RICK'S RETROSPECT: THE NEW ALBERTA RELM WEBSITE

I bought a fishing license today on the “new” Alberta RELM website.  Eons ago, it was quite easy to stop in at the fishing shop or Mohawk gas station, give them some cash and then leave with a current handwritten fishing license.  I’ve owned 45 annual fishing licenses in the province of Alberta and from that information you can accurately guess how old I am.     

I’m not a computer IT guy, but I do spend a few hours each day using a computer so I’m not computer illiterate.  I didn’t read the first paragraph word for word upon entering the “new” website, which was my first mistake. 

I assumed that since I had purchased a fishing license on the first of April on my computer for a few years now, it would be a piece of cake.  That assumption was my second mistake.  Have I mentioned it’s the “new” RELM website?

Alberta RELM didn’t accept my WIN number password combination that I’ve used in the past.  I was pretty sure they were correct since I had written them down in my master password list; not supposed to do that you know.  After several tries over a few minutes by myself and then recruiting 25 year old Bridget for help, we phoned the 800 number for help.  After 10 minutes and 26 seconds of telephone help, we finally got past the password page, into something that looked promising whereupon we politely signed off with the southern lady who was providing help.  I asked her what she did to make it work.  She replied nothing really, just got me to click on “First time user” of the “new” AB RELM site.  A few minutes later I printed my license.

This is why old guys don’t get along well with computers.  I am not a first time user of Alberta RELM, far from it.  However I most assuredly was a first time user of the “new” AB RELM since in fact everyone is a first time user of the “new” AB RELM.  This isn’t obvious at a glance.  

So here’s my advice.  If you buy your Alberta fishing license on line, CLICK ON FIRST TIME USER!!!!  It’ll make your life quite a bit more relaxed.   

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Richard Pallister is the Director of Thompson-Pallister Bait Co. Ltd. He has been with the company full-time since 1974. "Rick's Retrospect" is a series of blogs where he will share his tips, tricks, opinions and stories.