Dear StreamText Customer,

As you have noticed we have released a new version of the StreamText service. This new release contains a number of enhancements:  

• Improved admin interface for scheduling and running events.
• Pure web based delivery of the streaming text with no requirement on the Flash player and is 100% firewall friendly.
• Improved chat feature that does not require Java, is 100% firewall friendly and has notification alerts upon new messages.
• More support documentation and knowledgebase with the addition of support.streamtext.net.
• Writers can now work for multiple accounts with the same account login.  This eliminates the need to constantly change username and password information in Serial/IP.
• Ability to easily switch writers during an event without having to reschedule the event.
• Support streaming to the iPhone.  Additional mobile device capability to follow.
• New datacenter hardware. Major upgrade in server hardware running the StreamText service.

Over the next year we will be implementing additional updates that will eliminate the need for Serial/IP, streaming support for additional devices, better support for on demand replay with webcasting and increased support for legal writing services. We are also offering custom development services to create solutions for your customers that have special requirements.

As most of you probably know, StreamText has been a side job for me that I work on during the nights and weekends and try to deal with emergency issues during the normal workday when I’m not tied up in meetings or other commitments with my 9-5 employer.  Based on the increased usage of the service and the level at which some of you are coming to rely on the service for your daily work, I’m starting to transition to doing StreamText as a full-time enterprise.  There are two things that need to happen for that to become a reality.  First, there needs to be sufficient income so that I can actually continue to do things like pay the mortgage and buy groceries.  Second, there needs to be additional resources involved to help with the growth and support of the business.  

To successfully transition to a full-time enterprise and a desire to provide more support and services we are implementing a new pricing plan. We feel that we are still providing services at a very competitive rate in comparison with other providers.  No price change is ever taken lightly and we understand that no one wants to pay more for anything, but hopefully this communication has made the case for the need for the change.

We are moving to a tiered pricing model based on usage of the service.  The base price is being raised to 9 cents a minute with potential price reductions based on the number of minutes used each month.  Here is the pricing level chart.

Pricing Levels:

• 9,999 minutes and less the price is $0.09/min
• 10,000 minutes through 24,999 minutes the price drops to $0.08/min
• 25,000 minutes through 49,999 minutes the price drops to $0.07/min
• 50,000 minutes through 99,999 minutes the price drops to $0.06/min
• 100,000 minutes and up $0.05/min

Pricing continues to be based on a calendar month and is retroactive for each minute used in that month. For example, if you use exactly 10,000 minutes you will be charged .08/min for all 10,000 minutes. There is still no setup fee and with the eventual removal of Serial/IP, there will be cost savings from not having to license that software.

The new pricing will be effective for events starting on January 1^st 2009.  This means that all events run through the end of the year will be invoiced at the current level of $0.06/minute We truly appreciate your business and we look forward to providing the real time writing community a leading streaming service to ensure your success in the market place.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us at support@streamtext.net or reply to me or Nick directly.

Sincerely,