INews Newsletter - Sep 20, 2002
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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 5, Number 5 September 20, 2002
Welcome to another issue of INews. This 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: Java Virtual Machine and Java Games
DSL Speed Changes and Promotions
Product Review of the Apple IPod
Brief Look at Online Education
Reminder from the Beancounters
Mr. Internet
*** Java Virtual Machine and Java Games ***
"Sun's Little Toy" - an introduction to the JVM and Java games
Back in 1995, at the same time 300 of Sun's workstations were in use on
the world's first totally computer-generated movie, Toy Story, Sun was
also pondering the problem of software programming. The difficulty was
this: If you bought StarBlaster3000 for Windows and have a Macintosh that
you were planning to use it on, you were out of luck. Software written
for one platform (such as Windows, MacOS, or UNIX) generally worked ONLY
on that platform. Sun's solution was a revolutionary idea called the Java
Virtual Machine.
The Java Virtual Machine - JVM, for short - is a simulation of an
imaginary computer that works the same way on any type of computer. This
means that I can make a program for you to use without knowing what kind
of computer you have, as long as you have a copy of the JVM. Whether or
not you know it, you probably have Java technology pre-installed on your
computer. You see, when it became apparent how popular Java was going to
be, the makers of web browsers, such as Internet Explorer and Netscape
Navigator, decided it would be wise to support Java "applets" (small Java
programs) directly from the Internet.
What makes this a recipe for fun?
Right from the beginning of Java's proliferation across the Internet, web
sites found that they could capture a visitor's attention with flashy
graphics and interactive content. A common example is the "shoot the
moving target and get a prize" advertisement, which is usually a Java
applet. A few steps later, web-based video games were born. These days,
Java games are so common that entire web sites can be found, with
hundreds of ways for you to spend your spare time.
Note that once most single-player Java games are loaded, you do not need
to stay connected to the Internet to play. Your computer may even
disconnect itself from the Internet after a few minutes, if you continue
to play the game. If this happens, simply reconnect when you are done
playing to go on to other web sites.
-Free Arcade.com-
The pop-ups can be annoying, but arcade.com has quick-loading, popular
games. Crossword fans should note there are new puzzles available every
Monday.
http://www.freearcade.com/
-Arcade Pod.com-
A beautifully organized, extensive list of all sorts of games,
ArcadePod.com has a massive collection of free Java entertainment. If you
have time, check out the GameBoy Emulator.
http://www.arcadepod.com/java/
-MSN Games by Zone.com-
MSN's online gaming center, the Zone, offers a lot more than just Java
games. Its games are sleek and captivating, though they can take a
while to load.
http://zone.msn.com/
-Yahoo! Games-
A simple, uncluttered web site with some great multi-player choices,
although the selection is a little slim. Literati, a Scrabble(tm) clone,
is a great way to meet new people online.
http://games.yahoo.com/
-Java 4 Fun-
A much simpler collection of classic games can be found here, including
such favorites as Frogger, Hangman, and Missile Command.
http://www.java4fun.com/java.html
If you are having trouble with getting Java games to work properly, you
may need to make sure your browser is set to allow Java applets to run.
Internet Explorer 3:
Go to View -> Options -> Security
Check "Enable Java programs"
Click OK
Internet Explorer 4+
Go to Tools -> Internet Options -> Security
Click "Custom Level"
Scroll to "Microsoft VM" and under "Java Permissions"
Make sure High, Medium, or Low Security is selected
Click OK, then click OK again.
Netscape Navigator 4+
Go to Edit -> Preferences
Select the "Advanced" category
Check "Enable Java"
Click OK
A note of trivia: Java was originally named "Oak", but the name was
taken. So the programmer who was working on it named it after something
dear to all programmers' hearts -- coffee.
For more information about Sun, visit http://www.sun.com/
*** DSL Gets Faster, Promotions Continue ***
Beginning October 1st, 2002, Alltel will be changing the DSL speed tiers
for its customers in Nebraska. The old speeds were:
Tier One - 384k downstream/256k upstream
Tier Two - 768k downstream/640k upstream
Tier Three - 1024k downstream/768k upstream
The new speeds will be:
Tier One - 768k downstream/128k upstream *
Tier Two - 1536k downstream/256k upstream *
Tier Three - 1536k downstream/768k upstream *
* Alltel is still waiting for regulatory approval for the upstream speed
changes, and will change them when they get approval.
Alltel pricing for these tiers will remain unchanged, and speeds and
pricing for customers with DSL service through Qwest will remain unchanged.
Pre-existing customers will have the option of maintaining their old
speeds (if they upload a lot of data, for instance). Please contact us
via e-mail to "helpdesk@inebraska.com" if you are a current DSL customer
and wish to keep your old speed package.
We'd also like to take this opportunity to remind you of DSL promotions
going on in our various areas. Customers in Alltel areas who sign a one
year contract for DSL service before Dec 31, 2002, will receive a free
Efficient Networks 5200 series DSL modem (a $99.95 value), pay no
activation fee (a $100 value), and get 2 months of DSL line charges
from Alltel free (a $59.90 value). That's a total of $259.85 in savings if
you sign up now!
Qwest customers can also save by signing up now. Sign up for DSL 256
or DSL Deluxe before November 29 or DSL Pro before September 27, and
receive a free year of modem rental and pay no activation fee. That's a
$159 savings.
*** 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
*** Product Review of the Apple IPod ***
Have you ever wanted a portable music player, without having to drag
around loads of CDs just so you have available all your favorite songs?
Portable mp3 players can be expensive and some only hold around 50 songs.
Well, look no further than the iPod by Apple (http://www.apple.com/ipod).
It starts under $300, is very portable, and can carry up to 4,000 songs!
Apple's new portable mp3 player comes in three different models: a 5
gigabyte (GB), 10 gigabyte, and a new 20 gigabyte model. These three
models allow you to choose between capacity and price. The 5 GB model can
hold on average 1,000 songs, the 10 GB model can store 2,000 songs, and the
new 20 GB model can hold up to 4,000 songs. Not only this, but the iPod
can also be used as a portable hard drive so you can carry important files
around with you. The iPod's built-in rechargeable battery lasts up to 10
hours, unlike many of the other portable mp3 players that only last three
or four hours on disposable batteries.
Announced just this August the iPod is also available for Windows computers
that have an IEEE 1394 port (also known as "Firewire" or "iLink"). Now
both Windows and Mac users have access to this great portable mp3 player.
As with most mp3 players, the firmware is upgradable to support new audio
formats as they come out, such as Ogg Vorbis, which we wrote up in the
August 16th INews. For more information on the iPod's
specifications, visit http://www.apple.com/ipod/specs.html .
You can get more information about the iPod, or buy it directly from
Apple, by going to Apple's website: http://www.apple.com/ipod . If you
prefer to purchase one at an Apple authorized dealer near you, you can
find one by clicking the "Where to Buy" link on Apple's main web page.
*** 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/
*** Brief Look at Online Education ***
Have you ever wished you could finish your college education, but with so
many things to do, you just don't have the time to drive to campus and sit
in a classroom? Well, with the Internet and the ability to do practically
everything online, it's hardly surprising that online college courses are
available from many different universities. These are true time savers,
as you don't have to go to the actual campus, and you can even get online
books and other materials. There are even some local schools that offer
online courses.
With Bellevue University, you access what is called B.R.U.I.N (aka Bellevue
Real-Time User Information Network) which allows you to see your progress
toward your degree, and also access all registration and administration
information.
To see which degrees and programs are available online from Bellevue
University, visit: http://www.bellevue.edu/Programs/index.html
To signup for Bellevue University Online Learning, visit:
https://www.bellevue.edu/gtadmn/IRISLink.cgi
For screen shots of what some of the online classes look like, visit:
http://www.bellevue.edu/Online/1stclass.htm
Southeast Community College also offers online courses, but you cannot
signup for them online. You must actually contact the campus, and you
also need to fill out an online readiness form. This is essentially an
aptitude test that will help SCC determine which online programs will be
available to you. For this test, go to:
http://www.online.scc.cc.ne.us/Retention/assessment.nsf?OpenDatabase
To see which degrees and programs are available online from SCC visit:
http://www.online.southeast.edu/domino/html/coursepa.nsf/dd5cab6801f1723585256474005327c8/ef99926c1dd73bd786256a2c00691417?OpenDocument
If you're interested in finding out more about online education for a
specific university or school, check the school's webpage. Most schools
can be found with a simple search engine such as google.com or yahoo.com.
*** Integrated Computer Systems - Advertisement ***
ICS, an A+ Authorized Service Center serving western
Nebraska for over 14 years, is ready with over 40 years
of combined experience to professionally and expertly meet
your computer needs. From large networks to stand alone
PC's, ICS proudly offers their knowledge and expertise to
work for you. Whether it be Windows (95, 98, 2000, NT, ME),
Novell or Unix, new installations, trouble shooting,
networking, print sharing or repair, ICS will be there to
assist you or your personnel on arriving at the best
possible solution to fulfill your needs.
Located in North Platte, Integrated Computer Systems serves
over a 100-mile radius reaching communities such as Kearney,
Valentine, Thedford, Mullen, Sidney, Ogallala, McCook, Grant,
Imperial, Gothenburg, Lexington, Chappell, Sutherland, and
Hershey, to just name a few. So give us a call at 534-1500,
toll free 800-400-1527, or stop in and see us at 101 South
Chestnut.
*** Accounts Receivable Asks... ***
... that you please remember to use the correct amount of postage -- 37
cents -- when mailing payment to us to ensure its prompt arrival. If
incorrect postage is used, payment processing may be delayed.
Thanks!
*** Mr. Internet ***
Q: Someone sent me a large message and it's taking forever to download my
e-mail. Is there any way to get around this?
A: Yes, the easiest way to get mail quickly is by using our webmail system.
Just click "Web-Based E-mail" -- http://webmail.inebraska.com -- on our
homepage and enter your username and password. From here, you will be
able to read all of your messages without waiting a long time to
download any attachments. You can also delete any large messages,
letting you download the rest of your mail to your computer in less
time.
*** 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.