INews Newsletter - Oct 23, 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 23 October 23, 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. Archives of INews are located at http://www.inetnebr.com/inews
In this issue: Better Business Always Our Aim
Internet Explorer Patch
Fright-Click on the Ghoul Bar
Vote Early and Vote Often
*** IN on BBB On-line ***
Internet Nebraska is always looking for ways to maintain our high levels of
service, and to demonstrate our willingness to deal with complaints fairly
and with dispatch. Internet Service Providers have sprung up everywhere.
Anyone with a 486 and a little cheek can call themselves an ISP and offer
flat-rate service for $10 a month. Unfortunately, offering and providing
are two different things. We're proud enough of our business practices that
we're giving the Better Business Bureau a little free copy today.
You may have noticed the BBB logo at the bottom of our home page. We joined
the Better Business Bureau several years ago, and we were glad to hear that
they have recently established a program to help the public avoid some of
the untrustworthy businesses on the Internet. As _PC World_ magazine notes,
the BBB on-line program rates higher than some others like it because it
screens businesses for questionable business practices and provides a
mechanism for resolving customer complaints.
We at Internet Nebraska welcome all of you to examine our record, and we're
always happy to receive suggestions about how we might better serve you.
*** 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
*** Internet Explorer Vulnerability ***
A vulnerability has been discovered in MS Internet Explorer 4.01 which
allows malicious web sites to upload any file from users computers, provided
that they know the location and name of the file. Many sensitive files are
stored in known locations, such as electronic mail input and output folders.
The Windows Registry is also in a known location, and by stealing and
inspecting that file, the locations of other sensitive files may be
obtained. A patch for affected systems is available from Microsoft.
ONLY users running IE 4.01 or IE 4.01 SP1 on Windows 3.x, 95, 98, and NT are
affected. IE 3.x and 4.0 are not affected on any platform, Macintosh and
UNIX users are also not affected.
Windows 98 users can obtain the patch by launching Windows Update from the
Windows Start Menu and clicking "Product Updates." When prompted, select
'Yes' to allow Windows Update to determine whether this patch and other
updates are needed. If Windows 98 does need this patch, it will be listed
under the "Critical Updates" section of the page.
Users of Internet Explorer 4.01 on other affected systems can obtain the
patch from the Internet Explorer Security web site,
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/security/paste.htm
*** 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/
*** ***
Halloween is just around the corner. If you are not ready for it, let the
Internet help you get in the mood. The Web is crawling with creepy
Halloween-related sites. Find pumpkin-carving tips, buy a costume on-line,
or turn off the lights and gather around your computer to hear spooky
real-audio ghost stories.
For pumpkin-carving tips and tricks, check out one of these sites:
Jack-O-Lantern.com ( http://www.jack-lantern.com/contents.html ) claims to
be the Internet's "most comprehensive Jack-O-Lantern site." We have no
reason to dispute this. In addition to the usual printable patterns and
pumpkin-carving hints, Jack-O-Lantern.com also includes a history of the
jack-o-lantern, pictures of some of the web-master's favorite
jack-o-lanterns, and a special section on watermelons.
Other pumpkin carving sites include "The Haunted House"
( http://www.hauntedhome.com/theHouse/Pumpkin/ ), and "The Swan Pumpkin
Farm" ( http://thepumpkinfarm.com/carvemenu.html )
If you are not allowed to use a knife, or are squeamish about "pumpkin
guts," (but not afraid to download and install a VRML viewer), go to the
http://www.netmud.com/~glenn/jack/ , and click out a perfectly
proportioned "Virtual Jack-O-Lantern."
Haven't got your Halloween costume yet? Browse the Halloween Mart
( http://207.168.125.172 ), which bills itself as "the Internet's premier
Halloween costume site." What they don't mention is that they also may be
the Internet's premier source for fake body parts. Although the always
popular "bloody eye" and "skinned head" are sold out, plenty of choice items
remain, including severed fingers, hands, arms and ears, as well assorted
internal organs.
Other on-line costume sites include the Nightmare Factory
( http://www.nightmarefactory.com/shop.html ), and Stu Miller's Costume Shop
( http://www.halloweencostume.com ).
Don't send your kids out trick-or-treating without taking a look at these
Halloween safety sites:
Halloween Safety Guide ( http://homearts.com/netg/static/00hallf1.htm )
Children's Safety Zone ( http://www.sosnet.com/safety/halloween.tip.html )
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Safety Tips
( http://www.babybag.com/articles/trick.htm )
As you might expect, there are plenty of fun Halloween sites for kids. The
"Kid's Domain" ( http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/halloween/index.html )
includes "scary software" to download, as well as spooky games and crafts.
The Hallowe'en Corner ( http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~ai251/Spcorn.html ) is
crawling with "spine tingling ghost stories, scary pictures, Hallowe'en
links and interviews with scary people."
And, we understand that R.L. Stine doesn't have quite enough money yet, so
be sure to go to the Goosebumps homepage
( http://www.foxhome.com/goosebumps ) and buy some "spooky" merchandise.
Finally, for real-audio ghost stories (without the hassle of building a
campfire or interacting with other human beings -- talk about "scary"), tune
into Seeing Ear Theatre's "Halloween Night"
( http://www.transmediasf.com/hallo_stations.htm ), or Edgar Allen Poe
Theater ( http://www.drcasey.com/radio/poe/index.shtml ).
And if all that is not enough to raise the hairs on the back of your neck,
remember that the election is only eleven days away . . .
*** 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
*** Election '98 ***
With the election only eleven days away, it is probably time to get up to
speed on the candidates and ballot initiatives. The best place to start is
the Secretary of State's page ( http://www.nol.org/home/SOS ), which
contains a list of all the candidates running for every office
( http://www.nol.org/home/SOS/Elections ), as well as an informational
pamphlet on the Initiative Measures on the ballot
( http://www.nol.org/home/SOS/Elections/pamphlet.htm ).
Of course, most of the candidates have their own web pages. If their
30-second TV spots leave you wanting more, you are free to gaze at their
web-pages for as long as you like.
Gubernatorial candidates:
Bill Hoppner: http://www.hoppner.com/
Mike Johanns: http://www.johanns98.com/
Attorney General candidates:
Don Stenberg: http://www.nol.org/home/ago/
Pat Knapp: http://www.nebr-democrats.org/knapp.htm
State Auditor candidates:
Kate Witek (R): http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/senators/D31.htm
Kandra Hahn (D): http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Senate/7158/
State Treasurer candidates:
Dave Heineman (R): http://www.nebraska.treasurer.org/
David Tagart (D): No web page available
U.S. Congress:
1st District
Doug Bereuter (R): http://www.house.gov/bereuter/
Don Eret (D): No web page available
2nd District
Lee Terry (R): http://www.leeterry.com/
Michael Scott (D): http://www.nebr-democrats.org/scott/index.html
3rd District
Bill Barrett (R): http://www.house.gov/billbarrett/
State Political Parties:
Nebraska Democratic Party: http://incolor.inetnebr.com/nebrdems/
Libertarian Party of Nebraska:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/5002/
Natural Law Party of Nebraska:
http://www.natural-law.org/States/Nebraska.html
Reform Party of Nebraska: http://nebraska.reformparty.org/ne_index1.shtml
Nebraska Republican Party: http://link-up.com/gop-ne/
Initiative Measures:
Amendment 413
For: http://www.nebraskafuture.com/contributions.html
Against: No web page we could find in the time we had. There are many
articles to be found on the matter, however.
Amendment 414
For: http://vote-yes.org
Against: No web page we could find in the time we had. There are many
articles to be found on the matter, however.
*** 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.