Whats New

Keep coming back here to find out what links we've added, what programming changes are offered and what's happening with the organization.

June 2008

We have several improvements underway:

1.The new blade server is almost fully installed.

2. Chad Cramer is debugging a Content Management System (CMS) that will allow members to easily edit a Webpage. In fact, I am writing this "What's New" using the new CMS.

3. Scott Gifford is making contact with PayPal to see if we could have our members renew online.

4. We have opened our Membership State-wide. So far we have a few new members in Tuscola County. If you know anyone, especially rural residents who don't have broadband available, please recommend GFN to them.

April 2008

We are in the process of finishing up the installation of our new dell blade server. When this is complete some of the system problems should be fixed.

We are looking for better ways to address the spam problems. We are all getting fed up with spam. Our techs are working on a way to throw away the spam before it hits your computer. More on this as the techs get the word to me.

April 15th is the day we will officially be extending our membership to anyone in the State of Michigan who can make a local call to the numbers listed on
www.gfn.org/gfn/help/dial_up_numbers.shtml. There are lots of rural and urban people who want an affordable dial-up Internet portal. These are the persons we are extending our membership to.

In support of our going Statewide, we are asking for people to volunteer to become GFN Marketing Representatives and GFN Membership Representatives. These volunteer positions will help us reach the entire state of Michigan. Our mission is to make sure no one is isolated from the Digital Revolution that has swept across America. There are still persons who do not have access to the World Wide Web in Michigan. We are reaching out to them to join us.

We see the typical GFN Marketing Representative as a Retired Executive or Salesperson to assist GFN with State-wide extension of our Internet Membership Co-operative to rural and poor persons who need a low-cost Internet portal. They can select their area of the State and develop their own plan using their unique skills to develop an on-line community. Contact the GFN office 810-720-2880 on Monday through Friday between the hours of 1PM to 3:30 PM. Or, call Denny Cavanaugh on 810-257-9558.

We see the GFN Membership Representative as a retired Volunteer assisting GFN to extend our Internet Membership Co-operative to their friends and neighbors who need a low-cost Internet service. They can develop an on-line community through dial-up computer access. At an initial membership cost of $85 for the first year and $60 a year after that, GFN offers an affordable way to dial into the Internet. All you will need is an ability to talk to other folks and help them set up their computer once the membership is processed. We are volunteers providing our neighbors with a valuable service. Contact the GFN office 810-720-2880 on Monday through Friday between the hours of 1PM to 3:30 PM.

So as you can see we have a lot on our plate for the coming months, but we are a membership co-operative. If all of our members co-operate then the next few months shall go smoothly.

July 2007
Lots of Items today.

Merit Dial Up Numbers Discontinued July 1st
- Merit got out of the Dial-Up business to concentrate on Fiber optics and broadband.
- We have New Dial Up Numbers which are V92 Modems with Telnet worldwide they provide us with statewide modem service. Here is where you can look up the numbers you can use http://www.gfn.org/gfn/help/dial_up_numbers.shtml.
- After conferring with Paul H Herring Sr. , President of the Mac Users Club, Genesee Free net will extend membership without set-up fee to all Mott College and U of M Faculty who were cut off from Dial up by the Merit Shut Off. All they have to do is write "Former Merit Faculty User" above the $85 fee blank on the Membership Application and make same note on memo section of your check .
- We have gained new members from Montrose and Gaines, which had had problems with the Merit lines. Welcome to the GFN family and please tell your family and friends about us.
- All these new modems V92 modems. If you do not have a V92 modem on your computer there will be no change in the way your internet connection works.
- We are getting more phone calls at the help desk as people call in realizing that the 249-0300 phone line is disconnected. Thanks to all out Office Staff for the good work that they are doing in this difficult time.
Special Offer to Members to share Membership
- Dial up Service Providers are going to Broadband with the increased costs and profits that Broadband demands.
- We have Statewide Dial Up Numbers and have expanded our membership to anyone within those services who's financial needs might keep them on the wrong side of the "Digital Divide".
- As a Member for the rest of the year we are waiving the Set Up fee to those you sign up using the Special Offer form that has been sent out on the back of the renewal notice. If you did not get an offer on the back of your renewal just write "Members Renewal Offer" and your name on the Membership Application.
We Need Volunteers
- We would like to do some administrative office tasks before noon.
- We need help who would be willing to do the filing and account maintenance tasks in the mornings.
- Please call the office 810-720-2880 and get the time for the next Office Staff Meeting to meet everyone and see where you would best fit in.
- All of our training is done one-to-one working with another volunteer.
- Please e-mail us at the office if you have ideas or can help in any way.
- We don't have any volunteers outside of the Flint & Lapeer area, if you would like to extend GFN through your Volunteer Organization, Senior Center, or Church, please send us an e-mail at gfoffice@gfn.org to work this out.
Please Help Recruit New Members Remember we are a co-operative not just limited to Genesee County anymore. Anyone who can make a local call from any of the numbers listed at http://www.gfn.org/gfn/help/dial_up_numbers.shtml is welcome to join GFN. Our growth is happening by personal referral. We are waiving the Set Up Fee for people you recommend So tell you friends and neighbors about GFN membership. Write "Sponsored by" and you login ID on their application and get your next years membership reduced by $10. Enroll 6 friends and you will extend your next years membership for free. Also, please, help them get their computer online when their application letter comes.
We are a volunteer, membership, Internet service provider. Our basic volunteer is the friend who helps another friend get online. Our Motto is people helping people to access the world.

Denny Cavanaugh Board Chair

April 2007

Lots of Items today.

New Service Provider.

Merit is getting out of the Dial-Up business to concentrate on Fiber optics and broadband. They will be stopping dial-up service on July 2 of this year. Click on this link for their press release. http://www.merit.edu/news/newsarchive/article.php?article=20070207_dialin
We have been contacted by Telnet worldwide to provide us with statewide modem service. Here is their Homepage http://www.telnetww.com/.
This a listing of new Dial Up Numbers will will be offering. http://www.gfn.org/gfn/help/dial_up_numbers.shtml
We will be able to offer service to Montrose and Gaines, which had been a problem with the Merit lines. Almost all of the state will have a GFN local dial-in number except for a few areas in the Upper Peninsula.
All these modems will be V92 modems. This means that if you have a V92 modem on your computer then an incoming call will place your Internet on hold while you answer the phone. Then when you hang up the Internet connection will be reactivated. If you do not have a V92 modem on your computer there will be no change in the way your Internet connection works.
We will be able to get 23 lines from TelNet Worldwide for less than we were paying for 15 lines from Merit.

We are developing Family Sub accounts.

These email accounts will allow family members their own email @gfn.org
This is part of our continuing improvement of services to our members.

Special Offer to Members to share Membership

Dial up Service Providers are going to Broadband with the increased costs and profits that Broadband demands.
We have Statewide Dial Up Numbers and have expanded our membership to anyone within those services whoâ€™s financial needs might keep them on the wrong side of the â€œDigital Divideâ€�.
As a Member for the rest of the year we are waiving the Set Up fee to those you sign up using the Special Offer form that has been sent out on the back of the renewal notice. If you did not get an offer on the back of your renewal or need another one click here. Renewal Offer

Need Board Members

At the Annual Meeting we announced the applications of new Board Members.
We still need help with the Board and the Standing Committees. The committees can conduct there business through the Internet or over the phone.
Right now our Community Involvement is down to our Board Officers and Office Staff. We need new people for new ideas and to continued growth.
Please email us at the office if you have ideas or can help in any way.

Annual Meeting

We are Required to have an Annual Meeting. It will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2006 at 7PM
Please call the office at 720-2880 if you plan to attend.

Recruit New Members

Remember we are not just limited to Genesee County anymore.
Anyone who can make a local call from any of the numbers listed at http://www.gfn.org/gfn/help/dial_up_numbers.shtml is welcome to join GFN.
Our growth is happening by personal referral.
We are waiving the Set Up Fee for people you recommend
So tell you friends and neighbors about GFN membership. Write â€œSponsored byâ€� and you login ID on their application and get your next years membership reduced by $10. Enroll 6 friends and you will extend your next yearâ€™s membership for free.
Also please, help them get their computer online when their application letter comes.
We are a volunteer, membership, Internet service provider.
Our basic volunteer is the friend who helps another friend get online.
Our Motto is people helping people to access the world.

Denny Cavanaugh Board Chair

September 2006

Lots of Items today.

Mail Limits
The mail quotas have been increased to 100 meg in your inbox and 5 meg for each individual email. This is being done to increase usefulness for our members.
@pen WebMail Recommendation
Using the @pen WebMail by clicking the Web Mail link in the Member Services section of our home page http://www.gfn.org/gfn/index.shtml is a quick and easy way to manage your email. Tutorials are linked by Help? on the @pen WebMail webpage or click on this link http://gfn.org/openwebmail/help/en/index.html
@pen Mail Calendar
Check out the Calendar Feature of the @pen Mail webmail server. This is way to keep track of upcoming events. The calendar sends you an email reminder when an event is approaching. Plus the days to the event show when you open your @pen WebMail. Go to http://gfn.org/cgi-bin/openwebmail/openwebmail.pl and put in you. ID and password to check @pen Mail features. Also, please set your options to empty the trash when you log-off.
Need Board Members
At the Annual Meeting we announce the applications of new Board Members. Board members are required to attend one 2 hour meeing a month and spend about 2 hours a week on board duties. Board members have their GFN Membership extended at no cost, while they are active on the board.
Annual Meeting
We are Required to have an Annual Meeting. It will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2006 at 7PM. Please call the office at 720-2880 if you plan to attend.
Recruit New Members
Remember we are not just limited to Genesee County anymore. Anyone who can make a local call from any of the numbers listed at http://www.gfn.org/gfn/help/dial_up_numbers.shtml is welcome to join GFN. Our growth is happening by personal referral. So tell you friends and neighbors about GFN membership. Write “Sponsored by” and your login ID on their application and get your next years membership reduced by $10. Enroll 6 friends and you will extend your next year’s membership for free. Also please, help them get their computer online when their application letter comes. We are a volunteer, membership, Internet service provider. Our basic volunteer is the friend who helps another friend get online. Our Motto is people helping people to access the world.
Look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting In October.

Denny Cavanaugh Board Chair

August 2006

Check out the Calendar Feature of the @pen Mail webmail server. This will be a great way to keep track of upcoming events. The calendar will send you an email reminder when an event is approaching. The @pen Mail is available by clicking on the "Web Mail" link on the www.gfn.org homepage. This takes you to http://gfn.org/cgi-bin/openwebmail/openwebmail.pl and then put in your ID and password to open the @pen Mail. Here you can tell it to save your password, if you are on your home computer. Don't do this on a public computer or someone else could use your email account.

Also, please set your @pen Mail to empty the trash when you log-out. Do this by clicking on the "Pref" button then Scroll down to "Misc Options" then Find "Trash mail reserved days - pull down- "delete at Logout" then Click on the "Save" button.

This was in the last "What's New" But it bears repeating:

Remember we are not just limited to Genesee County anymore. Anyone who can make a local call from any of the available numbers is welcome to join GFN. Our biggest growth is currently in the Lapeer and Imlay City areas. This is happening by personal referral. So tell you friends and neighbors about GFN if you are satisfied with the $60 a year investment. Also help them get the modem settings, browser settings, and mail set-up. (That should be good for a coffee or maybe a dinner!) We are a volunteer, membership, Internet service provider. Our basic volunteer is the friend who helps another friend get online.

Denny Cavanaugh Board Chair

March 2006

On February 16 the rollout was conducted for "Wireless Genesee". This initiative if successful will increase our coverage throughout the county and increase speeds above dial-up but below broadband. Click on this link to find out more. http://www.wirelessgenesee.org/

Our Landlord has changed, the GenTech sign is down and the new sign says OTC. OTC is an Ann Arbor based firm and is growing. Click on this link to find our more about them. http://www.onlinetech.net/

We have updated our By Lays to reflect our current office location at 5225 Exchange and our Board Meetings convening at the 325 Water Street Location on the 4th Thursday of the Month. Remember we are not just limited to Genesee County anymore. Anyone who can make a local call from any of the numbers listed at http://www.gfn.org/gfn/help/dial_up_numbers.shtml is welcome to join GFN.

Our biggest growth is currently in the Lapeer and Imlay City areas. This is happening by personal referral. So tell you friends and neighbors about GFN if you are satisfied with the $60 a year investment. Also help them get the modem settings, browser settings, and mail set-up. (That should be good for a coffee or maybe a dinner!) We are a volunteer, membership, Internet service provider. Our basic volunteer is the friend who helps another friend get online.

Denny Cavanaugh Board Chair

February 2006

Thanks to your support GFN raised in excess of the $600 need to secure my release from the lock up. Most of the pledge statements will be sent to you from MDA within the month. The donation webpage will be open for a month for those who want to make any additional donations.

Thanks, again, for your support. Denny Cavanaugh

February 2006

GFN is taking part in the MDA Community Lock-Up Thursday Feb 23rd at Mr. Brown's Linden Road at Lennon Road. I am going to be locked up until my $600 "Bail" is posted. The Press Release says

A 'Warrant of Arrest' has been issued for Denny Cavanaugh. Beware! The subject is armed with a big heart and a known propensity for helping others. If you are approached by this person you are urged to use extreme generosity. This fugitive is trying to escape incarceration in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's "Maximum Appreciation Facility" and is seeking donations in an effort to raise his bail. The bail money they raise will help meet the demand for funds necessary for to support research and program services of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Thank you!
As a side note we have a Board Meeting that day, It might be hard for me to get pledges from my fellow Board members. Click Here to pledge or call the office and give your pledge by phone and I will call you back.
Denny Cavanaugh Board Chair