In every Club WebTV issue, we will publish WebTV Networks-related stories, suggestions and comments submitted by our customers. If you have an amusing or informational story, a suggestion, or a comment that would be of general interest to all members, please send us a message at clubwebtv@webtv.net. We'll make every effort to include your submission in a future issue of Club WebTV. Please be sure to state in your message that your submission is for the Customer Corner column.

Thanks to all the club members who sent submissions for this month's column! While not all submissions may be reasonably published here, rest assured that your suggestions and requests have been duly noted. Here is a sampling of club members' comments received in response to the premier issue of Club WebTV! Editors' comments are in green.

...When I purchased my Sony equipment I was a bit hesitant about just how I was to hook it up. (I already own a theater surround, two vcrs, etc.) The salesman told me the following story about an elderly couple who purchased the system but were also quite nervous about whether they could manage putting it all together. This salesman reassured them that it would be quite easy. They still weren't convinced. The salesman finally said that . . . he would swing by after work and personally hook everything up for them. As this elderly couple were driving home they stopped at a pay phone and telephoned him, again making him keep his promise to come by their home after work that evening. Ten minutes after they had arrived home the elderly gentleman telephoned the salesman once again and said, "Never mind." It had been that easy. When I heard this story I immediately thought, 'what an ad idea.' I personally still think so. One who's approach I have yet to see. And so I pass it on to you for your consideration so that you might reach an even larger market. Your increased success bringing greater benefit to us all...
(Thanks! Ease of use is one of our biggest goals.)

I bought my webtv about 6 months ago not knowing I could have this much fun for so little money.I enjoy just browsing and getting lost in a vast amount of information no matter where I end up. I have highly recommened this product to many friends. I have made my money back just from finding auction sites. I hope you come out with a printer soon. I am a grandfather (59) and I'm teaching my grandsons how to use the web.
(We like the way you said that. The Web can be an incredible tool, as well as good for entertainment. We hope you're teaching those boys a bit about auctioning, too!)

Dear Club WebTv,
   First, I would like to say that WebTv's customer service does an excellent job keeping WebTv Subscribers informed!
   In the April issue of Club WebTv, under Serendipity, Stevie's Bookmark Server Site is featured for WebTv Users. Is Stevie's... A free service to save favorites and bookmark sites?
   I would like to Thank All Club WebTv & WeCare employees for your time and efforts around the clock!
   Thank You WebTv, for an Exceptional Product!
(So glad to be of service! As with all Web sites, if they don't ask you for a credit card, or demand some other form of payment, it's FREE. Amazing, isn't it?)

Ever since I bought the this system, my sixteen year old, has lost total interest in the three nintendos' that we have. When he is not going to school or work, he is on line. On Monday evening we sometimes have a conflict of interest since it is his night off from work. Thank you for making this product afforable for the people that can not afford a computer. I just wish this unit could print out. Also it is helping us with our typing.
(Thanks! Wow. I always figured if I refused to learn to type, no one would make me do it. What a different world it is nowdays! By the way, printer capabilities are still due out at the end of Spring.)

Dear Web TV Club,
   Hi. Yesterday I showed a woman friend a page on Australia as she needed info on a 5 day tour! During her first WebTV experience she said she wants to get one! And she owns a computer without internet service! Also, after telling my physical therapist the price of the "box" and infrared keyboard, he said it would cost less than to upgrade his computer! One of the best things for me on WebTV is finding internet newspapers to read from all over the USA and the whole world! For $19.95 monthly it's a real bargain that I hope stays that way!
(We honestly hope so, too!

Parents have an obligation to raise their children. I raised mine. I supervised their activities. I read books to them. My wife and I played with them , took them on trips, were partners with them and the PTA at their schools. We also controlled the television accesss our girls had. Parents today can and should do the same. To have the Federal Government, State and local governments control the Internet as they are doing in other areas of mass media, "to protect children". simply replaces parental control with governmental control; and rather than having active interaction within families, the governmental bodies simply rule that nothing that may possibly, might, in some or any way probable offend or annoy a twelve year old child (or younger) shall be prohibited. (I just want to know what about the parents role in all of this--parents today can't control their children? They don't know what they watch on TV? A Father and /or Mother cannot control their childs' behavior concerning the operations of the family PC?????)
(We hope, in some small way, that WebTV Networks contributes to this theory by promoting a family-oriented experience.)

...Talk is cheap -- especially if you use e-mail rather than the telephone!!
(I think you may be onto something here!)

I have made a few close friends on the net so far. One of the hardest things for us to do is say good-bye at the end of a chat session, (I have a premium account at tripod, which includes an unlisted chatroom. I have invented a way to cut these awkward times to a minimum. After agreeing that it is time to part and having saying our goodnights, we enter the word "off-line". Once said the person is free to go. Of course I always wait for her reply "off-line" before returning to my homepage or shutting down. Try it sometime. It bridges a communications gap which I have not seen addressed before.PS. it doesn't mean off-line in the literal sense. Usually we stay online afterward, but surfing our separate ways.
(A useful suggestion for our "Chatty" members.)

I have been on line for a month now, and I have yet to get bored with WebTV. I am a customer service operator with the Home Shopping Network, and when I first saw this on the air, I was curious, found out more from our technical support staff, and finally took the plunge. And it has been fun. I trade e-mail almost daily with a pen pal in England, who I recently learned was on line. Our friendship has definitely gotten better, since we don't have to wait for snail mail to cross the pond. I've bought books on line, chatted in chat rooms. My younger brother is even more hooked to the Internet than I am. He can spend hours on line. This has really been my first experience with the Internet, and without the cost of a computer or the stress-that money that would have been spent on a computer will have another purpose-a little vacation to see the lady in England I corrrespond with. If things go that well, I will definitely be thanking Web TV.
(We hear the not-so-faint tinkling of bells. Do keep us informed!)

My wife and I are moving to Colorado Springs in June. We are leaving three grown sons here in Michigan. When we leave, we are getting each son a Web TV with a Keyboard. This will enable us and them to communicate quickly and cheaply. Also, sons don't like to and wouldn't write a letter, but they will send and receive E mail. Web Tv will help keep the family together even when we are apart. We can have daily of a number of times per week to "chat" vs. the letter that may have come once a month or so...
(Yes, but do they send thank-you notes?)

Club WebTV newsletter idea:
   How bout using Serendipity column to share stories bout how WebTV has been integral in truly serendipitous events, for eg: I met a guy 5 years ago who was teaching Native American children to create simple animated films. I lost touch with him. Well, on my WebTV I found him again, just in time to collaborate with him on a project to get digital video production techniques & equipment into the hands of Native Hawaiian kids & adults. This project has potential to help accelerate the Hawaiian cultural renaissance--truly synchronistic & awesome; all thanks to WebTV.
(Actually, it's a perfect Customer Corner story! Thrilled to have made it happen for you both!

Wow. I love it!!! I've owned PCs since the XT days. I've tried online services but I've hated the hassle of getting the software configured and the other pains of using the PC to surf the net (slow, buggy, painful setup, painful upgrading).My family and I just moved from the east coast to the west. For Christmas we bought (my parents) the grandparents a unit to make it easier (and cheaper) to keep in touch. My mom loves it - and she still uses a typewriter because she hates technology. We played with it Christmas and liked it so much we bought one for ourselves. Now I get two charges on my credit card from you folks and happy to pay every penny!Thanks.Now the requests: 1) I'd like to be able to send graphic (jpg or some other) (pictures of the grandson) embedded or as an attachment. I've sent such from my work email to my webtv email to test it out but webtv doesn't seem to support this. Any plans to add this feature? PLEASE! 2) I'd love to invest. You should give all us "charter" customers an opportunity to do that. PLEASE!
(First, we're very happy that you're happy "paying every penny". Second, you can send graphics - please call us for details on what we can support at the moment. Third, Bill Gates beat you to it. Sorry! But you can always buy HIS stock.)

Yahoooo!!! Is he cuuuute or what??? Are you married Phil?
(You got a lot of competion right here!)

Thanks for the last two newsletters. These letters have fullfilled their purposes: to inform the webtv user and to guide the user to future sites. With this in mind, I still refer to last month's issue of CLUBWEBTV for information. This second issue has even more beneficial information for use in the future. Thus, I feel CLUBWEBTV should provide a "archive section" to the newsletter for readers to refer to past information, by refering to the volume and issue number. I can't tell you how much WEBTV has enlightened me. Our family really enjoys it. Our family rarely watches the television for regular television broadcasts. Maybe I should drop telecable? But then I wouldn't be able to watch "the site" on MSNBC. Keep up the excellent work! We really have enjoyed the upgrades provided this month by your staff.
(What a nice compliment! You can find links to previous issues in the Everything Else column.)

web tv is the best investment i've ever made! cool graphics and the techno music are incredible! here's to java & frames! p.s. it's sad how computer mags are always slamming webtv i guess jealousy makes people say strange things.
(It's called sour grapes, mixed with a touch of abject fear. Just smile when you read those negative articles. You know better!)

I am a newbie who would eventually like to use my webtv to place orders for such things as books from Amazon Books,stocks via E Trade,etc. I am worried about security of my order, Visa acct. no.,etc. Does secure encryption enter into the equation? Does Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Explorer handle this situation? If so,what and when will Web TV have to match this capability? Thanks.
(Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) should be released with our next upgrade, and will provide you with secure encryption for transactions.)

Is there a system for retviewing the last message I sent? Please let me know, thanks.
(Simply go to your Mail/Storage. You will find the last 7 days of both your sent and discarded mail.)

To All At WebTv Networks,I've had the Sony WebTv Internet Terminal for about 2 months now. I've learn so many different things through the Internet. Now,I only watch WebTv. I have NOT seen regular Tv since the time I got a hold of the Sony WebTv. I'm ADDICTED to it. What can I say. I admit it! The funny thing about the whole thing is that I've met so many different people from all parts of the world. The point that I'm trying to make is that my life was a boring one. My life will never be the same. By the way,I like the NEW Around Town. I'm really looking forward to all the new features WebTv has to offer in the future. Thanxs Guys!
(The old saying goes, "mi casa es su casa." The new saying goes "mi mundo es su mundo." )

web tv. I"m so comfortable in front of my tv instead of a desk.
(Don't forget to put your feet up!)

Hi Gang: Just read through the latest issue, and found it to be very interesting. We've had Webtv since mid November, and feel it's the greatest way to access the Internet and send e-mail. I've been extolling its praises to others, both in person and on amateur radio (have been a ham since 1991) The new upgrades are exciting, to say the least. Can't wait to access them, especially the printing option. One question I have...Will it ever be possible to increase the "Favorites" capacity? Thirty-six entries is somewhat on the small side. I use my favorites constantly, and am constantly deleting so I can add a new one. Congratulations on "Club Webtv" It's great news about a great product. Everyone in the family appreciates your efforts.
(Well, you got the "Gang" part right! Take advantage of Stevie's Bookmark Server Site, highlighted in April's Serendipity column, or simply add favorites to the other 5 accounts you have available to you through your original account with us.)

Its amazing that some dorks out there put down Webtv. I wanted very much to be able to access the Net but did not have the money or practical space for a computer. Having lived in Spain for more than 20 years I'm interested in keeping up with current events and sports. Thanks to Webtv I can do so. It is also so simple to use (unlike a computer in which one has to take courses to learn). Your best advertising will be word of mouth from happy customers such as myself. I look forward to printing capabililties.
(Thanks for the kudos! Note to members: do not attempt to take your terminals overseas as yet. Our US Department of Defense still views our imbedded encryption as a possible terrorist weapon, and your terminal may be conficated at any foreign border. Don't worry, we're working on this, and hope to be global in the not-so-far future.)

Jack says, "I think we should get to pick the next upgrade."
(Well, members, what should it be? Is it possible that from such a diverse membership, a single upgrade could be agreed upon? Send in your suggestions - we'll compile them and send them to the powers that be -- but try to keep in mind that we are geeks, not gods.)

we are in this together. i am very pleased with the service. one thing you might consider is some type of small device ie televison so when you go on the road you don't have to take a tv. the hotel tv usually don;t have input and even my small tv is relatively heavy and cumbersome. but it works when i go on the road. thanks again i think this is a winning formula with great support. now if you can just add some hours in the day.
(As a matter of fact, we have begun tests in several local hotels with this purpose fully in mind. Indeed, most people can take their Internet terminal to virtually any hotel room and be able to properly connect!)

Hi Folks, Could you please feature an employee of the month so we could all get to know you and what you do at Webtv? There's a lot of names under that logo and it would be nice to know how each of you came to work for such a dynamic organization.
(Our In the Family column is intended to let all our members know us better. Be patient. I imagine that we'll each 'expose' ourselves, eventually.)

Attention members. You can set up 'group' mailings to several e-mail address at once quite easily. For example, go to 'addresses' and under the name field type a name for your group like "pen-pals". Then in the e-mail address field, type all the e-mail address of everyone you want in your group. Be sure to seperate each e-mail address with a comma, except for the last address. Example:friend1@webtv.net,friend2@aol.com,friend3@juno.com When ever you want to send an e-mail to everyone in your group, just select the name of your group from your e-mail address listing. WebTV will fill in all of the e-mail addresses that you have entered in the 'to:' field, automatically!
(Thanks! We couldn't have said it better.)

Our kids bought us our WebTV for Christmas.I"am know longer a tv junkie,at least now my time is used learning instead of vegitating in front of the tv.watching some mindless show.Keep up the great work and thanks for a very informative news letter.I can"t wait for the printer.Customer Corner column is a great plus.
(We receive so many letters like this! So honored, really, to deliver an vehicle that allows your mind to to work- for you- again!)

Once upon a time, I would play games on my television most of the night and would wake up in the morning feeling drained and empty before going to my swingshift job. But due to Webtv and the information that I am able to access, I feel that less of my time is used on unproductive entertainment, and that more time is spent on information that can enhance my life rather than detract from it.
(Quality vs. quantity...)

Apart from the usual culprit of weak batteries, another note should be made in regard to keyboard/remote effectiveness:Energy efficient light bulbs, specifically those of the compact fluorescent variety, can have a noticeable impact on how well the keyboard/remote works.For some reason, my infrared remote controls for television/VCR/stereo work fine when my lamps with compact fluorescent bulbs are on, but the WebTV remotes effectively transmit 50% of the time. In this case, I have to rely on the sun or incandescent light sources.
(You've taught us something!)

Just a short note to let you know of the excellent job being performed by Keica and Darryl as moderators. They are both professional, well informed and witty. Their comments are always cogently written, concise and very informative. Both have shown themselves to be at least equal to their task and are a major credit to Webtv and it's subscribers. My hat is off to these two fine people, and to you, Mr. Mack, for having the foresight to install them in such a critical and difficult role, a role they have assumed and executed with aplumb and alacrity. Congratulations on jobs well done!
(Thanks! We all try really hard to please, but Kieca, Darryl, and Dave outdo themselves. They may not sleep much, but they do indeed care about you and your Web experiences.)