INews Newsletter - Oct 31, 2003
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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 6, Number 4 October 31, 2003
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: Mac OS X Panther
Blogs?
Avoiding Online Fraud
Mr. Internet
*** Mac OS X Panther: Windows' Newest Predator ***
On October 24, 2003, Apple computer unveiled the latest version of Mac OS,
Mac OS X 10.3 Panther. Coming 14 months after the last revision of Mac OS
X, 10.2 Jaguar, many have wondered if Panther is a worthy upgrade. After
installing Panther on a late-model iBook and having some time to evaluate
it, I can honestly say that Panther is a worthy addition to any supported
Mac. It enhances performance, stability, and has additions that any
Internet-savvy Mac user will appreciate.
The list of improvements in Panther is so long that I will not spend time
on all of them, focusing instead on the Internet-related upgrades. This is
not to discredit the other upgrades, as the increased efficiency that
Panther brings is no small improvement. Features such as fast user-
switching, and the highly-touted (and extremely useful) Expose feature are
also very nice.
With Jaguar, Apple unveiled its new instant messaging application, iChat.
In Panther, Mac users are treated to a new version of iChat dubbed iChat
AV. As you may guess, the AV stands for Audio and Video, respectively,
bringing both voice and video chat to online instant messaging. Apple also
recently released their iSight camera, designed for use with iChat AV and
any Mac with a 500mhz or faster G3 processor.
Does iChat AV live up to its expectations? In a word -- yes. Connected to
the Internet via Internet Nebraska's DSL, this author simply had to click
the phone icon next to a family member in the iChat buddy list, and was
voice chatting to a iMac-using family member in Oregon. The quality of the
voice chat was excellent, as good or better than any cellular phone call
I've ever had. My relative recently purchased an iSight camera, so after
he started up the visual portion of the chat I was able to see him while we
talked. There was no stuttering of the video and no breakup of the audio,
just a very good connection. Even on a dialup connection, the voice chat
is quite usable. A broadband connection such as DSL, cable, or wireless is
recommended for video.
If iChat AV weren't enough, Apple also included the latest revision of the
excellent Safari web browser. The improvements to Safari on the outside
are barely noticeable, but Safari gains speed and stability. With the
release of Jaguar, Apple is also including Safari as the default web
browser. The reason is obvious -- Safari is clearly the best web browser
on the Macintosh platform. It has a long list of features that separate it
from the competition.
One of the most convenient features is the addition of a Google search bar
right next to the address bar, which allows instant, easy searching of the
Internet. Safari now also includes tabbed browsing, giving the user the
ability to open multiple pages at the same time in the same browser
window. Performance of the tabbed windows is improved over previous
versions. Safari has given Mac users a browser faster than Internet
Explorer (even on a fast Windows PC), and a platform for which Apple plans
nothing but improvements. If you aren't currently using Safari, now is the
time to start.
Mail is also improved. Now included in the application is a search window,
allowing you to quickly search through the contents of any of your mail
folders. The junk e-mail protection in Mail has been improved, making a
combination of Mail and one of Internet Nebraska's filters such as
MailAgent or Postini a good recipe to rid your computer of junk e-mail.
The performance of Mail is also greatly enhanced, even with folders
containing hundreds of messages.
The final application on our list, and one of the most innovative
applications Apple has created recently is Sherlock, which has been greatly
improved with this release. For those who haven't used Sherlock, it is an
extremely valuable one-stop search tool. Sherlock gives you the ability to
search the Internet, eBay, stock prices and news, movie listings, flight
schedules, dictionaries, yellow pages, and the Apple Care website. It also
includes a translation tool, which will instantly translate text from
English to one of 24 different languages, and vice versa. It is designed
to be the information center of Mac OS X, and does an excellent job of it.
Ready for a night out, I opened Sherlock to get movie schedules, and was
able to search all of the theaters in the Lincoln area. Finding a movie I
wanted to see, I clicked on it to highlight it. Sherlock brought up the
theaters in which it was playing. Below, it brought up the poster for the
movie, and thanks to the speed of DSL, a trailer for the movie was ready to
watch almost instantly. Directions to and contact info for the theater
were also at my fingertips. There's nothing to set up, just click and it's
there.
As you can see, the Mac user who enjoys his time on the Internet will find
Mac OS X Panther to be a valuable upgrade. Panther is available
practically anywhere Apple hardware and software are sold. You might check
out Computer Hardware in Lincoln and Hastings, CompUSA in Omaha, and online
from the Apple Store ( http://store.apple.com ). Students can find a
discounted copy of Panther at the UNL Computer Shop or University
Bookstore.
*** 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/
*** Blog Mania ***
You've probably seen or heard references to something called a "blog" while
surfing the net. Maybe you thought it was yet another gizmo somebody's
selling you, or that big Internet THINGS are finally getting the kind of
formless, hopeless names they ought to have had all along. Blogs are fun!
They're even more fun when you say "blog" over and over again. Blog, blog,
blog, blog, blog.
Blogs were originally known as web logs, or online journals. Blog posters
might write about anything. Their thoughts for the day, links to
interesting sites, funny online personality tests are all fair game for
blog posters. Blogs also useful in letting friends and family know what's
going on in your life when you don't get a chance to talk. Blogs usually
have a way for people to comment on a specific entry as well, so writers
can converse with the readers.
There are many free blog sites on the net. They all have "communities,"
or groups of other users, that will also have their own blogs, as well
as post their comments on others blogs. Some blog sites are meant for
basic users with little to no knowledge of HTML, and others are for
advanced users who are quite familiar with HTML. If you're interested in
starting your own blog, check out some of the following links.
http://www.livejournal.com
Live Journal is probably the most widely known blog site, and is extremely
popular because the site is easy enough for beginners to jump in and get
started right away, but also completely customizable for the more advanced
user. Before you can get an account, you need to know someone else on the
site to give you a referral code, and then you can open your own account
for free. Alternately, you can pay a couple of dollars for your access,
and you will then receive referral codes you can give out to other people.
This referral system is designed to keep the community smaller and prohibit
people from just starting hundreds of accounts to clog up the system for no
reason.
http://www.xanga.com
Xanga is meant for basic users with no knowledge of HTML. It comes with a
guest book and an e-mail contact form ready for you to use.
http://www.upsaid.com
UpSaid has the ease of use of Xanga, but is much more customizable with
HTML. It's still a good choice even if you don't know HTML as they have
excellent predefined layout options. It comes with a guestbook and in-site
private messaging.
http://www.diary-x.com
Diary X is also meant for both basic and advanced users, but it has much
more functionality. with Diary-X you get an e-mail address that will
automatically foward to your real e-mail address, password protection for
blog articles, site statistics, and an online dictionary and thesaurus.
Of course, there are many more blog sites on the Internet, so it won't hurt
to look around and see what else you can find before settling down with
one. Even if you don't want to write a weblog, you can visit other
people's and see what they have to say.
*** 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
*** Fraud over the Internet ***
Internet fraud has become an increasing problem over the last few years.
As Internet access becomes more and more readily available to people around
the world, many people are looking to the Internet to ease their way of
life in one way or another. It could be to find out information for a
school project, look for that perfect gift, or simply to keep up on the
latest news. With a few clicks of a mouse or a bit of typing, we can find
out all sorts of information on just about anything imaginable. We can
also be exposed to things that most of us would rather avoid, such as scams
and fraud.
Internet fraud can come in many forms. It can appear as a pop up claiming
you're a winner for simply going to a specific website, or an e-mail asking
for information we wouldn't even share with our neighbors. Whatever the
scam, there are few things you can do to ensure you're not tricked by some
fancy wording or flashy banner.
Protecting yourself from fraud over the Internet can be tricky because
we're not being approached by a salesman at the door, or speaking to them
over the phone. Since there is no one-on-one personal contact, taking us
off guard is that much easier. Here are a few things to keep in mind to
protect yourself against scams when surfing the web or reading your
e-mail.
Never e-mail confidential information, especially financial information
such as credit card or checking account numbers. Even if the e-mail
address given to you looks authentic, there's no telling where it could end
up, or who might see it. If you're asked for personal information nu
anyone you do not know, it's probably a scam. That simple.
If it's too good to be true, it probably...it *certainly* is. We've all
seen it at one time or another. The ad reads "You're a Winner," but as you
look into it, yuo find they require you provide all sorts of personal or
financial information to obtain your prize. There is NEVER a prize.
Before providing information about yourself over the Internet, always be
sure you know exactly who you are dealing with. Look for their company
name, website address with information about the company, or an alternate
way to contact them, even if it's a company you've heard of before.
As they say, it's always better to be safe than sorry. The best thing you
can do to protect yourself against fraud on the Internet is to trust your
instincts. If you're being asked for information you wouldn't feel
comfortable giving out to just anyone, don't give it!
*** 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.
*** Mr. Internet ***
Q: Mr Internet, how do I know it is safe to submit confidential material
such as credit cards to a web site?
A: When submitting information such as credit cards you first want to
verify you are on the right website. Double check the address bar. Make
sure this is the company you intend to give your credit card information
to. Next make sure the webpage is secure by looking at the address.
Secure web sites will start with "https://" rather than just the "http://"
on most web sites. Many browsers have a lock, key, or other icon to
indicate secure web sites. Learn what your browser uses and check it
before submitting information over the web.
You can also set your computer to automatically warn you if the website you
are on has an invalid security certificate, if it is redirecting your
submittal, or if it switches between secure and insecure mode. These
settings are accessible from Internet Explorer by going to "Tools" and
then selecting "Internet Options". In the new window that appears, select
the tab at the top labeled "Advanced", then go to the bottom and look
through the Security options.
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 times 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