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Happy New Year! Once the confetti is cleaned up and the noisemakers put away, it's time to tackle new challenges and enjoy new experiences. This January issue has plenty of new ideas to help you in the year ahead.
We think you'll find the information contained in this newsletter to be a valuable tool for enhancing your Internet experience. As always, we appreciate your feedback and suggestions. Please send your thoughts, comments or questions to newsletter@gmavt.net.
- The Green
Mountain Access Team
Aaron, Adam, Amanda, Eric, Kris,
Phil, Richard, Seth, and Scott
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Take Our Annual Online Survey
If you haven't already done so, be sure to complete our annual online customer satisfaction survey. We are constantly making improvements to our services based on the feedback we receive from our customers. Just for filling out the survey, you will be entered for a chance to win an iPad Mini. The drawing will be held on February 9, so be sure to complete the survey and get your name entered.
Click Here To Complete The Online Survey
Click here for contest rules.
Martin Luther King Day Office Closing
Please note our Customer Service and local Technical Support office will be closed on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 19. As always, our after hours Technical Support will still be available on the above dates, so please don't hesitate to call at: 1-888-321-0815 or email support@gmavt.net if you need assistance. For more information on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, visit www.nationalservice.gov.
Win A $50 Gift Certificate To Richmond Home Supply
Each month, we raffle off a prize from a local business, so be sure to enter your name every month for your chance to win. Congratulations to last month's winner, Arthur Dreher who won a $50 gift certificate to Toscano Cafe / Bistro in Richmond. This month we have another great local prize, a $50 gift certificate to Richmond Home Supply. To be entered into the raffle, simply click the link below and leave your name and contact information. The drawing will take place on January 22.
Click here to enter for your chance to win.
Green Mountain Access Continues To Improve Customer Access to Major Internet Content Providers
After two-years of back and forth with Netflix, we are happy to report that we finally received our Netflix Open Connect caching server and it is installed and up and running. Typically, these caching servers are only available to the big telecom companies, but by aggregating our Netflix traffic with several of the New York Independent telcos through our fiber ring, we were able meet the requirements to qualify for the Netflix caching server. Netflix traffic accounts for up to approximately 55% of our peak traffic. The Open Connect cache handles approximately 80% of our Netflix traffic, with the other 20% still hitting our peering point in NYC. The Open Connect server will help provide our customers with the fastest, most reliable access to this content.
Several years ago, Green Mountain Access was able to qualify for the Accelerated Partner Network Program through Akamai Technologies. Akamai sent us several of their servers that were installed in our data center where they store and deliver specific content to customers through the Akamai Accelerated Partner Program. This content includes software patches, operating system and program updates for computers, tablets, and smart phones. When a user downloads a new version of Apple’s iOS or a Microsoft Office patch, the Akamai servers located in our data center, stores or caches a copy of that update so that other users can access the same file locally, instead of having potentially thousands of users individually downloading the same file over the public Internet. This can significantly increase performance.
WCVT In The Community
WCVT Holiday Giving Tree and Local Food Shelves
Helping our friends and neighbors is very important to us. In the true spirit of holiday giving, we were able to make more than $6,500 in contributions to many local food shelves in our service territory and also donate gifts to approximately 500 children in the local communities we serve. Gifts were distributed through our local schools and community food shelves. Hopefully we were able to make the holidays a little brighter for others.
WCVT Receives Festival of Lights Recognition
The Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce and Sugarbush Resort recently announced the winners for the Annual Festival of Lights, a holiday lights decorating contest in the Mad River Valley. We were honored to take 1st place in the “Most Stars Displayed In One Location ” and proud to donate our winnings to the Mad River Valley Community Fund. A big thank you to Win Smith and Sugarbush Resort for sponsoring this annual event.
Watch Our Video - Connecting Family, Friends, And Neighbors
Being a local business means that our customers are also our neighbors and friends. At Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, we feel strongly that community involvement is not just a nice thing to do; it is the right thing to do. If you have a community service project in the making and are looking for help, contact Alan Jones at 496-8328 or via email ajones@wcvt.com to see if we can lend a hand.
And The Winner Of One Free Month Of High-Speed Internet Service Is...
Congratulations Michael Sharkey for being this month’s winner of one free month of high-speed Internet service. Michael's name was chosen at random from customers who completed our monthly Green Mountain Access technical support surveys.
Each month, one name is selected at random from customers who complete our online technical support or new user surveys. Survey requests are sent out via e-mail to customers after calling technical support or establishing new service. So be sure to fill out those surveys!
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Two to View — A Couple Of Amazing Videos You Don't Want To Miss
Discover The Secret Of This Optical Illusion 
click here for video
Here's a great reminder that things aren't always what they seem. The dots appear to be moving in circles but are actually moving in straight lines.
See How Wolves Transform A Landscape
click here for video
This fascinating presentation shows how the reintroduction of just a few wolves into Yellowstone National Park in 1995 dramatically changed its ecosystem and geography.
Go Pinterest-ing! - Cool Stuff To Pin On Your Pinterest Boards
Pinterest is a pinboard-style photo-sharing website that allows users to create and manage theme-based image collections such as events, interests, and hobbies. Users can browse other pinboards for images, 're-pin' images to their own pinboards, or 'like' photos. Here are some links to some:
Quick Hot Chocolate For Cold Winter Days
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775853181998/
Slow Cooker Dinners Make Dinner A Snap
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775853181977/
Guests Will Get A Kick Out Of These Footballs
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775853218906/
You haven't started pinning on Pinterest yet and you want to get started? To learn more visit http://about.pinterest.com/en or to sign up, go here https://pinterest.com/join/signup/.
Featured Apps - These Are Well Worth A Look
Vine - FREE
https://vine.co/
Vine allows you to record and share six-second looping videos. Interact with friends, browse videos from other users, or share your creations on Facebook or Twitter.
Flixster - FREE
https://www.overdrive.com/
Love to read? Then you'll love this app, which lets you borrow thousands of ebooks, audiobooks, and videos from your local library.
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Scam Alert - Avoid The Top 5 Facebook Scams
Online scammers may be unscrupulous, manipulative, and deceitful, but they're also smart. They know where to find victims for their schemes to steal valuable data, identities, and money. One of the richest sources of unsuspecting targets is Facebook because so many people use it to share so much personal information. But these ploys can only work if you cooperate by clicking on their fraudulent messages. There are numerous ways for scammers to "getcha" on Facebook. Here are a few of the most common "don't click" scenarios:
1. Profile Views and Blocks. You may see a message promising access to information about who has viewed your profile or who has blocked you from their profile. In reality, this information never has been and never will be available to Facebook users.
2. Profile Color Change. Facebook doesn't provide a way to change the color of your profile but these messages claim you can do just that. Don't fall for it!
3. Free Items. This scam's messages promise you will receive free gift cards, tickets, clothing, electronics, and other items if you complete a survey. You won't.
4. Facebook Security. As with your email account, you should never respond to supposed security representatives asking for your login credentials. Once they can get into your account, scammers can create any number of serious problems.
5. Celebrity News. Gossip messages about the rich and famous -- including fake death notices, sex tapes, and other "OMG" type stories -- are used as click bait. Steer clear!
As time goes on, Internet scammers are becoming more sophisticated, and so should you.
This Month's FAQ - What Do The Terms "Digital Native" And "Digital Immigrant" Mean?
Question: I've heard the terms "digital native" and "digital immigrant" but I don't know what they mean. Can you explain?
Answer: The terms "digital native" and "digital immigrant" both refer to how much of their lives people have spent in the digital world. Digital natives are those who have been interacting with digital devices, and especially the Internet, all their lives and feel comfortable with this technology. Digital natives are usually people in Generation Y and younger.
Digital immigrants are typically people belonging to Generation X and previous generations, who experienced life before the Internet. These folks may have grown up with TV, video games, and early computers but were introduced to the Internet as teens or adults. They have adapted to the Internet and related technologies but the interaction isn't as comfortable as it is for younger users.
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Torchlight Parade and Fireworks – Saturday, January 17 – Lincoln Peak
Enjoy a unique spectacle of torchlight formations as Sugarbush employees weave their way down Spring Fling in the dark of the night. Dazzling fireworks conclude the night. For more information, visit http://www.sugarbush.com/vermont-activities-events/calendar/sgb/torchlight-parade-and-fireworks-12146.
Shelburne Winterfest – Saturday, January 24 - Shelburne Farms
Come out to Shelburne Farms from 12:00pm - 3:00pm and enjoy a day of winter activities indoors and out. Activities include sledding, sleigh rides, crafts, music, and delicious food at this annual, family-fun event! Bring your warm clothes and your winter spirit! For more information, visit: www.shelburnefarms.org.
Vermont Specialty Food Day - Tuesday, January 27 - Mad River Glen
Ski Vermont and Vermont Specialty Foods team up to offer up samples of their fine products. Participating specialty food producers include Cabot Cheese, Vermont Maple Syrup, Northeast Kingdom Mustard, Cold Hollow Cider and others. What a great enhancement for Roll Back the Clock Day! |
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Tools To Get Fit, All in One Place
http://fitday.com
FitDay can help you meet your weight loss goals with several helpful tools: articles that focus on the challenges of weight loss, a dietician to create a custom health plan, a calorie counter to track calorie intake, and a mobile app to keep track on the go.
Secure Online Financial Tracking
http://mint.com
Time to get your finances in order? With Mint, you can categorize and budget to achieve your financial goals. This online application allows you to see your cash, credit card, loan, and investment accounts all in one place. You can also organize your bills and get alerts when they're due.
Get And Stay Organized
http://unclutterer.com
From financial files to kids' toys to upcoming events, the Unclutterer can help you unclutter your life! This practical blog offers advice in numerous areas including kitchen, garage, and travel. For example, learn how to sort out your recipes, prepare yard tools for spring, or make the most of airport waiting time.
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