INews Newsletter - Jul 03, 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 15 July 3, 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: The Nuts and Bolts of ISDN
Dedicated ISDN, Even!
Happy Internetpendence Day!
Home Page Advertisement
*** Doing Data Digitally with ISDN ***
Internet Nebraska has been providing ISDN in Lincoln and Omaha for some time
now, but several things got in the way of our marketing it to the extent we
would like to have. The biggest problem has been that the lines required to
serve ISDN users are the same ones 56K customers need. As busy as that
group of lines has been, we sure weren't going to try and make it any worse.
Well, now we have an abundance of digital lines and we're ready to use 'em.
Any of our full-access customers with an ISDN BRI line into his or her home
and the right equipment (about both of which, more below) can dial up one
of the digital lines and enjoy ISDN speeds at *no additional cost*. This
means that if you have a flat-rate account that you've been paying $59 every
three months for, you can get a BRI line and some ISDN equipment, dial up
420-4505 in Lincoln or 331-9214 in Omaha and enjoy low-latency 64K
connectivity at -- you guessed it -- $59 every three months. You might even
consider running at 128K for the price of two dial-up accounts!
So how does ISDN work and what do you need to enjoy it?
ISDN is a completely digital telecommunications technology. The type of
ISDN line you would have run into your home or business is known in the
industry as a Basic Rate Interface (BRI) line. A BRI line contains 2
separate and distinct channels, each capable of carrying either a 64k data
connection or voice phone call. To make use of this BRI line with a single
computer, you will need the ISDN equivalent of a modem, known as a terminal
adapter (TA). ISDN TAs can be found locally at stores such as Best Buy and
Mega Mart, or through mail-order, with prices starting as low at $150.
(See the dedicated ISDN article below for information on equipment to hook
your whole LAN to Internet Nebraska via ISDN.)
A BRI line from either Aliant or US West will run you in the neighborhood
of $40/month (with appropriate taxes and fees) for 20 hours of usage,
or about $80/month for 200 hours of use. Usage above the 20 or 200 hour
ceiling is priced at $.02/minute. The installation fee for a BRI line is
about $110. Note that since these are prices from the phone companies,
they are beyond our control and subject to change.
*** 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
402-464-8888, and see for yourself.
-- http://www.schaeferstv.com/index2.htm
*** ISDN - The Newest Dedicated Alternative ***
With its high speed and inexpensive line and equipment costs, ISDN seems
to be an obvious choice for businesses needing dedicated 'round the clock
direct Internet access. So what's the catch?
The catch is that both Aliant and US West meter their BRI lines, charging
between $35 and $45/month for 20 hours of dial-out use, counting various fees,
and upwards of $80/month for 200 hours of dial-out use. If you go over, it's
$.02/minute, and that can really add up fast. All these phone charges, and
that doesn't even include the Internet access! Keep reading, though, because
Internet Nebraska has found an affordable way to provide dedicated,
24-hours/day ISDN connectivity to businesses and individuals.
For $199/month, WE'LL DIAL YOU and that $.02/minute meter will not run.
You'll need only the lowest-usage BRI in order to receive the call, but
you'll be able to remain online 'round the clock and incur no telco charges
greater than that basic $38/month or so. For less than $240/month total --
$199 to IN plus basic BRI charges, you can have a dedicated 64K pipe to the
Internet.
Think you might want 128K? You'll get two B-channels with any BRI you order,
so why not use them? We'll dial you up over both channels for $379/month. As
with every kind of dedicated line from Internet Nebraska, these lines come with
all the options. Sufficient IP addresses, news feeds, mail gateway services,
and primary or secondary DNS for your domain are all FREE with any of our
dedicated lines. This is not generally the case with our competition.
$379/mo for 128K plus $40/mo for the BRI now buys as much as most T1 users
require in the way of data quantity. Burstability is admittedly lower, but
this kind of savings is a supremely good deal.
Internet Nebraska setup charges for one dedicated channel is $199; for two,
it's $299. Aliant and US West both charge about $110 to install your BRI
ISDN circuit. For equipment, it's likely that you'll want an ISDN router
instead of a simple ISDN terminal adapter, although a Windows NT or
UNIX machine with a terminal adapter can do the routing instead. We recommend
the Lucent (formerly Livingston) Portmaster Office Router OR-U-AP
( http://www.livingston.com/Marketing/Products/or_ap_overview.html ).
This versatile unit gives you a built in ISDN terminal adapter with
integrated NT1, full routing, some firewall capabilities, and an analog phone
port (so you can use your other ISDN channel as a phone line). We sell this
unit for just $720 ($945 list price), or we can lease you one for just
$40/month, and if you get it from us, we'll take care of all the
configuration and installation.
To learn more about dedicated ISDN or to sign up, simply give us a call at
(402) 434-8680 in Lincoln, or (402) 592-1110 in Omaha.
*** MicroAge Lincoln - Advertisement ***
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/index2.html
*** Barbecues and Blowin' Stuff Up ***
Don't blunder carelessly into your 4th of July festivities. Use the
Internet to research and plan your picnic, barbecue and fireworks display.
The following sites are sure to enhance your holiday experience:
General 4th of July sites
"The 4th of July Page" ( http://wilstar.net/july4.htm ) contains the full
text of several important historical documents, including the Constitution,
the Declaration of Independence and the Magna Carta. (And what Fourth of
July celebration would be complete without a ceremonial reading of the
Magna Carta?) To enhance the experience, download some "patriotic music"
and hum along with such tunes as "Star and Stripes Forever," "You're a
Grand Old Flag" and the "Washington Post March."
Other 4th of July related sites:
"The US History Page" ( http://www.ushistory.org/ )
"Happy Birthday America!" ( http://www.holidays.net/independence/ )
Another "Happy Birthday America!" ( http://www.usacitylink.com/usa/ )
Fireworks Sites
Did somebody say "fireworks"? It is probably too late to get them in time
for the 4th, but you can actually buy fireworks on line through the
following (and many many other) sites:
"Fireworks Express" ( http://www.fireworksexpress.com/ ) won't send
explosives through the mail, but you can place your order on line and they
will have them ready to pick up at a "convenient local outlet" within 24
hours.
"The Fireworks Mall" ( http://sd.znet.com/~rjweaver/fireworksmall.html )
lists dozens of retail and wholesale fireworks outlets.
The "Funschool" Java Fireworks Display
(http://www.funschool.com/cgi-bin/ga?fireworks,f ), offers all the fun and
excitement of a real fireworks display without the mosquitos and crowds.
(Or, frankly, much fun or excitement -- but it is guaranteed not to
frighten your pets.)
You can attend the Washington D.C. fireworks display without leaving your
house. Tune in to http://www.tvontheweblive.com/fireworks/ beginning at
8:00 CDT Saturday evening.
The National Council on Fireworks Safety (
http://www.fireworksafety.com/ ) offers safety tips, lists state laws
on fireworks, and includes a really energetic video
of George Bush talking about firework safety.
Barbecue Sites
After visiting the "Smoke Ring"
(http://www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webring?list&ring=bbq ), you'll wonder how
people managed to barbecue before the World Wide Web was invented. The
"Smoke Ring" is a linked list of web sites and includes over a hundred
barbecue sites, offering recipes and tips.
Keep the fireworks out of the grill and the kids out of the beer cooler, and
have a safe and happy Holiday weekend.
*** Computer Renaissance of Lincoln - Advertisement ***
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/
*** 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
advertisers in this issue did, and we recommend them highly.
The Capital Soccer Association
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/