Bell Ringer Volume 50, No 2 Clear Lake, South Dakota 57226 June 2016

Digital Piracy - The Real CostIf you think illegal downloading is free, you might want to think again. We live in a world of on-demand content that puts millions of songs, movies, and television shows right at our fingertips. Illegally downloading or streaming copyrighted material online can lead to major fines or worse.

Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), it is a crime to download any copyrighted media without paying for it. This means you can be held responsible for any unauthorized downloads made using your Internet connection.

Free content may seem like a good deal at the time, but it can come at a high price down the road. Not only can continued digital piracy result in legal trouble, but it can also bog your computer down with viruses and jeopardize your family’s private information.

What counts as a DMCA violation? Downloading any copyrighted songs, albums, software, movies, or any other media without paying for it is classified as a DMCA violation. You wouldn’t steal these products from a store, so you shouldn’t steal them off the Internet.

Are there legal ways to access copyrighted material online? There are plenty of ways to access these products without breaking the law. Services like Netflix and Hulu make streaming television shows and movies easy, while music, video, apps, and games can be downloaded legally from places like iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon.

Who will contact me if there is a DMCA violation on my account? If your Internet connection is used to illegally download material, your provider (ITC) will contact you directly via US mail with details that include the exact date and time of the violation. ITC will work with you to prevent future violations, as repeat offenses could lead to permanent disconnection of service.

Could someone else use my Internet connection to download content illegally? If you have a router and the wireless is not encrypted, you have no control over who can use your service. A secure router is important to ensuring that your account isn’t flagged for DMCA violations. You should also be aware of other users’ Internet activity in your home.

Are fines the only danger associated with illegally downloaded content? Legal issues aren’t the only reason to avoid copyrighted material from questionable sources. Many “free” downloads come packed with viruses or malware that can steal your personal information or slow your computer down.

ITC just wants you to be aware of the dangers. If you are in doubt about downloading something, play it safe to protect you and your family.

If you are one of our Coop members and an amateur photographer, we’d like to encourage you to enter our Directory Cover Contest. We are looking for unique photos taken in our service territory. Photos must be suitable for a directory cover, no people, no pets. You can submit up to six photos. They must be at least a 300 resolution or the largest option on your camera. We prefer digital photos but will also accept printed ones. Make sure there are no dates on the photo. The contest is open July 1 - September 2, 2016.

The winning photo will be featured on the cover of the 2017 ITC Phone Book. The first place winner will also receive a $50 bill credit and get a write-up in the February 2017, Bell Ringer. The second place winner will receive a $25 bill credit and will also include a write-up in the February issue of the Bell Ringer.

Photos can be emailed to photo@itctel.com. You can also mail them or drop them at one of our offices. Be sure to include your name, phone number, and a description of the photo. If you have questions, please contact Kathy at 1.800.417.8667.

It’s Directory Cover Contest Time!

Portions of this article reprinted with permission by Andy Johns/WordSouth

Simple, Honest, Clear

By Jerry Heiberger, General Manager

It’s Construction Season!

312 Fourth St W PO Box 920

Clear Lake, SD 57226-0920http://itc-web.com

1-800-417-8667

* Published monthly for $.25 * Periodicals postage paid at Clear Lake, SD

Bell Ringer

Postmaster: Send address changes to:

Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc.

P.O. Box 920Clear Lake, SD 57226-0920

(USPS # 155-720)

Kathy Weitala, Editor

By the time you read this article, I would hope most farmers throughout our service territory have successfully completed this year’s planting season. As their season comes to an end, our primary construction season begins! Much like the farmer who has spent months preparing for their spring season, we have been busy throughout the winter months designing, staking, bidding, and awarding contracts. These contracts will provide for constructing fiber optic cable facilities and services to more of our members.

I realize in a few of my recent articles I have highlighted that we will have two major construction contracts ongoing throughout this spring, summer, and fall. I apologize for my repetitiveness, but I want to be sure everyone is informed about the construction work you may encounter at your home or business, or while traveling throughout our service territory.

First, Anderson Underground, Inc., will be installing the new Fiber To The Home (FTTH) cables in Goodwin town and rural area, Willow Lake rural area, and the Bryant rural area. The second contract was awarded to MasTec North America. This contract involves installing the new FTTH cables to our members in the towns of Astoria, Brandt, Toronto, Chester, Nunda, Sinai, and Wentworth. ITC has had great success with both contractors doing work on our behalf in the past. I would expect the same type of professional workmanship from their crews again this season. If you do have any questions or concerns about the work that is being done, please feel free to contact our office at 1.800.417.8667 and we will have one of our resident engineers stop and visit with you.

Many of the ITC customers who live in the areas mentioned above may have been contacted by another contractor who is working on our behalf. Personnel from R & L Splicing are contacting our customers to discuss the best route to place the new cable to their home or business. They are also mounting the new ONT enclosure unit which is designed to house the fiber components on the side of the home or business. R & L personnel will also be installing some of the new grounding wire that is required for a proper installation.

Besides having three outside contractors busy working to improve services to many of our customers, ITC will have two of our construction crews working to replace or repair bad cable. ITC crews will also be busy installing new cable to new locations throughout our service areas.

In addition, ITC will have a crew of two employees working to remove the old pedestals (telephone boxes located in the alleys or ditches) that have been abandoned and are no longer in use. Our plans at this time are to clean up the Clear Lake exchange and then possibly move to either the Gary or Brookings area.

Finally, I would like to reemphasize the importance of slowing down, and driving safely through all construction zones and work sites this season. And, if our contractors are working in your neighborhood, please make sure your children stay away from the construction sites and equipment.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable summer! As the farmers crank up their combines to harvest their crops, I hope ITC is winding down and completing another successful construction season!

DirectoryChanges

It seems like we just delivered the 2016 ITC Phone Book. Believe it or not, we are already working on the book for 2017. If you have moved or if there are any changes to your address, it is important for you to notify us. It is your responsibility to let us know if you have a new post office box or if you closed one. If you have any change that would affect how your name appears in the 2017 Phone Book, please contact ITC. Call our office at 1.800.417.8667 and ask for Brynne.

If you live in District 4 (Brookings, Elkton), District 7 (Clark), District 8 (Bradley, Florence, Waubay, Webster), or District 9 (Revillo, South Shore, Stockholm, Strandburg, Milbank) there are director openings on the ITC Board. Petitions can be picked up at the ITC office in Clear Lake after May 16. All petitions must be filed by June 9. Ballots and biographies will be mailed on June 20th, and the ballots are due back to ITC by July 8. An Election will be held in Clear Lake on July 8th from 1:00 - 2:00 PM for members to vote in person. Also, remember businesses need to fill out a voter designation form. As stated in the by-laws - A vote by a member (other than a natural person) is allowed upon the member presenting an approved written designation to the Cooperative ten days prior to or upon registration at an annual or special meeting. If you have questions, please call Todd at 1.800.417.8667.

Director Election Coming Soon

Happy Father’s Day!My father gave methe greatest gift; he believed in me.

We would like to introduce you to Kathy Weitala, Marketing Supervisor for ITC. Kathy has worked at ITC for 18 years. Her responsibility is to promote ITC and its services through public relations, advertising, and social media. Kathy is the Bell Ringer editor. If asked what she likes best, she would say “creating unique print and radio ads for ITC.”

Kathy grew up in Pipestone, Minnesota. She went to school at Minnesota West Community and Technical College to receive a Marketing and Management degree. Kathy currently lives in Brookings with her husband, Dennis. They have two grown children.

Being at ITC for 18 years means there is probably going to be an interesting work story or two! Kathy says, “I was passing through a small town after a PR event early in my job at ITC and came across a snake in one of the bathrooms!” I think it is safe to say she still checks the restrooms for snakes!

Regarding the Coop, Kathy says, “I like that the Coop stands for providing the latest technologies at a fair price.” She is proud to work for a Coop and to be part of the communities that ITC serves. “Our employees live and work in our communities; I like that!” says Kathy. She also says her favorite ITC service is Internet, which she depends on every day at work. Kathy firmly believes our future lies in broadband, especially since the Internet connects us to the rest of the world.

Speaking of being involved in our communities, Kathy teaches Pilates in both Clear Lake and Brookings. She is also the team captain for the ITC March of Dimes team, and she assists the Sunday School teachers at her church with the felt storyboards.

When Kathy has some spare time, you will most likely find her being crafty! She loves working on her latest “project” or writing poems. She also likes to read.

June is Kathy’s birthday month, so make sure you tell her Happy Birthday if you see her!

By Holly Stormo,

Marketing Communications Specialist

CooperativelySpeaking

By Holly Stormo

Marketing

Communications

Specialist

DVR/WHDVRSummer is here and so is the crazy, hectic life of ball games, fishing, and vacations.

Once you and your family settle in for the night, you might want to catch up on your favorite TV shows. With ITC’s Digital Video Recorder (DVR) or Whole Home DVR (WHDVR), you can record your favorite shows and watch them when YOU are ready.

Using your remote, you can record one episode, or the entire season, and play them back on your time. You can record more than one program while watching another one at the same time. You can also pause, fast forward, and even rewind and replay live TV! The best part is no more commercials! With Whole Home DVR, you can record a program in one room and watch it in another.

The cost to add DVR to your Digital TV package is $5 per month; WHDVR is only $7 per month. For another $3 per month, you can add DVR Plus or WHDVR Plus. The plus service allows you to record up to six High Definition (HD) shows at once. Plus, you have Picture in Picture (PIP) on your DVR Set-top Box TV when you use your ITC remote.

Call ITC at 1.800.417.8667 to get connected today. Once you have the chance to experience DVR or WHDVR (or the plus service), you won’t know how you watched TV without it!

Lifeline Offers Telcom DiscountsLifeline is a federal program that provides a monthly discount on telephone service to qualified low-income residents. Lifeline is designed to ensure that telephone service remains affordable to all residents.

The Lifeline assistance program provides a $9.25 credit on a monthly telephone bill. You may qualify for Lifeline if your total household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, or if you, your dependent, or your household receives one of the following:• Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)• Medicaid• National School Lunch free lunch program• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps)• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Lifeline is available on one telephone line per household. If you or someone in your household has Lifeline on a wireless phone, then you cannot get it on your home phone too. You may not transfer your Lifeline discount to another person, even if he or she qualifies for Lifeline. If you believe you qualify for Lifeline, stop by the ITC office and fill out an application form or call our office at 1.800.417.8667 for assistance. Please note that you must enroll in Lifeline service, and you must provide proof of eligibility before receiving support.

Qualifying residents of Tribal lands may receive additional discounts. To find out more about either of these programs, please contact ITC at 1.800.417.8667.

Watching TV Your “Way”

Bills are mailed on the first of each month, and payment is due on the 19th of that month, unless otherwise indicated on the “Due Date” portion of your statement. Prompt payment is required. NO PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE GRANTED.

586, 629, 693, 794,795, 826, 832, 873,874, 876.July 14 --------------------- Disconnect dayfor the following prefixes: 345, 432, 438, 532, 623, 625, 628, 676, 756, 758, 783, 784, 785, 793, 947.

When sending payment to ITC , customers should return the TOP portion of the bill that says, “PLEASE TEAR ALONG PERFORATION AND REMIT WITH PAYMENT.”

Remit Top Portion Of Bill With Payment

Important Dates

May 31 ------------------Bills mailed from ITCJun 17 --------------------------Payment dueJun 17 ------------------ Final notices mailedJuly 12 ----------------------Disconnect dayfor the following prefixes: 272, 275, 277, 368, 479, 483, 489, 542, 548,

Periodical Postage Paid At Clear Lake, South Dakota 57226

By now I imagine the majority of you have had time to familiarize yourselves, at least somewhat, with the new WebMail layout. I would like to extend a thank you to all of you who have used the new interface. Understandably, a change in technology can sometimes be daunting or even frustrating. Your patience and understanding are much appreciated. All feedback will continue to be welcomed; whether it is a comment, question, complaint, or compliment. We strive to make sure your WebMail experience is as enjoyable as possible.

Now that we’re a couple of months past this conversion, I wanted to share some general information and a few tips with you. We put together a short list of questions or topics that you’ll hopefully find useful.Basic Login Mode:There are now four different methods to login. The four options are Dynamic, Basic, and two variations of Mobile mode. I would like to highlight the “Basic” mode, as some of our users have experienced inconsistencies while logged in using “Dynamic” mode. Generally, we found that for these customers, logging in using Basic mode will help alleviate these inconsistencies. This is because some web browsers, especially older ones, behave differently than others. Basic mode was designed to offer better overall compatibility with the extensive variety of web browsers in use today. If you’ve experienced irregularities or peculiar behavior, I would advise you to use the Basic mode. Chances are it will be more accommodating with your particular browser.Where did all of my Inbox messages go?If you’re logged in with Dynamic mode, all your messages are now displayed on one continuous page. To find older messages, all you have to do is scroll down using the scrollbar at the right of the screen. Where did the print button go?Some users (myself included) found it difficult to find the print option. Admittedly, this button is not easy to spot right away. While reading a message in the bottom view pane, the option to print will show towards the left-hand side, just above the body of the message. The icon appears as is shown in the picture below.

How do I move messages into a folder?You no longer need to highlight (or checkbox) a message to move it from your Inbox to another folder. Now you simply left click on your message, drag it over to your destination folder, and release your left mouse button to drop it in.

As I stated earlier, sometimes a change such as this can seem like a hurdle. Hopefully, given time, using the new WebMail interface will become second nature to all of us!

As a reminder, we have a detailed online instruction guide available at https://webmail.itctel.com/WebMail_User_Guide.pdf. Also, if you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact our Helpdesk at 1.888.217.5718.

Join us on Facebook!facebook.com/itccoop

Follow us on Twitter!@itc_coop

Internet 911

By Lonny Dockendorf, Internet Systems Technician

If you are planning on digging a hole for a mailbox, to plant a tree, or install a fence, be sure to call before you start digging! Whether you are hiring a professional or doing it yourself, call ‘811’ at least 48 hours before you start digging. The call can

save you money in fines and the locate is free. If you live in Minnesota, call 811 or 1.800.252.1166.

Call B4 You Dig

“Quick Tips”