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Contents:

For information about IP Insight tool click here.

For information about 56K Internet Access, click here.

For general information about the Internet, check the FAQs on our public Web site at http://public.nvbell.net/faq/

For questions about our customized version of Netscape Communicator, click here.

Dial-up Access Service

Features, Capabilities and Requirements

What access speeds does Nevada Bell Internet support?
We support speeds up to 56 Kbps. Compare this with other Internet providers who advertise that their networks handle calls up to 33.6 Kbps, but many of their ports can actually only much lower speed connections -- which can be quite frustrating for those trying to connect with faster modems. Of course, someone who dials into our network with a 14.4 modem will still be able to connect, but the connection speed will be 14.4 Kbps since that's the maximum speed supported by the modem.

What modems do you support?
Nevada Bell Internet has extensively tested its service with modems Nevada Bell Internet from many different manufacturers. Any recent Hayes-compatible modem should work with our service.

What are your customer service hours?
Nevada Bell Internet's highly trained Technical Analysts are available to customers via e-mail or call the TechCenter at 1-888-724-INET around the clock - including weekends! We provide network monitoring and the responsive, expert support you need for making your access and interaction with the Internet as simple and easy as possible.

When will Nevada Bell Internet support any other platforms beside Windows 3.1/3.11, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 95/98 and Macintosh?
Nevada Bell Internet currently provides Internet access software for Windows 3.1, 3.11 (Windows for Workgroups), Windows NT 4.0, Windows 95/98 and Macintosh.

If you have a second non-Windows computer with an existing PPP connection to the Internet, and you are an expert user, our Online Help will provide you with additional information required to use our service. However, we can only provide you with this basic documentation if you are attempting to connect using anything other than the operating systems which we support.

You will need to use your Windows or Macintosh computer to run our registration software. You will then need to customize your existing TCP/IP stack and dialer to use Nevada Bell Internet service. Therefore, you must be knowledgeable about DNS and IP addressing before attempting to complete the required customized installation procedure successfully.

What is the difference between your customized Netscape Navigator and the version I can download from Netscape's home page?
Nevada Bell Internet's version of Netscape Navigator includes a customized Netscape Navigator, Dialer, TCP/IP stack, Registration Wizard, and supporting documentation. This gives you all the software you need to connect to the Internet using a modem. The Netscape Web site only provides the standard Netscape Navigator, but not the additional connection software.

The Nevada Bell Internet customized Netscape Navigator has the same functions as the standard Navigator. The customized features include easy access to the Nevada Bell Internet subscriber home page with navigation aids such as "Starting Places" and "Nevada Now".

Do I have to use Netscape Navigator with Nevada Bell Internet?
No, once you're registered on our service you do not need to use Netscape Navigator with Nevada Bell Internet. Please note that we only provide customer support for our bundled Netscape Navigator software.

What newsgroups are available?
Nevada Bell Internet offers access to over 30,000 newsgroups. As new public newsgroups are created around the Internet, our users will automatically have access to them.

Will Nevada Bell Internet offer sensitive content screening?
No, however, there are many products available to screen Internet content, such as NetNanny, SurfWatch, CyberPatrol, SafeSurf, and CyberSitter.

Does Nevada Bell Internet plan to have a directory of subscribers available online? What if I don't want to be included?
Nevada Bell Internet does not currently offer a subscriber directory service. This feature may be announced at a later date. Users will have the option to be not included.

Availability and Pricing

Where is your dial-up access service available?
Our dial-up service is now available via a local call to the Reno/Sparks area.

I don't live within a local call of one of your dial-up access points. When will you offer service in my area?
Stay tuned here for more details as we expand our service in Nevada.

Is Nevada Bell Internet service available in independent telephone company territories?
Nevada Bell Internet service is available to any customer who can make a local call to one of our dial-up points, regardless of whether you are a Nevada Bell customer.

How much does your dial-up access cost?
Nevada Bell Internet offers you a choice of affordable pricing plans that are some of the best values available:
  • Monthly Flat-Rate Pricing
    $19.95 per month including unlimited hours
  • Annual Value Pricing
    $199.50 per year including unlimited hours - that's like getting two months of service free!

To change your pricing plan, just call us at 1-888-724-INET (4638). And right now, people opening new accounts can try out our service for 10 days -- for free! Our standard one time setup fee of $14.95 is also being waived during this special promotion.

Why would I buy your service when I can get a "free" plan?
Be careful of "free" plans, they can get expensive awfully fast. For many "free" plans, your first 5 hours of monthly connect time are free, but connect time after that is charged at $2.50 per hour. If you think about it, 5 hours per month is only a little over an hour per week, and that"s hardly any time to really get into the wealth of information available on the Internet.

Our research has shown that most Internet users are connected over 10 hours per month, and if your usage falls in this range, you would be better off with one of our price plans than a "free" plan. Besides, if you go with a "free" plan you will probably find yourself "watching the clock" to guard against receiving unexpectedly high bills (there's no cap with these plans), and you won't feel free to explore and play when you are on the Net.

What billing options do I have with Nevada Bell Internet?
We are currently offering the option of putting your Internet charges on your credit card.

Is my credit card information secure when I supply it to Nevada Bell Internet?
When you supply a credit card number during the registration process, the information is transferred via a point-to-point connection over our private network to the Nevada Bell Internet registration server. A point-to-point connection means that it travels directly from your computer to ours. Your information is NOT transmitted through the Internet where it might be observed by others. Also, your information is only stored on our registration server which is housed in a security building. It is NOT stored on your computer.

Do you have a non-profit discount?
We do not plan to offer a non-profit discount at this time. However, non-profit institutions should find our standard pricing plans very affordable.

How do I order your service?
You can order our service a number of different ways. The fastest way, if you already have an Internet connection, is to download our software directly to your computer from our FTP site. You'll be up and running in a matter of minutes! Or if you'd like us to mail you a copy just:

General Product Information

Is dial-up access for business or consumers?
Dial-up access is primarily used by consumers and small- to medium-size businesses. However, many larger businesses use dial-up Internet access for telecommuting and remote access applications.

I run a small business. Will this be useful for me?
The Internet offers a wide range of opportunities to small business and Nevada Bell Internet is committed to helping small business make the most of these opportunities. Many small businesses are already finding out that the Internet can help their businesses grow, improve productivity, increase competitiveness, and increase customer satisfaction. We offer a competitively priced, reliable connection directly to the Internet so businesses can easily access the Internet and stay connected. Whether small businesses want to collaborate using e-mail or research competition on the Web, we will be there to help.

What are the key differences between Nevada Bell Internet and long distance carrier offerings?
Unlike long distance providers, Nevada Bell Internet has a Nevada focus, offering convenient dial-up access points, partnerships geared toward Nevada, and a user experience tailored to your local area.. Finally, we plan to offer very competitive pricing plans along with the superior customer service you expect from Nevada Bell.

What are the key differences between Nevada Bell Internet and Internet Service Providers (ISP) that only offer Internet access?
Our network is much larger and faster than almost any other ISP in Nevada. And our Customer Service Center, staffed with knowledgeable technical analysts, is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

What are the key differences between Nevada Bell Internet and online services?
Anyone who uses an online service primarily for e-mail and the World Wide Web will find an enormous performance difference between our direct Internet connection and the Internet connection provided by an online service.

Most online service providers have older networks with a large number of 14.4 Kbps or slower dial-up ports. In contrast, every one of our dial-up ports can handle 56 Kbps connections. Further, online services typically provide their Internet access through an Internet gateway, which significantly reduces the performance. Our direct Internet connection is going to give you the fastest throughput available.

Is it true that the Internet is oversubscribed, and its performance is really slow?
It is true that the Internet has proven to be such a useful and powerful tool that the growth in subscribers has exceeded the pace of network deployment in recent years. This has caused some users to occasionally experience slow periods, especially during peak usage times.

While there is little that Nevada Bell Internet can do about the rest of the Internet, if you obtain your access from us, rest assured that you will have the fastest connection available. Every one of our modems is capable of handling a 56 Kbps connection. Our network is engineered to strict performance standards and we increase the capacity of our network before performance is impacted.

Using The Service

Before And During Installation of Our Software

What modems are supported?
Any modern Hayes-compatible modem, 14.4 Kbps or faster, should work with our service. During Registration, the software attempts to detect the modem type and the port it is using. If the software cannot detect the modem, the user is prompted to chose the modem from a list of common modem vendors and models. If the user cannot find their modem type in the list, or if does not know the modem type, the "Hayes Compatible" option should be selected. This option provides basic connectivity through many modem manufacturers and models.

What speeds are supported?
Our service supports 14.4 Kbps through 56 Kbps.

When I try to download your software from your Web site my screen immediately fills up with "garbage", how do I fix it?
This typically happens when Netscape Navigator does not know what to do with the file type you're trying to download. Netscape Navigator comes with pre-configured settings for common files types and can take an appropriate action for each of them. Files that Netscape Navigator does not have pre-configured settings for are displayed on your screen as they download.

In order to prevent your screen from filling up with "garbage" you must tell Netscape Navigator how to react when a file with a particular extension is encountered. To configure a setting for an new extension please follow the steps listed below.

  1. Open Netscape and log onto the network
  2. Click on the Netscape Options menu and select "General Preferences"
  3. Click on the "Helpers" folder tab
  4. Scroll down the list of file types and select: application/octet-stream
  5. Click on the "Save to Disk" button under "Action"
  6. Select the folder tab "Apps"
  7. Confirm that the field next to "Temporary Directory" reads "c:\temp"
  8. Click "OK" at the bottom of the window

Netscape Navigator should now be able to download your new file type and handle it appropriately.

What should I do if the Account Setup Wizard can't detect my modem?
Some modems cannot be positively identified, and must be input manually. Look in the documentation that came with your modem to find your modem manufacturer and model name. Then follow the instructions in the Account Setup Wizard.

Sometimes the Modem Wizard detects a modem other than your manufacturer's. This can happen because different modems respond similarly to our software's attempts to identify them. For example, you might have a US Robotics modem, and the Modem Wizard might detect it as "Rockwell based." The Modem Wizard detected the Rockwell chip in your US Robotics modem. In this case, your modem was detected correctly and it's fine to finish the Modem Wizard.

What should I do if my modem isn't on the Modem Wizard's modem list?
If your modem brand and model aren't in the list of modems that appears, click on "Hayes-compatible" in the Manufacturer list. Then click a model with your modem's speed in the Model list.

If your modem fails to work (or you see an error message stating "Unable to Initialize Modem") press the "Back" button in the Account Setup Wizard until you reach the Modem Setup screen. Press the "Select Modem" button. If you have Windows 95/98, chose the "Other Windows Modem" item from the list on the left side of the screen. If you have Windows 3.1, chose the "(Hayes Compatible)" item. Then choose the speed of your modem from the list on the right side of the box.

What if I want to use my laptop with a PCMCIA modem card?
If you're using a PCMCIA modem card that supports cellular phone lines, you can use your modem with either a cellular or regular phone line. However, some PCMCIA modems need to be initialized differently depending on whether they use a cellular or regular phone line.

If you want to use your modem with a regular phone line, let the Modem Wizard in the Account Setup Wizard detect your modem. This way, the modem will be configured to use a regular phone line.

If you want to use your modem on a cellular line, choose your modem from a list in the Modem Wizard, rather than letting it be detected. In the "Manufacturer" list, select the modem's manufacturer. Next, in the "Model" list, select the correct model with the words "cellular mode" after it. Then finish running the Account Setup Wizard.

Why doesn't the Dial-Up Networking connection save my password?
For Windows 95/98 users: Windows 95/98 automatically saves your password if you are connected to a local area network (LAN). If you're not connected to a LAN, you can set your computer to save your password. To save it, click the "Start" button, point to "Settings", and click on "Control Panel". Double-click the "Passwords" icon, click on "Users can customize their preferences and desktop settings", and click "OK". You'll need to restart your computer before this change takes effect.

Why do I get an error after installation?
A common problem is that the installation program forces the user to re-start Windows, but the user is not prompted to remove the installation diskette. When Windows re-starts, the system tries to boot from the floppy drive. The fix is simply to remove the installation diskette from the floppy drive and try re-booting again.

How do I remove my previous version of Netscape Navigator Personal Edition?
  1. Locate the floppy disks which contain your Netscape Navigator
  2. Insert disk 1 into your floppy drive
  3. From the "File" menu, choose the "Run" menu item
  4. In the "command line" box, enter "a:setup" and press "OK". The installation utility will launch
  5. When prompted, choose the "deinstall" option and press "OK"
  6. When prompted allow the installation utility to delete the "Netscape" directory

During Our Registration Process

Why can't I connect to the Registration server?
The Registration server might be busy or temporarily not accepting calls. Wait a moment and try again.

Why can't Netscape find my modem?
Some modems are not detected by the installation process. Manually select your correct modem and communications port for the software.

Why won't the program dial into the Registration server?
Usually this is because your modem was not configured correctly.
  • Try manually selecting a different modem in the Registration program. Be sure you are choosing the correct communications port.
  • Check to be sure the phone line is "live" by plugging a standard phone into the jack.
  • Be sure no one is using the phone when you are trying to register.
  • Try dialing 1-888-724-4872 on a standard telephone and listen for the squelching carrier sound. If you do not hear it, then the number may be down or busy. Please e-mail using our Customer Support Form to report the problem.

Connecting To Our Service

Is there a maximum amount of time I can be logged on to the Internet?
In an effort to provide you the best quality of service, Nevada Bell Internet has established new maximum log-on session and idle times.

We recognize you may forget to disconnect from the Internet from time to time after completing your Internet session. To help you manage your session times, we have set the following maximum connect and idle times:

Analog:
Connect: 6 Hours
Idle Time: 30 Minutes

The new log-on session and idle lengths took effect on September 15, 1998. Should you need additional session time, simply reconnect at your convenience.

Why do I have problems downloading e-mail messages over 1-2 MB?
Our network has been tested extensively for sending and receiving e-mail attachments, with complete success using Netscape mail and other mail clients. Although Nevada Bell Internet Services does not place a file size limit on e-mail or attachments, we recommend that they do not exceed 1-2 MB. Problems with receiving large e-mails can be related to a multitude of factors, including your modem, amount of installed RAM (Random Access Memory), and lack of hard drive space.

Why is my connection slow?
If your phone connection is "noisy" (static or background noise), your modem either slows down to ensure good data transfer or retransmits information several times. Try re-dialing to see if you simply had a bad phone connection. Use the "Dialer Statistics" window to see if you experienced "overruns" or other errors.

Also, check your port speed. The following instructions allow you to change the port speed on your dialer. Reducing or increasing the port speed can sometimes help solve problems or slow connections. Experiment with different settings to determine the best choice:

For Windows 3.1 Users

  1. From the "Window" menu, choose the "Netscape Personal Edition" window
  2. Launch the "NBI Dialer" icon. The dialer window will appear
  3. Click on the "Properties" button
  4. Choose the "Connections" tab
  5. Press the arrow next to the port speed setting and choose another speed from the list which appears
  6. Click the "OK" button

For Windows 95/98 Users

  1. Open the "My Computer" icon
  2. Open the "Dial-up Networking" icon
  3. With the RIGHT button on your mouse, press the "NBI" connection icon
  4. From the menu which appears, choose the "Properties" menu item
  5. Click on the "Configure" button
  6. Press the arrow next to the "Maximum Speed" setting, and choose another speed from the list which appears
  7. Click the "OK" button

Why isn't the Nevada Bell Internet server accepting my user name and password?
In the Dialer, check the entry for Nevada Bell Internet's phone number and make sure it's correct. Also, make sure you're using the correct user ID and password, and your entries are correctly upper and lower case. See "Technical Note #103: Troubleshooting Log-in Problems" for more information on password issues.

My "Dialer Statistics" window shows a lot of overrun errors. How can I fix this? (Windows 3.1 only)
An overrun error occurs when the data is coming into the computer from the remote connection faster than it can handle, so data is lost.

This problem usually occurs when you use a fast modem, but your computer only has a 8250 or 16540 UART chip. The UART chip is on your serial board or modem, and handles the flow of data through the serial port to your computer. Newer computers usually use the 16550A UART chip. The 16550A chip can usually handle communications from high-speed modems. You might want to upgrade or replace your serial board (usually an inexpensive procedure) to the 16550A UART chip. You can find out which UART chip your computer has by clicking the "Statistics" button when connected.

A short-term fix to reducing overruns is to reduce your maximum port speed setting, and connect again. The following instructions allow you to change the port speed on your dialer. Reducing or increasing the port speed can sometimes help solve problems or slow connections. Experiment with different settings to determine the best choice:

For Windows 3.1 Users

  1. From the "Window" menu, choose the "Netscape Personal Edition" window
  2. Launch the "NBI Dialer" icon. The dialer window will appear
  3. Click the "Properties" button
  4. Choose the "Connections" tab
  5. Click the arrow next to the port speed setting and choose another speed from the list which appears
  6. Click the "OK" button

For Windows 95/98 Users

  1. Open the "My Computer" icon
  2. Open the "Dial-up Networking" icon
  3. With the RIGHT button on your mouse, press the "NBI" connection icon
  4. From the menu which appears, choose the "Properties" menu item
  5. Click the "Configure" button
  6. Click the arrow next to the "Maximum Speed" setting, and choose another speed from the list which appears
  7. Click the "OK" button

I can't connect to Nevada Bell Internet, what should I do?
First, you may just have a noisy phone connection which disconnected the Dialer. Just disconnect and try dialing again. There also may be a problem with the local access number you are dialing. Try using another Nevada Bell Internet access number in the "Properties" dialog box in the NBI Dialer. Finally, if all else fails, you may want to call Nevada Bell Internet to make sure the connection is up.

What should I do if my modem and the remote modem don't connect?
Make sure the phone number you have entered is correct, and includes any access codes needed to place a call from your location. For example, many office telephone systems require dialing a "9" before any outside numbers.

It's also possible (but very rare) that Nevada Bell Internet's modem is down. If you think this is the case, try calling later or e-mail our Customer Service Center using our Customer Support Form.

What if I don't get dialtone?
Try the following:
  • Make sure that the telephone line is plugged into the correct jack on the back of the modem. The telephone line should be plugged in the "phone line" jack.
  • You can also test the modem by connecting a telephone directly to the modem's "phone line" jack. Then connect the modem's "line port" jack to the wall jack. At that point, if you"re able to make calls with the telephone, the modem is connected properly.
  • Do you have Call Waiting or the Nevada Bell Message Center voice mail? Make sure that Call Waiting is disabled and that you have no outstanding incoming messages on the Message Center.

When I use a different location, the Dialer can't connect to Nevada Bell Internet.
In the Dialer, make sure the location uses the correct phone number (including area code and dialing settings). The following instructions tell you how to check or change the phone number in the dialer.

For Windows 3.1 Users

  1. From the "Window" menu choose the "Netscape Personal Edition" window
  2. Launch the "NBI Dialer" icon. The dialer window will appear
  3. Choose the "Connection" tab
  4. The dialer number appears in the "Provider phone number" box. View or change as desired
  5. When finished, click the "OK" button

For Windows 95/98 Users

  1. Open the "My Computer" icon
  2. Open the "Dial-up Networking" icon
  3. With the RIGHT mouse button, press the "NBI" connection icon
  4. From the menu which appears, choose the "Properties" menu item
  5. The dialer number appears in the "Phone number" box. View or change as desired
  6. When finished, click the "OK" button

Why was I suddenly cut off while I was connected to the Internet?
Call Waiting service can interrupt your phone connection. Make sure you disable Call Waiting by changing options in the "Dialer". You'll get the same results if someone in your home picks up the phone while you're connected.

You're also disconnected automatically when your computer is idle for a certain length of time. You can set the amount of time allowed for inactivity on the "General" page of "Dialer Properties".

Finally, it's also possible that your modem is trying to transfer data too fast for your computer to handle. Use the "Dialer" to set a slower modem data transfer rate. The following instructions allow you to change the port speed on your dialer. Reducing or increasing the port speed can sometimes help solve problems or slow connections. Experiment with different settings to determine the best choice:

For Windows 3.1 Users

  1. From the "Window" menu, choose the "Netscape Personal Edition" window.
  2. Launch the "NBI Dialer" icon. The dialer window will appear
  3. Click the "Properties" button
  4. Choose the "Connections" tab
  5. Click the arrow next to the port speed setting and choose another speed from the list which appears
  6. Click the "OK" button

For Windows 95/98 Users

  1. Open the "My Computer" icon
  2. Open the "Dial-up Networking" icon
  3. With the RIGHT button on your mouse, press the "NBI" connection icon
  4. From the menu which appears, choose the "Properties" menu item
  5. Click the "Configure" button
  6. Click the arrow next to the "Maximum Speed" setting, and choose another speed from the list which appears
  7. Click the "OK" button

Service Use And Applications

How do I import bookmarks in your customized Netscape Navigator?
Please note that when importing bookmarks in Netscape Personal Edition 3.0, your installed bookmarks will be overwritten.
  • Save existing bookmarks by re-naming existing bookmark files.
    1. Select "Bookmarks" on your menu bar.
    2. Select "Go to Bookmarks".
    3. Highlight your bookmarks file, and select "File" from your menu bar and "Save As" from your selection. At this point you can create a second copy of your Bookmarks under a new name.

  • Import your new bookmarks.
    1. Select "File" from your menu bar and then select "Import".
    2. Locate the file that you would like to import, select it by highlighting it and click "OK".

What are "plug-ins"?
Plug-ins are a new feature since Netscape Navigator 2.0. Earlier versions of Navigator were limited to displaying text and graphics in the JPEG and GIF format. Helper applications were necessary for viewing files that Navigator could not read. Users manually configured Navigator to pass a specified file type (for example, mpeg, avi, and zip) to another application which handles the file and then returns control to Navigator.

Plug-ins, like helper applications, are external programs that handle specific file types. However, plug-ins differ from helper applications in that they do not have to be configured by the user in the "Options/General Preferences" dialog box.

Plug-ins are installed on your hard disk using the instructions that come with each plug-in. After installation, Navigator calls up the plug-in as needed without leaving Navigator. There are now over four dozen plug-ins available for handling audio and video files, word processing documents, spreadsheets, multimedia presentations, executable programs, and virtual reality/3D web sites. The following URL has a complete listing with descriptions of currently available plug-ins, together with links that will allow you to download the plug-in:

http://home.netscape.com/comprod/products/navigator/version_2.0/plugins/index.html

Be sure to download the version that corresponds to the operating system you are using (Windows 3.1, Windows 95/98, Windows NT 4.0, or Macintosh).

Are there any timeout features with your dial-up service?
There are two timeout values associated with our dial-up service based on "idle" time (time with no network activity).

The first timeout is part of the NBI Dialer software and the default value is set at 15 minutes. Users can change this setting to reflect their preferences more accurately.

The second timeout is set in our network terminal server that users' modems dial in to. This value is programmed for twelve hours and cannot be changed by the user.

Why does your service have a timeout feature?
An indefinite idle connection would monopolize a dial-in port on our terminal server and make it unavailable for other users to access.

Can the Netscape pop-up timer be disabled?
Since most users want to keep an eye on their usage, we elected to have Netscape's pop-up timer be active by default. The timer can be minimized by the user after launching Netscape, which will remove it from the active display for the duration of the session.

To minimize the pop-up timer, choose the "Tile" menu (the menu in the upper left-hand corner of the timer window). Choose the "Minimize" menu item. The timer can be re-displayed by repeatedly pressing the ALT-TAB keys on the keyboard until the "Netscape Personal Edition" program is visible, then releasing the ALT key.

Why can't I get my mail?
Make sure that you have the correct mail server address or host names. Nevada Bell Internet's mail server addresses are:
  • SMTP Server: mail.nvbell.net
  • POP Server: postoffice.nvbell.net

Then start Netscape Navigator and click "Options". Choose "Mail and News Preferences", and then click the "Servers" page tab. Check the SMTP and POP server information entered there. Change the information if it isn't correct, and click "OK". Try getting your mail again.

How long does it take to download all the newsgroups?
Netscape warns the user when the "View All Newsgroups" button under the "Newsgroups" button is chosen that downloading all newsgroups may take some time. This should take no more than 3-5 minutes under normal circumstances.

Access to these groups is included in your monthly fee. If you have an interest in participating in these groups, just follow the simple steps described below.

  1. Start your Netscape browser
  2. From the "Window" menu choose "Netscape News"
  3. From the "File" menu choose "Open News Host..."
  4. In the box labeled "Host:" enter news.la.sbcglobal.net or news.sf.sbcglobal.net
  5. Click "Open"

These instructions may vary slightly between Macintosh, Windows and UNIX versions of Netscape.

Advanced Topics
Some users may choose to use alternative software to read NetNews. To support these users, and others with special needs, we do provide a server with a "full" news feed from a single source. The NNTP server's hostname for this service is news.la.sbcglobal.net or news.sf.sbcglobal.net .

What is FTP and how do I use it?
File Transfer Protocol, or FTP, one of the best and easiest ways to download files or applications. There are literally thousands of FTP locations on the Internet, all over the world.
  • Open Netscape and go to the page or FTP site where the file or application you want to download is listed.
  • Place your pointer on the link and click on it.

The file should start transferring immediately. Shortly thereafter, a dialog box will open up asking you where to store the file. It is important to take note of the name of the file (or re-name it) and where it"s being stored so you won"t have to search for it later.

Be aware that many files available through FTP sites are compressed and may require a de-compression utility. Examples of de-compression utilities include "Winzip" for IBM compatible computers, or "Stuff-it" for Macintosh computers.

Do you have other software available on your FTP site?
Yes. The Internet is becoming more and more congested, and popular FTP sites are sometimes hard to access. So, as a service to our customers we run an application which allows us to automatically "mirror" selected portions of other FTP servers. We run this application automatically on a weekly basis, and feel that this is generally a "win-win" configuration.

The current selection of software tends to reflect the tastes of the FTP maintainer but we are definitely interested in providing other popular software on our local server, providing that we are legally permitted to do so.

If you have something you would like us to consider, send a mail message to mirror-admin@pbi.net. To the extent that we can accommodate your request, we will do so.

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