Buying Notes 8.5 - Step 2, I guess my best bet to to click on Shop for - Software
Buying Notes 8.5 - Step 3, While there are various ways to go, the most obvious seems to be "View software for small and medium businesses"
Buying Notes 8.5 - Step 4, Again, various options, but I'll go for "Software for SMB by brand - Lotus"
Buying Notes 8.5 - Step 4, A little surprising that it doesn't mention Lotus, but I'll click on Products
Buying Notes 8.5 - Step 4a, I got somewhat confused here until I realized you had to scroll down and find the right part. Once I realized, I found it quickly on this same page.
Buying Notes 8.5 - Step 6, Clicking on "How to buy" brought me to this slightly frustrating page, as I wanted to buy, not get directed to a partner or IBM, so I clicked on "IBM Software online catalog"
Buying Notes 8.5 - Step 7, This is getting a bit tiresome, since I am logged in, so it should know whether I have passport or not, but I select a region as a new customer and press Go.
Buying Notes 8.5 - Step 8, OK, I am getting annoyed. What was the point of selecting Lotus earlier if I am now presented with the full software catalog. I am not feeling empowered, I am feeling ignored. Nonetheless, I will select "Find products by brand - Lotus, even though I already chose that earlier, and hope that I have more specific luck this time.
Buying Notes 8.5 - Step 9, Well, that didn't get me very far. I can't tell how any of the choices relate to either Lotus or Notes. I guess I'll use the search bar, since there finally is one.
Buying Notes 8.5 - Step 10, I have moved from annoyed to angry. It is a product catalog, I have typed in the name of the product, and there are zero hits. When I try the Category dropdown, I can't figure out what category makes sense. Gritting my teeth, I back up a page and try by letter instead. I choose 'N' for Notes.
Buying Notes 8.5 - Step 11, Finally, I am getting somewhere. I am mystified (and did I mention annoyed?) at why this wasn't the page directly after Step 6. Still, I seem to be on the right track, so I click on "Lotus Notes"
Buying Notes 8.5 - Step 12, I think I am finally there, although I still don't understand which of the three choices applies to me. Frankly, I don't give a damn anymore. After all this time and head scratching, I could call to get a quote, but I think I'll just buy one and hope. Up to about Step 6, this was similar to the process of buying Outlook 2007, but after that it degenerated rapidly. There is not even a mention of 8.5, so I don't even know for sure I am buying the version I expect. I'd better click on "Learn about license types" to be sure I get the right thing.
Buying Notes 8.5 - Step 13, You have got to be out of your frigging mind! I have waded through thirteen different screens, told you multiple times what sort of user I am and what sort of license I want, and know I get a page with every licensing type under the sun. Just explain the three options I have. Screw it, I'll go back to Outlook, as I can't even begin to figure out what this all means.
Buying Notes 8.5 - Epic fail!
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Tags: Lotus Notes Microsoft Outlook