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NorthNet News
Issue 34
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JANUARY WINNER - The winner of NorthNet's Three Free Months Contest for
the month of January was Marshall Fellion of Constable.
The random drawing is held on the last day of each month and all
residential NorthNet customers are eligible.
NETSCAPE VERSION 6.0 - Don't do it.
Recently Netscape released Version 6.0 of its browser. We do not
recommend that our customers install it on their systems. We found it to
be much slower and more memory hungry than the previous version with
very little additional functionality.
We have also received a number of reports from customers that the new
version "messed up their system." Whether this was actually due to the
browser or not is hard to say.
Our recommendation is that you wait at least until version 6.1 is
released to see if some of the problems with the current release are
fixed.
CNET.com agrees with us:
http://www.cnet.com/internet/0-3779-8-4574578-1.html?tag=st.int.3773.bhed.3779-8-4574578-1
PROTECT YOUR PC FROM INTRUDERS - When your computer is connected to the
Internet it is a "peer" with every other machine on the internet. This
means that other computers could share the files on your machine. There
are hackers who scan entire networks for computers that have left this
backdoor open and then insert worms on your machine to do their bidding.
Be sure that your Windows machine is not vulnerable.
Note: If your computer is on an internal network, that is, physically
connected to other computers, consult with your Network Administrator before
making any changes.
To turn off file sharing in Windows 95/98/ME:
1. Click on the Start menu, go to Settings, and click on Control Panel.
2. Double-click on the Network icon.
3. From the Network window, click on the bar labelled "File and Print
Sharing." A dialog box will appear.
Make sure that neither check boxes are checked. Click on the OK
button. Click on the OK button for the Network Control Panel. You may be
prompted to insert your Windows CD, and will need to reboot your
computer for any changes to take effect.
NEW MODEMS STANDARD - A new international standard for modems has just been
released: V.92. NorthNet will be adopting the new standard as soon as our
modem manufacturer releases the software code. That is expected to take
place mid-2001. We will have additional information about this in the
months to come.
The following information is from http://www.v92.com
What is V.92?
V.92 is the new dial-up modem specification from the ITU
(International Telecommunications Union) that introduces three new
features that will add convenience and performance for the modem user.
The three features are QuickConnect, Modem-on-Hold and PCM Upstream.
What will QuickConnect do for me?
Very simply, QuickConnect will shorten the time it takes to make a
connection by remembering the phone line characteristics and storing
them for later usage. Typically, the modem handshake (all that noise you
hear) takes from 25 to 27 seconds. Surveys indicate that people are
quite irritated at this length of time. QuickConnect will cut the modem
handshake time in half for most calls, a significant improvement.
What will Modem-on-Hold do for me?
Many households use the same phone line for voice calls and data
(Internet), so when the user is browsing the Internet, an incoming call
cannot get through. Modem-on-Hold allows you to receive an incoming call
and stay connected to the Internet. (Call-Waiting service from your
phone company is all that is required.) It also works in reverse; you
can initiate a voice call while connected and keep the modem connection.
In addition, the MOH feature will allow the modem connection to survive
a call waiting event, even if you don't accept the call.
What will PCM Upstream do for me?
PCM Upstream boosts the upstream data rates between the user and ISP to
reduce upload times for large files and email attachments. PCM Upstream
will work particularly well with new equipment such as
Internet-connected digital cameras, which primarily upload rather
than download information.
WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY - We received many words of thanks from you, our
customers in regards to the "Snow White" virus warning in last month's
newsletter. Here are a few of your remarks:
"Just wanted to thank you for the article you sent earlier on the snow
white virus.Because I was alerted to it I was able to avoid opening it.
Two were sent to us on the same day. I don't open attachments anymore.
Thanks again for your news letters."
Linda
"NorthNet,Thank you for the warning about the 'Snow White' virus. On
01/07/01 we received an e-mail from 'Hahaha' entitled 'The real story of
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.' Luckily, since we knew no one with the
address of 'Hahaha.' we didn't open it, just deleted it. This is the
first virus sent to our e-mail address that I know of, and it's scarey
to think that it's happening that close to home. I just wanted to let you
know that your warning was appreciated, along with all the other virus
warnings we receive in our e-mail."
Thank You! Carol
"Thank you so much for saving me from the Snow White virus. I had it in
my inbox and had thankfully yet to open the attachment. Phew!"
Holly
WEBFEST CONTEST - NorthNet's Webfest Contest wraps up next month, but
there is still time for Northern New York high school students to join
in.
Some comments made so far by participating schools are:
Canton: "The team feels this competition is worthwhile because: 1 -
They like competing, 2 - Great experience for both self-development and
preparation for work/college, 3 - The prizes, 4 - The web page will be
given to the school and kept as a result of their efforts."
Clifton-Fine: Students "...will produce a Clifton-Fine Hospital web
page that will promote this community to other people. The hospital has
never had a web page before;this is an honor to have been asked by the
hospital administrator Walter Becker. The community needs the valuable
resources of its school and the students. This endeavor will develop
awareness and skills for the students. It will also develop
school-community-business cooperation. If our school is chosen for any
of the prizes we will use this opportunity to improve CFCS schools
technology infrastructure."
