Cruzio Newsletter - Number 114, March 10, 2008
1. Upcoming Classes: "Get to the Top of Search Engines" and
"Start Making Money Online"
2. If You're Receiving More Than One Newsletter
3. Gizmo of the Month: The RoadTrip
4. When Technology Becomes Antique
5. Telecomm Immunity Coming Up for Another Vote
6. DSL Pricing Change
7. For Newsgroup Readers
8. A New Cruzio.com is Coming
9. Classes in late March: "Internet 101," "One Night Web Site"
10. Moving?
11. Buddy Bucks
12. Feed the Hungry, We'll Waive Your Late Fees
13. How to Reach Cruzio (Dial-in or Tech Support)
1. Upcoming Classes: "Get to the Top of the Search Engines" and
"Start Making Money Online"
Two classes coming up in the next week will help your business thrive.
First, get a good search ranking for your Web site. Rank is important:
if you sell popsicles, you will sell a lot more if your site shows up
near the top of Google when someone types in "popsicles."
How do you get to the top? You need to understand how search engines
work and provide just the cues they are looking for. Cruzio has a
lot of experience making searches work for us, and we can show you
how, too.
"Get to the Top of Search Engines"
Thursday, March 13th, 9:00 to 11:00 am, $29.00
Hand in hand with fame comes fortune. Selling products on your Web site
is an effective, low cost way to widen your market. It's not just
traditional retailers who can benefit: the shopping cart software also
works for concert promoters selling tickets and nonprofits collecting
donations. Cruzio has helped hundreds of customers set up online sales,
and we'll be happy to help you, too. Beat the summer rush -- get started
now by attending next Tuesday morning's class.
"Start Making Money Online"
Tuesday, March 18th, 9:00 to 11:00 am, $79.00
Requires Shopsite Starter, Manager, or Pro.
To see a class schedule and to register, visit:
http://classes.cruzio.com/schedule.html
Get to know our friendly instructors! See their pictures and bios
at:
http://classes.cruzio.com/teachers.html
2. If You're Receiving More Than One Newsletter
Our apologies if you are now receiving more than one newsletter.
We recently revamped our address list and it's sometimes sending
duplicate copies to one person -- for example if you've set up some
of your free extra mailboxes to forward to one address.
If that's the case, please email office@cruzio.com (or just
reply to this newsletter) and let us know what addresses you'd like
removed; we will make sure the duplication doesn't happen again.
The newsletter contains important information on service upgrades,
members-only specials, and pricing changes, but we understand that
one copy is enough for most people and we'll fix it immediately.
Very sorry for the inconvenience!
3. Gizmo of the Month: The RoadTrip
We used to drive to the mountains in a car that had no CD player and
no tape deck -- no audio player at all. We got an iPod, but taking it
in the car was useless without speakers of some sort. It is a four-hour
drive and the adults spent most of the time trying to keep the children
amused, or at least quiet. (Remember the old chestnut, "if you don't
quiet down RIGHT NOW I'M GOING TO TURN THIS CAR AROUND"? That was us.)
Everything changed when we got an iPod hookup for the car. Now we spend
the four hours catching up on each other's newest musical favorites.
We also listen to audio books and podcasts downloaded from the Internet.
Life is better.
That's why we wholeheartedly recommend the RoadTrip. It charges your
iPod by plugging in to your car's lighter adapter. A dock holds your
iPod close at hand, no fishing around the seat to see what's playing.
The transmitter broadcasts via your car's existing radio -- you won't
have to purchase an expensive new stereo system. And when you are at home,
you can use the transmitter to broadcast music from your Mac or PC
computer to any FM stereo close by.
A dramatic improvement to your driving environment, only $49.99 plus
tax. Pick one up at our store.
4. When Technology Becomes Antique
In 1887, Eadweard Muybridge used 12 cameras and an elaborate tripwire
mechanism to photograph a galloping racehorse. When the photos are
displayed in rapid order, the horse moves before you -- an early form
of animation. This was the cutting-edge technology of its day, and it
is still amazing to watch.
Our technology will be as antique as this someday. But will it look
as beautiful?:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Muybridge_race_horse_animated.gif
5. Telecomm Immunity Coming Up for Another Vote
For some reason immunity for telecommunication giants seems to be
the key issue for the Bush administration in recent security
legislation. We can't understand why it's even a question. It seems
to us that the legality of such invasions on privacy should be
a matter for the courts to determine.
A few weeks ago, the U.S. Senate finally approved immunity, despite
some grand speeches and heroic arguments against it; the House vote
is the last barrier standing. If retroactive immunity is granted we
will never know what laws were broken.
Cruzio is an advocate of our members' privacy rights. We would like to
see Internet users' data kept private unless the courts order otherwise.
We hope that if you take an interest in this issue you'll contact your
representatives about it -- this would be the time.
If you'd like to read more about this issue, there is a good summary at:
http://www.eff.org/nsa
6. DSL Pricing Change
As we mentioned last month, Cruzio's wholesale circuit costs have
recently, and with little warning, increased by 50%. We are disappointed
that market conditions allow one or two major telecomm players the kind
of control that results in across-the-industry dramatic price increases of
this kind.
We are protesting the change vigorously and still hold out hope
of some rollback but until and unless that happens we can't help but pass
some of the increase on to our customers. Many DSL customers will see the
change on their next bill. We apologize for the increase and we'll be sure
to lower prices again when we can, as we have done in the past.
DSL is still a bargain compared to a few years ago. It is much
less expensive than cable, and the speed is more reliable. Cruzio has
a fast, dependable product which is worth the price and we'll continue
to improve our service in every way we can. Most recently we've added
another DS3 data pipe to our bandwidth, due to a continued increase
in members' Internet usage. We have great additions to our service
planned in 2008 and we hope you continue enjoying our service.
7. For Newsgroup Readers
Cruzio has found that the number of members reading newsgroups has
dwindled to almost nothing -- only a tiny fraction of our users ever
connect to our contracted newsgroup server, while non-readers are bearing
an equal share of the costs. We'd like to focus our resources on fast
connections and better service all around. For this reason, as of next
month we are no longer going to provide newsgroup access as a free
part of our service. You'll still be able to access newsgroups via your
Cruzio account: there are plenty of providers. We recommend Newsguy,
where a robust newsgroup service can be had starting at just $3.95 per
month, and free trials are available:
http://www.newsguy.com
8. A New Cruzio.com is Coming
Late last year we asked Cruzio members to take a Web site survey.
Based on what you expressed, and on the latest and coolest technology
now available, we've been remaking our fine old grandaddy of a Web site
to be something more fabulous. In the interim it's been like
Santa's Workshop back here as all of us are tinkering and hammering
on new features for you. In the next few months, all will be revealed.
Keep an eye on the site for more details!
9. Classes in late March: "Internet 101," "One Night Web Site"
Do you have a friend or loved one who's still uncomfortable with
this whole Internet thing? Someone who always needs help but might
be shy about asking... or maybe asks a little too often? Here's a
class that's perfect for that person.
"Internet 101" walks students through Internet basics, from email
to Web searches, teaching best and safest practices all the way
through. Whether your friend is concerned about privacy or just
challenged by moving the mouse around the screen, help is at hand
and questions are welcome.
Internet 101
Tuesday, March 25th, 9:00 to 11:00 am, $29.00
Later in March, Mike and Chris will return with our most popular
class: "One Night Web Site." In this three-hour class you'll
learn how to create a Web site by actually building one of your own
with your Website Plus or Premium account. When the class is done you'll
have a foundation in place and you'll know how to add more pictures
and text to fill out the site.
What's great about "One Night Web Site" is that we build some very
spiffy sites together. Even if you don't have any experience, the
modular software we use creates a polished and up-to-date final
product. Two experienced teachers are on hand assisting a maximum
of eight students, so you get lots of personal attention. We expect
the site you build in this class to last you a very long time.
One Night Web Site
Thursday, March 27th, 5:00 to 8:00 pm, $199.00
To see some examples of student sites, visit
http://classes.cruzio.com/graduates.html
To sign up, go to
http://classes.cruzio.com
10. Moving?
If you are 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 cancelling 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. Call us at
831 459-6301 or email office@cruzio.com.
11. Buddy Bucks
Did you know you get a credit for every friend you refer? It's the
easiest way to save a few bucks each month while sharing Cruzio with
your buddies. Recommend us to friends, family, or colleagues: if a new
customer gives us your email address, registration number, or full name
when they sign up you'll get at least $10 credit to your account. If two
friends sign up, $20. Three friends, $30. It just goes on and on.
12. Feed the Hungry, We'll Waive Your 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 three cans into our office for our Second Harvest
Food Bank barrel. Learn more about this charity at
http://www.thefoodbank.org
12. 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.
13. 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, 25 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, 10 am - 2 pm 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, Mark, Paul, Gershom, Jessi, James,
Juana, Nikkie, Mike, Don, Bruce, Westi, Andrew, Jaime,
another Chris, yet another Chris, Diana, Jake, Shawn,
Zachary, Carlos, and Josh;
our awesome interns, Jeremy, Anna, Michele, and Rodney;
Jake, Annika, and Carly (the kids)
"Would you have said 'eh' to Beethoven?"
-- Carly, age 10, when Mom was not impressed that she could make a
whistling sound with the bicycle pump.
