INews Newsletter - Feb 13, 1998
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* * * I N e w s * * *
A publication of Internet Nebraska, composed and distributed by
* * * manager@inetnebr.com * * *
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Volume 1, Number 5 February 13, 1998
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.
In this issue: 56K: One Standard, No Lines
Look, Ma! No Usage!
Save Time, Save Trouble, Save $5
Home page Advertisement
*** Telecomm Issues Abound ***
Some of you Lincoln-area customers have wanted to dial in regularly to the
huntgroup of 56K modems (420-4505) and found it full, particularly in the
evenings. We do regret this terribly, but the problem lies in our being unable
to order what we need from Aliant. We service both analog 56K and ISDN calls
over Primary Rate Interface (PRI) lines, each of which can handle 23 different
calls. When the PRI's we have got full, we ordered more. We were told by
Aliant that it will be April or May before they have the equipment _they_ need
to fill our order.
Needless to say, we're very unhappy about this. In fact, it is possible we
will file a formal complaint to the Nebraska Public Service Commission, and it
is certain we have before us yet another indication of how badly our community
is in need of competition in many areas of telephone service. If there were
another company in town offering PRI's, we'd simply have ordered from them.
We will be offering the K56flex service at our Lincoln POP the minute these
lines are finally installed. The required equipment sits on a shelf, fully
configured and ready for data which, again, we've ordered and can't get. In
the meantime, we recommend you dial the old 434-6910 number if it's too busy to
get on the digital lines.
There is GOOD NEWS on the analog 56K front, however! The International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) agreed last week on specs for a common standard
and has initiated the formal approval process. This means that you (and IN)
will be free to stop worrying about whether to invest in the x2 or K56flex
technologies. The manufacturers will offer free upgrades for their modems, and
56K dialers-up will surf in blissful harmony. This new standard is known as
V.90, and below are a couple sites which offer (or will soon offer) information
on when and how you can upgrade your x2 or K56flex modems to it.
http://www.3com.com/56k/
http://www.practinet.com
We'll keep you posted on further developments.
*** Composing Mail Off-line ***
If you are using Internet Mail as your e-mail program, you can save yourself
connection charges (and free up your phone line), by composing your e-mail
messages off-line, and then sending them when you are logged in.
To do this in Windows 95, simply open your Internet Mail program (click Start/
Programs/Internet Mail). Click the New Message button and write your e-mail
message as usual. When you are finished, click the Send button. The mail will
now be sent to the Outbox folder on your computer. You can store as many e-mail
messages as you like in your Outbox. When you are ready to send your mail,
click the Send and Receive button. This will bring up the familiar "Connect
to" screen, allowing you to connect to Internet Nebraska. Once online, the
mail in your outbox will be sent, and any new mail will be downloaded to your
computer (which you can read off-line if you like).
The procedure is much the same using Windows 3.1. To start Internet Mail in
Windows 3.1, just double-click the Internet Mail icon. This will bring up
the "Connect to" screen. If you want to compose your mail off-line, you'll
need to cancel the dialup process, by hitting the escape key on your keyboard
or clicking the Close button. Once you're in the Internet Mail program, the
procedure is the same as for Windows 95.
You Mac users needn't fear. The same general idea will work for you. That is,
open up your mailer, decline to connect if you're asked to, write your
letter, and then connect as you normally would and check your mail. You'll be
asked whether you want to send your already-composed work.
*** Electronic Funds Transfer a BIG hit! ***
Remember that for the month of February, you can get a $5 non-transferable
credit against Internet Nebraska charges by switching to to EFT. Scores of
you have signed on to this program, and we're grateful to one and all.
Once more, what is EFT? It's direct withdrawal of funds from your bank account
when subscription renewal time rolls around. You have _total control_ over
what and when this is done, and you are free to discontinue it at any time. It
saves you and us a lot of time and a little money.
If you are interested in signing up for the EFT program, simply print out the
form below, fill it out, and mail it to us with a VOIDed check.
Direct Payment Plan Enrollment Form
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I authorize Internet Nebraska to initiate variable debit entries to my account
identified below in payment for Internet services. I authorize my financial
institution identified below to debit my account for these payments. I
understand that I am in full control of my payment, that I have the right to
hold or stop an electronic payment simply by giving my financial institution
timely notice, and that I may revoke this authorization at any time by
notifying Internet Nebraska. I will notify Internet Nebraska of any changes in
the information provided on this authorization form.
Signature______________________________________ Date__________________
Name _______________________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________________
City _____________________________ State______ Zip__________________
Phone Number__________________________________________________________
Username (login)______________________________________________________
Financial Institution_________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________________
City _____________________________ State______ Zip__________________
Account Name (on checks)______________________________________________
Federal Reserve Routing Number________________________________________
Account Number________________________________________________________
(The Federal Reserve Routing Number is the first number in the lower-left
corner of your check. It appears between the |: and |: symbols and is usually
9 digits. Your Account Number is the next number. It appears between the
second |: and the ||' symbol. Do not include the Check Number, which follows
the ||' symbol.)
Return this form to:
Internet Nebraska
PO Box 5301
Lincoln NE 68505-5301
Include a VOIDed check to confirm routing code information.
*** 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! Give us a call at our office, 434-8680, and ask how you can
reserve banner spots on some of the hottest URL's in the state, including our
new search, kids, news, and restaurant pages. The following businesses did,
and we recommend them highly.
Computer Renaissance of Lincoln
Computer Renaissance. The new store
with the used computer equipment.
Quality, brand name computer
equipment at prices lower than you'll
find anywhere. Computer Renaissance
is where you can buy a computer, sell
your used one or upgrade to a computer
that's more your speed.
-- http://www.crlincoln.com/
MicroAge Lincoln
MicroAge Lincoln is a full service computer
partner to the Lincoln, Nebraska area.
We offer business clients a full range of
services, including: software training,
network design and support, hardware repair,
and product sales. Whether you are
interested in computer training for yourself,
or you are a business that needs a network,
team up with MicroAge. We are committed to
your success.
-- http://www.microagelnk.com/