INews Newsletter - Jul 21, 2000
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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 3, Number 8 July 21, 2000
Welcome to another issue of INews, Internet Nebraska's customer
newsletter. This monthly 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: Chatting, Old School Style
Privacy Issues
DSL Downtime
Check Reminder
Mr. Internet
*** An Introduction to IRC ***
Back before the days of Instant Messenger and ICQ, most Internet chatting
was done via Internet Relay Chat, or for the TLA*-savvy, IRC. IRC is a
multi-user, multi-channel chat system that is run on a Network. It gives
people all over the world the ability to talk (type) to one another in real
time. Each user has a nickname (handle) and converses with other users
either in private or on a channel (chat room).
To chat on IRC, you need an IRC program, commonly called a client. There
are a number of clients available, the most common programs are mIRC for
Windows ( http://www.mirc.co.uk ) and Ircle for the Mac (
http://www.ircle.com ).
IRC is based on a client-server model. In order to use IRC, you have to
connect to an IRC Server in an IRC Network. Note: an IRC server is NOT the
server you connect to when you connect to the Internet. You FIRST connect
to the Internet as usual through your Internet Service Provider, THEN you
connect to an IRC Server.
An IRC Network is a collection of servers linked together. When you log
onto an IRC network, you are connecting to one of the servers on that
network. Since all the servers are connected to each other, you are
connected to all the other users even though they may not be connected to
the same server as you. All servers on a network share and have access to
the same information. Each server knows who is on the network, which chat
rooms (called "channels" on IRC) the users are in, and which servers the
users are using as well. The server you select depends on the IRC Network
you choose and your geographical location. It's always best to connect to
a server that's geographically close to you, but it's not absolutely
necessary. Your IRC program will dictate how you actually perform the
connection process.
Now that you're connected, you need to join a channel (chat room). The
quickest way is to type /join #[name of a channel]. For example, if I
wanted to join the Nebraska channel, I would type /join #nebraska. I could
then be engaged in various discussions, likely not about Nebraska but
rather with people in Nebraska. The channel names are case insensitive, so
you don't have to worry about capitalization, but you do need to include
the pound sign ( # ) which precedes all channel names. Also, all IRC
commands are preceded by the forward slash ( / ). That's it! You're on
the channel, and you can start chatting away! Most Windows and Mac IRC
clients also have graphical means of showing what channels are available
and pull-down menus for IRC commands.
You'll find all kinds of people on IRC. Some nice, and some not so nice.
Simply behave as you would in the real world. Most people will be friendly
and considerate, if you are as well. Most channels will have a topic set,
so check it out before you dive in. When you join a channel, say hello.
Don't expect to get hellos back from everyone, especially when there are
lots of people on the channel. If you've never visited the channel before
and have no idea what to expect, just sit back and watch for awhile to get
a feel for the flow of the channel (thats called "lurking"). Most of all
enjoy yourself... have fun!
* TLA stands for Three Letter Acronym. Computer nerds like us also have poor
senses of humor.
*** 'Net Privacy ***
Privacy is always an issue when surfing the Internet. No one wants to be
the target of spam, hate mail, fraud, or worse. Here's a short list of a
few things you can do to make you a safer surfer.
1) One of the most important rules is do not give out personal information
in chat rooms.
2) Only give out credit card info to site you wish to do business with,
and make sure that site is using a secure order form.
3) Do not go to sites that you do not trust. If you get an e-mail from someone
you don't know containing a link to a web site, you may not want to visit
that site.
4) If you use IRC or ICQ programs, do not accept downloads from someone
you do not know.
5) Don't give out your email address to web sites you don't trust. Although
doing so won't compromise your security or privacy, it could increase the
amount of junk e-mail you get.
*** 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
*** ADSL Downtime ***
All Internet Nebraska ADSL customers will experience a short downtime
starting at 1:00 AM the morning of Tuesday, July 25th. Internet Nebraska
is moving our ADSL connections to a larger router. This should improve
throughput and stability for ADSL customers.
We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.
*** 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/
*** Helping Us Help You ****
You'd be surprised how many guys named John Doe a customer base our size
can contain. Well, ok, we have no one named John Doe on the system at the
moment, and that's why I picked the name. But we do have sets of three and
four people with the exact same name, and a check from one of them can be a
real bear to credit to the right person. Please help us to credit your
hard-earned money to the correct account by either jotting your username in
the memo blank of your check, or by including a copy of your bill.
*** Mr. Internet ***
Q: I see that Internet Nebraska uses both the inebraska.com and inetnebr.com
domain names. Which one should I give out as my e-mail address?
A: You can use either for your e-mail address. Use whichever you prefer.
We find that most of our customers prefer to use the inebraska.com domain.
It's easier to spell over the phone. :)
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 time 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
We will also be selling links from our main page. Please contact
manager@inebraska.com, or give us a give us a call at our office,
402-434-8680, and ask how you can reserve banner spots on some of the
hottest URL's in the state. The advertisers in this issue did, and we
recommend them highly.