INews Newsletter - Dec 16, 2002
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* * * I N e w s * * *
A publication of Internet Nebraska, composed and distributed by
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Volume 5, Number 7 December 16, 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: DSL Lite is Here
Spotting and Avoiding Internet Scams
Search Engines Features
Looking at the New XBox Online Gaming
Basic Networking in Your Home or Office
Mr. Internet
*** DSL Specials Abound ***
Both Alltel and Qwest are running DSL specials that complement Internet
Nebraska specials beautifully.
Alltel has rolled out DSL Lite, a cheaper service that runs at slower
speeds for $21/month. Internet Nebraska's price for DSL Lite in Alltel
areas is $13.95, and our usual 3-months-for-1 special applies to this
service, too. Take a look at
http://www.inebraska.com/dsl/alltel/lite.html for more details!
On any Alltel plan, if you sign up before December 31, you can get your
equipment for free with a one-year contract, and you may qualify for two
free Alltel months and no Alltel set-up fee.
Qwest is offering a $100 rebate on DSL-Pro after 45 days, and they're
offering a year's free modem rental with no setup fee on their Qwest-256
and Deluxe plans. You put that together with Internet Nebraska's
three-months-for-one offer, and it really starts to add up to huge
savings.
Order DSL and cancel that extra phone line today!
*** Spotting and Avoiding Internet Scams ***
The Internet has revolutionized how we view and gather information.
Sharing of data by vast numbers of people has affected us in ways we never
thought possible. Of course, we hope this free-flow will lead to a better
way of life for us in the future, but as with most new things, there are
positives and negatives. Scam artists find on the Internet a juicy source
of unsuspecting people on whom to prey. Don't let yourself be among them.
Many people recently got email that appeared to be from PayPal, a popular
service used for making payments on E-Bay or at other online auctions,
informing recipients that they needed to log on to a site in order to
"restore full use to their account". This email was signed by the "PayPal
Account Review Team". It appeared to be a legitimate email from PayPal,
but in reality was just a scam to get PayPal account information from
unsuspecting Internet users. The site has since been shut down, but how
many unsuspecting people fell for this?
If you are sent email asking for information, and it is not a line of
correspondence you initiated, do not give it without independently verifying
the authenticity of the source.
Other common scams on the Internet are just new variations on old themes.
Scams such as "work at home", where you send a company/person a certain
amount of money to start some sort of home business, usually turn out to
be very costly for the people who fall for them.
There are some simple, crucial steps to take to avoid becoming a victim of
online hucksterism. If someone emails you requesting credit card or
banking account information, do not give it to them.
Email is not secure enough a medium for sending this information.
Legitimate companies such as Internet Nebraska use a secure server web-
based submission tool for processing credit card transactions. If you are
called and asked for you credit card information, phone the caller back and
a number you look up from an official source (such as a phone book or
corporate web site) so you have some confidence about who you're talking to.
Always ask yourself, "Do I actually have business with this company that
requires this information?". Treat your credit cards on the Internet as
you would in face-to-face situations. You would never just give your
credit card information to someone you meet on the street; maintain that
same level of care while on the Net.
Another situation to avoid is someone requesting your personal contact
information or a password through email. Legitimate organizations do not
need to request this information via email, and you should not provide it
if you are asked for it.
Finally, you should never download any software on your computer unless
you know what it is. If a piece of software begins downloading
itself, cancel it immediately. This is one of the newest and biggest
schemes out there. The scam artist will put a piece of software
onto your computer that will make your computer dial overseas or 1-900
numbers. Again, it is absolutely vital that you know every piece of
software you are downloading onto your computer is legitimate.
In the event that your credit card is charged erroneously, you should
immediately call the issuer of the card. Most credit card companies are
very good about investigating false charges.
The Nebraska Attorney General's Office has a Consumer Protection Division
to help protect Nebraskans against these kinds of scams.. In the event
that you are a victim of a scam, you will want to check with his office for
information on what options you have available to you. The division
website ( http://www.ago.state.ne.us/consumer_protection/index.html ) has
quite a few resources, including an online complaint submission form,
current consumer bulletins, and consumer education brochures.
The most important thing to remember to avoid becoming a victim is to use
common sense. Everyone has it; sometimes we just forget to use it. If
you don't know who you're talking to, don't give them any personal
information. If an offer is too good to be true, it is. If it's almost
too good to be true, don't take a chance.
*** Search Engines Features ***
The World Wide Web is a fantastic source of free information, but
negotiating through the chaff to get to the wheat can be a real chore.
Just as card catalogs have always been important to library research, so
are good search engines on the Net. Let's take a look at some different
search engine features.
--- One Simple Question ---
Using an ascending scale of 1 to 10, we rated various characteristics of
some popular search engines. To compute the scores, we pretended we were
looking for the answer to a relatively simple, but specific question:
What kind of spark plugs does a 1987 Dodge Diplomat take?
To find the answer, we searched each of the below sites with some basic
search strings, and then with some more advanced ones. The more results
the initial searches gave, the higher we rated quantity. If the more
advanced searches found our answer, we gave points for quality. The
overall time spent trying to figure out each engine determined the ease of
use, and style was just our own personal rating of how fun the site was to
use. (Pop-ups seriously take away from style!)
None of this is at all scientific, you've noticed. But we spend our
entire days on the Internet, often researching how to solve particular
problems, and you can take this for what it's worth: Some general
opinions of some Internet guys.
The numbers on the right denote speed(sp), ease of use(ez), quantity(qn),
quality(ql), style(st), and total score(tt).
sp ez qn ql st tt
Google - http://www.google.com/ - 10, 09, 09, 08, 10, 46
WebCrawler - http://www.webcrawler.com/ - 08, 09, 10, 08, 08, 43
Lycos - http://www.lycos.com/ - 08, 08, 09, 09, 08, 42
MetaCrawler - http://www.metacrawler.com/ - 04, 09, 05, 09, 09, 36
AltaVista - http://www.altavista.com/ - 09, 07, 05, 05, 07, 33
AskJeeves - http://www.askjeeves.com/ - 07, 08, 04, 09, 04, 32
Yahoo - http://www.yahoo.com/ - 06, 08, 07, 08, 03, 32
HotBot - http://www.hotbot.com/ - 07, 05, 07, 07, 02, 28
MSN - http://www.msn.com/ - 03, 05, 08, 07, 05, 28
Excite - http://www.excite.com/ - 03, 04, 06, 06, 08, 27
Some interesting search engine notes:
Meta-Search Engines - Certain search engines depend heavily on the use of
other search engines. MetaCrawler and Excite in particular are mainly
meta-engines. This means they operate a little more slowly, but they do
have access to more than one set of links as a result.
Directories - Some of the search engines also offer a structured
collection of links rather than depending just on search strings. The
most famous example is Yahoo.
Web Experiences - Some websites that claim to be search engines are mostly
just "web experiences," which tailor content to your interests and often
try to herd new users into signing up with them. Excite, Yahoo, and MSN
are large-scale versions of this sort of thing.
Toolbars - Google and AskJeeves, for example, allow users to add an
easy-access toolbar to Internet Explorer. This allows quick searches of
their databases if you don't mind the extra clutter on your menu bar.
Fun - An amusing diversion can be found at MetaSpy (http://www.metaspy.com )
You can watch what other people are searching for right as they run their
searches!
Finally, for those of you who want to know, a 1987 Dodge Diplomat takes
AC Delco R44XLS spark plugs. Hopefully your searches will be equally
fruitful.
*** Looking at the New XBox Online Gaming ***
If you have an Xbox and have been waiting to play games with it
online, wait no more. November 15th, Microsoft launched their Xbox Live
system which allows users of the Xbox to connect to special game servers
and play games head-to-head with other Xboxers.
The Xbox Live service will be on a subscription basis and cost $49/year.
To get started on Xbox Live, you will need to get the Xbox Live Starter
Kit. For details on obtaining an Xbox Live Starter Kit, visit
http://www.xbox.com/live/xboxlive-retailers.htm . The kit includes an
Xbox Communicator and a starter disk. The Xbox Communicator is basically
just a microphone and ear-piece so that you can communicate verbally with
your opponents or teammates during a game. The starter disk is needed to
upgrade your Xbox to be Xbox Live compatible. In order to start the Xbox
Live service, you must have a credit card to be billed after the initial
year.
One exciting feature of Xbox Live is that you can download new content for
games, including updates and bug fixes, as well as new skins for characters
and new maps for different levels. The ability to add onto existing games
means games stay entertaining longer, and make them a better value for the
gamer.
No add-on hardware to allow the Xbox to go Live. When the Xbox was
manufactured, Microsoft included an ethernet adapter on the back, knowing
that on-line gaming would be coming soon. Therefore, gamers who already
have a broadband connection simply need to connect the Xbox into their
existing LAN and they will be able to use Xbox Live. Unfortunately, Xbox
Live requires a broadband connection, so dial-up customers will not be able
to use it. The good news is that Internet Nebraska now offers DSL, cable,
or wireless broadband access in most areas. See our website at
http://www.inebraska.com for details on what's offerred in your area.
Once you have set up the Xbox Live network connection and started your
subscription, you just need to load any game that has the Xbox Live logo
on it. Remember, not all Xbox games will be playable online. To find out
which titles are Xbox Live compatible, visit
http://www.xbox.com/LIVE/xboxlive-games.htm . If you need assistance
setting up the network connection for your Xbox, visit
http://www.inebraska.com/help/howto/xbox.shtml
*** 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.
*** 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
*** Basic Networking in Your Home or Office ***
After we've upgraded to our dream machine, many of us find ourselves with
more than one computer sitting around the house. Maybe you're wondering
how to transfer all of those files you had on your last machine to the new
one. Or it could be time to let someone in your home have access to the
Internet on their very own (albeit outdated) machine, ending those tiring
battles for computer-time. Or perhaps someone in the house won't rest
easy at night until they have proven once and for all who the master is on
your favorite multiplayer game. Here is a basic run-through of how to
network your old and new computers, so you can do any of these things.
The first thing you will need to connect two computers together are
network cards. If you are not sure you have one installed, you can
usually look at the back of your computer and tell at a glance.
Generally, a network card will have a port/hole/slot that looks like an
oversized phone jack, often with a red or green light nearby. This light
won't be on unless it is connected to another piece of network equipment.
In recent years, most computers have come default with a network or
ethernet card installed, and even if you do not have one in each computer,
they're usually only $20-30.
Second comes the network cable. This can be purchased at most places you
get computer hardware -- such as Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. Just ask for
a network or ethernet cable. Or if they would like to know exactly what
you are looking for, impress them and ask for straight-through RJ-45
cable. You will want long enough to make it to another computer or a hub,
which we will discuss next.
Now you will need something to connect the computers to so they will be on
the network. One of the easiest ways to network them is to obtain a
network hub. A network hub allows you to connect several computers
(usually 2-8 at a time) together to work on the same network. Again, look
near the network cards and cable at your favorite store that carries
computer supplies. Generally, spending more than $20-40 on a hub is
unnecessary, unless you're looking for a switch or router/hub combination.
Now comes the tricky part. You're going to need to tell the computers how
to distinguish between one another by giving them their own address on the
network. Just like your address differs from your neighbors so you do not
get each other's mail (usually), each computer will need a different
address. On most operating systems you can actually set up a machine to
give out these addresses, having the rest of the computers on the network
obtain their own addresses automatically. This called DHCP.
Sounds complicated right? Well, it can be if you're not familiar with
computers, but it does not have to be. If you're looking to provide
Internet access through a Cable or DSL connection from Internet Nebraska
to more than one computer in your home or office, a network router/hub can
save most of this hassle for you. These generally sell for between
$40-$75. You'll want to be sure your router is compatible with a DSL or
cable modem, and that it has enough ethernet ports for each of the
computers you wish to network. Most routers come with simple step-by-step
instructions on how to set them up, not to mention plenty of pictures to
follow if the computer lingo gets a bit hefty for you.
Bookstores and libraries have large sections on computers and networking.
It is strongly recommended you do some research on the subject in either
place. What was presented in this article was a very basic approach which
will work for most but not all cases. Before spending any money on the
above mentioned items be sure that is what you will need to set up your
own office or home network.
*** 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: When I'm using Outlook Express to read my mail sometimes I run
across a junk-mail that pops up a new window, or causes the entire
screen to go black, making me have to shutdown my computer. Why
does this happen, and how can I stop it?
Answer: This is due to the way Internet Explorer is embedded in Outlook
Express. It renders any HTML in email messages automatically.
This also includes harmful Java scripts.
To fix this you will want to disable the preview pane. To do
this, open Outlook Express, and go to 'view' on the menu-bar and
select 'Layout'. On the bottom half it will show a section
called 'Preview Pane'. We want to take the check out of 'Show
preview pane' in that section. This will solve the problem, and
let you delete email without having it open.