Real Life Slightware – Some of the Classics

Looking for a weekly does of slightware? Check out the blog!
www.slightware.wordpress.com

Email 101: Using the Right List
UC San Diego accidentally sends 29,000 acceptance emails followed by email invitations to an open house - to the wrong list.
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Youre-Out-Youre-In-No-Youre-Out.html?yhp=1

British Airways Get's You There on Time.  Your Luggage? Well...
Travel plans of 2,000 flyers disrupted by "ongoing software problem."
http://www.travelbite.co.uk/newsbrief/travel-advice/incidents/heathrow-terminal-4-baggage-problems-continue-$1206248.htm

He Won the Lottery! Oh No He Didn't!
Software problem results in misprinted winning tickets.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/strange/news-article.aspx?storyid=121874&catid=82

OK,  She Won the Lottery! Oh No She Didn't Either (Video)
Ouch! $5 million winning lottery ticket is a "printing error."
http://www.bluegrasspundit.com/2009/02/new-york-tells-woman-5-million-winning.html

Maybe Try the Casinos instead - Maybe Not
Slot machine company says the $1.6M payout was a "computer malfunction."
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=3772215

Amazon Accidentally Removes Hundreds of Titles and Alienates Customers
Algorithm cataloging error removes adult titles from the sales rankings.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/weekinreview/19rich.html?ref=weekinreview

Every Website is Bad - Google Says So
Every link in search results flagged with “This site may harm your computer” due to coding error.
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/31/google-glitch-briefly-disrupts-worlds-search/?hp

Another Reason for The Housing Collapse
Geo-location software adds crimes to a particular neighborhood.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-geocoding-errors5-2009apr05,1,6184660.story

Executives at J Crew Are the Perfect Shade of Red
Embarrassing web upgrade problems lead to public apology.
http://www.internetretailer.com/dailyNews.asp?id=27302

Webkinz Rewards Children For Completing A Game - By Kicking them out of Webkinz
Software problem makes finish line the end of the road.
http://www.webkinzinsider.com/content/1467-webkinz-rally-glitch-fixed-wi-member-wins-trophy

One, Two, Two, Two, Two Strikes You're Out At The Ol' Ballgame
Online baseball service full of errors on opening day.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10215761-93.html

The Web Promo That Wasn't
Dominos gives away 11,000 pizzas before realizing the mistake.
http://consumerist.com/5193012/dominos-accidentally-gives-away-11000-pizzas-in-bailout-promotion

Drive Traffic to the Store - Then Tell The Customers to Go Away
Carl's junior promotion gets a little too viral.
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/01/online-burger-p/

"Can You Hear Me Now?" "No - I'M DEAF!"
Software problem causes phones to play loud music that may damage hearing.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F03E0DA1630F93BA3575AC0A9629C8B63&fta=y

Pimp My Test!
Online testing software freezes when "Pimp" is dynamically generated as a password.
http://www.newsvirginian.com/wnv/news/local/article/va._leads_way_in_online_testing/38652/

Citibank Says Don't Trust the Web Site
When screen fails to update, man makes second payment. Citibank won't give it back.
http://consumerist.com/5035972/citibanks-website-glitch-tricks-man-into-overpaying-755-but-they-wont-issue-refund

Some Pics

Join the Force and Use Some!
Police recruiting advertisement dynamically placed on YouTube video of police beating a girl.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26810211@N06/3398480356/in/photostream/

Next Stop, Help Desk
Subway riders are reminded to check their text file.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplytaty/2071843195/

Wow! I Wonder What The Humidty is Like?
Broken sign makes it really hot in Mississippi.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/winjer/2836764515/