Socket


The Socket Connection

October 2011

  

 

Socket Named One of the Top 5 Places to Work in Columbia

Read the article from Inside Columbia's CEO magazine.


(Photo by L.G. Patterson)


We think Socket is a pretty cool place to work.

Inside Columbia's CEO magazine and two expert judges recently agreed, naming Socket one of the top five places to work in Columbia.

Among other things, Socket was commended for its growth in a fast-paced industry, its challenging environment and commitment to outstanding customer service.

"Everyone's voice and opinion is valued," said Carson Coffman, Socket president and chief operating officer. "Everyone is expected to challenge and push each other to quickly produce great results."

Coffman was also quick to credit a great deal of Socket's success to the local communities--and customers--it serves, saying, "We recognize if we succeed, it's not just us."

The Columbia office of CARFAX, a vehicle history reporting company, was awarded the top spot on the list. Other companies honored included Columbia Insurance Group, MidwayUSA and VAMortgageCenter.com.

Congratulations to these amazing Columbia businesses. We're so proud to be in such great company!

Read the entire article (4.71 MB file) or Socket's featured section (2.72 MB file). Dial-up users can read the text-only version.

 

 

 


In This Issue:
Dear Techie: How can I identify hoax emails?
Sort email fact from fiction.

 

Fairs, Festivals and Fundraisers
Check out where we've been and where you can find us next.

 

Socketeer Spotlight: Jason Vander Veen
Meet Socket's You-Make-the-Difference-Award winner for September.

 

Sites of the Month
Three websites to check out in October.

 

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




 




(c) 2011 Socket. All rights reserved. 

 



	Dear Techie: How can I identify hoax emails?


 


Our inboxes are flooded with emails these days.


And we've all got that one person in our address book who sends us completely useless (and often untrue) chain emails, forwards and jokes.


Believing everything you read in an email can be risky. Some hoax emails are simply annoying, while others can cause significant harm. For example, opening a suspicious email attachment could cause damage to your computer. Falling for a money wiring scam could cause financial harm.


Learn to sort fact from fiction when it comes to email forwards. Run the content through a site like Snopes (www.snopes.com) or Truth or Fiction (www.truthorfiction.com).


There are also a few general rules to keep in mind when deciding whether or not an email message is legit:


  • 
		If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Emails promising money, gift certificates or other incentives just for forwarding the message are almost always false.
    • 

  • 
		Messages that seem excessively urgent or desperate are most likely untrue.
    • 

  • 
		Hoax emails usually don't include credible references for the claims they make. Even if a name is listed, check it out before passing the message along.
    • 

  • 
		Unusual photos can also be checked for accuracy on sites like Snopes.
    • 

Remember that although many false emails come from people you know, you should also use a good spam filter to weed out fraudulent emails from people you don't know.


Make sure your friends and family aren't rolling their eyes when your next email arrives in their inbox. Use a little common sense and take a few minutes to verify accuracy before you pass a message along.


Travis Baugh

	Socket Technical Support
support@socket.net


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


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	Fairs, Festivals and Fundraisers


 


Last Month


September was a busy month for Socketeers, as we traveled through Missouri to visit with residents and businesses at local fairs and festivals.


We hosted a booth at the Jefferson City Connect to the Arts Festival on September 10, as well as the Taste of Wentzville on September 22. We also sponsored a hole at the St. Peters Chamber Golf Tournament.


Socket was also proud to help sponsor this year's Susan G. Komen Mid-Missouri Race for the Cure. Thousands of runners, walkers and cancer survivors came out from across Missouri to show their support, and Socket brought in an expert face painter to decorate their faces with pink ribbons and inspirational phrases. The event benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure and helps support breast cancer research, screening and education.


This Month


In October, you can find us at the Jefferson City Business Expo on October 6, as well as Over the Edge Jefferson City on October 29, which benefits Special Olympics Missouri.


Keep up with all our happenings and view pictures from recent events on Socket's Community Blog at www.socket.net/community.


We hope to see you soon!



				

Walkers begin the Susan G. Komen Mid-Missouri Race for the Cure.



				

Socketeer Danielle prepares to greet visitors at the Taste of Wentzville event.



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	Socketeer Spotlight: Jason Vander Veen, Technical Support Supervisor


 



				

Jason Vander Veen was chosen as Socket’s You-Make-the-Difference-Award winner for September. Jason started at Socket earlier this year as a technical support representative. He now supervises the day-to-day operations of the department.


"Jason is like a duck. He's calm and cool on the surface, but paddling like heck underneath," said a co-worker who nominated him for the award.


Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jason later moved to Jefferson City and then Columbia, MO. He likes golfing, fishing, cooking or spending time with his family (wife Kim, son Gavin and daughter Adilyn).


"I feel honored to receive the award, but I owe a lot of thanks to tech support and to customer service for making it easy for me. I think it's our entire Socket team that really makes the difference."


Socket's You-Make-the-Difference Award is given monthly to the employee who best exemplifies Socket's Core Values and Beliefs. Recipients of the award are nominated and voted on by their peers. To view other winners, visit www.socket.net/ymtd.


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	Sites of the Month


 


Three great websites to check out in October: 


  • 
		Pet MD (www.petmd.com)
    
		This site includes tips and articles relating to your pet's health. Use it to check symptoms, learn about preventive care and much more.
    • 

  • 
		Future Message (www.futuremessage.org)
    
		Schedule an email, text or tweet to be sent at a specified time in the future, so you can automatically schedule birthday messages to friends or reminders to yourself. 
    • 

  • 
		Fantasy Pumpkins (www.fantasypumpkins.com)
    
		Check out this photo collection of some really elaborate and innovative pumpkin carvings.
    • 

Do you have a great website to share with others? Send it to editor@socket.net.


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	Contact Information, Comments and Suggestions


 


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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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