INews Newsletter - Jun 09, 2000
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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 3, Number 7 June 9, 2000
Welcome to another issue of INews, Internet Nebraska's customer
newsletter. This monthly 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: Do You ICQ?
Local Information, On-line
Area Code Dialing
Mr. Internet
*** Keep in Touch with ICQ ***
No, this isn't our first article on ICQ, but we like it so much that we
just can't stop writing about it. To download a copy of ICQ to try out,
just hop on over to http://www.icq.com/ and go to the downloads section.
ICQ is a revolutionary, user-friendly Internet tool that informs you who's
on-line at any time and enables you to contact them at will. No longer
will you search in vain for friends or associates on the Net. ICQ does the
searching for you, alerting you in real time when they log on. The need to
conduct a directory search each time you want to communicate with a
specific person is eliminated.
With ICQ, you can chat, send messages, files and URL's, play games, or
just hang out with your fellow 'Netters' while still surfing the Net.
ICQ lets you choose the mode of communication you wish to employ.
Regardless of the application, be it chat, voice, message board, data
conferencing, file transfer or Internet games, ICQ will get your entire
message across in realtime. ICQ supports a variety of popular Internet
applications and serves as a Universal Platform from which you can launch
any peer-to-peer application (such as Microsoft NetMeeting, Netscape
CoolTalk, and Yahoo Instant Messenger). It can also be used in a
multiple-user mode, so groups can conduct conferences or just 'hang out'
on-line. The program runs in the background, taking up minimal memory and
Net resources. While you work with other applications, ICQ alerts you when
friends and associates log in, allowing you to work efficiently while
maintaining a wide range of Internet functions at your fingertips. Among
the functions available are: chat, message, e-mail, and URL and file transfer.
All these functions are consolidated into one easy-to-use program that
integrates smoothly into desktop systems.
How does it work?
It's simple. When you install ICQ, the program asks you to register at a
server, which is connected to a broad network of servers spanning the
Internet. At the time of registration, you receive a unique ICQ number,
also known as a UIN(Universal Internet Number). In addition, ICQ gives you
the option of entering personal information along with your ICQ#. This
allows other ICQ users to recognize you when you log on. Once you've
registered, you can compile a selected list of friends and associates. ICQ
uses this list to find your friends for you. Meanwhile, ICQ waits quietly
in the background without interrupting any other applications in use. As
soon as you log onto the Internet, ICQ automatically detects the Internet
connection, announces your presence to the Internet community and alerts
you when friends sign on or off. Once you know who's on, all it takes is a
click of an icon to initiate chat, implement URL transfers, send messages,
exchange files, or launch any external peer-to-peer applications.
*** The Internet is Local as Well as Global ***
When we think of the Internet, we think of a global information source,
providing us information and entertainment from around the world. We often
lose sight of the face that local information is also available on-line.
Many of the areas we serve have sites developed to provide locals with
information about their area. Shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and
even places of worship are all on-line locally. Many sites also have a kid's
section. Here are some of the sites you may want to check out for local
information.
Lincoln Online ( http://lincoln.inebraska.com/ ) - One of Nebraska's oldest
information resources, Lincoln Online has been revamped, updated, and
is better than ever. Businesses should be sure to stop by and add their
site for free.
Beatrice Online ( http://www.beatriceonline.com )
GI Online ( http://www.gionline.net )
NP Online ( http://www.gionline.net )
York County Direct ( http://www.yorkcountydirect.com )
Hastings Community Network ( http://www.hastingsnet.com )
Valentine NE ( http://www.valentine-ne.com )
*** 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
and see for yourself.
-- http://www.schaeferstv.com/index2.htm
*** Area Code Dialing ***
Saveral Internet Nebraska users have recently experienced problems attempting
to connect to Internet Nebraska due to trying to dial an area code to make
a local call. Alltel has changed the way their phone system work so that
you can no longer make a local call if you include the area code.
To make sure your computer isn't attempting to dial an area code, do the
following:
1) Double click on the icon 'My Computer' on your desktop
2) Once that opens, double click on the folder which says "Dial-up Networking"
3) Right click on your connection to Internet Nebraska and select "Properties"
4) Once the window pops up, you should see the area code and phone number
of Internet Nebraska. Underneath the phone number, there is a check box
which says basically "Use area code and dialing properties" or "Use area
code and country code when dialing". Just simply make sure that there is
not a check in that box.
5) Click 'Ok' and you're finished!
As always if you have any questions or need help connecting, please feel
free to call our help desk.
*** 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/
*** Mr. Internet ***
Q: How do I stop my children form going to adult sites?
A: This is a commonly asked question. Obviously, nothing is better than
parental supervision when the kids are using the computer. However, the
truth is that parents can't be with their children every minute of every
day.
Other than parental supervision, the best way to keep the kids out of
sites they shouldn't be surfing is to use so-called "parental-control"
software on your home computers. Try one of the following packages:
Net Nanny ( http://www.netnanny.com/ )
Surfwatch ( http://www.surfwatch.com/ )
CYBERsitter ( http://www.cybersitter.com/ )
Cyber Patrol ( http://www.cyberpatrol.com/ )
Mr. Internet is a regular feature of the INews, and he welcomes questions
of any kind. Just mail them to mrinternet@inebraska.com, and he'll answer
one or two each issue. Those he doesn't use will not necessarily be
answered, and you should still use 'manager' and 'accounts' for regular
business.
*** 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
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
manager@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.