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Visits site > Clicks Check Availability > Enters Address Info > Clicks Check Availability > Google Captcha > Selects Audio (because I've been caught in a loop t

Visits site > Clicks Check Availability > Enters Address Info > Clicks Check Availability > Google Captcha > Selects Audio (because I've been caught in a loop too many times) > Clicks Play > Enters Text > Receives "Try Again Later..." > Closes Tab There has got to be a better way. I mean Sonic just lost a potential customer because I won't "Try Again Later". Ubuntu + Firefox FWIW

justizin 7y ago
so you are complaining that sonic uses google captcha, and google captcha did not work for you today? lol.
- deftnerd 7y ago
  It's a valid critism. They decided to use Google Captcha and it often blocks 'advanced' users. ReCAPTCHA often has problems with Linux, non-chrome, VPN users, and users that use ad or javascript blockers. That's the kind of advanced user that appreciates and uses an internet provider like Sonic.net. It would be like a mobile phone service provider requiring people to pass a turing test if they call into the sales line from a mobile phone.
  - beatgammit 7y ago
    Why isn't email verification enough for these services? I don't think they really need to worry about automated services signing up for accounts, so I wonder why they put anything there at all...
    - jrockway 7y ago
      Availability tends to be a closely-guarded secret; they don't want a competitor typing in every address in the city and then getting an easy list of customers. ISPs are way too paranoid about this, though. Simple rate limiting is more than enough. If someone builds a botnet to check what buildings you're available in, maps the addresses to the person in charge of IT at every company in the building, signs the necessary access agreements, digs up the streets to install fiber, then calls your happy customers and asks them to switch, ... good luck to them. Meanwhile, an easy-to-use map or availability checker for potential customers probably has a high probability of getting you a sale.
      - DonHopkins 7y ago
        Back in the early 90's, Metricom used a feature of Xerox PARC's Map Viewer to overlay the locations of their pole top boxes on an interactive map, so you could see the coverage of their Ricochet spread spectrum radio network. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricochet_(Internet_service) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricochet_(Internet_service) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerox_PARC_Map_Viewer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerox_PARC_Map_Viewer
curun1r 7y ago
I’d suggest calling them. Not only will they help you figure out whether they can provide service to you, by they’ll probably also take your complaint about reCAPTCHA seriously and work to fix the site. Their reps are friendly and helpful, which is such a bizarrely wonderful experience for anyone accustomed to talking with Comcast/ATT.
proverbialbunny 7y ago
I don't get a captcha. Odd.

justizin 7y ago

so you are complaining that sonic uses google captcha, and google captcha did not work for you today? lol.

deftnerd 7y ago
It's a valid critism. They decided to use Google Captcha and it often blocks 'advanced' users. ReCAPTCHA often has problems with Linux, non-chrome, VPN users, and users that use ad or javascript blockers. That's the kind of advanced user that appreciates and uses an internet provider like Sonic.net. It would be like a mobile phone service provider requiring people to pass a turing test if they call into the sales line from a mobile phone.
- beatgammit 7y ago
  Why isn't email verification enough for these services? I don't think they really need to worry about automated services signing up for accounts, so I wonder why they put anything there at all...
  - jrockway 7y ago
    Availability tends to be a closely-guarded secret; they don't want a competitor typing in every address in the city and then getting an easy list of customers. ISPs are way too paranoid about this, though. Simple rate limiting is more than enough. If someone builds a botnet to check what buildings you're available in, maps the addresses to the person in charge of IT at every company in the building, signs the necessary access agreements, digs up the streets to install fiber, then calls your happy customers and asks them to switch, ... good luck to them. Meanwhile, an easy-to-use map or availability checker for potential customers probably has a high probability of getting you a sale.
    - DonHopkins 7y ago
      Back in the early 90's, Metricom used a feature of Xerox PARC's Map Viewer to overlay the locations of their pole top boxes on an interactive map, so you could see the coverage of their Ricochet spread spectrum radio network. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricochet_(Internet_service) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricochet_(Internet_service) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerox_PARC_Map_Viewer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerox_PARC_Map_Viewer

curun1r 7y ago

I’d suggest calling them. Not only will they help you figure out whether they can provide service to you, by they’ll probably also take your complaint about reCAPTCHA seriously and work to fix the site. Their reps are friendly and helpful, which is such a bizarrely wonderful experience for anyone accustomed to talking with Comcast/ATT.

proverbialbunny 7y ago

I don't get a captcha. Odd.