Stories

How to Prepare for (and Ace!) Your Next Virtual Job Interview

January 25, 2024

Virtual interviewing is becoming more and more common in today’s job market. While remote interviewing may be more convenient, the distance and technical difficulties can be awkward, or even jarring, to would-be applicants. Fortunately there are tips from interviewing experts that prospective job seekers can use to get through—and even nail—a virtual job interview. We share some of their key insights and recommendations included in this article.

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Survive Winter Temps the “Smart” Way

January 7, 2024

Winter is upon us—and with it are cold temperatures, heavy snowfalls and ice, and dry, chafing air. While parts of the country are lovely in winter, there's no escaping the fact that colder temperatures and bleak weather can take their toll. Wintry weather also brings higher energy expenses. Home heating units often pump out warm air constantly just to keep the house comfortable—and at great costs, too. Thankfully, today's technology can help make winter more bearable. And utilizing Alpine Communications' high-speed fiber internet not only connects you to the most reliable network available but also helps keep your home warm and snug.

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How Smart Home Technologies and Help You and Your Home

December 19, 2023

Smart home automation refers to the use of technology to control and automate various aspects of a home, enhancing convenience and efficiency. This involves connecting and remotely managing devices such as lights, thermostats, security cameras, and appliances through a central system or a smartphone app. The goal is to create an interconnected ecosystem that allows users to monitor, control, and optimize their home environment for comfort, energy efficiency, and security. This is known as the “IoT: The Internet of Things”...

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Dropped Outbound Calls vs. Inbound Calls: When to Call Customer Service

December 14, 2023

We pride ourselves on keeping you connected, so when you experience a dropped call on our network, we want to do whatever we can to help. Unfortunately, if you’re on the receiving end of the dropped call, there’s not much we can do. In today’s article, we explain why dropped calls sometimes happen—and when to contact us for further support.

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Virtual Reality Headsets for the Holidays

November 22, 2023

Virtual Reality Headsets for the Holidays Step into a whole new world. According to D. Hardawar, Senior Editor at Engadget, the VR headset market has begun to mature. So, if you’ve been holding out to buy a headset, you chose wisely. Headsets have come a long way since the launch of the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive six years ago. The Meta Quest 3 has just come out, and it’s the best standalone headset we’ve ever seen. And if you’re looking for a more immersive experience, high-end PC headsets are getting cheaper and the PS VR2 is a solid option for console gamers. The VR market is in a state of flux as we await Apple’s Vision Pro, but if you’re still hankering for some virtual action, we’ve collected some of the best options that we've tested and reviewed below.

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Eight Real-Life Ways Fiber Internet Makes a Difference

October 26, 2023

Just about any of our customers who have already made the switch from older forms of internet (like cable) to fiber broadband will tell you that fiber’s advanced technology is vastly superior to anything else they’ve used. From downloading files at near-lightspeed, to voluminous amounts of available bandwidth for handling multiple applications simultaneously, to more reliable material components that provide pristine streaming TV and movie experiences, fiber is simply heads-and-shoulders above cable, DSL, and satellite internet.

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Six Online Payment Options for Your Small Business

October 8, 2023

Small businesses and their leaders have way too much going on to spend time tracking down invoices or waiting for the bank to process payments. Fortunately, advanced internet-based payment systems have substantially cut down paperwork processing, as well as the time it takes to receive funds. Below we highlight six of the best online e-commerce and in-person payment options available for small businesses today. When connected to Alpine Communications' fiber network, your small business can use the technology it needs to grow and thrive—and you can get back to doing the actual work of your business instead of worrying about receiving payment for your efforts!

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Connecting Community Anchor Institutions: Why Local Matters

October 4, 2023

At Alpine Communications, we’re proud to be known around Elkader and surrounding areas as the best internet provider for residents and businesses. But did you know that we also support a third group with our high-speed fiber internet network? Today, we’re taking a moment to celebrate local community anchor institutions. Read on to learn more about this important group—and how, as a local company ourselves, Alpine Communications is committed to keeping them connected.

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Kid-Friendly Streaming Platforms

September 26, 2023

With streaming devices seemingly everywhere, it’s easy for your children to turn on the smart TV or pick up a tablet or smartphone and start watching their favorite shows and movies. Indeed, there’s no shortage of streaming content they can enjoy, with studios pouring money into animated series, live-action adventure or “mystery” stories, or educational shows that are both informative and a lot of fun. But it’s natural for parents to have concerns about their child’s online activity and device-use, particularly those of younger kids. And though some parents may enjoy the freedom of apps and streaming platforms that are intuitively easy for just about any youngster to learn and explore, unfettered access to any online-accessible device is always a risk worth further consideration.

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