Cruzio Newsletter - Number 90, December 21, 2005
1. Sober Worm: New Attack Looms
2. Last Minute Cruzio-Related Gifts
3. Cruzio DSL -- *The* Lowest Priced DSL
4. We're Redecorating
5. Let Cruzio Care for Your Computer
6. Please Update Firefox and Internet Explorer
7. Web Site Changes
8. We'll Match Your Donations Until Dec 30th
9. Cruzio's Holiday Schedule
10. Free Brown Bag Workshop Jan 12th: Wireless Internet
11. Goodbye Tapati
12. Buddy Bucks
13. Feed Hungry Folks Instead of Paying Late Fees
14. About This Newsletter
15. How to Reach Cruzio (dial-in or tech support)
1. Sober Worm: New Attack Looms
By shunning unexpected email attachments and regularly running
antivirus programs, you can help the Internet run smoothly.
That's especially important in the next few weeks.
The Sober Worm is back. It's a chameleon-like worm which comes
disguised in any number of email messages -- pretending to be
from the FBI, or from a long-lost friend, or even pretending to
be an anti-virus patch from Microsoft. It only attacks machines
running Windows.
Once the user clicks on an attachment in the email, the worm
invades the user's email system. It makes the computer a "zombie"
which infects other computers. The worm has its own email program,
so the computer's owner won't see anything unusual in the "sent"
mailbox.
The Internet has already been hard hit by this worm for the
past several weeks. Hotmail and MSN's email systems were
stalled by it last week. Cruzio's engineers have been kept
busy. We've managed to avoid serious harm, but it's cost us
time and placed a burden on our equipment.
On January 5th, 2006, the worm is set to unleash new damage.
Anti-virus gurus have figured out the date, but don't yet
know what new form the worm will take. They're asking folks
to be especially mindful. Details can be found in this article:
http://www.flexbeta.net/main/comments.php?id=17279&catid=11
Advice on how to prevent your computer from becoming a zombie
is on Cruzio's Web site:
http://www.cruzio.com/support/security/virus_info.html#steps
2. Last Minute Cruzio-Related Gifts
CNN is reporting gifts of facelifts for Christmas. We've
got some other suggestions for people who've procrastinated:
What about getting a friend or relative their own domain -- an
email address like "ned@nedsmith.com?" It's like having a star
named after them, but they can actually do things with it: get
email at their own name, put up a Web site, take it with them
wherever they move. The right to their name can last until they
no longer want it. Namespace with email starts at just $10.95 per
month.
Or, give your loved one a Cruzio Computer Spa Package and their
computer will run like new. It's just $99 for the full treatment.
Please call to arrange an appointment with our Support deparment,
and in just two business days Cruzio will have cleaned up adware,
spyware, and viruses; we'll have installed software to protect
against these irritations; and much more. You'll be surprised how
much better your sweetie's computer will run, and they will love it.
(Plus, the computer will not be a zombie -- see item 1.)
You can order many services on our Web site ( //signup.cruzio.com )
or call us at 831 459-6301. Accounts are normally set up the same day.
If you stop by our stores in Santa Cruz or Watsonville, you can
pick up a tee-shirt or mug. Wait, breaking news from the Sales
department -- the new tee shirts are in at our Santa Cruz store!
Contrasting trim, wonderful colors, and a Cruzio kitty on the front.
They come free with every new account, or buy them for just $12 each.
3. Cruzio DSL -- *The* Lowest Priced DSL
Although Cruzio DSL includes our superior service, we are also
currently the absolutely lowest-priced provider we know for a
year of broadband Internet connectivity: cheaper (by far) than
cable. Cheaper (by a good margin) than the telco giants. Now's a
good time to sign up!
//signup.cruzio.com
Until January 15, 2005, Cruzio is offering DSL 1.5 at just
$19.95 per month for an entire year. And we're also running
a special on our higher speed DSL 3.0: for new customers only,
the first month is FREE and equipment is $25 off.
Those of you who already have Cruzio DSL can sign up for a new
one-year term at the low current prices, as long as this program
lasts. 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.
4. We're Redecorating
After nearly 9 years, it was time for Cruzio to remodel our Santa Cruz
storefront. It became more necessary after the Santa Cruz staff saw
our nice, freshly painted store in Watsonville -- they were a bit
jealous. We took the plunge a few weeks ago.
Led by the unfailingly tasteful Krissie with help from Nikkie and
Brian, we have demolished and rebuilt countertops, created enormous
holes in our walls which became doors, and ripped out vast tracts
of carpet. We've looked at swatches and painted swathes and walked
around in booties made of plastic bags. We did the messy stuff
when customers weren't around, but you can see our continuing progress
if you stop by. Like all remodels, it is fascinating to watch.
It's not all for glamour: we're planning more space for computer
rentals and such services as printing, fax, and computer maintenance
which people have been requesting for a while. Customers are already
using just-purchased, brand new, fast, sleek rental computers.
So please pardon our mess for the next few weeks. Things will be
getting better and better until we are just gorgeous. We hope you
will come to visit and enjoy it when it's done (watch for our
Grand Re-opening in 2006!), and in the meantime we appreciate your
patience with the transitional state of our store.
5. Let Cruzio Care for Your Computer
We scrupulously maintain our equipment at Cruzio, and we are good at
keeping computers updated and running smoothly. Now we are offering
this as a service for our members' computers, too.
For just $25, we'll set up your computer with your Cruzio email and
Internet account customized just as you like it: folders, settings,
and personal touches you may want to add. We'll do all the settings
for DSL or dialup, test it, and explain the setup to you. All you have
to do is take it home and plug it in.
If you'd like to get your computer checked, Cruzio offers a free
15-minute in-store diagnostic of any problems it might have. Then,
if you'd like your computer scrubbed of viruses, adware, and the
like, we'll do it for just $45 per hour -- a low price for such
tender care.
And for just $99, we'll give your computer the works: the Spa
Package. We'll clean out the viruses and adware. We'll check it
for any infections. We'll install software to protect against
further problems. From what we've seen, many computers out there
are running much slower than they should be and we can help.
Right now these services are only available if you bring your
computer to Cruzio's downtown Santa Cruz store, at 903 Pacific
Avenue. We'll have news about expanded services in months
to come.
6. Please Update Firefox and Internet Explorer
If you are using Firefox as your Web browser -- and many of
us at Cruzio recommend it -- please update to the latest
version. Firefox versions 1.0.4 or earlier have a bug which
may allow hackers to install and run malicious code on your
computer. Download the newest version here:
http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/
This is similar to a recent warning about Microsoft Internet
Explorer. If you run IE, please download the latest patch:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/
q313675/default.asp
Updating your software is quick and easy (I just did it while
writing this item -- it didn't even require a reboot) and it
protects your own computer as well as the greater Internet.
7. Web Site Changes
There have been several changes to the Cruzio Web site at
http://www.cruzio.com . We've added improved weather service as
well as new local, national and world news headlines. Don't
forget to check out the 'Staff Picks' box for a list of favorite
Web links from beloved Cruzio staffer Tapati.
8. We'll Match Your Donations Until December 30th
Cruzio will continue to match staff and customer donations to
the Second Harvest Food Bank and Doctors Without Borders, up to
a combined limit of $2,500, until December 30th, 2005.
For more information about the Food Bank, please visit
http://www.thefoodbank.org
To learn more about Doctors Without Borders, and the work they
are doing to help Pakistan deal with the recent earthquake,
please see
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.com/
Cruzio can match your contributions if you make a check out to
"Second Harvest Food Bank" or "Doctors Without Borders" -- separate
checks, please, if you donate to both. Send your contribution to
Cruzio, 903 Pacific Avenue, Suite 101, Santa Cruz 95060. When we get
the check, we will log it and increase our contribution accordingly
(until we top out). Then we'll pass along your original contribution
with ours. Donations to both these causes are tax-deductible.
Cruzio also accepts cans of food for Second Harvest Food Bank. As always,
if you are late on a payment, you may bring in 3 cans for the food barrel
in lieu of a late fee.
9. Cruzio's Holiday Schedule
Cruzio's storefronts will be closed from Saturday, December 24th,
to Monday, December 26th; back at work on Tuesday, December 27th.
We'll also be closed on Saturday, December 31st. During this time
our engineers will be keeping an eagle eye on our systems, but
we won't be setting up new accounts or answering calls in Technical
Support. Happy holidays!
10. Free Brown Bag Workshop Jan 12th: Wireless Internet
Thurs, Jan 12th, 2006, noon to 1:30 pm
At Cruzio's Santa Cruz location, 903 Pacific Avenue
The workshop is free; order lunch for just $7
A wireless Internet connection can be so convenient. No more
fussing with jacks and cables, no more drilling through walls
whenever you move your desk. Cruzio's Technical Support experts,
Stephen and Mike, will explain the process from setup to security
to equipment recommendations. They're happy to answer questions,
too! To sign up, please go to
http://events.cruzio.com
11. Goodbye Tapati
This will be Tapati's last month at Cruzio, after more than 8
years of helping customers and co-workers. We know many people
have benefited from her mindful care, first as a Sales Staffer
and for the last several years in Cruzio Accounts Receivable and
Human Resources. Many thanks, Tapati, and good luck to you!
12. 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.
13. Feed Hungry Folks Instead of Paying Late Fees
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. 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, Tapati, Stephen,
Paul, Gershom, Jessi, Michael, Maria, James, Juana,
Krissie, Nikkie, Mike, Don, Bruce, Edgar, Brian, Westi,
Andrew, Jaime, another Chris, and yet another Chris;
Marco, our helpful intern;
Jake, Annika, and Carly (the kids)
Carly, age 8, was visiting Mom at her office (no school this week).
Carly: "You should have a mattress in your office, in case
someone gets bored."
Mom, absent-mindedly: "Who would get bored?"
Carly: "Me."
