Socket

The Socket Connection

September 2011

  

Socket Sponsors Missouri State Fair

We had lots of fun at the Pig Races!


For the fourth year, Socket sponsored the Pig Races at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia.

We passed out pig-themed fans, balloons and temporary tattoos to hundreds of Fair visitors. Five times a day, fans cheered on their favorite racing pigs.

Our favorites were Lady Hogga and Snoop Hoggy Hogg!

A storm blew through the Sedalia area on August 19. It caused extensive damage throughout the Fairgrounds. Our tent was discovered later that day in a crumpled-up ball, but thankfully no one was harmed and the pigs stayed safe!

Congrats to the winners of our contests on the new Socket.net website and our Facebook page. We hooked them up with great concert and event tickets at the Fair.
  • Glenn Banks from Marceline
  • Travis Welch from Millersburg
  • Sierra Rudder from Columbia

Thanks to everyone who came out to see us at the Fair. We hope you enjoyed the racing piggies as much as we did!

To check out pictures and other updates from the Fair, visit Socket's Facebook page.

For updates and photos from Socketeers out and about throughout Missouri, visit www.socket.net/community.

 

In This Issue:
Dear Techie: How do I buy and sell safely online?
A few tips to avoid personal or financial harm.

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

Socketeer Spotlight: Kevin Gandara
Meet Socket's You-Make-the-Difference-Award winner for August.

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

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





(c) 2011 Socket. All rights reserved. 

 



	Dear Techie: How do I buy and sell safely online?


 
Online sites like Craigslist and local Swap Shop pages on Facebook make it easier than ever for people to buy and sell stuff right in their own neighborhood.


Our own Socketeers have bought and sold all kinds of things online. Josh in business sales bought a bandsaw and sold a swimming pool. Stephanie in marketing sold her car. Justin in customer service buys and sells all kinds of drum gear for his band.


Unfortunately, buying or selling locally comes with risks. The vast majority of online shoppers have good intentions, but shoppers can be taken advantage of by people acting illegally. Online criminals could try to cause personal or financial harm to you or your family, or attempt to manipulate you into performing illegal activities.


We've come up with a list of safety precautions to follow when buying or selling online:


  • 
		Use a cell phone number. Unlike your home telephone number, it usually can't be traced back to a specific address.
    • 

  • 
		Meet up in public spots. Whether buying or selling, protect yourself by meeting at a local restaurant, gas station or busy parking lot. Let your friends and family know you're going or, better yet, take a friend along with you.
    • 

  • 
		Place large items outside the home. If it's not possible to meet up in a public place (for example, when selling large furniture), move items outside the house or into the garage. Avoid letting buyers into your home if possible.
    • 

  • 
		Be alert to money wiring scams. Particularly on Craigslist, be alert to sellers who request payment via money wiring, especially in amounts above the purchase price.
    • 

  • 
		Trust your instincts. Most importantly, end the transaction if a buyer or seller seems suspicious or not serious about the item.
    • 

Local online communities can be a great way to find deals or get some cash for unwanted things around the house. As long as users remain cautious and aware of potential risks when dealing online, the risk of being taken advantage of online decreases dramatically.


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


 
Socket continued a summer full of events with fairs, festivals, and fundraisers.


August


Early in the month, Socket employees held a bunch of fundraisers at the office to raise $271.72 for the 9th annual Back 2 School Bash in Hallsville. The event, sponsored by the Hallsville Inter-Church Council, provided school supplies free of charge to approximately 500 area children.


We were proud to sponsor Kid City Mid-Missouri on August 27 in Columbia. At Socket's Story Time Corner, kids and parents enjoyed live storytelling performances, as well as receiving activity booklets and balloons and learning about literacy and Internet safety.


Socketeers put some golf teams together and sponsored holes at the Family Health Center Golf Tournament and Rainbow House Golf Classic.


September


You can find us this month at the Jefferson City Connect to the Arts Festival September 8-10 and at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Columbia on September 18. We'll also be out tailgating and cheering on the Tigers at Mizzou football games!


Keep up with all our happenings and view more pictures of Socketeers in action at www.socket.net/community. 



				
				Socketeers Ashley (left) and Tia (right) make smoothies to raise money for the Back 2 School Bash in Hallsville.


				
				Kids and parents listen to a story at Kid City Mid-Missouri.



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	Socketeer Spotlight: Kevin Gandara, Customer Service & Sales Supervisor



				


Kevin Gandara was chosen as Socket’s You-Make-the-Difference-Award winner for August. Kevin joined Socket's customer service and sales team last September and was recently promoted to supervise the department. He oversees day-to-day operations, as well as hiring and training new team members.


"Kevin has really stepped up in customer service & sales," said a co-worker who nominated him for the award. "He has not stopped striving for excellence."


Kevin is originally from New York City, but he’s been exploring Missouri since he moved to Columbia last year. He especially likes bike rides and trips to the St. Louis Zoo or local parks with his family.


When asked what he thought of winning the award, Kevin said, "It's great to know your peers appreciate the hard work, but it's very much a team effort. I wouldn't be successful without the support of my team and others within Socket."


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 September: 


  • 
		Kids Eat For (www.kidseatfor.com)
    
		View a day-by-day calendar of the places kids can eat free or cheap at local restaurants. 
    • 

  • 
		Delete Your Account (www.deleteyouraccount.com)
    
		Check out this guide for handy links and instructions for deleting unused accounts on sites like Facebook, MySpace and Hotmail. 
    • 

  • 
		72 Hours (www.72hours.org)
    
		Visit this site for helpful checklists and preparation guides in case of an emergency. Make plans or assemble kits to have on hand in case disaster strikes.
    • 

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


 
Our offices will be closed on Monday, September 5 for the Labor Day holiday.

Our call center will be open during regular hours (8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)



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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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