Cruzio Newsletter - Number 96, September 6, 2006
1. Cruzio's New Web and Domain Products
2. If You Already Have Web Space With Cruzio
3. This Thursday: Web Hosting Intro Brown Bag
4. Cruzio: 18 Years of Service
5. Domain Up for Renewal? Don't Get Slammed
6. Free Watsonville Classes for Beginners
7. Cruzio Customers Get $20 Off Computer Care
8. Consultants' Luncheon
9. Low DSL Prices Available to All Cruzio Customers
10. Internet Regulations on Political Activity
11. Buddy Bucks
12. Moving?
13. Late Fees Waived if You Help Us Feed the Hungry
14. The Tweegles. Who Are They?
15. About This Newsletter
16. How to Reach Cruzio (Dial-in or Tech Support)
1. New Web Hosting Tools from Cruzio
Cruzio has put together a whole new suite of Web publishing tools
to suit users from the greenest beginners to the most jaded
consultants.
Our new Web framework puts applications that are used by professional
designers around the world at your fingertips. You can now easily
enhance your Web site with visitor polls, blogs, photo galleries,
banner ads and the like. We even offer a choice of content management
systems with which to create an interactive community.
All applications are the best of their class, with familiar brand names
such as Joomla, Drupal, Advanced Poll, WordPress, Coppermine and MediaWiki.
For a full description, see
http://www.cruzio.com/services/web_domain/
You could always find and install applications like these yourself --
you still can. But now they are included free with your Website Plus or
Premium account from Cruzio. Even with the Website Basic account, you'll
have access to Sitebuilder, which wizards you through the setup of a
Web site for your personal or business use, royalty-free graphics
included. One, two, three -- and you've got a Web site.
Best of all, friendly, tech-savvy Cruzio staff is here to assist
with the tools and applications. Since these services are new,
we will be presenting frequent Brown Bag workshops (like the one in
item #3, below) to introduce the products, explain how and when the
features can be used, and answer questions. See our Web page
http://events.cruzio.com for details.
2. If You Already Have Web Space with Cruzio
If you already have a Web site on Cruzio, there is no need
to change it. The new products need not affect your site.
Your current service is fully supported.
You may choose at some point to transition your existing Web
site to the new server to enjoy new features.
If you decide to move a Web site from the "classic" Cruzio
service to the new, we will take some time to work with you
on an individual basis. We'll help you move your current
items carefully to the new space and will require your help
if your site contains customized features.
3. This Thursday: Web Hosting Brown Bag Workshop
Thursday, September 7, 12 - 1:30 pm, $10
Please come to Cruzio's Santa Cruz store this Thursday for a
Brown Bag workshop on our new Web and Domain Hosting Services.
It's the first in a series covering all the new features we
are offering. You'll be amazed at the array of new easy-to-use
tools: blogs and photo galleries; extended mailing lists and
a Web site creation wizard; over 40 Web programs in all. Best of
all, it's all connected by a simple user interface.
The workshop will be led by Cruzio's top flight team of Kathy and
Mike. Register online, and choose an optional lunch for $7 if you like,
at http://events.cruzio.com or by calling 459-6301 ext 247.
4. Cruzio: 18 Years of Service
Another Cruzio birthday has gone by. We are 18 years old and still
going strong, providing (we think) the best Internet service you can
find. Every year we've introduced innovations and enhancements, and
we've worked hard to keep our customer service top-notch. Many thanks to
our members and staff for making this adventure possible!
5. Domain Up for Renewal? Don't Get Slammed
Unscrupulous domain registration agencies -- are you shocked that such
things exist? -- send out scary warning notices to people who have
their own custom domains (like www.myname.com). They warn that if
the domain owner doesn't renew in a short time, the domain will be
lost. The warning letter comes with instructions for quick (and
expensive) renewal (with their company).
It is true that domains expire and that you need to renew them when
their term ends, in intervals from one to ten years. But the companies
who send dire notices go too far and their domain renewals cost over
three times what other companies offer.
To see when your domain expires, just go to
http://www.cruzio.com/support/domain_web/whois.html
and type in your domain name. The expiration date will come up. Your
domain's registrar will also be listed -- that's the company you need
to inform whenever your email or snail mail address changes, so that
you'll get notice when the expiration date nears. You can also extend
your term when you visit your registrar. If you'd like to find a
lower-cost registrar, or if you need any help with the process, please
contact us by calling Customer Service, 459-6301 choose 2.
6. Free Watsonville Classes for Beginners
Introduction to the Computer and the Internet -- 2-Day Class
Monday Sept. 11 & Wednesday, Sept. 13, 7-9:30 pm English
Monday Sept. 25 & Wednesday, Sept. 27, 7-9:30 pm Spanish
23 E. Beach Street, Plaza Vigil, Downtown Watsonville
If you have a relative or friend who's inexperienced with computers,
relieve their frustration and yours by sending them to our free
hands-on beginners' classes.
Night one presents the computer, including parts, on and off functions,
using the keyboard, moving around the computer, and creating a document.
Night two introduces the Internet, including how to send email and search
the Internet for information or fun. The class is led by our Watsonville
store manager, Gershom Toriz, who is well-liked for his patience, his
enthusiasm, and his years of experience.
This workshop is designed for beginners and we request that people take
both classes if possible. One series will be given in English and one in
Spanish -- see the dates above. Please let us know you're coming by
calling 831 722-6200.
7. Computer Care: Cruzio Customers $20 Off
Sometimes your computer runs way too slowly or needs to be switched
off and on all the time. Sometimes it's the popup ads that spring up
out of control every time you open your Web browser. Sometimes your
computer crashes every time you run a certain program.
These are all problems Cruzio can repair.
Our technicians will give your computer a tune-up in our store for
just $49 per hour, and if it needs a thorough cleaning (which normally
takes 4 to 6 hours or more) we'll run it through the Spa Package for
$149 -- and Cruzio customers can get $20 off the package. We can also
install DSL or dialup and set up custom email for you for just $25.
For a full description of these services, please go to
http://www.cruzio.com/services/tech_services/
To make an appointment, please call Cruzio at 459-6301 and select
option 4.
8. Consultants Luncheon September 14th
Thursday, September 14th, 12 - 1:30 pm
At Cruzio's downtown Santa Cruz store
Not everyone was born to make their own Web site or repair their
own computer, and Cruzio honors and supports the professionals who
fill in the gaps. We have created a program just for consultants
who can get the inside scoop about Cruzio's consultant-level services
and give us feedback in return.
If you are interested in joining our consultants' program at any time,
please email events@cruzio.com.
Next Thursday we'll continue our series of consultants' luncheons
with Cruzio's founder and Chief Technical Officer, Chris Neklason. He
will talk about the new Web and Domain services. These luncheons are
quite popular, and seats are limited, so please register at
http://events.cruzio.com . Return visitors are welcome.
9. Low DSL Prices Available to All Cruzio Customers
Another reminder that during our current special, all Cruzio DSL
customers are eligible for our low sale price. Just commit to a new
12-month term and you'll pay the same low price as a new customer.
Visit
http://www.cruzio.com/services/highspeed_access/
for more information, and
//signup.cruzio.com/dsl_sale.html
to sign up for a new term, or to extend your current term.
10. Internet Regulations on Political Activity
There were changes made earlier this year to rules for political
content -- such as blogs and advertisements -- on the Internet.
If you are curious, or if you work in politics, this might be a good
time to check out a summary of the changes at
http://www.newprogressivecoalition.com/node/856
We will keep this link and others on our "State of the Internet"
page, which tracks political and regulatory issues. There are
always good resources and hot topics here:
http://www.cruzio.com/members/state_of_internet.html
11. Buddy Bucks
Recommend us to friends, family, colleagues: if a new customer
gives us your email address, registration number, or full name when
they sign up you'll get $10 credit to your account. If two friends
sign up, $20. Three friends, $30. It just goes on and on. You get
the credit, they get a great Internet provider.
12. Moving?
If you're moving your home or office, please contact Cruzio.
We're here to help the Internet portion of your move go smoothly.
It's best to let us know several weeks ahead of time, especially
if you have DSL or if you're canceling a phone line. We can often
save you from an interruption in Internet service and prevent
costly fees -- but you've got to let us know. For more information,
please see
http://www.cruzio.com/services/highspeed_access/move_dsl.html
13. Late Fees Waived if You Help Us Feed the Hungry
If you're late on a payment to Cruzio, turn it into a donation
to hungry folks in our community. We will waive your late
fee if you bring 3 cans into our office for our Second Harvest
Food Bank barrel. Learn more about this charity at
http://www.thefoodbank.org
14. About This Newsletter
Cruzio doesn't like to waste bandwidth with extra email, but we sometimes
have events and announcements that users need to know about. This seems
like the most efficient way to let people know what's happening. Hope
it's helpful. Please email support@cruzio.com with any comments or questions.
By the way, we would love to have a regular, predictable schedule
for this newsletter...but we simply do not send it unless there is real
news enclosed. Thus the haphazard datelines.
15. The Tweegles. Who Are They?
Only the kitty knows... one clue: they are warm and fuzzy. Check
http://www.thetweegles.org on October 4th to find out more.
16. How to Reach Cruzio (Dial-in or Tech Support)
To reach the Cruzio Information Center, for online technical and
sales information:
http://www.cruzio.com/support
To dial in to Cruzio, set your software to dial one of the numbers
below (note: we've expanded and joined modem pools, so you may be
using another number. If so, don't worry, it still works just fine).
Dialup (in Santa Cruz County): 459-9408
Nationwide Dialup: Look up local number on our Web page:
http://www.cruzio.com/support/dialup_isdn/nationwide_numbers.html
or call Cruzio toll free, 1 800 303-3302
To call Cruzio:
459-6301............Use this number to check Cruzio's system status,
pay your Cruzio bill, find out more about our hours and location,
or to reach someone in customer service and technical support.
722-6200 .......... Cruzio's number in Watsonville.
To send email to Cruzio, use one of these addresses:
support@cruzio.com ......for technical support
office@cruzio.com .......for billing and ordering information
Cruzio's locations:
Santa Cruz: 903 Pacific Avenue, Suite 101, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Watsonville: Plaza Vigil, 23 E. Beach Street, Watsonville, CA 95076
Cruzio's hours:
Sales hours: 10am-6pm, Monday through Friday; 10 am - 2 pm Saturday
Technical support: 8am to 6pm, Mon to Fri, 10am - 2pm Saturday
System monitoring, including customer-alerted emergencies, 24 hours
per day, 365 days per year (leap years, 366 days)
Thanks very much from Cruzio:
Chris, Peggy, Julianne, Kathy, Mark, Stephen, Paul, Gershom,
Jessi, Michael, Maria, James, Juana, Krissie, Nikkie, Mike,
Don, Bruce, Edgar, Brian, Westi, Andrew, Jaime, another Chris,
yet another Chris, and Reema;
Jake, Annika, and Carly (the kids)
Carly, age 9: "You know why poodles are good dogs? Because they don't
shed, and they can wear tutus."
