INews Newsletter - Sep 10, 1999
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* * * I N e w s * * *
A publication of Internet Nebraska, composed and distributed by
* * * manager@inebraska.com * * *
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Volume 2, Number 18 September 10, 1999
Welcome to another issue of INews, Internet Nebraska's customer newsletter.
This biweekly newsletter communicates service bulletins, announcements and
other useful information to our customers. Please let us know what you think
of it. Archives of INews are located at http://www.inebraska.com/inews
In this issue: ADSL Service Area Expanded
ADSL Explained
Mr. Internet
Y2K for the Kids
*** High-Speed Access for the Masses ***
High-speed Internet access via ADSL will soon be available to several more
Nebraska communities. Before the end of the year, ADSL is expected to be
available through Internet Nebraska in Omaha, Plattsmouth, Hastings,
Seward, York, and Beatrice, in addition to its current availability in
Lincoln. Please read on for information on when ADSL will be available in
your area.
How fast is ADSL?
The "A" in ADSL stands for Asymmetric, which means that the upload and
download speeds for an ADSL connection are different. Since most Internet
users download much more than they upload, this speed difference is ideal.
ADSL is being offered in 3 different service tiers. The lowest tier is
384kbps download and 272kbps upload. The middle tier is 768kbps download
and 680kbps upload, and the highest tier is 1024kbps download and 1088kbps
upload. Combined with lower latency and an all-digital path, DSL provides
throughput up to 50 times faster than a 28.8kbps modem.
ADSL is connected constantly, so you never have to wait for your computer
to make a connection, saving you even more time.
How does ADSL compare to other high speed technologies?
ADSL blows away ISDN in both performance and cost. Since your ADSL line is
always connected, there are no additional connect-time fees as there are
with ISDN. ADSL's speed leaves ISDN's 64k or even 128k in the dust.
Cable modems looked quite promising several years ago, but now many
industry analysts are calling cable modems dead on arrival. While cable
modems have the capability to be quite fast, 2 major problems with cable
modems remain unsolved. Both problems are caused by the fact that by its
nature, cable modem technology is a shared medium. You share your Internet
connection with your neighbor, the guy across the street, and your entire
section of town. One problem this causes is that when everybody on the
block is using their cable modem at the same time, access can get quite
slow. The other problem is that with the right software, anybody you're
sharing the connection with can see everything you do on the Internet.
There's no privacy if you've got a cable modem. Since ADSL is a dedicated
technology, it is both speedy and secure.
When will ADSL be available, and who can get it?
ADSL is being deployed according to the following tentative schedule. As
always, dates are subject to change.
Lincoln: Now Available
Omaha: Now Available
Plattsmouth: Late September
Hastings: Late September/Early October
Seward: Late October
York: Late October/Early November
Beatrice: November
We are currently taking orders and pre-orders for ADSL service in all of
these areas. In the areas where ADSL isn't currently available, the local
phone company will be running promotional offers (a free router and no
activation fee with a one-year contract) shortly after ADSL is available in
that area. Unless told otherwise, we will wait to submit your application
to the phone company until the promotional period starts.
The free router/no activation fee promotion is currently running in Omaha
and will be until the end of September. Special considerations must be
made for ADSL service in Omaha (your phone service must be switched to
Aliant), so please contact an Internet Nebraska staff member at (402)
592-1110 in Omaha or at manager@inebraska.com.
What are the computer requirements for ADSL?
For ADSL connections, we support PC-compatible computers running Windows 95
or Windows 98, or Macintosh computers running Open Transport (TCP/IP) 1.1.1
or higher. Windows 3.1 is not supported. Any computer needing to access
the Internet over the ADSL line must have a 10baseT or 100baseT network
card. (See below.)
Computers running other operating systems such as Linux should also work as
long as they have a network card and are able to obtain their IP address
via DHCP. However, technical support for these computers will not be
provided by Internet Nebraska.
How much does ADSL cost?
There are several different components that make up the total cost of
ADSL: the initial installation fee, the hardware, the ADSL line cost, and
the Internet service.
Initial Installation
The telephone company charges an initial activation fee of approximately
$100. For personal-use ADSL, there is no start-up charge from Internet
Nebraska. Some corporate plans may have a start-up fee, see
http://www.inebraska.com/dsl/ for more information.
Aliant will be running a promotion in each area where the activation fee
will be waived with a one year contract. Unless otherwise notified, we
will hold your application until the promotional period starts, and
submit it at that time.
Hardware
For ADSL access, you will need a Cisco 675 ADSL router, as well as a
10baseT or 100baseT network card in each computer that will be accessing
the Internet over the ADSL connection.
The Cisco 675 router is available for purchase from Aliant for
approximately $330, or available on a one year lease-to-own basis for
just under $30/month.
Aliant will be running a promotion in each area where the router will be
free with a one year contract. Unless otherwise notified, we will hold
your application until the promotional period starts, and submit it at
that time.
Many computers already have a network card installed, however for those
computers that don't already have a network card, Internet Nebraska will
be selling high-quality Netgear 10/100baseT network cards for $29.95
each, or you can buy a network card from nearly any computer store.
Optional installation is also available, see
http://www.inebraska.com/dsl/ for more information.
To hook up more than one computer to the DSL connection, an Ethernet hub
will also be required. Hubs are also available from Internet Nebraska.
ADSL Line Charges
The telephone company charges ADSL fees in addition to those of your
standard phone line. As of the most recent information we have from
Aliant at this time, 384kbps service will cost $39.75/month ($29.75 in
Omaha). 768kbps and 1024kbps service will also be available at higher
cost.
Since many of you are currently paying nearly $30/month for a second
phone line and access fees that are no longer required, the price
difference is smaller than it appears at first.
Internet Service Charges
Internet Nebraska will be offering the Internet access portion of the
ADSL service for the same price as our single month flat-rate dial-in
connection, just $19.95/month for 384kbps. We have always tried to bring
the best services to our customers at the best prices, and our aggressive
ADSL pricing is no exception. Other speeds and commercial plans are also
available, see http://www.inebraska.com/dsl for complete descriptions and
pricing.
How do I sign up for ADSL?
To order or pre-order your ADSL service from Internet Nebraska, please fill
out the ADSL order form at http://www.inebraska.com/dsl/order.html.
Internet Nebraska will take care of ordering the circuit from the telephone
company for you, all you need to do fill out that form and follow the
instructions. Remember that your ADSL service will not be installed until
ADSL service is available in your area.
*** The Capital Soccer Association - Advertisement ***
Capital Soccer Association specializes in
teaching soccer. However we recognize that
soccer, or any other youth sport is merely
one tool in the development of a young
child. Teamwork and sportsmanship through
knowledge and proficiency of the game are
our main goals.
-- http://www.capitalsoccer.com/
*** DSL, Just How Does That Work? ***
Many customers are now using ADSL to connect to the Internet, and many more
have it on the way. This service provides high speed data communications
over existing telephone lines. Since ADSL operates at a higher frequency
than your telephone, you can surf the net and use your telephone
simultaneously, thus eliminating the need for a dedicated phone line for
your computer.
ADSL is a new technology that allows normal phone lines to become part of
an all digital network path from your computer to the Internet. This
allows connection performance that blows away 56k modems, and even ISDN.
With introductory speeds in the range of 384kbps, ADSL may soon be the
Internet access of choice for everyday users.
With ADSL service now or soon available in Lincoln, Omaha, Plattsmouth,
Hastings, Seward, Beatrice, and York, we've decided to publish an article
about how ADSL works to connect your home or business to the Internet.
We'll start with your DSL router. Many people call this a DSL modem,
although it technically isn't, since a modem converts digital signals to
analog sound to be transmitted over a phone line. The DSL router transmits
only digital network signals. The router itself is a small computing
device that connects to your network to the DSL-enabled phone line.
This router communicates via your phone line with the telephone company's
Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexor, or DSLAM. The DSLAM is the
device where all the DSL lines in a specific area come together. (Note
that before your phone line reaches the DSLAM, the voice traffic is shunted
off to the regular voice telephone network; only the digital traffic gets
to the DSLAM.)
From the DSLAM, the signal is carried to the telephone company's ATM
(Asynchronous Transfer Mode) switch. From the ATM switch, the DSL data is
routed to Internet Nebraska, again over ATM, where a router sends the data
to the appropriate place on the Internet.
*** Schaefer's TV & Appliance Center - Advertisement ***
Schaefer's is an independently owned and
operated television, appliance, and home
theater retailer in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Born out of a small corner drugstore four
decades ago, Schaefer's TV & Appliance is a
22,000 square-foot "superstore" today,
specializing in commercial/professional-grade
appliances, whole house sound systems, home
theater and central vacuum systems. The
success of Schaefer's is key to repeat
business. If a customer happens to have a
problem with a product, Schaefer's will bend
over backwards to get it solved. Our service
center is the largest in the city, and has been
voted Lincoln's #1 servicer for 10 years in a
row! A knowledgeable sales staff, express
delivery, easy financing, and our customer
service representatives are just a few of the
ways in which we at Schaefer's distinguish
ourselves from the rest. Stop by our showroom
at 48th and R in Lincoln, or call us at
402-464-8888, and see for yourself.
-- http://www.schaeferstv.com/index2.htm
*** Mr. Internet ***
Q: How to I tell for sure if the web page I'm viewing is secure?
A: It's easy. In fact, it's so easy that even Mr. Internet knows the answer.
Each web browser has its own special way of notifying you if you are
viewing a secure web site.
In the Macintosh version of Internet Explorer, a yellow padlock shows up in
the bottom left corner of the browser when the page is secure.
In the Windows version of Internet Explorer, a padlock shows up near the
bottom right-hand corner of the browser window.
In Netscape 3.x, the skeleton key on the bottom left corner is solid when
the page you're viewing is secure, and broken when it isn't.
In Netscape 4.x, the padlock in the bottom left corner is locked when the
page is secure, and open when it isn't.
*** Hastings Homestead ***
Have you dreamed about a place in the country,
combined with the convenience of town? This is
the place! Complete with comfortable, recently
remodeled home, clean, old-fashioned barn, heated
shop, and oversized 2-car garage. Plenty of space
for vegetable and flower gardens. Large shade
trees shelter a peaceful and private backyard;
expansive back deck looks out over a tranquil
water garden and pond. No need to board your
horses; they can live at home. Five acres at the
edge of Hastings, Nebraska * Newly planted
orchard * Prime location, not far from the
college * You have to see this property to fully
appreciate it! * Listed at $179,000 Contact John
Stitt at Benchmark IV Real Estate (402) 463-2361
or visit our web site.
-- http://www.BenchmarkIV.com
*** Kids Like Y2K Bugs, Too ***
Yeah, we know that you're as sick of Y2K as we are, but what about the
children? While we've been worrying about the millennium bug the kids have
spent the summer at the swimming pool! It's high time that we got them
into the Y2K frenzy and here's how:
Point your browser to http://www.hideNzeek.com/ then grab a kid and place
his or her hand on the computer mouse.
You'll soon be able to slip away unnoticed, as the kids will be whisked
away to the Home of Zeek, the Official Y2K Hero and his Millennium Force.
As Zeek says,
I'm Zeek, the Official Y2K Hero!(TM) We're going to have
some fun and exciting adventures together! Come along and
join me and my Millennium Force as we try to capture Y-Rus,
the Official Y2K Villain!(TM)
Check out Zeek and Friends!
Start your adventure now!
Thanks, Zeek, we'll check it out.
*** Advertise on Our Home Pages ***
What better way to advertise your business than on a Web page that is seen
tens of thousands of time every month? None, if you're paying as little
as we charge for it!
We are now offering banner advertising that rotates on all our pages, and
which is priced based on the number of impressions (viewings) per month.
Your banner can reach thousands of Nebraska residents, and this is a
unique way to advertise your Nebraska business to residents in the area.
Prices for banner advertisement can be found at:
http://www.inebraska.com/ad.html
We will also be selling links from our main page. Please contact
erikw@inebraska.com, or give us a give us a call at our office,
402-434-8680, and ask how you can reserve banner spots on some of the
hottest URL's in the state. The advertisers in this issue did, and we
recommend them highly.