View Article  Weather

We've added a new link on the left side menu related to local weather.  Click on the "Weather Link" option and you will then be able to enter your ZIP code, click the SEARCH button and a new window will open with the weather.com local weather page for your ZIP code.

View Article  URGENT - Bogus Email Notification

Dear Customers,

We have seen evidence of a bogus email having been received by some of our customers that APPEARS to be from our company.  This email is asking you to send a reply which includes your account password.

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE.  IT IS NOT AUTHENTIC AND DID NOT ORIGINATE FROM OUR COMPANY.

We will NEVER ask you to provide your password via email.

If you have any questions regarding this email, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Charles Partridge
Intouch Internet Services, Inc.

View Article  Labor Day Holiday - Reduced Hours

Our office hours, including computer repair and technical support, will be adjusted as follows for the holiday:

Thursday August 28 - 9:30AM to 4:00PM
Friday August 29 - CLOSED
Saturday August 30 - CLOSED
Sunday August 31 - CLOSED
Monday September 1 - CLOSED
Tuesday September 2 - 9:30AM to 6:00PM

Regular hours of 9:30AM to 6:00PM Monday through Friday will start again on Tuesday September 2nd.

Thank You and have a safe and happy holiday weekend.

For more information about the Labor Day holiday in America, visit:

http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm

 

 

View Article  UPDATED: PHONE SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

Dear Members,

The phone system updates were completed mid afternoon yesterday (Thursday).  These updates could actually be better described as "downgrades".  We've removed the computerized phone system and gone to standard telephones for now.  We're testing to see if this will make things a little bit easier on our staff and customers.

Right now we do not have any provisions for voicemail, however we will be addressing that next week.

Thank You for your patience, and have a Great Weekend.

Sincerely,
Charles Partridge
Intouch Internet Services, Inc.

 

View Article  Issue's with Credit Union websites

Dear Members,

Over the last couple weeks we have heard of several of our members having issues logging into their online Credit Union accounts via our internet service.

I want to assure you all that Intouch Internet Services, Inc. is not doing anything to block the use of these online services from your Credit Unions.

We have researched the issue and feel we have found the problem which lies within the online system that many Credit Unions in Michigan use for their online interfaces.  We have contacted the vendor of that product on Friday (8/8/08) in the morning and they seemed to agree that the problem is on their end.

After several calls again today I was finally able to get someone to make the correction necessary on that vendors network.

If anyone is still having problems connecting to a Credit Union website, please contact us with the details of the error you are receiving and we will investigate those issues on a case-by-case basis.

Sincerely,

Charles Partridge
Intouch Internet Services, Inc.

 

View Article  Reduced Office Hours for Friday 8/8/08


We will be closing at 4:45PM today, Friday August 8 2008.

 

View Article  Quality of Service

Dear Members,

I'd like to take [this opportunity] to [elaborate on] the quality of service that we provide and the many different factors that play into what you all experience regarding that service...   more »

View Article  New Weather Box Info - UPDATED

Dear Members,

Please keep in mind that if there are ever times when the "weather" feature is not working, there isn't much of anything we can do about it.  We are not a weather service provider and have no control over the data that is provided.  This weather box has to receive information from other providers in order to properly display the data for you to use.  If one of those other pieces of the puzzle has a problem, it will be reflected in errors on this weather box.  This feature is simply provided for the convenience of our members that use this 'members.intouchmi.com' website.

- Thank You

***********************

There's finally a new weather box on this site.  Users will now be able to view their local weather information (and a whole lot more than before) without leaving this site!

Here is some information and helpful hints about the new weather box.

CHANGING LOCATION:

1.  Click on the italic letter "i"  in the bottom right corner of the box.
2.  Enter your desired ZIP Code in the search field and click the Search Button.
3.  Click on the city name you want from the results box and click the Done Button.

There are several different types of weather information available in this new box.  To view the different info, there are 2 circular buttons to the right of the city name display area.  Each button has 2 functions as described here:

RADAR / CALENDAR:

  The first click of this button displays the Motion Radar box, and then changes the button image. 
  The second click will change the Motion Radar into a 15 Day Forecast Calendar.

4 DAY / 5 HOUR:

  The first click of this button displays a 4 Day High/Low Forecast, and then changes the button image. 
  The second click will change the 4 Day High/Low into a Next 5 Hours Forecast.


Clicking on the AccuWeather logo will shrink the box down one level by removing any additional info you have displayed.  Each click shrinks it back down one size until back to the Current Weather display.

Google.  There are a couple of Google references at the bottom of the box.  These are required under the terms of the license from Google in order for us to use this "gadget" of theirs.  We do not recommend clicking on them.

We hope everyone finds this new weather gadget to be more useful than the previous.  Please feel free to send comments to responses@intouchmi.com.

 

 

View Article  Important Info for YAHOO Email Users

Dear Members,

For any of you that are using Yahoo.com email addresses, there are a few things you need to know in order to avoid any issues with not receiving your billing statements from us.

1.  You need to add our Billing department to your Contact List.  Be sure to add the email address of billing@intouchmi.com.  Doing so "should" allow all emails from us to bypass the Yahoo message filters.

2.  Yahoo email is a very peculiar service.  At any given time they will delay or block our mail servers for no apparent reason.  Because of this, it should be known that we cannot guarantee successful delivery of emails from our billing system to your Yahoo email account.  Not receiving the billing emails does not mean your bill isn't due on it's normal monthly schedule.

Remember, all Intouch dialup accounts include the ability to have "@intouchmi.com" email addresses, and we highly recommend that all of our Members use this service. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Charles Partridge
Intouch Internet Services, Inc.

View Article  UPDATED: Understanding New Billing Procedures Better

Dear Members,

We've created a visual "time line" graphic in hopes it will allow us to better describe the new billing procedures.

This, along with the conversion to "email only" billing method, is the first phase of changes to our billing system.  The final phase will include the ability to pay by check from within our customer account interface as well as it will require payment to be made prior to the start of the billing cycle. 

We are implementing these changes in phases so that we can be sure to have the technology aspects of the changes in place and tested before implementing them.  We also are trying to allow each phase to be adjusted to by our customers so that the changes do not occur all at once and cause too much confusion.

Please note that this time line example only shows ONE specific billing date (the 1st of March).  We use "Anniversary" billing methods (meaning you get billed on the day of the month that you signed up for service) so this same formula can be applied to any cycle start date throughout the month. (example:  if your service start date is the 11th of the month, you will receive your invoice on the 1st of the month, a 'late' notice reminder on the 8th of the month, etc.).

If you have any questions about these new procedures, please email us at billing@intouchmi.com for the fastest response.

Thank You,

Charles Partridge
Intouch Internet Services, Inc.

 

View Article  Authorized Payment Center Update

Dear Members,

Effective March 1, 2008 payments made at any of our "Authorized Payment Center" locations (NOT INCLUDING PAYMENTS DIRECTLY RECEIVED BY OUR OFFICE) will be charged a $1.00 payment processing surcharge by that Authorized Payment Center.  This surcharge does not get paid to our company, yet it is a fee that we are allowing these other companies to charge for customers who require the need to make payments in person at their locations.

The Authorized Payment Center locations are:

Intouch Communications - Lapeer, MI
Intouch Communications - Burton, MI
Thumb Wireless - Vassar, MI

If you would like to avoid paying these additional surcharges, please begin paying for services with Credit or Debit Card online at our customer account management interface - https://backoffice.intouchmi.com/custinfo or you can mail your payment in to our office at 104 N. Main St., Vassar, MI  48768.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

- Intouch Internet Services, Inc.

View Article  Important Information Regarding Upcoming Billing Changes

Dear Members,

On February 1st, 2008 we will be making some modifications to our billing system. 

Starting on that date, ...   more »

View Article  Flint Generals
View Article  Update Email - "A better way to explain it"
Dear Members, It seems there's been some confusion regarding the alert we've posted asking each of your to update or verify the current "Contact" email address we have on file for each of you. In order to better explain what we are asking for, I've come up with the following tutorial, using screenshots, and I hope this does a better job of it.    more »
View Article  Connection Issues
View Article  Issues Sending Mail to "Charter" Addresses **UPDATED**
View Article  School Closings

We have removed the "Test of School Closings" link from the menu.  That service, provided by the State of Michigan, does not seem to be something that the schools like to use for putting out closings updates.  No sense in keeping it on the site if it's not going to get updated.

The "School Closings" link (with data provided by Citadel Communications) seems to be working fine and updated regularly, so it will stay as is.

- Charles Partridge

 

View Article  We Moved

Dear Members,

We've moved into the new office!  Tech Support was our first priority, and we were able to have phone calls being answered by 11:00 AM on Thursday morning.

As for the rest of the place, we're still finishing things up before we actually "open" the storefront for walk-in's.  Custom countertops are being finished up this weekend (that's what I'm here working on right now), and the boxes and boxes of stuff we brought with us are being sorted and organized.

I'm guessing the place will be fully operational by mid next week barring any unforeseen issues.

Thank you all for your patience while we moved to the new location.  As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email them to:  responses@intouchmi.com

For the location of our new offices, please click here to view a MapQuest map.

Sincerely,

Charles Partridge
Intouch Internet Services, Inc.

 

View Article  PLEASE UPDATE YOUR CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS


Dear Members,

It is imperative that we have an email address on your account that is actively used/checked by you.  Many of our system notices (such as statements, receipts, late notices, etc.) are sent to a general "contact" email address on your account.

By default, when you signed up for IntouchMI.com service, an email address was created for you (username@intouchmi.com) and that email address is automatically entered as the account contact address.  Many of our customers do not use this email address or may have changed their email address that is used for primary contact.

We have added a feature in the customer management interface that will now allow you to update the email we have attached to your account.  It is very important that everyone take a moment to be sure to update this address.

I have added a link on the left column in the "Account Links" section ("Update Email") that will take you to this part of the interface.  You will need to log in to the account manager once the new window opens.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Charles Partridge
Intouch Internet Services, Inc.

 

View Article  "On Hold" Advertisement

Dear Members,

Many of you have expressed your opinions related to the modified version of the advertisement for the music of Mike Clinesmith on this page.

I have removed the animated advertisement and put the original version back on the page....with no music.

Thank you for your input.

Sincerely,

Charles Partridge
Intouch Internet Services, Inc.

 

View Article  Credit Card Processing - ONLINE

Well, it took much longer than expected, but the credit card processing has been brought back online as of approximately 7:30PM.

Our credit card processing software is currently offline.  During planned modifications to the software, issues arose that are going to require technical support from the software vendor.

Calls have already been placed to the vendor and a resolution is expected by mid-day today.

Thank you for your patience.

View Article  Support Hours modifications

Effective November 1, 2007 we are adjusting our technical support (helpdesk) hours to the following schedule.

Monday thru Friday: 9:30am - 6:00pm
Saturday and Sunday:  Closed

This change is being planned as a temporary one; however we do not have an estimated date for when the hours will expand once again.  Updates will be made when changes occur.

View Article  Announcement and Update

Dear Members,

I am very happy to announce that the current owners of Intouch Internet, Inc. and myself have come to an agreement that has allowed me to purchase the assets and services of the company.

Over the next few days and weeks you will notice minor changes to the formal company name on things like our websites, invoices, receipts, etc.  The company will now be known as Intouch Internet Services, Inc.  Not much of a change, but I feel it better describes what we do.

There won't be a whole lot of changes right now, our plan is to continue working at the goal of improving our services and growing our company.  I'm very excited to finally have full control of the future of IntouchMI.com and will do my best to keep making improvements.

Please feel free to send any comments, criticisms, questions, etc. directly to me via our responses@intouchmi.com mailbox.

As always; Thank You for your continued Patronage of Intouch Internet (Services)!

Sincerely,

Charles Partridge

View Article  UseNet Newsgroup Server

Dear Members,

There are still a few members that are using "newsgroup" services.  As of today, we have changed our provider for these services which may require you to make a change to the newsgroup software interface you may be using.

In the past, this service has required a username and password authentication to use the service.  The new provider handles these permissions by IP address.  You may need to change that setting in your software (just remove the user/pass authentication option in your settings).

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our helpdesk.

Sincerely,

Charles Partridge
Director of Operations

View Article  IMPORTANT RATE PLAN UPDATES

Effective October 1, 2007

Intouch Internet is discontinuing the annual prepayment discount rates for all dial up service plans.

Any customer who has been receiving an annual discount for prepayment of a dial up service rate plan will now begin receiving a invoice stating the standard monthly rate for that plan beginning on your next bill date.

Example of what to expect:  If a customer paid for annual service at the discount price on 9/1/2007 (for the billing period of 9/1/2007 to 9/1/2008) then the next time they receive a bill on 9/1/2008; the monthly rate will then be in effect for that customer.

We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause any of our customers; however at the current service rates and extended features being offered, it is simply necessary for us to do this at this time.

If anyone has any questions regarding this change, please feel free to contact our helpdesk department.

Thank You,

Intouch Internet, Inc.

View Article  High-Speed Internet Access from HughesNet and Intouch Internet

Intouch Internet now offers High-Speed Internet Access options from HughesNet.  HughesNet is brought to you by HUGHES the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services.  For over 30 years, Hughes has delivered satellite products and services around the world, with more than 1 million systems shipped to customers in over 100 countries!  Hughes pioneered the development of high-speed satellite Internet services, which it markets globally under the HughesNet brand.

Intouch Internet has long suffered from the lack of ability to continue servicing our customers who wish to move to a higher speed internet service and now feel that offering HughesNet satellite internet service will help fill that gap.  We've spent a lot of time researching the options that best fit our customer base; while also eliminating the confusion of multiple types of services and carriers for the different geographic areas we serve.  We feel that partnering with HughesNet is a best option to accomplish our goal of providing the services our customers want.

HughesNet has several different options for customers to choose from starting at $0 up front!

Click HERE to see more info, and to signup for HughesNet service!

You can even give us a call at 1-866-929-3278 for more info.

View Article  High Speed Internet!
View Article  A Few Updates

Dear Members,

This is just an update regarding a few things:

1.  Please note our new helpdesk support hours are as follows:

Monday thru Thursday - 9am to 8pm
Friday - 10am to 6pm
Saturday - 10am to 4pm
Sunday - Closed

2.  I'm still trying to work out a solution for the multi-city weather box that doesn't kill the load time of this site.  Hopefully a solution will soon be found.

3.  We've updated our on-hold music to something new.  I've located a local composer, Michael Clinesmith, and made a deal to license the use of some of his original music on our phone system.  If you like what you hear, please feel free to click on the advertisement located on the left column of the page here and help support this local talent.

Sincerely,

Charles Partridge
Director of Operations,
Intouch Internet, Inc.

View Article  Email Update
View Article  New Weather Service Box

Dear Members,

I tried to implement the new weather box fully (about 35 Michigan cities in the list) today, but now that it's as big as it is we're seeing detrimental page loading delays.

For now, I've removed the new weather box so that the page load speed goes back to normal (probably even a little faster than it has been for the last month or so).

Back to the drawing board, but fear not, the feature will return!

Sincerely,

Charles Partridge
Director of Operations,
Intouch Internet, Inc.

View Article  Members Page Modifications
About a year ago, we expanded our service offerings to include statewide access. In the time since; we've added a rather large customer base throughout the state.    more »
View Article  URGENT: BOGUS EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Dear Members,

"You've received a greeting postcard from a xxxxxxx"

If you have received an email with the subject line similar to the above sentence (the "xxxxxxx" could be many different words like 'neighbor', 'colleague', or 'family member') MOST LIKELY IT IS BOGUS AND COULD BE HARMFUL IF YOU TRY TO VIEW THE "POSTCARD".

To be sure, if the email contains a link to view the card that consists of "http://" followed by a series of numbers (ie: http://123.456.78.90), IT IS NOT LEGITIMATE.

Here is the notice being displayed at the *real* greeetingcards.com website:

NOTICE: Someone has been fraudulently sending emails to people using our site name. If you received an email stating you have received 'postcard from a family member', please do not open it, just delete it. The email was not sent by us and you are not on any lists with us. We are aware of the situation and are looking into it further. Telltale signs are that the address they send you to to pickup the card is a numerical address rather than greetingcards.com or birthdaycards.com.

If you receive one of these emails, PLEASE DELETE IT IMMEDIATELY.

Thank You,

Charles Partridge
Director of Operations,
Intouch Internet, Inc.

View Article  The NEW Flint Generals
In case you haven't heard the news, The Flint Generals hockey team is now under NEW ownership!    more »
View Article  @Yahoo.com & @Charter.net - UPDATED (again)
As of yesterday afternoon the Charter.net email issue has been resolved.    more »