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.

I just thought I would tell you what a great product you have in WebTV. I work at a major retail store and sell computers and televisions and such, and let me tell you, WebTV has been one of the most popular items of recent! People are very excited about getting on the internet, but do not want to spend $2000-$4000 on a decent to wonderful computer system just to surf the web... $400 for the unit and the keyboard -- that's wonderful! I played with the terminal so much at work, and sold so many of them and got tremendous amounts of good comments, so I bought one myself, and I can't keep my hands off it! One question, though: Are we ever going to see the ability to use SSL (secure) documents? I would like to be able to order things online via secure servers... I don't like having to boot up my computer every time I want to order something... I like lying back on the bed!
(We are currently working on developing SSL for the WebTV Network. With any luck, you'll see this feature soon!)

I want to tell you what a blessing this webtv unit is to our household. My 21 year old son broke his neck last year and is now a quadriplegic. We couldn't afford a computer , so we settle with a webtv unit. A big difference in price and the amount of understanding it takes to operate. My son was very active in sports(mvp in football and baseball_) and loved to hunt and fish. All that came to an end, but now he can escape from his wheelchair into any world he chooses. He spends hours a day on our unit and has met new friends who doesn't care if he's in a wheelchair or not. Thank you so much for giving us this instrument to bring joy into lives that would otherwise be filled with loneliness.
   And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. Matt. 21:22
(We are so pleased to hear how WebTV Networks has opened up new opportunities for your son. It is inspiring to learn that WebTV Networks has affected people's lives in so many positive ways.)

Just thought you might find this interesting. A webtv box that has more than paid for itself! Just got hired at Boeing because of an online resume I sent in via the net. Get online, get a job... pretty neat.
(Congratulations, it's good to see results that the WebTV Internet terminal can be both fun and practical. Good luck with the new job.)

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone at clubwebtv I turned on my webtv at 12:10am on may 1st and to my surprise there was the May issue , you all deserve a BIG Bronx cheer after only 3 months you had this issue out right on time . I LOVE club webtv. Thanks !
(Thanks! Everyone involved in the newsletter really appreciates your positive support. Are you sure you mean a "bronx cheer," though?)

I am both a subscriber of MSN (place of business) & WebTV. Although I very much like MSN, I prefer my TV application over the PC. I think of it as a smoother more worry free environment. I would never have taken the opportunity to learn or enjoy the Web if it had not been for WebTV. I would have missed much. I am also more comfortable in conducting business at this level. I don’t know the reasons for this overall feeling, but, perhaps this insight will help you plan the future. Thank you!
(Best of all, you can do all of this while sitting on your couch.)

My wife loves what I refer to as "gobbligoops" or any new appliance or gadget. We have a computer, so I was very surprised to come home from work one day to find my family huddled around the livingroom TV surfing the net via WebTV. I didn't believe she would spend that kind of money for a "gadget." However, this "gobbligoop" has turned into one of OUR best investments. It's not a "gadget" and it isn't expensive at all! As a matter of fact, I spend more time on the net than anyone else. I've turned into a Net Junkie! :) We are in constant contact with family and friends on the continental U.S. We live in Hawaii and don't get to see these people very often. Email is so much easier than writing a letter and much cheaper than calling. My two youngest children ages 11 & 7 use the net to get information for school reports; my 11 year old is presently building her own website for her class ethnic presentation project. She will be able to make a factual and professional presentation at school thanks to WebTV! Her teacher thinks this is an excellent and certainly original idea. I do have a couple of questions for you. First, when purchasing our WebTV, the sales person indicated that WebTV was in the process of designing a hardcard for the system. When do you expect this to happen?
(This was one of WebTV Networks' biggest goals: providing convenient Internet access without the complexity. It is great to see that your daughters use the terminal for informational and academic purposes.)

I love my webtv!!!! I told so many of my friends about it, and now they ALL want one (even 3 have bought it) I no longer sit and watch tv! And I can sit comfortably on my couch, or bed...I can't wait for a printer! Keep up the GREAT work!
(Living proof that couchtime can no longer be considered slouchtime!)

Hi! I bought my webtv in oct. I heard about it, and I called my friend. he said that I better not get one without him. so we went down and there was only one unit left! the salesman contacted another store and drove over to get it. when we got there the unit was sold, but they found another one for us. it took a lot effort to get these units, but it was well worth it!! thank you !! it was everything I thought it would be and more....as one of the first customers to buy this product, I feel that your product is getting better all the time. looking forward to the great things ahead. a happy webtv customer!!!!
(We are impressed with your persistence in tracking down and purchasing your WebTV Internet terminal. It is good to know that it was a successful and rewarding adventure.)

I have been going to college for the last year. At the school library, I have access to the 'net through computers. Unfortunately, the library wasn't open much of the time that I wanted to cruise. I bought the WebTv with some trepidation. I thought, "How can an internet terminal compete with a computer??" But, I was so tired of having to go down to school during set hours and sit in uncomfortable chairs to check my e-mail, update my homepage, and chat. So, I took a chance. Now, I can't imagine not having WebTv. I am continually delighted by the new upgrades and features. In fact, WebTv not only holds its own with computers, but for me, it goes one step further. I couldn't access the newsgroups at school. Thank you WebTv!!!!!!!!!!!
(Practical, convenient, and open 24 hours without leaving home. What could be better? Just don't forget to go to class.)

I just wanted to tell you that I purchased WebTV as a birthday present for my father for his 82nd birthday.
   It was the last thing in the world he was expecting, but with only a couple of sessions he was ready to try a bit on his own. Again this last weekend he said he'd like another lesson.
   I think it is the best birthday present that he has had in years. He can E-mail to my sister now, and his granddaughter and one nephew and is wondering what are the Email addresses for his other nephew.
   Now my dad can relate to all of the advertisements on television featuring the internet, and articles in magazines also.
   So I just wanted to thank you, and say that WebTv is really the user-friendliest thing I've ever used computer-wise.
   I also liked the Epicurious and music sites you shared in your welcome letter. It is fabulous the way the sound files work on the TV. I hope next someone there comes up with a transparent way to view the Quicktime movies and such. As I recall those are the only things I've tried as yet that don't work.
   Thanks again!
(I'm delighted that the WebTV Network is so well suited for your father's needs. Making the WebTV Network friendly, reliable, and intuitive is our top priority, and it gives us a great deal of satisfaction to know that our efforts have made a difference in someone's life. Furthermore, we're working now towards making the audio and video tracks of Quicktime movies available to you!)

For the playground on club webtv .I like this site because I have been a fan of EVEL KNIEVEL FOR ALMOST 30 years. An thanks to this web site I have become friends with EVEL .Tomorrow my family and I are going to see EVEL & he is going to show us the skycycle x2 rocket from the famous snake river canyon jump from sept.8 1974. Now that is what I call a interactive website & fan club. SEE YA I LOVE MY WEBTV .
(A blast from the past on your connection to the future.)

Our grandson is a Freshman at an Ivy League school and on the lacrosse team, I was elated to discover a site that posted scores, game write-ups, etc. just before the team left on a Spring trip including Air Force Academy and Notre Dame. Imagine my dismay the evening of the first day to find no response from the publisher due to the weekend.
   I am age 71 with no computer skills and new to Web TV. But I searched, found the A.F.Academy page, then Athletics, then Lacrosse and then a link to CLUSA with all the info (we lost) I wanted. Didn't know for certain how I got there but I was so pleased with such a service I sent a quick e-mail "thank you" including a comment (question) about his last name. BOTTOM LINE: he is the grandson of my high school basketball coach (1942).
   After more e-mail I sent a photo of his grandfather with my 11th grade homeroom classmates by snail mail in time for an Easter reunion dinner including his grandmother (the coach's widow). She could not believe the _Internet made this possible but credit really goes to Web TV .
   P. S. Even better, we hear from both of our grandsons via e-mail, which is a miracle, as well as cousins and friends long neglected; my wife saves the cooking channel as a fav to retrieve recipes; I get involved in sports chat on several Big Ten football Fan Forums: travel trip directions are more detailed than our auto club provides; etc., etc., etc. What a Christmas gift this has been!
(All the info you'll ever need is at the touch of your fingertips.)

I purchased two webtvs to communicate with my deaf daughter in Boston. You may or may not be aware that the deaf must use a telephone typewriter or tty to talk with each other; and long distance costs can get pretty high. Between my daughter and myself, I am sure we save about $175. a month. When I heard about webtv I did a little checking and found that it would surely pay me to try it. A good tty costs about $500. and of course you must have two, one to send and one to receive. With the tty all you have is a telephone. I can talk with my daughter on the web as often and as long as I want for the small cost of $19.95 a month and she does not even have to be there for me to leave a message. I won’t go on forever, but communication is only a small part of the things I enjoy on your webtv. I wonder if you have thought of targeting the deaf with some of your advertising? The web has so much to offer people who cannot hear. I am not deaf, but I can't wait to get home after work and see what I can find of interest on the web. Of course the long distance companies would not appreciate this letter but I feel no remorse. (smile) Please give this a little thought, there are millions of deaf in the country who would use web if they only knew about it. I just want you to know what a blessing the web is to us. The 1200 miles between us seems so much less now that we can talk anytime.
(We're happy to see that you have found a way to keep in close contact with your daughter through the WebTV Network's inexpensive, convenient connection.)

Steve. I am excited about the new "web t.v" product that I have just purchased, and look forward to a long relationship with my new "computer pals". I just wanted to say how helpful the people at 1-800-web-tv were to me in helping me with the questions I asked and information I needed to help me get started. please keep in touch with me on future upgrades and such. best of luck and we will see you on the web!
(Thanks for the kind note. Providing first rate customer care is a top priority at WebTV Networks, and it is great to hear back from a subscriber who found it to be helpful!)