Alpine Communications Blog

Alpine Communications' business office will be closed Friday,  July 3rd in observance of Independence Day.

For Emergency Telephone Troubles - Call Alpine at (563) 245-4000 or  1-800-635-1059 and leave a message with a description of the problem. An Alpine Technician is on call 24-hours a day, 7 days a week and will be paged.

For Internet Troubles - Call Alpine Internet Technical Support at 1-888-264-2908. Technical Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For SecureIT services or Online Backup Troubles - Call SecurityCoverage Technical Support at 1-877-373-3320. Support and assisted installation for SecureIT and SecureIT Plus is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Have a happy and safe holiday!

Independence Day Links

• Read and view the Declaration of Independece from the National Archives
• Fun Facts about the 4th of July from the US Census Bureau
• Flag Facts - Learn more about the history of our flag

If an email offer seems too good to be true, it probably is a scam.  Each day Alpine Communications customer service and technical support reps field calls and emails from customers about email scams.  FoxNews.com just released an article today titled, "Nine Nasty Online Scams You Need to Be Aware Of".   You may have heard of some of these scams, others might be new to you.  Please click through the links to read the article in full.

1. Asian Invasion
2. Mystery Shopping Scam
3. Hit Man Scam
4. Million Dollar Scam
5. Grandparents Scam
6. Military Wheels
7. Jury Scam
8. Border Bust
9. FBI Scams

Do not become a victim of fraud, protect your computer from malicious viruses and spyware with SecureIT services from Alpine Communications. 

Alpine Communications customers recently cutover to the Fusion Network were surveyed gave a 90% positive satisfaction rating for the handling of the repair/trouble issues, installation of Alpine's fiber service , and overall satisfaction with Alpine's fiber optic service.

Put your fiber-fast Fusion Internet service to the test.

• Download your favorite TV shows at www.hulu.com
• Connect with friends and family at facebook.com
• Download Paul Blart: Mall Cop in less than an hour from www.itunes.com

Alpine Communications' fiber to the home network was the first in Iowa, and one of the first in the nation, to be certified by the FTTH Council.  Call Alpine today at 245-4000 to find out how you can benefit from a Fusion Network fiber optic connection.

The goal of the staff at Alpine Communications is to help our customers customers communicate through the effective use of technology.  Kiesling Associates, Alpine's auditing firm, recently shared the following tips for effective communications on the job. If you find yourself struggling with juggling emails, phone calls, and typical everyday tasks, the following are some suggestions may be helpful to you. 

• Batch calls and e-mails, rather than use your phone and e-mail randomly.
• Schedule a time to make calls and check and respond to e-mail (e.g., first thing in the morning, just before or after lunch, and again at the end of the day).
• Prioritize calls and e-mail so that you have the information or get the action you need when you need it.
• Think about what you're going to say or write so that you don't forget pertinent details or special requests.
• Say what you need to say on the phone distinctly and slowly (especially when figures are involved). No eating, drinking, or chewing on the phone, please!
• Write e-mail carefully, organizing your thoughts in a logical sequence and using short, clearly worded sentences.
• Be ready to hold a two-way conversation on the phone should voice mail not pick up. Be cordial but businesslike to keep the call brief. For e-mail, be sure to indicate whether a reply is necessary and what information you need in reply. As with the telephone, be cordial but businesslike and keep your e-mails brief and to the point.

"What is an icon?", is a common question for beginning computer uses. An icon is a small picture that symbolizes a program, file or command on your computer.

There are icons for the type of files located on your computer such as:
Microsoft Word  

Microsoft Excel 

Microsoft Outlook

Adobe PDF 

These small pictures designate which program is needed to open the file.
If you see a generic icon like thisyou may need to install the specific software needed to open and edit that file.

Along with icons for specific programs, there are icons for locations on your computer such as:

Folder

My Computer 

Recycle Bin 

Your computer has a default (what comes on every computer) set of icons.  Check out Alpine Communication's list of MindLeaders online training courses for self-paced learning or attend one of our free Internet workshops held at our business office in Elkader.

It may be hard to believe, but many people in the United States do not have phone service in their homes. Often this is because they do not have the money to pay for the initial installation or to keep up with monthly bills.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, as of July 2006, approximately 6.3 million households across the country - or 5.4 percent of the entire U.S. population - did not have telephones.

So while most Americans are using their phone lines to connect to the Internet and order items such as books, CDs, and even pizzas, some residents do not even have the ability to call their family, their next-door neighbor, or 911.

But federal and state governments are working together with telephone companies to promote programs aimed at helping eligible customers get and keep phone service in their homes with Lifeline and Link-Up discounts.

The FCC and its state regulatory counterparts, represented by a national trade association, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, have been working with the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates on a national educational campaign, the "Lifeline Across America" outreach effort, to promote Lifeline and Link-Up telephone assistance programs for income-eligible households. The Link-Up program provides a $22.50 discount on new telephone service connection charges, while the Lifeline assistance program offers eligible customers a credit of $8.25 monthly phone bills.

Qualification

Lifeline can only be used for the primary telephone line in a household and the name on the phone bill must match the name of the household member participating in the eligible program with the exception of the National School Lunch free Program.

Eligibility is based on participation of the following programs:

• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• Food Stamps
• Medicaid
• Low Income home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• National School Lunch (Free program only)
• Temporary assistance for Needy Families (ANF)

Eligibility is also based on income. If the total household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines you qualify for Lifeline. The Federal Poverty Guidelines can be viewed here.   

More information about applying for these discounts can be viewed here .  Call Alpine Communcations at 245-4000 or download a  copy of the application from the Alpine Communications' website.

Lori Keppler, Alpine Customer Service Manager

Alpine customers recently cutover to the Fusion Network were surveyed gave a 90% positive satisfaction rating for the handling of the repair/trouble issues, installation of Alpine's fiber service, and overall satisfaction with Alpine's fiber optic service.

Put your fiber-fast Fusion Internet service to the test. 

• Download your favorite TV shows at www.hulu.com
• Connect with friends and family at www.facebook.com
• Download Paul Blart: Mall Cop in less than an hour from www.itunes.com

Spam is a common concern and annoyance for many Internet users.  Have you noticed your spam emails increasing lately?  If so, you are not alone.  The Alpine staff gets emails from customers weekly asking us to verify if an email they received is legitimate or not - and for the most part - the emails in question are spam or phishing attempts.  A recent study by The Radicati Group, Inc. of Palo Alto, CA uncovered some insightful statistics regarding spam.

• In 2009, about 81% of all email traffic is spam. 
• A typical 1,000-user organization can spend upwards of $1.8 million a year to manage spam.
• Spam costs businesses $20.5 billion annually in decreased productivity as well as in technical expenses.

What can you do to prevent or minimize the amount of spam that arrives in your Inbox?  Red Earth Software published a whitepaper that discusses how to distinguish spam from legitimate messages by analyzing the messages headers and content.  The most important thing you should know is spam should be deleted immediately and you should never send a reply to a spam mail. This will just confirm that the email address is 'live' and will enable the spammers to sell the email address to other companies for further abuse.

This advise will likely reduce the amount of spam being delivered to your Inbox, but won't completely end these pesky messages all together.  Savvy users can adjust their personal  Alpine email spam settings. View the spam setting customization instructions here. 

Please contact Alpine Communications if you need assistance with your email or Internet needs.

Jim Springsteen, Alpine Network Administrator

Based on current data, most teens require 9 hours of sleep per night, and adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep.  However, most of us are not getting the sleep we need. 

Teens and Adolescents - Sleepy "Gen Y"
High-tech "sleep stealers" such as televisions, computers, cell phones and MP3 players not only cut into sleep time, but they often make their user feel active and alert when they're used near bedtime and/or in the bedroom. For many adolescents, technology is encroaching on a good night's sleep. More things are competing for their time, and in a high-tech, 24/7 world, sending instant messages to friends, talking on the phone, or surfing the Internet can be inviting outlets for teens when the day has been hectic and filled with stressors.

Internet Chat Rooms and Sleep
The Internet and chat rooms can also become a serious problem. The Internet is on 24 hours a day, giving people endless activities and entertainment long after bedtime.

Chat rooms can be found on any topic imaginable, and staying up "talking" can be addictive for some. Be careful to monitor your computer habits, though, as they can induce a waking stupor that makes it difficult to fall asleep when you finally log off.

Sleep and the Work Place

The paper Waking Up to the Insomnia Crisis: How Insomnia is Costing America More Than $42 Billion a Year and What We Can Do About It  suggests that while up to 70 million Americans might suffer from some form of insomnia, a high number of those cases are undiagnosed and untreated, even as the condition becomes a mounting financial burden on America's employers and the health care system.

The economic and social impact of insomnia is significant, according to the researchers:

• Employees with insomnia miss work twice as much as those who do not suffer from the condition.
• Insomnia costs employers about 4.4 days of wages per untreated individual over a six-month period, not including money spent on indirect costs, such as lost productivity and costs to treat the medical consequences of insomnia.

What can you do to promote healthy sleeping habits?  Keep "sleep stealers" out of the bedroom, so put the TV and computer in a common room instead of your teen's bedroom.  Consider establishing a bedtime routine that includes non-stimulating activities such as reading in a sleep-conducive environment. 

Visit Sleeping Smart from the National Sleep Foundation to get the facts about insomnia and advise for getting a good night's sleep.

With summer storms in full swing, Alpine Communications would like to remind you that lightning strikes can travel through the telephone line and electric energy can possibly be transferred. This can affect any item which may be plugged into a telephone jack. Please keep in mind these simple steps of what to do before, during, and after a storm.

Before: Unplug your electronic equipment if possible. Surge protectors cannot guarantee 100% protection.

During: Stay off the telephone unless you need to make an emergency call. Lightning does strike telephone lines and there is a chance you could be hurt if you are on the phone.

After: If you have no dial tone, please check each device in your home that is plugged into a jack. Unplug each device, one at a time, checking each time for dial tone. If you still do not have dial tone, report your trouble to our service department.

I recently read Cobank's interview with Iowa Senator Harkin concerning his views of the economy and ruralAmerica. The following question and answer caused me to pause and think about the investments and philosophy Alpine Communications has toward economic development regarding rural America.

OUTLOOK: What were the most important parts of the stimulus package for our rural communities?

Sen. Harkin: There were a number of investments in the stimulus package that were critical to helping rural communities. The act provided funding to develop vital community facilities in rural areas such as hospitals, health care clinics, water and wastewater systems and day care and elderly care facilities through the USDA Community Facility Program. To improve, develop, or finance business and industries that will provide jobs in rural communities, funding was provided for the USDA Business and Industry Program. We were able to provide additional funding for the Farm Service Agency loan programs to help farmers and ranchers with farm ownership and operating assistance.

 

I especially believe the $7.2 billion for the broadband program - of which $2.5 billion will be used for the Rural Utilities Service program at USDA - is vital to ensuring that rural communities have access to high-speed broadband service, which is important to economic growth, jobs, education and health care. 

Since 2006, Alpine has invested approximately $15 million in telecommunications infrastructure in Clayton and Fayette counties without any need for a stimulus package. These investments were made to improve the economic opportunities for both Alpine and our customers. The most recent Fiber to the Home investment in Elkader and Guttenberg has provided numerous opportunities for those communities. Our broadband network has allowed entrepreneurs to expand businesses, reduce costs and communicate with customers and vendors worldwide. Other customers have used the broadband network for education and medical reasons.

We will continue to monitor the stimulus plan and look for opportunities to aid our customers in all markets we serve. There are many organizations vying for the stimulus money from Google to Verizon and Comcast to Housing Development Groups.  In addition, we participate in and monitor all activities at the Iowa Utilities Board, State and Federal Governments to ensure our customers receive a level of service better (or at least equal to) than individuals and businesses in large metropolitan markets. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at 245-4000. 

Chris Hopp, General Manager/COO

Talk about a surprising commute home!  Craig, Alpine Communications combination tech, spotted "the biggest bear he's ever seen" on his way home today.  At approximately 4:45 p.m. Craig spotted the bear on HWY 56 near Cannon Road .  Please see the pictures below.

Update 6/10/09 - More pictures have been added to Alpine's Facebook Fan Page.  The bear was spotted today near the Edgewood golf course. 

Currently, many over-the-air stations are broadcasting in both analog and digital TV formats. By June 12, 2009, all full-power TV stations will broadcast only in digital. The digital television (DTV) transition will affect those who watch free over-the-air television (through a rooftop antenna or "rabbit ears"). If you watch over-the-air programs on an analog TV, you must take action now.

During the FCC's most recent open meeting, which took place last week, the focus was on the DTV transition . Despite expansive education programs, the commission remains concerned that there will be problems associated with the transition. Some of the problems are: 

a. Procrastinators who are not yet ready

b. Viewers who have had trouble due to language or financial barriers

c. Reception problems due to propagation techniques of DTV signals

d. Extreme weather conditions may affect signal quality

e. Unlicensed wireless devices may affect signal quality

The FCC has provided some FAQ's that address the myths associated with the DTV transition. You can take a quiz to find out if you are prepared for the DTV transition, find out if your TV is a digital TV, and learn the benefits of DTV.

Alpine has just released the dates for Facebook and Twitter workshops. 

• Monday, June 29th at 6:00 p.m. - Creating a Facebook Page  - Facebook is the Internet's fastest growing social networking website for people 25 and over.  Users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and region to connect and interact with other people.  The workshop will teach you how to use the many features of Facebook such as creating a profile, uploading photos, videos, instant messaging, and more.  
• Monday, July 13th at 6:00 p.m. - Twitter for Beginners- Learn about the social media phenomenom,Twitter. Beginners will learn how to create an account, how to "tweet", Twitter lingo, and applications for business and personal use.

Workshops will be held in our conference facility at the Alpine Communications Business Office in Elkader and are free to all Alpine Internet customers, $20.00 for non-Alpine Internet customers. Class size is limited, so early registration is suggested. Call 245-4000 to register or visit the Contact Us page.

If you would like to learn about a topic that is not listed, we also offer over 800 quality self-paced training courses via the Web. Visit the MindLeaders eLearning page for a full listing of courses .

As an Internet Service Provider, we receive questions from our customers about the legitimacy of emails that seem too good to be true.  A recent newsletter article from Central State Bank provides great tips to help you determie if someone is attempting to scam you for money.  Here is an excerpt from their newsletter:

If you can answer "yes" to anyone of the following questions, you could be a victim of fraud or about to be scammed!

1.        Are you trying to cash or deposit a check from an item you sold on the Internet, such as a car, boat, jewelry, etc?

o        Is the amount of the check more than the item's selling price?

o        Did you receive the check via an overnight delivery service?

o        Is the check connected to communicating with someone by email?

o        Is the check drawn on a business or individual account that is different from the person buying your item or product?

2.        Have you been informed that you were the winner of  a lottery such as Canadian, Australian, El Gordo, or El Mundo, that you did not enter?

3.        Have you been instructed to either "WIRE", "SEND", or "SHIP" money as soon as possible, to a large U.S. city or to another country such as Canada, England, or Nigeria?

4.        Have you been asked to pay money to receive a deposit from another country such as Canada, England, or Nigeria?

5.        Are you receiving pay or commission for facilitating money transfers through your account?

6.        Did you respond to an email requesting you to "CONFIRM", "UPDATE", or "PROVIDE" your account information?

For more information on known forms of fraud, you can visit the FBI website at http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm

Many of you have probably received an e-mail saying that it is from United Parcel Service of America, telling you that they were unable to deliver a package you sent and asking you to print out a copy of the attached invoice.  It may look like this:

If you own a crock pot and are looking for ways to make your summertime meals simple (and keep the house cool), here are some links to easy and delicious dishes.  This is just one way to use your way to use your Alpine Internet connection . 

Crock Pot - Beef 
All Day Crock Pot Beef
Beef and Pasta Casserole
Beef Diablo
Beef Fajitas
Beef Tips
Beer Braised Beef in Crock Pot
Burritos Crock Pot Style
California Tamale Pie
Cattleman's Beef and Beans
Cheeseburger Sandwiches
Cheesy Meat Loaf
Chili Beer Brisket of Beef
Classic Swiss Steak
Complete Crock Pot Dinner
Corned Beef and Cabbage
Country Swiss Steak
Cowboy Casserole
Cranberry Pork Roast
Crock Pot Beef Burgundy
Crock Pot Beef 'n Peppers
Crock Pot Beef with Mushrooms
Crock Pot Beef Roast
Crock Pot Cabbage Rolls
Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Crock Pot Delight
Crock Pot Easy Swiss Steak
Crock Pot Enchiladas
Crock Pot Fajitas
Crock Pot Fajitas II
Crock Pot Italian Beef
Crock Pot Meatballs
Crock Pot Rump Roast
Crock Pot Sauerbraten
Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce
Crock Pot Swiss Steak
Crock Pot Taco Casserole
Fiesta Tamale Pie
Glazed Corned Beef
Glazed Corned Beef #2
Harvest Dinner
Harvest Pot Roast with Tomato-Wine Sauce
Hot-and-Spicy Sloppy Joes
Lean Crock Pot Beans
Pot Roast Dinner
Pot Roast with Noodles
Reuben Casserole
Roast with Veggies
Sage Pot Roast
Salsa Swiss Steak
Savory Pepper Steak
Savory Stewed Beef
Slow-Cooked Beef Stifado
Slow Cooked Pepper Steak
Slow Cooked Swiss Steak Supper
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Slow Cooker Swiss Steak
Slowly Deviled Beef
Smothered Steak Strips
Spaghetti Sauce Italiano
Spicy Wine Pot Roast
Stuffed Cabbage Casserole
Stuffed Pasta Shells
Swiss Bliss
Swiss Steak
Teriyaki Steak
Three Pepper Steak
Three-Way Beef
Yankee Pot Roast and Vegetables 

Crock Pot - Pork 
Chinese Style Country Ribs
Cranberry Pork Roast 
Crock Pot Festival Sausage
Crock Pot Hawaiian Pork
Crock Pot Pork Chops Supreme
Crock Pot Sausage & Potatoes
Crock Pot Sausage and Egg Casserole
Crocked Cherry Pork Chops
Polish Kraut and Apples
Pork Chop Delight
Pork Chops and Mustard Sau ce Potatoes
Pork Chops with Corn Stuffing
Pork Stew with Vegetables
Sauerkraut Supper
Slow Cooking Pork Chops
Soy-Glazed Spareribs
Super Easy Pork Chops
Sweet and Spicy Kielbasa or Polish Sausage
Sweet 'n' Sour Ribs   

Crock Pot - Poultry  
90s Style Crockpot Coq Au Vin
Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Baked Cajun Chicken
Baked Chicken Breasts in Crock Pot
Basil Chicken
Broccoli Rice & Chicken 
Cantonese Sweet & Sour Chicken
Caribbean Chicken
Cheesy Crock Pot Chicken
Chicken & Cherries Jubilee
Chicken a la King
Chicken and Cherries Jubilee C/P
Chicken & Rice Casserole
Chicken and Artichoke Casserole
Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken Breasts Supreme
Chicken Creole
Chicken Crock Pie
Chicken Curry
Chicken Curry #2
Chicken Curry Hurry
Chicken Hearts Crockpot
Chicken in the Crock Pot
Chicken Marengo
Chicken Merlot with Mushrooms
Chicken Ole
Chicken Paprika
Chicken Parisienne
Chicken Parmigiana
Chicken Sesame
Chicken Stew
Chicken Stroganoff in Crock Pot
Chicken Taco Filling
Creamy Chicken with Vegetables
Crockpot Buffalo Wings with Blue Cheese Dip
Crock Pot Chicken
Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Crock Pot Chicken in Mushroom Gravy
Crock Pot Chicken Teriyaki
Crock Pot Garlic Chicken
Crock Pot Robust Chicken
Forty-clove Chicken
Garlic Lemon Chicken
Italian Chicken Breast
Lemonemonade Chicken
Lemony Roasted Chicken
Lo-Cal Crock Pot Chicken
Low-Fat Glazed Chicken in Crock Pot
Mama's Chicken Stew
Pat's Creamy Chicken
Portugese Garlic Chicken
Turkey Casserole

Crock Pot - Fish & Seafood  
Bayou Gumbo
Bouillabaisse
Cheese-Shrimp Chowder
Cioppino (Fisherman's Stew)
Crock Pot Bouillabaisse
Crock Pot Citrus Fish
Crock Pot Clam Chowder
Crock Pot Clam Chowder #2
Crock Pot Crab Soup
Crock Pot Fish Stew
Crock Pot Manhattan Style Clam Chowder
Crock Pot Shrimp Marinara
Jambalaya