I hate automated phone payment systems that insist on voice input. I particularly hate them when they're stupidly worded.

After providing information, the voice says "Can I repeat that for you?"

Well, the two options are yes, or no. Obviously, the system is capable of repeating it for me. So the correct answer is "yes." But an answer of "yes" will result in it repeating it for me. To which my response should again be "yes." The only to get it to stop is to lie, and say, "no." That is, the system cannot repeat it for me, even though we both know it can. And of course, being the sensitive kind of guy I am, I feel guilty about lying to it, even though it's just a mindless machine.

I'd like to think that there's some counter built into the system to keep scrupulously literal and honest people from dying of starvation or sleep deprivation while continuing their futile attempts to placate it, but it seems like it would just be simpler to word it, "Should I repeat that for you?" Or "Would you like me to repeat that for you?"

It's even more irritating than asking me whether or not I had a perfect stay.

[Update a while later]

For those curious, I see no reason to protect the guilty. Maybe they'll hear about this and do something about it. It's US Bank.

> Obviously, the system is capable of repeating it for me. So the correct answer is "yes."

Assuming the machine is deterministic (and functioning properly), then it cannot repeat the message unless you tell it to repeat.

So, if you answer "no," you are not actually lying to the machine.

You can save your sensitivity for the clerk at the store who asks, "Do you find everything okay?"

Ha ha, Edward, good one.

I find that those voice input systems often accept the digit keys, with the numbers mapped in the order the options are presented. It's worked for me so far.

I hate automated phone payment systems that insist on voice input.

I hate automated phone payment systems that insist on voice input. Within a couple of seconds I am pressing the 0 key, the # key etc. until I reach a human. Not only are these systems slow, they patronize the user by making him play along with the ridiculous conceit that he is communicating with a sentient being. And they destroy privacy -- I don't want to broadcast to everyone within earshot what I'm doing.

Some people just do not understand these issues and should be designing children's toys rather than software. (Until recently, and perhaps still, the security department at Microsoft was run by such people.)

Don't remember how I first saw it, but
http://gethuman.com/ is awesome.

US Bank is pretty standard -- "Press 0
at each prompt, ignoring messages" --
but some of them are quite nonintuitive.

I hate the ones that babble in a "friendly" tone, as if we aren't happy unless the recording sounds like our best friend. This means the menu drones on forever. The power company in my area had a standard recorded voice for its phone system, and then they changed it so now it rambles on and on. And the cell phone company I use is one of those pay-as-you-go things set up mostly for teens, and its automated system has to be heard to believed. They've done everything but punctuate the directions with "like," "dude," and "as if."

"Obviously, the system is capable of repeating it for me. So the correct answer is "yes.""

Oh, you're one of those type, eh? Grammar Nazi. :P

I prefer the voice systems to the touch-tone ones. They're easier to deal with on a cell phone. Nonetheless I'd prefer not to deal with 'em, and I know what Andrea's talking about, and agree with it. If I get sick of the one I'm dealing with, I'll just start saying "help" and/or "operator" or pressing 0 as a last resort. Usually they'll give up and redirect you to an operator eventually, and while I appreciate sites like get human, I'm too lazy to look up how to sidestep the automated system of any given company.

I love the goog411 voice interface.

Ah yes, US Bank... The Company Credit Card power house bank. They are remarkably capable of sending emails to managers, when employees are 30 days late in payment, but are very inept at actually sending bills to the employees anytime within the first 30 days, or even 60 - 90 days.

I was forced to use their card at a previous company; thought I would have to use it again (so I have one in my wallet) for my current company. I had three trips over the summer, and not one bill. However, I have learned their game before, so I called the voice mail hell number on the back and got the balance (about the only easy thing to get via voice mail). Now that I know it is not mandatory to use the card, I'm looking for a nice personal card with good points and very good on line options. I'm thinking AMEX Blue, but since not everyplace takes American Express, I may have to use the company card from time to time.