Help With e-Mail
Information for setting up email and news with NetHere…
Email: NetHere has a POP3/SMTP (this is the Internet standard) email server for use by our subscribers. You can use MS Outlook, Outlook Express, Netscape Messenger, Eudora, Lotus Notes, or any of the many other email client applications that are available to send and receive mail; some of these applications are free.

Your email address is username@nethere.com, where username is the name you use to logon to NetHere when you call in.

The NetHere setup cdrom will automatically configure your email to use our server. If you prefer to set up your email client yourself, you will need these details:

Incoming email server: pop3.nethere.net

Outgoing email server: mail.nethere.net (SMTP)

Username and password: same as you use to logon to NetHere News (also called "newsgroups" or "usenet"):

NetHere provides news service for our subscribers. News is similar to the bulletin board concept - it is a place to post or read messages about a specific topic. It is not a place to get current-event news. Generally, you can use the same client application for news as you do for email, and your account and password are the same.

This is our server:
News server: news.nethere.net

Outgoing email server: mail.nethere.net (SMTP)

What is my email ID?
When you joined NetHere, you received an email ID, or username. Your email ID is a unique name you use to log on to NetHere and receive email. Your email address is your_username@NetHere.com. Make sure your friends, family, and business associates know your email ID and email address, but DO NOT tell others what your password is.
Can I send Word documents in email?
You can send Word documents, spreadsheets, graphics files, and even small applications as email attachments. When you attach a file to an email message, a copy of the file is sent inside the email message. The file is automatically downloaded to your recipient's hard drive when he or she checks for new email.
Is there a maximum size for sending email attachments?
No. Large attachments increase the size of your email messages and make it more likely that the message will be rejected or mangled during its voyage to your recipient.
How much space at NetHere do I have to store email messages?
When someone sends you an email message, it is stored on NetHere mail servers until you check for your mail. Then it is downloaded to the inbox on your hard drive. Your inbox can store as much mail as you have room on your hard drive, but each NetHere member has a 10MB limit for mail on our servers. If you exceed this amount, your mailbox may be transferred to a temporary compressed file. If this happens, you will be notified and given the chance to decrease the size of your email box. Sixty days after this notification, we may delete the temporary file from the server.
Can I get more than one email account?
Additional mailboxes are an inexpensive way to let multiple people share one NetHere dial-up account. If you are already using your 10 e-mail addresses,
you can add more mailboxes to your account for an additionall charge of $2. per month.
What should I do if I get junk emails?
Unsolicited commercial email, or "Spam," is a big problem for the Internet. NetHere has a zero-tolerance policy for Spam we forbid our members from sending Spam, and we work zealously to ensure that our members do not receive it. If you get a junk email, DO NOT REPLY to the sender. Many spammers send email blindly, so your response tells them that they found an active email box.
Can my friends using other Internet companies or AOL send me email?
You can receive email from people around the world no matter what Internet service provider they use. Tell your friends to address their messages to your_username@NetHere.com. Replace the words your_username with your actual NetHere username.
How do I get my free web space?
You can have your free web space activated by calling our Customer Care department 24 hours a day 7 days a week. (619)224-7610 or by sending an
e-mail to CustomerCare@nethere.com

HELP CONNECTING

We recommend that you print this screen and close your Internet Connection and follow these directions

Double click on My Computer. Double click on Dial-up Networking. Double click on Make New Connection. Type NetHere into the first field. Select the correct modem from the modem field. Click NEXT Enter the Phone Number Local to Your Area. Click NEXT You will receive a confirmation screen. Click FINISH Right click on the new NetHere icon and choose Properties. Click on the Server Type button. Select the entry for PPP: Internet, Windows 95 or 98, Windows NT, from the dial-up server list. Here is an Example Screenshot.

Under Advanced Options, uncheck all boxes except Enable Software Compression. Under Allowed Network Protocols, uncheck all boxes except TCP/IP. Click on the TCP/IP Settings... button. Here is an Example Screen Shot.

Check Server Assigned IP Address button. Check Server Assigned Named Server Addresses button. Make certain both boxes are checked at the bottom. Click OK when finished, click OK again. Double click on NetHere dial-up account. Enter Your User Name for the user name and Your Password for the password. Click on the Save Password box, if you wish to save the password. If you do not, you will have to enter the password each time you connect. Make certain everything is correct and click Connect. Your browser should dial up and connect to your new account. If it does not, go back and double-check the items on this list. If your browser connects, you are done.

What Speed Should I Connect At?
The speed at which you connect to the Internet is determined by a number of factors:
* the speed of your modem
* the modem type and speed supported at the number you dialed
* the quality of the phone lines in your area
* the amount of traffic on the Net
Because of all these factors, you should not expect your connection speed to be exactly the same as the speed listed for your modem. Very often it is actually less.
Why doesn't my modem connect as fast as it is supposed to?
The factors mentioned above will affect your connection speed. Again, you should not expect to connect at exactly the same speed as is listed on your modem.
Why doesn't my 56K modem connect at 56K?
Aside from the factors mentioned above, other circumstances prevent 56K modems from actually connecting at 56K. That is actually only the theoretical speed of the modem; in practice, the FCC capped the connection speed at 53K, and real-world access is generally in the 35-45K range for these modems. Despite these limitations, 56K modems still attain the fastest standard modem speeds currently available on the market.
What does V.90 mean?
v.90 (pronounced "V-dot-ninety") is the name of the international standard agreed on for all 56K modems. Before that standard was reached, there were two different proprietary standards for 56K modems: one called x2 and supported by 3Com/U.S. Robotics; the other called K56flex and supported by Rockwell and Lucent
What is bandwidth?
Bandwidth is the amount of information (usually measured in bits-per-second) that can be sent through an Internet connection. Bandwidth is commonly compared to a water pipe a large pipe (a high-bandwidth connection) can carry more water (information) than a small pipe (a low-bandwidth connection).

ERROR: Port Disconnected Due to Hardware Failure This error indicates a communications problem between Windows 95/98 and your modem. To troubleshoot this error, we will first attempt to power cycle the computer. If that fails, this document will guide you through the process of removing your modem software and reinstalling it. How to Power Cycle Your Computer and Modem From time to time your computer will run into interruptions during a connection that will leave the computer or modem in an unresolved state. The result is that future connection attempts are compromised. The first thing to do if you encounter an error is to shutdown your machine in the following manner: 1. Close all running programs. 2. Click on the Start button on your task bar and choose Shut Down. 3. Select Shut Down the Computer? And then click the YES button. 4. Once the computer displays the message it is now Safe to Shut off the Computer, turn the power off (or your computer may turn off automatically at this point). 5. If you have an external modem, make sure to turn the power off on it as well. If there is no on/off switch on the modem, you may have to unplug the modem's power supply. 6. After approximately 30 seconds, turn your computer and modem (if external) back on. 7. Once the computer has finished booting up, try connecting to NetHere again. Removing and Re-installing a Modem in Windows 95/98 Some problems you may encounter while using communications software with Windows 95 can be resolved by removing your modem drivers (the software that controls the modem) and then reinstalling them. Note: If you have any other communications software on your computer, you will need to reconfigure it to use your modem once this process has been completed. To remove your modem from Windows 95/98: 1. Choose Settings from your Start menu. 2. Click the Control Panel option. The Control Panel window will open. 3. Double-click on Modems. The Modems Properties window will open. You will see a window beneath the words "The following modems are set up on this computer". 4. Click the Diagnostics tab. 5. Write down the Com port your modem is installed to. 6. Click back to the General tab. 7. If you see more than one modem listed, it may be that you have the wrong modem selected in Dial-Up Networking. Open My Computer > Dial-Up Networking, select your connection and click File > Properties and select your modem here. If this fails, continue with the following steps. 8. Click once on your modem. 9. Click the Remove button. The modem listing will disappear from the window. To Reinstall your modem: 1. Click the Add button. A window will appear saying, "Windows will now try to detect your modem." 2. Check the box for Do not detect my modem I will select it from a list and click Next. 3. Select Standard Modem Types on the left, and choose Standard 28800 bps modem on the right. (If you have Windows 98 and a 56k modem, select one of the Standard 56000 bps modem choices, depending on whether your modem supports x2 or Kflex.) 4. Click Next. 5. Windows will ask you which port to install the modem to. Choose the port, which you noted in step 5. 6. Click Next, and then Finish. 7. Make sure the correct modem is selected as per step # 7 above and retry the connection.

ERROR: No Dial Tone
Means that someone else is talking on the line when you attempt to use it with your modem. You should be able to determine if this is the case by picking up a handset on the same phone line. If you hear a clear dial tone, you should then check the physical connections to the modem. If you hear a stutter tone, you will need to remove any waiting voice mail messages before your modem will be able to dial. Be sure that the telephone cord is connected straight from the wall jack directly into the modem's outlet labeled Line or Telco or has a picture of the wall jack on it. Do not plug it into an outlet labeled Phone, or and outlet that has a picture of a handset on it. Also, remove any other devices that may be in between the wall jack and the modem (Examples: splitters, surge protectors, or a fax machine). If still unable to receive a dial tone you would want to have the modem tested to determine of the modem can still "hear" a dial tone.

ERROR: Protocol Not Configured, or error 731
Runtime error 731 is a generic connection error meaning that for some undetermined reason the computer could not establish a connection. The cause can vary greatly so we must begin troubleshooting the problem, starting with the easiest causes first.
* How to Power Cycle Your Computer and Modem
* Changing Wins Resolution
* Uninstalling / Reinstalling Windows 9x Dial-Up Networking (DUN)
How to Power Cycle Your Computer and Modem
From time to time your computer will run into interruptions during a connection that will leave the computer or modem in an unresolved state. The result is that future connection attempts are compromised. The first thing to do if you encounter an error is to shutdown your machine in the following manner:
1. Close all running programs.
2. Click on the Start button on your task bar and choose Shut Down.
3. Select Shut Down the Computer? And then click the YES button.
4. Once the computer displays the message it is now Safe to Shut off the Computer, turn the power off.
5. If you have an external modem, make sure to turn the power off on it as well. If there is no on/off switch on the modem, you may have to unplug the modem's power supply.
6. After approximately 30 seconds, turn your computer and modem (if external) back on.
7. Once the computer has finished booting up, try connecting to NetHere again.
Changing WINS Resolution
A common cause of trouble with connections can be an inaccurate or corrupt driver database. The following steps will make changes requiring the computer to update this database and replace components if missing.
1. Click on the Start button, then select Settings and then Control Panels. Here you can double-click on the Network control panel.
2. Once the network control panel is open with the configuration tab highlighted, double click on TCP/IP (or TCP/IP->Dialup Adapter) to bring up the properties window.
3. Next go to the WINS Configuration tab at the top.
4. If WINS Resolution is enabled then disable it, or if it is disabled, then enable it. If Use DHCP Server is selected at the bottom, select Disable WINS Resolution.
5. Click OK, and then click OK on the Network Control Panel.
6. Windows will begin updating its driver database and you will be asked to restart the computer. When finished restarting, try reconnecting once again.

Uninstalling / Reinstalling Windows 9x Dial-Up Networking (DUN)
Note: These instructions assume that the machine being configured is NOT connected to a local area network (LAN). If you are and follow these instructions you may create a conflict, which interrupts your computer's connection to your LAN. Please ask your network administrator for assistance before making any changes to the system configuration
To begin, close any active connections, as well as any other programs you may have open on your system. Then from the Windows desktop proceed as follows:
1. Open My Computer
2. Open Control Panel
3. Open Network
Inside here will be a list of network components. Any of these Windows system components could be the cause of the connection difficulty. To eliminate any possibility of file corruption, or misconfigured settings, we are going to completely remove and reinstall these components. To start the uninstall:
1. Highlight the first component in the list, then select Remove
2. Continue until all components are removed and the list is empty
3. Then click OK
4. If prompted to Restart the System, click NO
At this point you should be back in Control Panel.
1. Open Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel
2. Select the Windows Setup tab at the top
3. Double click on the Communications option
4. Uncheck Dial-Up Networking
5. If prompted with a message about Dial-Up Networking being required by other components, click Yes
6. Then click OK
7. When back at the Windows Setup tab click Apply
8. Then double click on Communications again
9. Recheck Dial-Up Networking
10. Click OK
11. When back on the Windows Setup tab click OK again
You may now be prompted for the Windows CD-Rom, or the file copy may begin automatically. If prompted for the Windows CD, insert the CD and click OK. If you are still prompted for it after clicking OK, verify that the drive letter listed in the Copy files from window is your CD-Rom drive.
Note: If at any time during the File Copy you are given a warning about "Version Conflict" or any message "A file being copied is older", click NO to each and every message you see like that. If it prompts you that the file is not found, the CD drive letter is either incorrect, or you are not using the CD-Rom that was used to install Windows on your computer.
During the File Copy you may see a window asking you to enter a computer name and workgroup name. Click OK. You will now see the Network Identification window: For Computer name, enter your last name in all lower case. For Workgroup name, enter workgroup. Click Close. More files will be copied from your Windows installation media.
When the File Copy is over you should be prompted with a message of System Settings Changed. Click OK to that. If prompted to restart the computer, click NO.
At this point you should be back at Control Panel again. We will now double click and open the Network icon again. Some of the components you previously removed will now have returned.
1. What you will find will depend upon your version of Windows. We need three components total, but you may have more or less listed. The three we need are
* Client for Microsoft Networks
* Dial-Up Adapter
* TCP/IP
2. If TCP/IP is not listed, we will have to add it:

1. Click Add
2. Double click on Protocol
3. Highlight Microsoft on the left
4. Double click on TCP/IP on the right to add it to the list.
3. If Client for Microsoft Network is not listed:

1. Click Add
2. Double click on Client
3. Highlight Microsoft on the left
4. Double-click on Client for Microsoft Networks on the right to add it to the list
5. We should now have at least the three components we need.
Note: If you have any others and do not need them, start at the top, and then highlight them one by one and click Remove until you only have the three listed above.
6. We now need to ensure that TCP/IP is properly configured.

1. Select TCP/IP and click Properties
2. If given a warning about changing TCP/IP properties, click OK
3. On the IP Addresses tab "Obtain an IP address automatically" should be selected
4. On the Wins tab, make sure it is set to Disable
5. On the Gateway, remove any installed gateways
6. On the DNS tab, make sure it is set to Disable
7. Click OK
8. Next we will need to setup this computer's identity.

(You may be able to skip this step if you already entered a computer name)


Select the Identification tab at the top of the Network properties window. We will want to change the entry here for Computer Name. For simplicity, make the name between 4 and 8 characters (letters and numbers only), preferably all lower case letters, example:

* Computer Name: henry
* Workgroup: home
* Computer Descr: henry's pc
9. Click Ok
You may now be prompted for the Windows CD-Rom, or the file copy may begin automatically. If prompted for the Windows CD, insert the CD and click OK. If you are still prompted for it after clicking OK, verify that the drive letter listed in "Copy files from" is your CD-Rom drive.
Note: If at any time during the File Copy you are given a warning about "Version Conflict" or any message "A file being copied is older", click NO to each and every message you see like that. If it prompts you that the file is not found, the CD drive letter is either incorrect, or you are not using the CD-Rom that was used to install Windows on your computer.
If you have made any changes, or added any components, you will be prompted to restart. Click YES. When Windows restarts, you may see a dialog box asking for a Username and Password to login. For Username, enter in the same name you did for Computer Name in the prior step, entering it in the same all lower case format. Do not enter a Password. Then click OK. If asked to confirm, click OK

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I tell what kind of E-mail program I have?
In the the program you are trying to gain version information about, simply go to the Help button, and Click the "About" button.
What's difference between client side E-mail program and WebMail?
A client side E-mail program is a program that collects your E-mail from a web server and downloads it to your computer. Webmail is a web based program that collects and stores your email virtually. This means that you can check your E-mail from any computer connected to the internet.
Is my E-mail deleted off the server after I download it to my computer?
By default, most E-mail programs delete your mail from the server when it is downloaded to your computer.

HELP WITH THE INTERNET
Software
Does it matter which Web browser I use?
If you use a well-established browser like Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer (included with NetHere CDROM), you'll be able to access almost any page on the Web. These browsers can display text, graphics, sound, animation, video, and almost every other feature you're likely to find on a Web page. Some other browsers sacrifice some of these features in the name of speed. It's important to keep in mind that most Web pages are designed to work best with Netscape's and Microsoft's browsers. So, try both, and use the one you like best.
What are the differences between the "wares" I've heard of?
The following are terms for a number of different kinds of computer programs; many of them are kinds of shareware, differentiated primarily by how (or if) you pay for them:
* freeware: Software that is absolutely, positively, no-strings-attached free. Go ahead and download it, use it, share it with your friends.
* shareware: Software that you can download and try out without paying for it; if you like it and keep it, you are expected to send in a small payment.
* demoware: Commercial software that you can test with some of its features disabled. This way, you can get a feel for the program, but you must pay to take full advantage of the application. Also called "eval-ware."
* donationware: Instead of sending money to the software maker, you're asked to make a donation to a charity.
* postcardware: The software is free, but you're asked to send a postcard to the programmer to let him or her know how you like the program.
* groupware: Programs that can be used by a group of people collaboratively, such as Lotus Notes or Netscape's Communicator Suite.
* shrinkwrap: Commercial software bought in stores. The term refers to the shiny plastic wrap covering the box in which the software is shipped.
* vaporware: Software that has been endlessly talked about and promoted, but never seems to become a reality.

Downloading
What does "downloading" mean?
Downloading simply means transferring files from another computer on the Internet to your own computer. Downloading is a very common way for computer users to obtain software.
What do I need in order to download software?
Your Web browser and a connection to the Internet. Using your Web browser, you can click a link on a Web page to download software. Such links are usually labeled clearly (they'll often say something like "Click here to download" or simply "Download").
Where do I go to download software?
A number of Web sites offer software you can download.
Do I need any special software before I download?
You will need a Web browser. If you installed NetHere Software, you probably already have one.
What is a "compression" program?
Much of the software on the Internet is stored in a compressed format, which makes the software smaller and therefore faster to download. To use a compressed file after you've downloaded it, you need a compression program to expand it to its normal size. Popular Windows compression programs include PKZIP and WinZip. The most popular Mac compression program is StuffIt Expander.
What do I need to do after I download something?
Often the only thing you have to do is find the downloaded file on your hard drive and double-click it to view or install it. If the file is compressed, you'll have to decompress it first. Sometime browsers will decompress the file automatically; if yours doesn't, use one of the compression programs mentioned above to decompress the file.
Can you send me a copy of NetHere Software instead of my having to download it?
Yes. To have a copy of our NetHere Software CD-ROM mailed to you, contact NetHere.
How can you tell how long it is going to take to download something?
Sometimes the Web site you are downloading from gives you estimated download times based on the speed of your modem. Some browsers also display an estimated time as they download a file.
When is the best time to download software?
Late at night or early in the morning. Traffic on the Internet is usually much lighter during those time periods, which means you have a better chance of getting a solid, fast connection.
I downloaded something, but now I can't find it.
Try using your computer's find function. In Windows 95 or 98, go to Start, Find, and Files or Folders. On the Mac, go to your Apple menu and select Find File. Then enter the name of the file you downloaded.
My browser crashed when I was almost done downloading something. Do I have to start over?
Probably; Netscape Navigator 4.0 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 can occasionally resume interrupted downloads. The best way to find out is simply to try it: Click on the same link you were downloading from and see if the download picks up where it stopped.
Socializing Online
How do you meet people on the Internet?
One of the most common methods of finding people who share your interests online is through chat. Chat is a fast-paced form of Internet discussion. When you chat on the Internet, you enter a virtual meeting place called a "chat room," where you "talk" to others using your keyboard to type text messages.
What do I need to use a chat room?
It depends on the type of chat you choose to participate in. In the chat rooms at some Web sites, you need only a Web browser, like Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. Other chat sites require a browser plus a free browser plug-in or control that you can download. For Internet Relay Chat, you need to install a separate IRC program (also known as an "IRC client") on your computer.
What do people chat about?
Everything. If you have an interest, chances are good that there's a Web site, IRC channel, or other chat area devoted specifically to it. Many chats, however, are purely social and have no specified topic. The quality, tone, and intelligence, of course, vary from site to site and day to day. You may need to spend some time to find the chat that's right for you.
Is it safe to chat online?
Some chat areas on the Net are moderated and are clearly marked as such. But many Web sites and Internet Relay Chat channels are wide open and uncensored. Some of what you see could be offensive to you. For this reason, children should always have adult supervision while chatting on the Internet. Also, avoid revealing sensitive personal information (your address, phone number, etc.) in chat rooms.
What is IRC?
IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat, a system in which you log onto one of a number of special chat computers (or "servers") on the Internet and join a chat channel devoted to a topic that interests you

Security
Is the Web safe for my children?
Most of the World Wide Web is safe for children and young adults, but it's important to keep an eye on the sites your children visit. A good way to ensure that your children surf safely is by using the Family channel on your Personal Start Page to find safe, kid-friendly sites. There are several children's search engines that help parents and kids find G-rated Web destinations.
How can I make sure my children don't go to any objectionable Web sites?
To ensure that your children do not visit inappropriate Web sites, you can install a content filter, a program that blocks objectionable material before your children can see it. The leading content filter is SurfWatch, a Windows 95/98 and Macintosh program that prevents children from seeing indecent Web sites or following links to inappropriate sites.
Can my computer catch a virus on the Internet?
You cannot catch computer viruses from visiting most Web sites, reading email, chatting, or posting on newsgroups. You can only catch viruses when you open applications or documents that you've downloaded from the Internet. If someone you don't know sends you an email with an attached file, you should check the file with an anti-virus program. If you use recent versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator, you run a slight risk of encountering a malicious "applet" — a tiny application that is automatically downloaded from a Web site. This is a very remote possibility, but if you're worried about viruses, you may want to turn off your browser's Java, JavaScript, and ActiveX capabilities.
Is it safe to give out personal information on the Internet?
You must be very careful when sending messages through the Internet. Since each message passes through several computers, it's possible (though unlikely) that someone other than the intended recipient will be able to intercept and read it. So, you should NEVER send personal information — especially credit card numbers — via email.
Is it safe to give out my credit card number to buy something on the Web?
Shopping on the Web can be an enjoyable pastime, and most online stores are as safe as — if not safer — than physical stores. However, you must be careful to avoid security lapses when shopping online. Before you purchase something online, make sure that the site will encrypt, or encode your credit card number. When a message is encrypted, no one but the intended recipient can understand it. If the site can't encrypt your number, call the company's order line and place the order over the phone.
What are cookies? Are they safe?
Cookies are small text files that your browser picks up at certain Web sites and stores on your hard drive. These text files contain personal information; typically, your name, address, and username that YOU provided when you registered with the Web site. This lets sites create customized pages (like your Personal Start Page), online shopping carts, and targeted ad banners. Since cookies can only be read by the site domain that created it, they are completely safe and secure. Webmasters can't snoop through all your cookies and find out information about you.