Volume 6 Issue 12

July, 2001

New Billing System

This month marks our first month using the new billing system.
As you will notice, there are several changes to your invoice. These changes were based on recommendations we have received from subscribers to make our invoice/statements easier to understand.
We have included each subscriber's account name on the invoice to facilitate payment tracking. We now also note all payments posted during the previous billing period for those subscribers paying by check. There is also a new field for noting the amount of your payment on the return (top) portion of your invoice.
Credit card payments are now automated. Subscribers paying by credit card now receive their statements via email.
We are always looking for ways to improve our service, including the administrative portion.
If you have any recommendations, please feel free to email them to office@cove.com.

Invoice Via Email?

Many subscribers consider receiving their invoices via email more convenient than through normal postal mail.
Emailed invoices have the headings of the current newsletter and a link to the on-line version on our web site.
We can also send invoices paid by check via email. If you pay by check and would prefer to receive your invoice via email, just make a note on the return (top) portion of your invoice.

Cove WebMail

We have been developing a web-based email interface over the past few months.
This WebMail service works just like hotmail, except it is for the exclusive use of Cove subscribers.
It should prove to be very convenient for subscribers when they are out of the area and would like to access their email.
The service will be beta-tested by a few volunteers this month to help identify any quirks in the system. If you would like to volunteer as a beta-tester of the WebMail server, just send an email to admin@cove.com.
The service should be open to all by next month.

Help Desk Notes

It was another quiet month at the help desk.
Some subscribers continue to try logging in using their real names.
Please remember; you must login using your user name (your email address without the @cove.com part).
As always, if you have any trouble, please call us. After business hours, our new toll free number is 877-221-2116.
We're here to help you!

SysAdmin's Corner

There was a brief outage on our Salem to Boston circuit on the morning of June 21. Verizon then performed stress testing on that circuit which lasted until midnight on the following day.
Development on the new web caching (SQUID) server has been postponed while we wait for additional equipment to be delivered.
This month, we will be completing the installation of the WebMail server. The first version is written in perl, but the final version will be written in Java.

Subscriber Referral Program

Are you pleased with our service? Do you know someone who is unhappy with their current Internet/On-line service?
Why not do them and yourself a favor?
Just recommend our service. If they subscribe, we'll give you a free month of access!
They will appreciate your advice and you'll save a little money.
Again this month, over a dozen subscribers are getting their access in July for free - by referring new subscribers.

Everybody wins!

Internet Training

Have you seen our new web-based training packages?
They are convenient, up-to-date, and very inexpensive.
Visit this website at:
www.courses.cove.com
You can now even take introductory Internet and general computer use courses for free! Just visit our Help Page for access.

What's New at the Cove is a monthly publication of Cove Communications.

Publisher/Editor, Bill Ostaski

27 Congress Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 741-5300
(978) 282-3399
office@cove.com

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