BBS Toolkit/BBS Toolkit.iso/doors_2/pgate.zip/PTIMEJUL.TXT

Text File | 1993-07-02 | 20KB | 515 lines

------------- PowerfulTimes ------------------



\/\/\/\/\/\/ What's Inside \/\/\/\/\/\/


See the Front Page for New PV Training Program



Complete Explanation of Newsletter Format on Page Two



Introducing "QuicKey" in VT Reports

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

***** The Front Page *****

PV Has Good News and a New Training Program


* * THE GOOD NEWS IS . . .

. . . We are extending the Beta Test to July 20th.

For Subscribers, extending the Beta Test means more FREE
PowerVision.  All PowerVision access will remain
absolutely free until July 20th when the billing cycle
will begin for pre-launch subscribers.  On July 20th, all
subscribers will start to use the "free" month they earned
by signing up before the end of the beta test.  Remember
that the first two hours of access time for which you
would ordinarily be charged $18.95 are free.  After those
two hours have been used, all subscribers will be charged
at $.09 per minute for their access time.

For Associates, extending the Beta Test means that you now
have until July 20th to offer your prospects the
pre-launch incentives of a Free month of PowerVision
(first two hours), a free picture scanning for Picture
Perfect Personals and Email, and a free Picture Perfect
Properties listing.

For Subscriber/Associates, you now have two and a half
weeks to really get to know PowerVision and to demo and
sell it like crazy with absolutely no access charges.


* * PowerVision INTRODUCES CERTIFIED TRAINER PROGRAM

Another excellent suggestion by one of our associates has
resulted in the implementation of a new program. This new
"Certified Trainer" program is designed to help us expand
knowledge about PowerVision across the country and fairly
compensate those individuals helping people from other
downlines learn more about PowerVision.

Like most of our programs, it is simple to understand and
administer. Associates wishing to become a "Certified
Trainer" must meet two qualifications. First, they must be
a subscriber so that they have access to the latest
information about PowerVision. Second, they must become
certified by PowerVision.  Certification can be achieved
by attending a weekend certification program offered
periodically by the home office and pass an examination
given thereafter regarding product and marketing
knowledge.

When completed, the certified trainer will be permitted to
offer PowerDay training sessions for other PowerVision
associates and charge $15 per attendee. All Certified
Trainers will be listed at no charge on the PowerVision
network and any scheduled training sessions will be listed
in the "Meetings" directory.

This new program will not only help us spread the word
about PowerVision, but will fairly compensate Associates
who willingly train new recruits in their area who might
belong to other associates' downlines. This is another
example of how all of us working together can create a
very special opportunity and a win/win situation for
everyone.

The first Weekend Certification seminar will be held
August 22-23 in San Diego. The cost of the seminar, which
includes a Saturday night banquet, will be $75. We will
also arrange a discounted room rate for Friday and/or
Saturday night in the hotel where the seminar is being
presented. Full details will be available in next month's
newsletter, but you may want to mark your calendar for
these dates.

***** Page Two *****

Major Publisher Signs on with PowerVision


PowerVision is proud to announce we have recently reached
an agreement with a major magazine publishing company to
offer versions of their monthly periodicals online. The
agreement provides for Compute, Omni, Longevity, and Four
Wheeler magazines to offer unique online services in our
Premium Services directory.

Beginning late this year all the above magazines will be
online and offering what promises to be unique and
entertaining features that all PowerVision subscribers
should find interesting.

This agreement also demonstrates our ability to continue
to attract strategic alliances with major companies
desiring to enhance the distribution of their products,
services or information through our advanced technology.
In the coming months we will keep you informed about the
particulars of these new services and the other alliances
currently being negotiated.

* * POWERVISION'S NEW ON-LINE NEWSLETTER

This is the first issue of the on-line version of the
PowerfulTimes.  We will continue to "publish" a new issue
of the newsletter on-line on the first of each month.

The scroll box on the introductory screen will allow you
to flip through the various features.  Or you can use the
NEXT ARTICLE and PREVIOUS ARTICLE buttons on your screen
to read through the entire newsletter page by page, just
like a paper newsletter.

Here's what you'll find in each section:

THE FRONT PAGE - One or two articles containing what we
consider to be the most important news.

PAGE TWO - Several articles that will keep you up to date
on new developments and important news for subscribers and
associates.

VENDOR NEWS - A regular feature written by Phil Bruce,
Director of Vendor Relations, that will update you on
information services, national vendor and local vendor
news.

VT REPORTS - Each month Lesa Laird, the head of our
Customer Service department, will address subscriber
issues and new network developments.

MARKETING UPDATES - Associates should look here each month
for the latest developments in PowerVision's marketing
department written by Leslie Nary, National Marketing
Coordinator.

POWERVISION SHORTS - This monthly feature contains all the
tid bits of information that subscribers and associates
need to note or remember.

PV ON THE ROAD - A monthly schedule of national
PowerVision Opportunity and Training meetings led by
representatives from the home office will be published
here.  (Regularly scheduled seminars led by associates are
still listed in the PERSONAL DIRECTORY under Building Your
Downline.)

MLM ALL-STARS - This feature is our salute to outstanding
associates.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT - Get to know PowerVision's home office
staff better as we commend our employees for their
important contributions.

The best feature of this new on-line newsletter is that it
is downloadable.  Any subscriber who wants a paper copy
for their records can simply download and print.  Any
associate who wishes to distribute the newsletter to the
non-subscribers in their downline may photocopy and do so.
Communication - 21st Century style.

***** Vendor News *****

* * FIRST LAST MINUTE CRUISE SPECIAL IS SETTING SAIL ON
POWERVISION! * *

California Superstar International (CSI) Travel & Cruises
is offering PowerVision subscribers their first
opportunity to pack a bag and take advantage of a
substantial last minute price reduction on a cruise. Right
now, two can travel for the price of one for an entire
week aboard the Pacific Princess, one of The Love Boats.

Want to know where you'll be going?  For information, go
to the GENERAL DIRECTORY and choose WEEKLY SPECIALS.
You'll find complete details in the Cruise section of Last
Minute Travel Bargains. Bon Voyage!


* * NEW TOOL TO AID IN LOCAL VENDOR AD SALES * *

Those of you who have been involved in the enjoyable and
very rewarding pursuit of selling local vendor advertising
will be glad to know that we are now providing vendors
with "proof" copies of their ads and detail screens before
they go on-line.

All vendors will receive a text printout of the detail
screen and/or a grey scale printout of the half-screen ad.
These will be accompanied by a letter explaining that the
vendor must return the proofs with changes to PowerVision
within ten days from the date of the letter for the
changes to be made at no charge.  After that, there is a
$25 fee for changes.


 * * NATIONAL PRODUCT PROVIDERS GOING ON-LINE * *

Over the next ten days you'll discover that the first half
dozen or so of what will eventually be an avalanche of
"electronic catalog" merchants, will be available to you
for on-line shopping and ordering. We hope that you will
regularly explore this important section of the
PowerVision network to see "what's new", and to take
advantage of the many values and savings.

As time goes on, you can expect to find everything here
from auto parts to zodiac charts. We have about two dozen
product providers in the cue now, with more being added
all the time. Occasionally, a vendor may request that you
order through an 800 number. The reason is that they are
not technologically ready to take advantage of all the
time and money saving possibilities that PowerVision can
offer them.

DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOUR FRIENDS! Make sure they all
are ready for the 21st century by getting a computer and,
of course, a PowerVision subscription to go with it. Happy
Savings!

***** VeeTee Reports *****

WHEN YOU ONLY HAVE TIME FOR A QuicKey

We have just made PowerVision even faster and easier to
use!  Introducing . . . QuicKey, a "short-cut" that will
take you directly to the PowerVision service you want to
use.

You may use QuicKey from any main menu or directory or
from the PowerVision welcome screen. Simply, press the
HOME key and a blank bar will appear on the screen.  The
first time you use QuicKey type ALL and a directory of the
selections that are currently available will appear.
Highlight the service you want to go to and the system
will automatically take you to your selection.

As you become more proficient and familiar with the
QuicKey directory, you can type the name of the section in
the blank box without having to use the QuicKey directory.

As we add new services, we will continue to add new
selections to the QuicKey directory to make it easier and
faster for you to enjoy all of the features and benefits
of the PowerVision network.

ENOUGH MEMORY?

Have you been frustrated with being frequently
disconnected from PowerVision?  Do your screens
occasionally freeze when on-line?  Is PowerVision running
at a snail's pace even with a 9600 Baud modem? Do you know
that most PowerVision users do not experience these
problems and that your problem may be insufficient RAM.

RAM (Random Access Memory) is the space within a computer
where information is held while it is being actively
worked on.  RAM is the memory needed to actually use
PowerVision.  This is different from the memory in your
hard drive which is used to store the PowerVision program
when it is not in use.

To run PowerVision, you must have at least 540K of
available RAM. Note that we say AVAILABLE.  If you have
memory resident programs like disk-caches and print
spoolers or if you have TSR's such as "pop-up" functions
like a calendar or calculator or a screen saver, these are
using part of your RAM and you may not have enough left to
efficiently run PowerVision.

To check your available RAM, please follow these simple
instructions:

1)  Type CHKDSK at the C:\ prompt.  Your system will list
several lines of numbers and characters. The last number
sequence should be in the hundreds of thousands followed
by the words "available bytes free".  That is your
available RAM.

2)  If it is under 540K you will need to unload some or
all memory resident or TSR programs that you may have.

3)  If you still do not have enough available RAM, try
booting your computer with your original DOS system disk.
Do this by inserting a DOS bootable system disk into the
A: drive, and reset your computer.  Run the PowerVision
Access software as you normally would.

If you have questions about the available memory on your
computer or anything else about the PowerVision network,
please contact Customer Service at 800-547-4727.

***** Marketing Updates *****

* * OVERCOMING COST OBJECTIONS

Prodigy has recently given PowerVision associates even
more ammunition for overcoming cost objections.

As you probably know, Prodigy traditionally has emphasized
its flat-rate pricing scheme.  This policy ended last year
when Prodigy began charging for Email messages if more
than 30 are sent in a month.

Now, Prodigy is introducing other "value-added" services
and charging extra for them.

*  Prodigy recently introduced a program similar to
PowerVision's Government Access Program.  On PowerVision,
the program is part of Basic Services.  On Prodigy,
subscribers must pay $2.50 per letter.

*  Prodigy has also introduced another program featuring
downloadable shareware.  This service will cost members an
addition $14.95 per month for three hours of use and $6.00
per hour thereafter.  PowerVision's shareware games and
programs are downloaded for free.

If you consider the entire picture, our monthly fee of
$18.95 that you can offset completely by grocery coupon
savings is looking better all the time.


* * NEW MARKETING MATERIALS

Due to popular demand, several new marketing materials are
in the works.  We're not ready to tell you about all of
them yet, but here's a teaser.

A new Local Vendor Flip Chart showing actual ads, detail
screens, and listings will be available soon to help you
sell those Local Vendor ads.  And, an all new trilogy demo
disk package combining text and graphics is close to
completion.

***** PowerVision Shorts *****

BEST FARES MAGAZINE
Please note that BEST FARES magazine is a Premium Service.
The magazine is located in the TRAVEL DIRECTORY and has
been free during the beta test.  However, beginning July
20, subscribers will be charged $3.00 per month to access
the service.  As with all Premium Services, users will be
notified on-line of the additional access charge when
entering the service and have the opportunity to exit the
program before extra charges begin to accrue.

This is a great deal for all of you travelers who would
ordinarily pay $5.95 per month for a printed copy of the
magazine.

WHY CAN'T WE ORDER AIRLINE TICKETS ON-LINE?
Some subscribers have asked why they can't book their own
flights on-line through PowerVision.  When developing
PowerVision, we decided not to offer this capability
because it would require subscribers to use an airline
reservation service.  Our technical staff found that such
services are so difficult to use and understand that we
believe the average subscriber would become frustrated and
not want to use the ticket booking service. So we decided
instead to find a great travel agency that can do the work
for you and will get you the best price available as well
as rebates.

COMING SOON
Financial Service Providers, Local Vendor Detail Screens,
the Government Access Program, Picture Perfect Properties,
Shareware Games, Local Information Providers and National
Product Providers will be on-line soon.

SUBSCRIBER FEES
Remember that the pre-launch incentive of a FREE MONTH of
PowerVision (two hours of access time valued at $18.95)
ends July 20.  From that day forward, all subscribers will
have to include payment for their software ($79 plus state
tax) as well as their first month's basic access fee
($18.95 or $20.95 in Hawaii) along with their subscription
agreement.

LOST YOUR PASSWORD?
New passwords will now be issued by mail.  Subscribers
requesting a new password will be billed $5 to cover
administrative costs.  In the future, you will have the
ability to personalize your password.

LOCAL VENDOR LISTINGS
LV listings and ads are currently being updated every
other week.

SPONSOR FEE
All sponsors enrolling an associate who is not also
enrolling as a subscriber must now include the $5
processing fee with the application or it will not be
accepted.

***** PowerVision on the Road *****

Jeff Cohen is scheduled to speak in Southern California at
the following meetings in July:

* SAN DIEGO
Tuesday, July 14 at the Del Mar Hilton.

* ORANGE COUNTY
Thursday, July 2 in Laguna Niguel.

Jeff may be speaking at other regularly scheduled meetings
in these areas as well.  For complete, up to date
information, go to the PERSONAL DIRECTORY and choose
BUILDING YOUR DOWNLINE and then SEMINARS.

Jeff will also lead POWERDAY CORPORATE TRAINING on July 25
at the Del Mar Hilton.  June's training session was a
great success with over 40 associates attending.  The cost
is only $3 for the four hour session.  Complete details
are in the seminar section.

* * * * * * *

Jeff is available to present Opportunity seminars anywhere
in the United States where he is confident of having an
audience of 100 or more.  Please contact Leslie Nary,
National Marketing Coordinator, at [phone] if you
are interested in organizing a seminar time and location
for Jeff.

***** MLM All-Stars *****

This month's ALL-STARS are being recognized for a variety
of achievements.

The first, Dave Holm has built the first level of his
downline by using non-traditional methods.  Dave's 38
front line associates and subscribers are from all over
the country and were found primarily by advertising in
publications throughout the United States.

Bob Trask, on the other hand, has built an exceptional
first level of 19 associates and subscribers by using the
more traditional approach of personally talking with
friends, holding opportunity meetings, and using a
personal approach.  Each of these two has been successful
through their commitment and steady action.

A brand new associate, Warren Fameralo, from Irvine has
come into PowerVision like a whirlwind and enrolled 6
subscribers in his first week.

And, thanks and congratulations to Bill Taylor who has
done so much to promote PowerVision in San Diego and now
has decided to make PowerVision a full time business.

By the way, those associates who have been part of
PowerVision for a while, know that we generally recognize
the associate who has called or faxed the marketing office
to ask the most questions in any given month.  Without a
doubt, Kevin Patrick in Indianapolis gets this month's
award for most questions asked.  We have received a phone
call from Kevin every day since he enrolled. Thanks Kevin.
We know that these phone calls are an indicator of your
incredible enthusiasm and appreciate that you keep us on
our toes.

***** Employee Spotlight *****

DAN GERVAIS
Systems Engineer

Not only is Dan Gervais the creative genius "behind the
scenes" who has turned the idea of PowerVision into a
visual reality but he is also the leader of PowerVision's
team of programmers.

Dan's background and education prepared him perfectly for
his position at PowerVision.  A San Diego native, Dan
graduated from Gompers Secondary, a magnet school offering
a specialized degree that required a focus in Computer
Science.  He received his B.A. from UCSD with a combined
emphasis in Visual Arts and Software Development.  Before
coming to PowerVision, Dan spent several years designing
the system and screens for graphic advertisements placed
in Computer Ad Display Kiosks.  At PowerVision, Dan has
been able to combine his experience and education with his
innate problem solving and creative ability to make
PowerVision a reality for all of us.

Dan and his group have been working 6 or 7 days a week, 10
to 16 hours a day for many months now.  When he manages to
have some "free" time, he enjoys spiking the volleyball on
the beach, flying over trails on his mountain bike, and
creating videos.

And, ladies, though he's not listed in Picture Perfect
Personals, he's 6 foot 8, an absolute sweetheart . . . and
single.