Central Texas On the Big Screen

Central Texas has long been a popular destination for filmmakers and TV producers seeking captivating locations to bring their movies and tv shows to life. Whether you’re a movie buff or TV show lover, you’re sure to recognize a few of these films that were shot right here in our own backyard.  

In the 1974 horror film, “Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” a group of young travelers end up at a house where a cannibalistic family lives.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre 

Texas Chainsaw Massacre follows a group of friends who find themselves stranded in rural Texas, only to be hunted by a terrifying family of cannibals. This classic horror movie was filmed around Central Texas at places like Bagdad Cemetery, Sawyer family house and Bilbo’s Texas Landmark. The primary location was set at an early 1900’s farmhouse near Round Rock, Texas.

Fear the Walking Dead

In the prequel to the hit show, The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead has a few different filming locations, however, Central Texas played a key role in bringing the post-apocalyptic world to life in seasons 4 and 5 with the show’s creators transforming everyday spaces into eerie, abandoned landscapes.   

Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams

Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams follows young spies Carmen and Juni Cortez as they embark on a mission to a mysterious island to stop a mad scientist. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, the family movie was also primarily filmed in Austin. One of the most notable locations featured in the film is the Omni Hotel in downtown Austin, Texas. 

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

This 1993 film starring Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio and Juliette Lewis, follows a young man named Gilbert as he navigates the challenges of caring for his mentally disabled brother and obese mother in a small town. This movie was shot around many small Central Texas towns including Pflugerville, Georgetown, and Lockhart with the majority of filming taking place in Manor.   

Dazed and Confused

Set in 1976, Dazed and Confused follows a rowdy group of high school students as they navigate the uncertainty of the last day of school in Austin, Texas. The exterior scenes of the high school were filmed at Austin middle school, Bedichek Middle School with the remainder of the scenes being filmed around and outside of Austin.

Office Space

Office Space is a satirical comedy that features a group of disillusioned office workers who are fed up with their mundane jobs and their boss, so in turn they devise a plan to embezzle money from their company. This 1999 comedy was filmed around Austin, Texas. 

Friday Night Lights

This drama centers around a high school football team in a small Texas town and showcases the pressure, triumphs and struggles faced by the players, coaches and community as they chase the dream of a state championship. All five seasons were filmed in towns around Austin, Texas including Pflugerville, Georgetown and Del Valle.

The Rookie

Thorndale, Texas was the primary filming location for the 2002 film, The Rookie. There were also scenes filmed in Thrall, Round Rock and Del Valle. This inspiring drama follows a high school baseball coach, played by Dennis Quaid, who makes a remarkable comeback to the major leagues, proving that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.

From horror to feel-good movies and tv shows, Central Texas continues to be showcased on the big screen. Whether you’re revisiting old favorites or discovering new ones, you’re bound to spot plenty of snippets of our home as a popular destination in a variety of films and tv!

Build Your Future at CTTC

At CTTC, we’re committed to connecting the community. What started with providing telephone service has since evolved into providing high speed internet to rural Central Texas. However, what truly sets CTTC apart is the people who work here. Our dedicated team is the heart of CTTC, many of which have chosen to build their careers here for decades. 

If you’re looking for the next step in your career, we encourage you to become a part of the incredible team here at CTTC!

Why Should You Choose CTTC?

There’s a lot to love about working at CTTC. From the family atmosphere cultivated by our hard working team to the career opportunities that encourage growth and development, CTTC offers a workplace in which you can thrive. Here are just a few reasons why we think you should consider a career at the best gig in town.

Family Atmosphere

At CTTC, we are firm believers that our greatest strength lies within our people and the team that makes up CTTC. You’ll find that our team members aren’t just team members, but they are like family. Our supportive work environment gives our employees the ability to thrive both professionally and personally, fostering a family atmosphere unlike any other.

Deep Roots in the Community

CTTC has been a part of the central Texas community since 1951. We pride ourselves on being dedicated to serving our community all while having provided our customers with exceptional service for over 70 years. Our employees feel empowered to contribute to the community, with many of them serving customers they’ve known for years. While working with CTTC, you’ll be given the opportunity to help those who make up this incredible community on a daily basis. 

Making an Impact

At CTTC, you’ll have the opportunity to provide ​​the most advanced technology possible and make a real impact on our customers. Be a part of innovative projects and bridging the digital divide by providing fast, reliable internet access to those who call rural central Texas their home. From installations to ensuring the best customer care, our team is dedicated to always delivering top-notch services to all of our customers that leaves a lasting impact. 

Exciting Career Opportunities

We are always on the lookout for career-minded individuals. From network/IT management,  and fiber optic cable installation to customer care, accounting and engineering we want you to join our team and see why our employees love getting to work at CTTC. Here, we’re not simply a workplace, we are a career company that is committed to our employee’s long-term success.

We believe working at CTTC is more than just a job, it’s getting to be a part of something much bigger.  From our commitment to innovation and top-notch customer service to our supportive work environment that feels like family, we offer fulfilling careers where you can make a real impact on the community. Join us today and see why our team members are proud to call CTTC their professional home.

New Year, Better Organization!

Happy New Year! Entering 2024, many people aim to be more organized, both digitally and within their homes. Maintaining a streamlined digital presence has become more crucial with the ever-growing influx of files and the constant evolution of technology. In this guide, we’ll explore some ways to digitally organize in the New Year, from utilizing powerful productivity tools to decluttering your devices and enhancing online security.

Start Using Notion

A fabulous tool that has gained immense popularity for digital organization is Notion. It’s an all-in-one workspace that allows you to create databases, task lists, and collaborative documents seamlessly. You can create project boards, manage tasks, and store important information, all in one place. You can even share a space with family members so all can collaborate and add events to the calendar tool. Whether you’re a parent, professional, or anyone looking to streamline their digital life, Notion is a wonderful tool to tailor to your needs.

Start Using a Digital Calendar System

Do you still rely on a physical calendar in your kitchen to remember your appointments or events? Get access to your calendar anywhere you go! Notion (mentioned above), Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Microsoft Outlook are excellent digital calendars with apps for your phone. You can even utilize color coding and categorization to keep track of personal and business events, different family members, and other categories. Even better, you can share events with family members so everyone can stay in the loop.

Go Paperless with GoodNotes

GoodNotes is an iPad app that gives the tactile benefit of taking notes on paper, but is stored digitally. It allows users to go fully digital with their note-taking, sketching, and document annotation. GoodNotes even supports the organization of notes into folders and categories. This makes it easy to find your notes and ensures you never lose them. As long as you have your iPad on hand, you will always have your notebook with you. No more carrying several notepads and journals.

Declutter Your Computer

Many people hear the word “declutter” and think about their junk drawer in the kitchen or the stack of mail in their entryway. But, you should also declutter your computer. Over time, we download documents, photos, and videos and forget about them. So, in this New Year, delete redundant files, sort documents into well-labeled folders, and ensure your desktop is tidy. An organized file structure not only makes it easier to find what you need but also contributes to a smoother and faster computer experience.

Clear Your Phone’s Storage

Between apps, long text chains, and photos, our phones require a lot of storage. Delete unimportant, duplicates, and blurry photos you will never refer to again. Delete the apps you haven’t used in ages. If you send a lot of images via text message, be sure to delete the threads as well. If you still need more storage, upload photos to an external hard drive for safekeeping.

Use a Password Manager

In today’s digital age, you must use strong passwords with a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. These passwords are more difficult to guess for hackers, but they can be hard to remember. To manage these passwords effectively, consider using a password manager like LastPass or 1Password. If you have an iPhone or use Google Chrome, these automatically save your passwords, so you won’t need one of these apps. Password management tools not only generate and store complex passwords for you, but they also streamline the login process across all your devices with auto-filling.

Happy New Year from CTTC!

As we step into the New Year, commit to streamlining your digital life and organization. Whether you’re embracing new tools like Notion and GoodNotes, or simply decluttering your existing files, the benefits of digital organization extend beyond a tidy workspace. They help you stay productive, improve your focus, and ensure your online safety.

Happy New Year from the CTTC team!

What to Get Your Tech-Savvy Friends For the Holidays

‘Tis the season to give! Soon, we will be joined by family and friends around a Christmas tree trading gifts with each other. Have some tech-savvy loved ones? Giving the most fabulous and innovative gifts of the year is far easier said than done. Here’s what we suggest giving your technology-loving friends and family.

Wireless Charging Station

If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift that won’t break the bank, this wireless charging station is a great option. It’s foldable and light, which feels luxurious and modern. It also has a sleek design that will look great in any home.

The charging station can charge their wireless-charging compatible smartphone, Apple Watch, and their AirPods. This keeps all of their electronics charged at once and organized. It even comes in five colors so you can choose their favorite. This charging station is the perfect gift for anyone who loves tech.

Shark AI Ultra Voice Control Robot Vacuum

A wonderful gift for techies and busy people alike is a robot vacuum. But, this Shark Robot Vacuum isn’t like the others– It starts at the sound of your family member or friend’s voice. It connects to both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so your loved one can vacuum the house with just one demand. It also self-empties when full, so they don’t have to worry about emptying the dusty and dirty container.

SUPRUS Electric Lighter

Do you have a friend who loves candles or barbecuing? This is the perfect gift for them. This lighter is electric and rechargeable, so they’ll never have to worry about running out of lighter fluid again. Plus, it comes in seven stylish colors, so you can choose the perfect one for their personality.

This lighter is super easy to use. Simply charge it up with the included USB cable, and they’re good to go. It has a long battery life, so they can use it for hours on end without having to worry about it running out of power.

These lighters are also wind and splash-proof, which is a common issue for barbecue fanatics. It has a built-in safety switch to prevent accidental ignition, so it’s perfect for parents. If you’re looking for a thoughtful and practical gift for a friend who loves candles or barbecuing, this electric and rechargeable lighter is the perfect choice. It’s affordable, stylish, and convenient to use.

HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket

Have a techie who also loves self-care? Spoil them with an infrared sauna blanket. This brings the spa directly to their home by acting as a portable sauna. It also has an infrared light, which is said to help skin rejuvenation and hair loss. Infrared light can help to relieve pain by reducing inflammation and increasing circulation. According to WebMD, this type of light can also prevent wrinkles, increase wound healing, decrease inflammation, and more. This can be helpful for people with chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis or psoriasis.

Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug

From busy parents to business professionals, innovators have realized a common problem for coffee and tea drinkers– Drinks get cold before we can finish them! This Ember Temperature Smart Mug solves this problem and keeps drinks warm without having to zap them in the microwave. They can customize what temperature it’s set to so every drink is perfectly warm. If they take their drinks to-go often, grab them a sliding lid as well!

Mini Projector by VISSPL

With this mini projector, your friend or family member just needs a bare surface to feel like they’re at the movie theatre! All they need to do is plug it into their phone, laptop, gaming device, or tablet and they’re ready to watch! It plays in 1080p HD quality and has an excellent sound system.

Happy Holidays from the CTTC Family!

You’re officially ready to be the best gift-giver of the holiday season! We hope this list is helpful in your search for a great gift for the technology lover in your life. Happy holidays from our family to yours!

Building Your Business’ Online Presence

If you’re a business owner, having an online presence is essential. In today’s digital age, people are frequently using the Internet to research and shop for products and services. If you don’t have a strong online presence, you’re missing out on a huge potential market. That’s why it’s important to invest time into growing your online presence. If you haven’t already, it’s time to get started.

Sign Up For Different Review Sites

There are dozens of free review sites that business owners can register for. Here, your customers can leave you reviews and upload photos of your business. This is a very common way for people to look at feedback from customers. Three of the most popular review platforms are Google My Business, Yelp, and Facebook.

According to Zipdo, 86% of consumers rely on Google My Business when looking for information on businesses. This means it’s the largest review site, so it’s essential you register your business on Google. On the other hand, in 2022 alone, Yelp had 59.1 million website users, according to Enterprise Apps Today. Yelp is another fantastic platform to sign up for.

If your customers are between the ages of 25 and 56, this is the largest group of people on Facebook. When you open a Business Page on Facebook, you are able to collect reviews from your customers. Your reviews will be shown at the top of your profile next to your photos and posts.

Build a Social Media Presence

Social media is an important form of marketing and it’s free to use! As mentioned above, Facebook is a very popular platform for people between 25 and 56. If this is the primary age group for your customers, this is a great platform to be on.

TikTok is a massive app that enables business owners to share information about their products and services through video. If teens and young adults often visit your business, TikTok is a great choice. 67% of Americans between 18 and 19 and 56% of people between 20 and 29 are on TikTok. TikTok has a new feature called “Shop” where business owners can sell their products through their profiles. Many business owners on the platform report the Shop feature boosting sales drastically.

People watching a live streaming

Instagram, which supports images and video content, has a primary audience of people under 35 years old. Instagram allows you to link products and your website in Stories. Stories are an easy way to make content in just a few seconds.

It is important to remember that just because your primary age group is on a particular platform does not mean that you have to use it. Social media is all about consistency, so you should use whatever platform you are comfortable with and that you are willing to commit to using.

Create a Website

Even if you don’t want to sell products online, having a website is very important. On a website, you can show customers why they need to visit your business. You can share pictures of your products, tell people your mission statement, and publish company news. If you do want to sell your products online, you will open your business up for shopping to the entire world. Websites are much more affordable than you may think, and some plug-ins make it easy to make a website yourself!

Get Wi-Fi For Your Business

Wi-Fi is essential for small businesses, whether you own a store or offer services to your clients. When you offer free Wi-Fi, customers can check in to your business on social media, which can help to increase your visibility and reach new customers. They can also leave reviews, which can help to build trust and credibility with potential customers.

If you offer services that can require waiting, your customers can stay entertained while they are visiting your business, which can help to make their experience more enjoyable as they won’t be bored in the waiting room. Free Wi-Fi allows them to watch videos, surf the web, and browse social media.

Get Connected with CTTC

There are many online business activities that you and your employees will need to perform. You need reliable internet so everyone can stay connected. At CTTC, we connect rural Texans to the rest of the world at affordable rates. See how much it would be to get our high-speed Internet for your business today!

Committed to Connecting the Community

In an age where connectivity drives progress and communication, having a reliable and fast internet connection has become more crucial than ever before. Whether it’s for work, entertainment, education, or staying in touch with loved ones, Internet access is a vital part of our lives. That’s why CTTC is proud to offer our fiber Internet service, designed to revolutionize the way rural Texans experience the online world.

What is Fiber Internet?

Fiber Internet is the gold standard of Internet connectivity. Unlike traditional copper-based connections, fiber-optic cables use light signals to transmit data at the speed of light. This results in remarkably faster speeds, unmatched reliability, and an overall superior online experience. From seamless video calls with far-away family to ultra-HD streaming and lag-free online gaming, fiber Internet opens the door to limitless possibilities.

Future-Proof Connection

Fiber Internet is also better prepared for the future than traditional copper-based connections because it can handle the increasing demand for high-speed Internet as more devices and applications become reliant on it. Copper-based connections, on the other hand, are reaching their limits and will eventually become outdated.

Fiber internet is the best option if you are looking for the best possible Internet experience. It is faster, more reliable, and more future-proof than traditional copper-based connections.

Internet Accessibility: Why It’s Important

In today’s digital world, Internet accessibility isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. The Internet connects us to information, work opportunities, and resources that shape our lives. Whether you’re a student researching for a project or a professional working remotely, a dependable Internet connection ensures you stay connected with the world around you.

However, not all Internet services are created equal. Slow speeds, buffering videos, and unreliable connections can not only hinder productivity but also lead to frustration. This is where CTTC steps in to bridge the gap and bring you high-speed Internet service.

Why CTTC?

CTTC was originally a landline telephone company, once focusing on connecting rural Texans to their loved ones via phone call. Over time, we have adapted to the ever-changing digital landscape, and now we offer high-speed fiber Internet. But, CTTC isn’t just another fiber Internet service provider. We’re dedicated to connecting our neighbors to the rest of the world.

Fast Speeds

CTTC Fiber Internet offers speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second, which is much faster than previous Internet offerings. This means that you can download files, stream videos, video chat, and play online video games much faster than before. You will no longer have to wait for downloads to finish, and you will be able to access all of your online activities instantly.

Reliability You Can Count On

Fiber-optic technology is known for its incredible reliability. It’s less likely to go down due to inclement weather or high temperatures. CTTC’s network rivals bigger Internet providers in large cities, despite serving small-town Texans. This means no more disruptions during important meetings or buffering in the middle of your favorite shows. CTTC ensures your connection remains steady and consistent.

Future-Proof Infrastructure

Fiber Internet isn’t just about speed—it’s an investment in the future. When Internet speeds improve, fiber Internet can quickly be upgraded. As technology advances, CTTC’s fiber Internet will continue to provide the cutting-edge connectivity required for emerging applications, ensuring you’re always ahead of the curve.

Local Commitment

CTTC is a local company that is committed to providing personalized support to its customers. Unlike larger providers, CTTC is not a faceless corporation. The company’s employees are all local residents who are invested in the community. This means that CTTC can offer a level of customer service that larger providers simply cannot.

Affordability

We feel that fast Internet shouldn’t break the bank. Gigabit fiber internet service is available at just $99 per month, giving you exceptional value for an unparalleled online experience. This is enough for a family to be surfing social media sites and playing online video games – at the same time.

Sign Up and Get Connected!

Don’t let slow and unreliable internet hold you back. Experience the difference with CTTC Fiber Internet. Sign up today and get connected with the rest of the world!