Acronym Update 10/24/07

Dear Readers,

Are you still paying for your lousy AOL service? Hopefully, you are just paying for a BYOA plan (bring your own access), where you simply connect through your existing broadband or (snooze…..) other dial-up connection. You may be paying 9.95 / mo or 4.95 / mo for such privileges. I feel really bad for you if you are still paying for a full account at the whopping price of $25.90 per month.

Come to your senses: Connecticut residents can connect to the Internet at broadband speeds for $19.95/mo — with AT&T’s DSL Express offering. If you don’t want to deal with the hassles of the (not so) local phone company, you can enjoy DSL from a local provider — Netplex — at $24.95 per month. That’s $5 more than the comparable offering from AT&T, but remember dealing with Netplex is a friendly trip down Main Street. Dealing with AT&T, at times, can be like tumbling down Rodeo Drive in the New World Order. Pardon my humor……

What I’m trying to say is that either of these options is cheaper than full fare AOL. Whether you choose to migrate to DSL or already have a broadband connection, take comfort in the fact that AOL is now free. Yes, FREE! And…… you don’t have to deal with their nightmarish telephone customer support to make this change.

Simply click this website address https://bill.aol.com/changePlan/changePlan.adp

Click the ‘Free AOL’ plan. You will be asked to confirm your primary AOL screen name, password and some security information. The conversion to your free account will take place at the start of your next billing cycle.

If you already have other Internet access, such as a DSL or cable, you’re all set. If not, please contact me for help selecting the right Internet Service Provider for you. I am able to set up your DSL or cable Internet connection if you live in Connecticut. (Note: I do not deal with wiring issues.) The service I provide is far more customized, comprehensive, and cost effective than what the cable co. or phone co. will provide you with. If you give me the proper lead time I can order a modem for you. Alternatively, I can tell you where to order one so you will have it before our appointment.

Sincerely,

Kevin

Acronym Update 10/16/07

Dear Friends,

Today’s Topic: Verizon Wireless wants to share your CPNI (Customer Proprietary Network Information). You have the right to opt out!!

I came across this information yesterday and thought it would be especially relevant for sharing, since such a large percentage of you are Verizon Wireless customers. Cell phone and land line phone companies are allowed to share your call records. They can even sell this data to interested third parties. In the past, you may have received notices from other companies you do business with about CPNI sharing. By law they had to give you an opportunity to “opt out.”

Those notices were trashed long ago, right? I can’t help you there, but I do urge you to contact your banks, credit card companies, telephone and other service providers to ask them if they share CPNI and what the procedure is for opting out.

Verizon Wireless just notified customers of this (primarily by mail) recently. I opted out of the sharing yesterday for all 4 of my VZW lines. You can do the same by calling 1-800-333-9956. You will be asked for your cell phone #, your zip code, and the last 4 digits of your SSN or TIN – for business accounts. After you go through those steps, opting out for other lines on your account is very simple.

In closing I think the way that CPNI sharing is being handled, even by reputable companies, is disgusting. They are required by law “to ask for our permission.” If lawmakers were serious about our privacy, we would be given the chance to opt in….not opt out!

Yours truly,

Kevin