act on offending/images then i think its no worse then driving/walking around looking at the scenery. The uses are endless. You will be able to take a virtual tour of a neighbourhood, scout shops you may wish to visit, find cafes and bar and some conduct some prior reconnaissance of places you need to be.

When you "drive-by" the Lettuce office, you'll notice that it must have been an extremely hot summer's day, our blinds are down (which is a shame) and Angus' scooter is out the front.

Check out:
http://maps.google.com.au

]]> http://www.lettuce.com.au/blogview.aspx?id=Google_launches_StreetView_in_Australia1