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The Socket Connection

June 2008

Connect to Socket on Summer Trips
Take your Internet with you across the country.

Summer is underway, and many Missourians are planning vacations and trips across the country. However, it can sometimes be difficult to stay connected to e-mail and other online activities while away on a summer trip.

Fortunately, Socket makes it easy to stay connected from almost anywhere in the country. So, when you take your computer along on your travels away from home, you can still connect to Socket for free Internet access from more than 3,000 cities.

Connect to the Internet while you're away

Every Socket dial-up customer has the ability to use this nationwide access at no extra charge. Since High-Speed DSL is not a mobile type of Internet connection, many of our High-Speed DSL packages come with a FREE nationwide dial-up account to use for traveling purposes. Contact Socket at 1-800-SOCKET-3 to verify your package features.

To use Socket's nationwide dial-up numbers, just follow these easy steps:
  1. Visit www.socket.net/customer/dialup before you leave to find your destination's local Internet number.
  2. Go to www.socket.net/support for step-by-step instructions on how to change your dial-up number.
  3. Surf the Internet!
  4. Change your dial-up number back to your local hometown number when you return home.
To obtain a local number while you're away, or if you need assistance, contact Socket Technical Support at 1-800-SOCKET-3.

Catch up on e-mail while on vacation

Check your Socket e-mail from ANY computer with Internet access by using Socket's Webmail. Log in to Socket's Webmail site at www.socket.net/webmail with your user name and password. Once logged in, you will be able to access your e-mail account to check and send e-mail messages while you are away from your home computer.

Look for Socket at YOUR local summer events

The Socket crew is hitting the road this summer and will be on hand at several local Missouri festivals. Check out www.socket.net/community to stay updated on where you can find us.

Tell us about your local festival! Just send an e-mail to openears@socket.net.

Dear Techie:

My friends say my e-mails look strange on their computers. What's going on?




        
Contact Information

	
Find us at:
2703 Clark Lane
Columbia, MO 65202
1-800-SOCKET-3
(1-800-762-5383)
www.socket.net

	
Send your bill to:
Socket
P.O. Box 7716
Columbia, MO  65205
billing@socket.net

	
Pay your bill online at: 
www.socket.net/myaccount

	
View Socket packages at:
www.socket.net/home
www.socket.net/business

	
For technical support:
1-800-SOCKET-3
support@socket.net
www.socket.net/help

	
For customer service or general questions:
1-800-SOCKET-3
office@socket.net

	
Use Socket's Customer Home Page for news, 
weather and more at: 
www.socket.net/customer


In This Issue


Dear Techie: My friends say my e-mails look strange on their computers. What's going on?
Make sure your e-mails appear the way you intend.

Welcome, Former Pneumatek Customers!
Pneumatek looks to Socket to help customers in southern Missouri stay connected to another local Internet provider.

Local Diabetes Camp Benefits from Socket Day of Caring Event
Volunteers from Socket spend the day helping a camp get ready for the summer season.

Socket Blood Drive a Success
Socket helps save lives with the Community Blood Center.

Sites of the Month
Three Web sites to check out in June.

Comments and Suggestions
Let us know how we're doing!


(c) 2008 Socket. All rights reserved.

Dear Techie: My friends say my e-mails look strange on their computers. What's going on?

Three easy tips to avoid e-mail formatting problems.

We've all been there. You’ll open an e-mail from a friend and see peculiar boxes, characters and icons that look like they don’t belong. Fortunately, there are several precautions you can take to avoid this "tech gibberish" and ensure your e-mails appear exactly how you intended on someone else’s computer.

1. Use common fonts. Many formatting frustrations are related to fonts. In order to make sure another user sees the document or e-mail as you intended it, he or she will have need to have the same fonts you used. Therefore, it is best to use a common font such as Arial, Times New Roman or Courier New.

2. Know your format. It's also important to understand the three different ways e-mails can be formatted: plain text, rich text format (RTF) and hypertext markup language (HTML). All e-mail programs can read messages in plain text format, making it the safest option. However, plain text does not allow common formatting tweaks such as bold text or font and color changes. Those types of formatting adjustments require the use of RTF or HTML formatting.

Unfortunately, RTF and HTML e-mails aren’t accessible from all e-mail programs, and even if they are, they can be interpreted and displayed differently. Senders should be aware of these restrictions and format the message according to the recipient’s e-mail program if possible. RTF e-mails should only be sent to recipients using Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express. HTML formatting should only be used when it is necessary to insert graphics or create a specific layout, such as in an e-mail newsletter.

3. Avoid copying and pasting from Microsoft Word. Formatting adjustments made in Word are embedded into e-mail messages, so most problems do not become obvious until the e-mail is sent. It is best to write and edit within the e-mail program or copy and paste from a plain text source, such as Notepad.

Although perfect formatting is never guaranteed, most problems are relatively easy to avoid. Consider your recipient and use formatting elements only when necessary to convey your message and chances are good it will arrive as typed.


Ben Roudenis
Technical Support Representative
support@socket.net

Have a question of your own for Dear Techie? Send it to editor@socket.net.


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Welcome, Former Pneumatek Customers!

Socket would like to welcome a group of new customers formerly served by Pneumatek Internet!

The transfer occurred over the past few weeks as customers were moved from Pneumatek's network to Socket. Former Pneumatek subscribers now enjoy the same reliable Internet and friendly support Socket has offered its customers for more than 13 years.

Socket looks forward to the opportunity to serve former Pneumatek customers in cities such as Thayer, MO, Koshkonong, MO and Mammoth Spring, AR.

"Socket is excited to take Pneumatek customers to the next level of Internet communications,” said Carson Coffman, co-owner of Socket. “We are looking forward to continuing to welcome both new and existing customers to the Socket community."

Former Pneumatek customers can contact Socket with any questions by calling 1-800-762-5383.


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Local Diabetes Camp Benefits from Socket Day of Caring Event

Socket employees and their families volunteered a few hours of their time on Saturday, May 17, to help Camp Hickory Hill prepare for the upcoming summer season.

Located just north of Columbia, Camp Hickory Hill offers a unique opportunity for youth with type-one diabetes. Along with enjoying traditional camping activities like boating, swimming, archery and hiking, campers learn about their medical condition and how to manage it day-to-day.

More than 15 volunteers helped ready the site for summer campers. Duties included cleaning the facilities, painting, clearing brush, readying the pool and deck and more.

“I’m thrilled that Socket chose our camp for their Day of Caring,” said Ken Luraas, director of Camp Hickory Hill. “Our success each year totally depends on the generous donations of contributors and volunteers. We couldn’t offer this camp to these kids without folks like the Socket volunteers stepping up and lending a hand.”

To learn more about Socket's Day of Caring and other Socket news, visit www.socket.net/pressreleases.



Josh Connon, Business Account Representative, clears weeds from the pond area. Josh's wife, Amanda, and son, Michael, also volunteered.

Socket volunteers included (L-R): Nick VanSlyck, Scott Dean, Lonnie Schaal, Josh Devers, Sadie Alongi, Eric Farless and Zaza Tugushi. Not pictured were: Josh Connon, Amanda Connon, Michael Connon, Tiffany Johnson, Courtney Johnson, Tori Johnson, Sheila Lynch, Jim Lynch, Cody Lynch, Jasmine McBride, Janet Moss, Ira Oliver and Khandicia Randolph.


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Socket Blood Drive a Success

Thank you to all Socket employees, customers and friends who helped us save lives with the Community Blood Center at our May 27 blood drive.

All blood donated to the center is distributed to hospitals in Missouri and Kansas. If you were unable to attend, visit www.savealifenow.org to find local blood donation opportunities near you.



Technical Support Representative Ben Roudenis cheerfully makes his donation.

Other donors included (from left): Russ Mulkey, Matt Kohly and Nate Howland.


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Sites of the Month

Three great Web sites to check out in June:
  • Gas Buddy (www.gasbuddy.com)
    Find the lowest gas prices in your area, or check trends across the nation. You can also read helpful tips on how to improve gas mileage and reduce costs.
  • Dead Cell Zones (www.deadcellzones.com)
    View dead areas in cellular coverage to plan ahead for a trip or select a service provider with good coverage in your area. Submit your own dead zones to improve the site's accuracy.
  • Gmap Pedometor (www.gmap-pedometer.com)
    Map your routes for summer walks or jogs and this handy tool will calculate how many miles you traveled.

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Comments and Suggestions

We are listening...

Disclaimer: This publication provides general information about the subject matter covered. Before acting on any information contained in this publication, please consult with one of Socket's technical or customer service representatives at 1-800-SOCKET-3 to determine its applicability to your particular situation.


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© 2009 Socket Holdings Corp. All rights reserved.