Alpine Communications Blog

Yesterday I woke at my normal time but right after getting out of bed, the power went out.  We checked our breaker box to make sure the outage wasn't due to something inside our home, no problems there.  So my husband tryied calling a few people around town to make sure the outage was town-wide.  He tried several people but no one answered his calls.  He figured most of them were still sleeping.  I didn't think that was the case.  I told him people probably weren't answering because most of them have cordless phones and when the power goes out those types of phones don't work. 

I explained that corded phones that will continue to work during power outages because they get power to ring directly from the telephone company's central office.  It's essential to have a corded phone somewhere in your home for power outages so you can continue to have access to phone service.

My advice - get a corded telephone and don't be left without a phone during a time that you may need it the most.  Alpine Communications carries a variety of qualtiy corded phones in-stock for as low as $12.95 .  Visit the Alpine Retail Center today. 

Margaret Corlett, Alpine Finance Manager

A lot has changed with the ways kids communicate since my junior high and high school days in the 80's.  My friends and I would spend hours on the telephone talking about plans for the weekend, doing homework, school happenings, and boys.  If we weren't on the phone, we were passing notes in class or in the hallway lamenting about the day's activities.    We would "cruise the strip" in my hometown and gather in the Pizza Hut parking lot to drum up some fun for the evening.  Communicating was simple, you talked.  Our thoughts and feelings weren't limited to 160 characters.

Nowadays, things are completely different.  The advent of text messaging and social media has taken communicating to a whole other level.  This past weekend my friend's sister recounted a recent brief relationship she had with a guy in the cities.  He asked her out by text, they communicated primarily by email and texting, and they only "talked" on the phone once, and that was with a voice mail.  My jaw dropped when she told me that story and it reminded me of the line from the movie " He's Just Not That Into You" where Drew Barrymore's character bemoans being rejected by men using five different technologies.  I didn't people believe people had those kinds of relationships, but it's real and becoming the norm.

So, for those of you who are replacing texting with conversation, here is an article titled "10 Rules for Texting and Dating" that I found on YourTango.com. I have only one request, start a budding romance out right and please pick up your telephone the next time you ask a girl or guy on a first date. 

Let's hear your feedback. Do you believe in texting is a great way to start a relationship?  Post a comment. 

Alpine Communications mission is to become the premier solution provider offering communication and advanced broadband solutions for the customers in the markets we serve with personal customer attention, superior quality and by supporting our local communities.

We continue to learn new ways to communicate the benefits of our services while finding solutions to help enhance and protect our customers. We strive to be the 'experts' in not only telecommunications, but also simply communicating.

The Alpine Customer Service department attended a Front Office Seminar entitled, "Win-Win Negotiations" sponsored by the Iowa Telecommunications Association.  This training helps customer service to gain active listening skills and innovative rapport building techniques to build a solution that benefits everyone.

Call Alpine today at (563) 245-4000 and we will review your account, evaluate your needs, and see what services we have that can help enhance and protect your life.

Spam is a huge issue for email users.  Alpine Communications makes every effort to reduce and eliminate the amount of spam that passes through our servers to customer's email Inboxes.  A new report from Postini and Ferris Research indicates that spam is increasing and spammers are resorting to their old tricks.  Here are some stats:

• During 2009 spam has grown 280% from January to May
• More than 90% of all email is spam according to Postini and Alpine data centers
• Image and other attachment spam made up more than 30% of all junk messages and is recently back in vogue with spammers
• This drives an increase in bandwidth, processing, and storage requirements for ISPs and email users
• Spam cost $140 billion globally in 2008 (lost productivity and cost of fighting spam)

Mark your calendars for the 155th Annual Clayton County Fair to begin on Wednesday, August 5, 2009.  Alpine Communications is a proud supporter of and the "Official Communications Provider" of the Clayton County Fair.  We are excited to partner with Clayton County 4-H Foundation this year for a new booth located just outside of the Commercial Exhibit Hall. 

Alpine is offering telephone service, a free Wi-Fi connection in our booth, and computers so you can check your email, Facebook, or Twitter while you are at the fair. 

Clayton County Extension and 4-H will be posting fair activity, updates, show results, and entertainment news to their Facebook page, Twitter, blog, and website.    

• Visit the Clayton County Fair's Official Website
• Visit Clayton County Extension/4-H on the Web 
• Follow Clayton County 4-H on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook 
• Subscribe to the 4-H Blog

We are frequently asked by customers when shopping for a new portable computer, "What are the advantages of a laptop and a netbook?"  On the surface, both handy computers seem very similar - portable, all-in-one monitor/keyboard/mouse.  But look closer and you will see some very significant differences between netbooks and laptop computers. 

The most obvious difference is size.  Netbooks generally have a screen size of 8-10 inches.  Laptops boast screen sizes typically 25-40% larger than a netbook's screen.  Netbook keyboards are more compact where as a laptop has standard-sized keys and spacing between them.  Because of their compact size, netbooks are ultra-light which makes them attractive to people who want or need to take a computer on the go and stow it easily.

If you need a computer that can multitask, processing video, and provides generous storage options, a laptop is your best choice.  They offer the power and functionality required by users for business and educational applications.  However, if you are looking for a second or third computer for Web browsing, social networking, and affordability, a netbook is the perfect choice.

So which computer is right for my needs?  Stop by the Alpine Retail Center in Elkader and our customer service reps can help you decide.  We stock netbooks from Samsung and Asus and can special order netbooks and laptops from HP, Toshiba, Acer, Lenovo, and more. 

Have you received e-mails recently that say you have an e-card waiting for you from an unnamed schoolmate, family member, or neighbor? They're probably from phishers trying to lure you to websites that deliver a malicious Trojan horse program to your computer. At first glance, these e-mail messages may appear to be legitimate, since they claim to come from companies like Hallmark, Blue Mountain, and 123Greetings . But take a closer look.

Here's an example of a bogus e-card notification:

Now compare it to an actual e-card notification from Hallmark:

To protect yourself, watch for these clues to help spot a fake:

• There is no personalized greeting that identifies you as the intended recipient of the e-card, nor is the sender identified by name.
• The actual web address is different from the one displayed in the message. If you receive an e-card notification of this type, DO NOT click on the link. Simply delete it from your Inbox.
• Please do not hesitate contacting Alpine Communications to verify the authenticity of an email.  We are always here to help you!

Did you know you can ship your packages via UPS at Alpine in Elkader? The Alpine Communications business office at 923 Humphrey Street in Elkader is the area's newest UPS service location center. Our friendly staff can assist you in weighing, labeling, and insuring your packages for a safe delivery. We offer a full range of shipping options through UPS including UPS Next Day Air, UPS 2nd Day Air, UPS 3-Day Select, and UPS Ground.

Is your UPS package prepaid? Our Elkader office is an approved drop-off location for UPS shipments. A $1.00/package drop-off fee will apply. Package drop-off deadline is 3:00 p.m. Monday - Friday and our office is closed on most holidays.

DID YOU KNOW...
UPS Guarantees Next Day Air Delivery
Your First $100.00 of Insurance is FREE!

Ship your packages at your neighborhood UPS partner, Alpine Communications. For more information, contact us at (563) 245-4000.

I feel a bit pretentious when giving advise about e-mail etiquette.  Constructive criticism is as difficult to give as it is to receive.  However, e-mail etiquette one of my passions, along with proper punctuation and spell checking my facebook status updates. Pathetic, I know.  Because using proper      e-mail etiquette is in the best interest of the writer and the reader, I will share a few of my favorite tips that rule-breakers often overlook when composing e-mail.

Sara's Top Email Etiquette Tips

1.      Never leave the "Subject" line blank, since doing so makes it difficult for the recipient to search for the e-mail later in their archives. When writing a subject line, use keywords to identify the type of message: Question, Response, or Informational. Then give a brief description of the content.

2.      Use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

3.      Use proper structure and layout including short paragraphs and blank lines between paragraphs.

4.      Don't write in all CAPITALS. You'll appear to be shouting or angry.

5.      Use the "Bcc:" (Blind Carbon Copy) field when sending to multiple recipients so you don't publicize others' e-mail addresses.

6.      Don't forward chain letters. Most are simply hoaxes or urban legends.  Snopes.com is a great website that debunks myths. 

You can read more email etiquette tips in the newest version of Alpine's Website Compass Magazine . 

Sara Hertrampf, Alpine Sales & Marketing Manager

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Get the Right Electronics, Right Here at Alpine Communications

Help make your family vacation more comfortable, and connected, with gadgets and services from the Alpine Communications. Our Retail Center in Elkader is stocked with carefully picked products
and personal service you won't find in the big-box stores. The Retail Center is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm for your convenience. Check out the summer vacation essentials that you shouldn't leave home without:

• Kingston 2GB SD Cards - $7.95
• Belkin iPod Rock Star Headphone Splitter - $16.95
  Connect up to five headphones, and your iPod, to start sharing.
• Samsung 10.1" Black Netbook with Wi-Fi - $439.95
  Netbooks gives you the power to accomplish more wherever you are. The 6 cell lithium ion battery lasts for up to 9.5 hours, so you'll have more time to shop online, surf the web and chat with friends.
• Zap Portable AC/ DC Chargers - Starting at $15.95
  Powers and chargers Blackberry, cell phones, iPhone, iPods
• TuneBuds Earphones - $11.95
• Flip Video Ultra Camcorder  - $149.95
  The Flip Ultra camcorder makes it easier than ever to shoot
  and share video. With 120 minutes of record time,
  you'll never miss another minute again. And because
  of Ultra's pocket-sized portability, you'll truly be
  able to capture video anytime, anywhere. HD model
  available for $199.95. 
• Portable DVD Players - We can special order the
  right portable DVD player and accessories.
• Voice Mail - When you are on vacation, you'll always
  get your messages with Voice Mail.
• Find Me - Link your home, office, and wireless
  phone so callers can reach you no matter where you
  are. A call to your home can ring up to five different
  telephone numbers all at the same time or in any
  order you decide.

Don't forget to print your vacation memories instantly
at the Alpine Digital Photo Center . We use quality Fuji processing.

SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE this summer and save time with these convenient services from Alpine Communications.

Cut down on paperwork and save on postage by managing and paying your Alpine bill online. With eBill, you can view electronic versions of your current and past statements anytime, check your payment history, and see service details. Then instantly pay your Alpine bill online using the bank account or credit card you designate. No more looking for a stamp or worrying about payments arriving late.

Visit ebill.alpinecom.net for instant access.

WIRELESS HOME NETWORKING

WEB MAIL

ONLINE DATA BACKUP

Updating the last mile in America's telecommunications networks with high-bandwidth, direct fiber optic connections to homes and businesses will deliver substantial environmental benefits in the short term - according to a study released by the consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Commissioned by the Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Council, the study looked at the environmental costs of running fiber optic cables all the way to the subscriber premises, and balanced them out with the sustainability benefits that faster, next-generation connections will bring - particularly with regard to gasoline saved when more people are able to use those connections to work from home.

"This conservative estimate from a widely respected firm says essentially that supercharging  bandwidth in American homes with FTTH, by enabling more telecommuting, is an environmentally sustainable activity that goes 'green-positive' in six years," said Joe Savage, President of the FTTH Council. "For telecom providers, it means that upgrading to fiber to the home is not only a good business proposition, but it is also a good way to go green."

Learn more about Alpine Communications' Fiber To The Home Network - The Fusion Network

Five green things you can do today

1. Pay your bills online. You not only save paper by not writing checks and mailing envelopes, but you also reduce fuel consumption by the trucks and planes that transport the checks. Sign up for Alpine eBill today!
2. Adjust your thermostats. This applies to heating and air conditioning units as well as water heaters.
3. Change your light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use one-quarter the electricity of regular light bulbs and last several years longer.
4. Buy locally grown food. Whenever possible, reduce the amount of fossil fuels it takes to get your food from the farm to your table.
5. Start a carpool. Cut down on fuel emissions and save yourself and a few other people a lot of money on gas.

Did you know that if you are having phone or internet trouble when our office isn't open we can still help you?  If your phone isn't working at night or on the weekend, our on-call technician can help you.  Just call our office at 245-4000 or 800-635-1059, then press 2 when you reach the recording, and leave a message.  Our on call technician will call you back shortly to troubleshoot your issue before an on-site visit.

If you are having internet trouble, we have two numbers that can help you after hours.  If you are having e-mail trouble or trouble connecting to the internet, you can call Internet Technical Support at 1-888-264-2908 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you have SecureIT anti-virus protection you suspect your computer is infected, you can reach SecureIT support at     1-877-373-3320, find answers in the support forum, or chat live with a support rep here.

The Alpine Communications crew makes every effort to stay up to date on the latest technology so we can better assist our customers.  Recently a couple employees have installed Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) was release in March of 2009.  It has had mixed reviews.

Our finance department installed IE8 and has encountered many issues with third party secure sites, such as government filing websites and online banking. In most instances, simply uninstalling the software and going back to the old version would take care of this. However, Internet Explorer 8 leaves a portion of the software behind.  Unfortunately this portion continues to cause issues with the secure third party sites.  Even after restoring to Internet Explorer 7, this computer is still not able to access those websites.

Our network technician, Jim Springsteen, installed IE8 on his Windows XP machine. When asked how he likes the new version, Jim said he doesn't use IE8 much and hasn't had any issues with it.  Jim prefers  Mozilla FireFox as his Web browser of choice.

You will find many technology forums giving the same advice on Internet Explorer 8 issues.  You might want to wait a while before downloading the new version of Internet Explorer. As with any new software releases, it can take time to find and fix the bugs.

Want to know which version of Internet Explorer you are using? Follow these steps:

• Click on the Help menu on the Menu Bar
• Choose About Internet Explorer
• Anew window will open giving you the version you are currently running.

Recent issue with Internet Explorer 7
Our staff has recently encountered an issue with Internet Explorer 7.  IE7 has been increasingly closing down and sometimes automatically restarting. This problem has been occurring not only in the office, but also on employee's personal computers. We took the time to work with Security Coverage to determine how to help eliminate this problem. Internet Explorer settings were reset which deletes all temporary files, disables browser add-ons, and resets all the changes settings.

After restoring these settings Internet Explorer seems to be more stable and we have not encountered the browser shut downs like before the restoration.  Click here to see how to reset Internet Explorer settings to default. 

Lori Keppler, Alpine Customer Service Manager

Become a Fan of Alpine Communications' Facebook page before August 30, 2009 and earn a chance to win six months of Alpine High Speed Internet Gold. Alpine Facebook Fans will have access to special coupons and contests, plus exclusive content.

Five Simple Steps to Register

1. To be eligible, you must be an Alpine Communications customer.
2. Visit Alpine Communications' Facebook Fan page.
3. Become a Fan (which requires that you have a Facebook account).
4. And your name will be entered into a random drawing for six months of Alpine High Speed Internet Gold.
5. Stay tuned. We will post the giveaway winner as a wall update after August 30th.

Don't miss out - become a Fan! Already an Alpine Facebook Fan? We appreciate your enthusiasm and will add your name to the giveaway automatically. However, the rules will apply.

The Rules
The Alpine Facebook Fan Giveaway is open to Alpine Communications telephone, Internet, and PC security customers, 13 years or older at the time of entry. Please see Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities for registry and account security rules. Employees of Alpine Communications, and the immediate family members of, and any persons domiciled with such employees, are not eligible. Entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m., C.S.T. on August 30, 2009 to be eligible for the giveaway. Only one entry per customer accepted. No purchase necessary. Odds of winning are dependent on the number of eligible entries submitted that day. This giveaway has no cash value and is not redeemable for cash. Alpine Communications reserves the right to terminate, suspend or modify the giveaway, in its sole discretion for any reason.

Studies show landlines are the preferred choice over cellular phones in terms of voice quality, reliability and consistency of service.

Need 911? Help Finds You Faster with a Landline

A call to 9-1-1 that's placed from a non-cordless, landline phone provides potentially lifesaving benefits by providing reliability and accurate emergency response information for at-home emergency calls. With a landline phone, an emergency dispatch center in an enhanced 9-1-1 service area will automatically receive your location - saving time and sometimes lives. And having a non-cordless phone is essential to keep you connected during power outages.

Landlines are Secure

Never use your wireless phone to give out credit card or other critical data. (No kidding, this is serious business!) Did you  know that some cellular phones use radio frequencies, which can be easily intercepted? Eavesdroppers use simple devices, (e.g., scanners or other cell phones) to intercept the analog radio waves that carry wireless calls. Then, they listen to your private conversations, write down your credit card  information, and find out when you'll be away to plan their evil deeds.

Your Number is in the Book

Without a landline, your telephone number will not appear in area telephone books, many online directories, and  iformation. Cellular companies do not publish telephone numbers in  directories. Your friends, family, business associates, and the community would not know how to reach you without your number listed where most people go to first to call people, the phone book.

It's the most reliable connection to 911. For your safety, is going without a landline worth the risk? Call Alpine Communications today and let us help you see if we can save you money with a bundle or to apply for Lifeline assistance for i ncome-eligible individuals .