Connection speeds are measured in bits per second. Consumption (Bandwidth) is measured in bytes transferred.

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Question: My oldest child, a ten-year-old boy, currently only uses the Internet to do research for schoolwork. He just began doing this last month. Although I do sit with him as he is doing his online research, I am concerned about the "adult" material he may come across when he's doing his online searches. Any suggestions?

Answer: It's wise that you are monitoring your son's use of the Internet as he does his research. A simple option to utilize (and one that most people don't know about) is the implementation of filters that are provided by most search engines. These "Web Content Filters" can be adjusted to screen offensive websites from showing up when doing searches within a particular search engine. (They do not work outside the search engine.) To find and set these filters, see below:
 
◊ AltaVista - Click your cursor arrow on the "More" link on altavista.com, then click on the "Family Friendly Filter" link. From here, you can customize your password-protected filter preference.
◊ Ask Jeeves - This search engine has a specific website entitled "Ask Kids for Jeeves," (AJKids.com) that provides "G" rated sites as search results.
◊ Google - Click your cursor arrow on the "Preferences" link on google.com. Choose the desired filtering level next to the "SafeSearch Filtering" header. You'll need to adjust the SafeSearch settings on a per-search-basis if you are using Google's "Advanced Search" or "Advanced Image Search" options.
◊ Lycos - Click your cursor arrow on the "Parental Controls" link found on lycos.com. Choose the desired filtering options from the password protected Lycos SearchGuard.
Each of the above search engine filters will reduce the likelihood that your son will be exposed to inappropriate content when doing a search. However, none of these filters are perfect. The content of pages changes daily and the filters only work as long as the user is within a particular search engine in which the filters have been set. In addition, some of these filters rely on cookie technology, so if the cookies on the user's computer are deleted, the corresponding filter settings will be turned off as well.
SecureITPlus is highly recommended for - 
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Automated Virus Protection
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Click Here For More Information for SecureIT Plus  

Before your son gets much older and begins to use the Internet more often; we strongly suggest that you obtain a filtering application to help protect your family from the offensive material they may come across while on the Web. The cost is nominal and well worth the small investment.

Question: Is there a way to have more than one browser window open at one time?

Answer: Yes there is, and it is pretty easy to do. First click your cursor arrow on "File" found on the Internet Explorer menu bar. A drop-down menu will appear. Select NEW and then WINDOW from the resulting submenu (or use the keyboard command, Ctrl + N) and a duplicate web page will now be displayed within a new window. Now simply type in the web address of the additional site you want to view. Seeing more than one web page at a time can be especially beneficial when doing side-by-side price comparisons of two different merchants while shopping online or if you just want to be able to quickly refer back to your original page.

If you want to open a link on a page in a new window, right-click on it and a pop-up menu will appear with the option to "Open Link in New Window." Select this option and your original page will remain as it is and the new window will take you to the link you selected.

You can toggle back and forth between the windows by pressing the "alt" and then the "tab" key on your keyboard or by clicking on the page names shown on the Windows Toolbar (usually found at the bottom of your screen).

You can do the same thing in Netscape but the new window will not be a duplicate of the one you have open. It will bring up the page you have set up as your home page.

These tips also work on a Mac in much the same way with a slight variation. If you don't have a two-button mouse to right-click on a link and open it in a new window, hold down the "control" key while clicking on the link and the menu with the "Open Link in New Window" item will appear.

Question: Is it possible to view more than one window from my browser at the same time? If so, how do you do it?

Answer: Yes. Two or more browser windows open on your desk top at the same time can be helpful when you want to view a new web page without leaving behind the current one you are viewing. It can be especially beneficial when comparing information on two or more web pages, such as when you want to do comparison shopping on multiple e-commerce websites during this holiday season.

To open an additional browser window in Microsoft Internet Explorer, go to the File menu, select "New," and then click "Window." As a shortcut, you can press the Control (ctrl) key on your keyboard as well as the letter "N" (ctrl+N).

With Mozilla's Firefox Web browser, you can choose to either open a new browser window or a new tab -- the latter provides a convenient way to access multiple web pages within a single browser window.

To open a new window in Firefox, go to the File menu and select "New Window." As in Internet Explorer, the shortcut is CTRL+N. To open a new tab, select "New Tab" from the File menu or use the CTRL+T shortcut.

To open an additional browser window when using Macintosh’s Safari, select "New Window" from the File menu. The shortcut is to press the "Command" key (the key with the apple symbol on it) along with the letter "N" (command+N).

Question: Sometimes when I'm copying large sections of text using my mouse, I zip right past the place I want to stop. Then, while keeping my mouse button down and scrolling back up, I zip right past my desired stopping point again. Is there an easier way to select the text that I want to copy?

Answer: The easiest way around this problem is to stop using your mouse when scrolling through large sections of text. To accomplish this, first click your cursor arrow at the point you want to start copying (highlighting) the text. Next, hold down the "shift" key as you press either the up arrow or the down arrow on your keypad. Holding down the "shift" key as you press these arrow keys will allow you to scroll (and highlight) the text in a manageable way.

If this doesn't work as expected in an HTML document or e-mail, try clicking your cursor arrow at the point you want to start your selection and then scroll down to the place you want the selection to stop. Hold the "shift" key down as you click at the end point. The area between the start and the end point will be selected.

Wireless routers typically cause a reduction in signal strength or speed. For best results, consider connecting the computer directly to the modem.

For PC Support call 888-723-4932.

Question: I receive e-mail messages from friends that contain acronyms that I sometimes can't interpret. For instance, what are the meanings of "IAE," "GMTA," "URW," and, "FBOW?"

Answer: Those are acronyms used mainly in chat rooms. Here's a list of some commonly used e-mail/chat room acronyms and their accompanying meanings:

AAMOF - as a matter of fact
AFAIK - as far as I know
BTW - by the way
DWL - dying with laughter
FBOW - for better or worse
FOAF - friend of a friend
GFETE - grinning from ear to ear
GMTA - great minds think alike
HAND - have a nice day
HTH - hope this helps
IAE - in any event
IMO - in my opinion
IOW - in other words
JIC - just in case
LMK - let me know
LOL - laughing out loud
LTNT - long time no talk
MTCW - my two cents worth
NAP - not a problem
NRN - no reply necessary
SLFN - so long for now
TAFN - that's all for now
THX - thanks
TTFN - ta-ta for now
TTYL8R - talk to you later
URW - you are welcome
YW - you're welcome

This list is by no means exhaustive and other variations are possible.

Question: I keep getting these annoying "pop-ups" and "pop-unders" that appear when I access certain websites. Is there a way of quickly getting rid of these?

Answer: This is a more recent marketing technique used by some online advertisers. When a surfer accesses certain websites, a small pop-up window (or sometimes a pop-under window) appears. (Pop-under windows are windows that appear underneath the Web page window the user has requested. Many times the user may not even know it is there until he or she is getting ready to close his or her Web surfing session.) The goal of the pop-up advertiser is to encourage the Web surfer to click on the advertiser's window rather than going to the originally requested site. Research has shown that most Internet users consider this form of marketing an annoyance. However, this marketing method must be somewhat effective as online advertisers continue to utilize it.

So how do you prevent these pop-ups? There are some freeware programs available on the Web that will automatically block specific pop-up ads. (The user chooses which ads to block.) New Web browsers are on the horizon that will allow users the choice of blocking pop-up ads. Apple's new Safari Web browser for OS X already includes a "Block Pop-up Windows" command. Alternatively, the easiest way to get rid of pop-ups and pop-unders is to either click on the little box with the "X" in it at the top right corner (left corner on a Mac) of the pop-up or pop-under window. An even quicker, shortcut method is to press the "ctrl" key and then the "W" key on your keyboard on the PC or the "Command" key and the "W" key on the Macintosh. This will cause the pop-up or pop-under window to immediately disappear. Give it a try next time one of these annoying windows appears.

Question: When I provide credit card information to a retail merchant online, is it really secure? Also, how do I know if I'm connected to a "secure server" when using my credit card to buy something online?

Answer: Both Microsoft Internet Explorer's and Netscape Navigator's (version 2.0 and newer) web browsers use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to encrypt transaction data (i.e. credit card transactions) before the information is sent over the Internet. SSL scrambles personal and credit card data thereby keeping it private during its transmission. When you logon to a secure server at an online merchant's site, the secure server communicates with your browser by sending encrypted (coded) information that only the secure server and your browser can read. The communication between the web page and your browser is normal, except that all information coming or going is now coded.

Encryption technology makes it extremely difficult for any third party intercepting credit card related communication to decode or decipher the message. If you are buying something online, make sure to place orders online only from those retail sites that provide ordering access through a secure server. Encryption technology is not 100% foolproof, but you probably have a better chance of getting ripped off by a sales clerk copying your credit card number at a convenience store than getting your information stolen over the Internet.

Here are a few things to look for to ensure that the merchant is utilizing a secure server before you proceed with an online purchase: 
◊ When you go to a secure site or secure web page, a warning dialog box will appear on your screen telling you that you are entering a secure site or page. Likewise, you will see a warning dialog box appear if you leave a secure page and go to an insecure website or web page. You may not see these warning boxes if you or someone who uses your computer has turned off this warning.
◊ Look for an unbroken key or padlock at the bottom of your browser window when filling out your order online. This indicates that the merchant utilizes software that allows the transaction to be encrypted using SSL technology prior to its transmission.
◊ Check the URL in your browser's address or location window. The web address will begin with "https://" rather than just "http://" if your transaction is secure. The "s" stands for secure. If the online merchant does not have a secure server, it is recommended that you place your order over the telephone rather than transmitting your credit card information online. When ordering by phone, remember to always ask for the customer service representative's name and obtain a confirmation order number.

Question: My computer uses Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition as its operating system. I have automatic updates set up but how do I know if the new Service Pack 2 (SP2) has been installed on my computer?

Answer: If you are curious to find out which service packs or software updates have been installed on your PC running Windows XP Home Edition, do the following:

1. Click your cursor arrow on the "START" menu located at the bottom left of your screen. Click on "My Computer" from the resulting pop-up menu.
2. When the "My Computer" screen appears, you will see a list of items along the left side. Click on "View system information." The "System Properties" screen will then appear.
3. Click on the "General" tab and you will see all of your system information listed including which version of Windows you are running and which service packs have been installed

Question: I have read that when replying to e-mails I should type each e-mail address in the "Bcc:" (blind carbon copy) field rather than the "Cc:" (carbon copy) field to protect the privacy of the e-mail addresses of my friends. My window does not show a "Bcc:" field. Is there a way to add this to my window? I am using Outlook Express 5.0.

Answer: Yes. This is very good advice to follow. To use Bcc: click your cursor on "View" in the menu bar located at the top of your screen and select "All Headers." The Bcc: field should appear below the Cc: field. The BCC field should appear each time you create a new message from scratch or by forwarding or responding to a message.

For those of you using Netscape Communicator, open the Messenger part of the program and click on the "New Message" button. The "To" field will have a flashing insertion bar. The "To" label is actually a button. Click on it and you will reveal a drop down menu with several options. Select "BCC" and begin entering e-mail addresses.

Question: I recently updated my e-mail software to Outlook Express Version 6.0. Now that I've done this, I am unable to open any e-mail attachments sent to me. Attachments are sent to me and I can see them in my inbox, but they are highlighted with a gray color and I cannot open them. Please help!

Answer: Microsoft has added a filtering feature into Version 6.0 of their Outlook Express e-mail software. The purpose of this feature is to block any potentially infected e-mail attachments from being opened by e-mail recipients. It's a great idea. The challenge, however, is that it appears that ALL attachments are blocked, no matter what the content is. The feature is a default setting on Version 6.0 so you'll need to go in manually to change the setting if you want to be able to open e-mail attachments. To remove the default setting so that you are able to open e-mail attachments, follow these easy steps:  

1. Open Outlook Express.
2. Click your cursor arrow on "Tools" in the menu bar, and select "Options."
3. When the "Options" window opens, click your cursor arrow on the Security tab.
4. A checked box will appear that says "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus." Click your cursor arrow on the box to uncheck it.
5. Click "OK" to save the change and then close Outlook Express. When you re-open Outlook Express, you should now be able to open incoming e-mail attachments. Remember to scan all e-mail attachments with your virus scanning software before opening them -- even if the attachment is from a friend.
   
   

Question: I wanted to print a hard copy of a tutorial for future reference from an eNewsletter. When I've attempted to do this, I not only got the tutorial section but the entire eNewsletter as well. I only want the tutorial section printed off. Can you help me?

Answer: There are two ways to avoid printing the entire newsletter. First, select the text or area you want to print by highlighting it. (Click where you want to start and, while holding the left mouse button down, drag your cursor to where you want the selection to end, then release the mouse button. The selected text will have a different background color.) Press the "Print" button on the Outlook Express tool bar. When the "Print" dialog box appears, look for the "Page Range" area. There will be three choices. Click on "Selection" and then click on the "Print" button. The highlighted text will be printed.

If your system doesn't have this option, simply highlight the section you want to print, copy the text out of the newsletter (by choosing "Copy" from the Edit drop-down menu), and then paste the text (by choosing "Paste" from the Edit drop-down menu) into some sort of word processing document (i.e. Word, AppleWorks, etc.). Then just print that page

Question: Sometimes when I open a web page that contains information I'm looking for it has ads that flash brightly or contain silly animations. Other times a site will have annoying music. I turn down the volume and try to ignore the ads but is there a better way to deal with pages like this?

Answer: Both the animations found in many banner ads and the background music played on some websites can truly drive a person batty. The "Stop" button on browsers used to be the simple fix. When you'd come to a site that contained irritating animations or unpleasant music, you'd simply wait for the page to fully load and then click your cursor arrow on the browser's "Stop" button. The animations and the music would stop but you'd be able to read the information on the page that you were after — in peace.

The "Stop" button worked (on Windows when using Internet Explorer) because most web developers created their animations in gifs and even attached the sound file (music) to the gifs. The "Stop" button still works on gifs. Today, however, many animations are developed in a software called Flash. Clicking on the browser's "Stop" button doesn't kill Flash-based animations. However, if you right-click on the Flash animation, you'll get a pop-up window displaying controls that may or may not allow you to stop or pause the animation. It depends on how the developer set up the Flash file.

On a Macintosh, the Safari browser doesn't have separate buttons for "Stop" and "Refresh." This makes it impossible to stop animations after the page loads.

Firefox has separate "Stop" and "Refresh" buttons but, once the page loads, the "Stop" button isn't functional.

So, in summary, either turn down your volume and grin and bear the animations or find a more pleasant site to visit.

Question: People often refer to "dragging and dropping" files, text, etc. What does this mean?

Answer: Dragging and dropping is the simple procedure of "picking up" something (a selected file, text, picture, etc.), "dragging" or moving it to a new location on your computer, and then "dropping" or placing it at the new location.

To drag and drop an item, click on the file that you want to move to a new location with your left mouse button (if you have one). Now, keeping that mouse button pressed down, move the item by "dragging" it with your mouse to the desired destination. Once you have the item hovering over its new home, release the left mouse button and the file will be automatically "dropped" into place. You've just "dragged and dropped!"

Question: Is there anything I can do about font sizes that are too small to easily read on web pages? It can be frustrating sometimes.

Answer: Yes. Both Internet Explorer and Netscape browsers provide an easy method of either increasing or decreasing the size of text on a web page.

Here's how:

Internet Explorer Using a PC: 

1. Click your cursor arrow on "View" located on the menu bar found at the top of your computer screen.
2. Move your cursor arrow down to "Text Size." You can now choose a larger (or smaller) font size from the resulting submenu.

Netscape 4.7x Using a PC: 

1. Click your cursor arrow on "View" located on the menu bar found at the top of your computer screen.
2. Move your cursor arrow down and select "Increase font." This will automatically increase the font size. If the resulting size of font is still too small, repeat the procedure again to further increase the text size. You can also decrease the font size by utilizing the same procedure.

Note: When manually overriding the size of the text on a web page, you are changing the desired "look" of that page which was developed by the person who designed it. So, if the result is that the page looks bad after you've made a customized text size revision, you'll know the reason.

Question: I find it quite difficult to read web pages that have dark text on a dark background. Is there an easy way to make these readable?

Answer: Sometimes a background doesn't load correctly which makes the text difficult to read. Other times, honestly, web pages with dark text on a dark background are simply due to poor website design. Either way, some pages are just plain hard to read.

Give this simple trick a try next time you come to a web page that is difficult to read due to a dark background—simultaneously hit the "CTRL" key and the "A" key on your keyboard (the "Command" key and "A" key when using a Macintosh). This will highlight (select) the entire page. The background color will most likely then turn a light shade of blue and the text will be white. The result is still not ideal but it's easier reading than trying to decipher dark text on a black background.

Question: When I delete an e-mail from my inbox, it goes into the "Deleted Items" folder of my Outlook Express e-mail client. In order to get rid of this e-mail from my computer, I then need to open my Deleted Items Folder and delete it a second time. I must be doing something wrong. Do I actually need to delete each discarded e-mail twice to remove it permanently?

Answer: Outlook Express has you delete each e-mail message twice as a precautionary measure so that you won't permanently delete e-mail messages by accident. However, you don't really have to do it twice for each and every e-mail. You can empty your entire Deleted Items Folder all at once by right clicking on the folder and selecting "Empty 'Deleted Items' Folder." (You can do the same thing by going to the Edit menu.) Again, requiring the user to take two steps to delete e-mail messages is Outlook Express's safety measure to ensure that e-mail messages are not deleted prematurely.

That being said, there is a short cut method for permanently deleting an e-mail message before it hits your Deleted Items Folder. This works for the latest Windows versions of Internet Explorer and Netscape. The next time you go to delete an item, hold down the "Shift" key and then the "Del" key. This will delete the selected e-mail immediately and permanently, bypassing the Trash or Deleted Items Folder. Use this option with care, however. Outlook Express will ask you if you're sure you want to proceed, but Netscape does not. Once it's gone...it's really gone!

What if you have more than one e-mail you want to permanently delete from your inbox using the shortcut method above? Just press down your "CTRL" key as you click the items you want to delete and then follow the procedure above.

Once again, remember, this gets rid of the items forever, so be careful with it!

PTCI provides high-speed Internet service with connections up to the following speeds:

• 6Mbps download
• 3Mbps download
• 1.5 Mbps download
• 768 Kbps download
• 512 Kbps download (extended reach areas only)

These are the maximum speeds provided per profile and they can vary depending on your home network and programs being used on your computer. PTCI provides service to the modem and cannot control what happens beyond the modem. Home routers, wireless set-ups, your operating systems, and the specifications of your PC can cause your speeds to fluctuate. In addition, websites experiencing heavy traffic could cause slower speeds. If you have home network or wireless devices, try plugging your Ethernet cable directly into your modem from your PC. If problems still occur you can contact our technical support department at 580-338-5411 or 800-752-5411.

First we will run through a series of test (from our offices) to ensure that your modem is responding properly and that there is nothing wrong with your connection. If a problem with our service is discovered, we will immediately work to resolve the issue. If we believe the problem is linked to your home or your equipment, we will inform you of this. You have the option to request PC Support by calling 888-723-4932.

Question: I have the cookie settings on my Internet Explorer 6 browser disabled so that my computer does not accept any cookies. I just came across a website that does not provide me with full access to the site unless I accept its cookies. I have enabled my cookie settings so that I can gain access to this site but it still won't allow me to access it. What else do I need to do to make this work? (My operating system is Windows XP.)

Answer: The cookie settings are more involved than just turning them on or off when using Internet Explorer 6 on a PC. In fact, there are six different cookie settings ranging from "Block All Cookies" to "Accept All Cookies." The default setting is medium and if you've adjusted it back to that, it's possible that the current setting is not low enough for some sites. Gradually "loosen up" on your cookie settings until the site works by clicking your cursor arrow on the "Tools" menu, dropping down to "Internet Options," and then clicking on the "Privacy" tab. Lower your cookie settings slider one notch and click on the "Apply" button. Close the "Internet Options" window and try your site again. If you are still unsuccessful, repeat the process by lowering your cookie settings by one notch until the site works properly.

If your browser is still not accepting cookies from the site, close Internet Explorer and relaunch it. Check your cookie settings and then try the site again. If that still doesn't work, a restart of your computer may do the trick

1. Peer-to-peer file sharing applications may be the problem. These programs operate as file servers by default and offer files from your hard drive to other Internet users, possibly resulting in excessive bandwidth usage without your knowledge.
2. If you have a customer owned wireless home network, there is a possibility that other people are using your wireless network without your knowledge which can also cause increased bandwidth usage. Please secure your connection with a password to block others from using your files. To secure your wireless network you will need to refer to the documentation, website, or technical support of the manufacturer of your wireless router.  

Your computer may be infected by a computer virus. A virus will often send out mass emails from your computer without your knowledge. Installing antivirus software on your computer and scanning for possible infections may resolve this issue. PTCI offers SecureIT Plus Complete Computer Protection. Click here to sign up for SecureIT Plus Computer Protection System 

Question: Why do I sometimes receive e-mail messages that contain empty boxes with red "X's" within the message pane rather than pictures? My friends say the same thing happens to them.

Answer: Graphics and photos contained within an e-mail message are often times not really "stored" within the e-mail message itself but rather on a remote Web server (computer). If the message you receive is in an HTML format (supposed to have graphics or photos as part of the message) and a little box with a red "X" shows up instead of the image, there has probably been a broken connection somewhere between the image link within the e-mail message and the remote Web server where the image is actually stored.

Causes for a broken path between a graphic and a Web server can be as simple as a typo by the person who keyed in the web address of the image's server. When this occurs, the request for the image goes to a server location where no image exists. It is similar to looking for a business at 123 North Main Street when the correct address is 123 South Main Street. The result is the appearance of a little box with a red "X" within the message pane indicating an error message has occurred.

Another possible cause for a broken connection could be due to a power outage somewhere between your computer and the location of the image's Web server.

Additionally, if you are in the habit of downloading your e-mail messages and then closing your Internet connection to review your messages, the same problem will occur. If images within any of your incoming e-mail messages are stored at a remote server location, your computer will not be able to access them as you are no longer connected to the Internet. Again, a little box with a red "X" will indicate an error.

Note: Different e-mail clients and Web browsers use different symbols for a broken graphic link. For instance, Apple's Safari Web browser uses a blue box with a question mark symbol

Question: When I upgraded to Windows XP, I noticed the numbers behind the name of my browser (Internet Explorer) jumped up to 6.0. I've seen this sort of thing with other software programs as well. Some programs have as many as three numbers after the name of the product. What do these numbers mean?

Answer: The numbers behind each version of a piece of software do have specific meanings. Software developers update their programs on a periodic basis. A standard numbering or lettering sequence is used to differentiate between updated versions.

The first number listed after the name of a software product represents the "major" version number. Normally these are only changed if there have been many major improvements to the program. For example, Internet Explorer 6 is the sixth major version of Microsoft's browser.

The second number represents a minor update. Possibly a feature or two has been added to improve the program, but the overall program has remained the same. For example, Netscape 7.2 is the seventh major version and has had two minor feature updates.

The third number (sometimes separated from the first two with a period, sometimes not) represents a bug fix. Adobe's Acrobat Reader is now up to 6.0.2. It's had six major versions, no minor updates, and two bug fixes.

While this updating format is used for many software programs, some use letters rather than numbers, especially for minor updates and bug fixes.

To find the version number of a program on your computer, with the program running, click your cursor arrow on "Help" on the program's menu bar, then find "About (PROGRAM NAME)." The version number should be listed there. On a Macintosh, with the program running, look under the program's name next to the apple on the menu bar for the "About" information.

Question: I was wondering what all the parts of a website address mean? They look like some sort of secret code.

Answer: It is a type of code but it's really no secret. Let's take a look at a fictitious website address: http://www.yourdomainhere.com. A website address is called a URL which stands for Universal Resource Locater. So when someone wants you to send them a URL, they're asking you to send them the address for the web page. Here's how this URL breaks down.

http - This is the protocol for the address. The "http" stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. It tells you that the address is using the http "scheme" or technique to transfer web pages to you. It's the most common protocol in use. Another common method is FTP or File Transfer Protocol which is used for downloading files.

www - This stands for World Wide Web or the Web.

yourdomainhere.com - This is the name of the domain of the website and the computer that hosts the website. Every site has a different name.

.com - This part of the domain name of the URL is called the "zone." There are several different zones available but the most commonly used one is .com (COMmercial). There are also zones for organizations (.org), for network providers (.net), and for countries (.uk - for United Kingdom).

What about the stuff that comes after the zone? Those are often the names of folders that contain graphics or pages or the names of pages themselves. Pages will have an ending like .htm or .html. Pictures have names ending in .gif or .jpg among others. Folder names have no endings and are surrounded by slashes. So, a page in a folder would look something like this...
http://www.yourdomainhere.com/webpages/articles.html. This means an html page named articles.html is in the folder named "webpages" on the host machine yourdomainhere.com on the World Wide Web using HyperText Transfer Protocol. It's not too complicated once you know the code.

Question: I was reading a computer-related article the other day and it mentioned "OS." I've heard "OS" mentioned in conversations but I've never known what it meant. What is it?

Answer: "OS" stands for "Operating System." It's the system that makes your computer run. There are several popular systems available on the market. Macintosh OSX (that's "Oh Es Ten"), Windows in its various flavors from 95, to 98, to XP, and Linux in its various forms. If you're having trouble with your computer and you are talking to a tech support person, he/she will usually ask you what OS you are running. Your answer will most likely be one of the aforementioned systems.

Question: I recently opened an e-mail message from a friend and got a strange pop-up message that said something like, "The Message sender has requested a response to indicate that you have read the message. Would you like to send a receipt?" What does this mean? (I use Outlook Express on a Windows machine.)

Answer: The message you described means that the person who sent you the e-mail is requesting an acknowledgement that you opened and read it. It's called a "Read Receipt" message. Most e-mail programs allow you to ask for Read Receipts when sending e-mail messages. Many also allow you to acknowledge Read Receipts when receiving these messages. E-mail software programs do not automatically send Read Receipt requests to e-mail recipients unless the sender first changes the settings on his/her e-mail software program. (See the tutorial section below.) The recipient can then authorize a reply message (receipt) to go back to the sender by clicking "OK" on the pop-up message or he/she can click "Cancel" which does not allow a receipt message to be sent back to its origin.

Question: I've heard people refer to plug-ins on browsers? What is a browser plug-in?

Answer: A Web browser plug-in is an application that works with your browser to either display certain types of web media or add some functionality that was not originally built into the browser. For example, some website creators use Shockwave to allow users to view interactive 3D simulations or to participate in interactive games. In order to view the 3D simulations or play the games, the user needs to have the Shockwave plug-in downloaded onto his/her browser. Other common examples of plug-ins are Quicktime and Windows Media Player both which allow users to listen and/or view audio and video Web media, Flash which allows browsers to interact with web applications (mainly animations), and Acrobat Reader which allows users to read PDF documents.

So how do you know which plug-ins you're going to need to add to your browser? No worries. When you come to a website that requires a plug-in, either the plug-in is already pre-installed on your browser and will run automatically or, if the plug-in isn't already installed on your browser, instructions will be automatically displayed regarding how to download it. Most plug-ins have free versions.

For the most part, newer browsers come with the most common plug-ins. You may need to update to the latest version from time to time, but you'll be prompted by the plug-in application when it's time to do so

Question: I've heard someone mention a "buffer" when referring to listening to music online. What is a buffer?

Answer:  When you download an audio or video file from the Internet, your media player software, such as Windows Media Player, saves portions of the file in temporary memory during the process. This is called buffering.

The media player uses buffering technology to begin playing the clip before the entire file is downloaded. This means the clip will be played much sooner than if the entire file had to be completely downloaded before playback.

A buffer is also used to speed up a computer's performance by holding information in temporary memory (random-access memory [RAM]) until it's committed to a permanent location or task.

When you use a word processor, for example, your changes are held in temporary buffer memory until you save the document to your hard drive. Buffers also are used to transmit data between hardware devices, such as a computer and a printer. This buffer is needed when one device can transmit data much quicker than another can receive it.

Question:  So just what is a Java Applet?

Answer: Everyone who uses the Internet has come across some form of Java while browsing but since Java occurs in the background, most users never know it. There are two forms of Java commonly used in the design of web pages, the JavaScript script and the Java Applet. They both add visual appeal and functionality to websites and web pages.

JavaScript scripts are written and added to web pages to provide interactivity between the Internet user and the web page. When you see things moving on the web page, when buttons change as you roll over them with the mouse, when banners or ads rotate from one to another and when graphics scroll, these are often effects performed by JavaScript scripts. JavaScript is a scripting language originally developed by Netscape and was called "LiveScript." The name was changed after Sun Microsystems' new programming language, called Java, became so popular. The drawback is that Netscape Navigator and Microsoft's Internet Explorer interpret JavaScript scripts differently. In addition, because interpretation is left up to the web browser, Windows users, Macintosh users and Linux users will all see the JavaScript script operate differently, if at all.

On the other hand, a Java Applet is a small computer application written in Java that is downloaded to your computer via the Internet. You see these frequently with online games and chat rooms--places where more interactivity is required and where the program would need to work on any type of machine or operating system. Java programs, or Applets, are not interpreted directly by your web browser. Instead, a Java Applet must be compiled (translated) from the programming language into a language that can be "read" by your computer. Java compilers are independent of any particular machine. This means that Java Applets will operate the same on Windows machines, Macintosh machines and Linux machines. 

Question: What is an SMTP server and how is it different than a POP3 server?

Answer: Both types of servers have to do with handling e-mail messages. The acronym "SMTP" stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. The SMTP server sits at our location (your Internet Service Provider's office) and is used to forward each of your e-mail messages to the correct destination. The acronym "POP3" stands for Post Office Protocol Version #3. The POP3 server is used to collect incoming e-mail destined for an Internet Service Provider's customers.

Here's how the SMTP and POP3 servers work: After you connect to the Internet, open up your e-mail client and retrieve your e-mail messages, your e-mail program logs on to the POP3 server at our office in order to retrieve e-mail messages that are addressed to you. When you send an outgoing e-mail, your e-mail program sends the message to a SMTP server located at our shop, which then forwards it out over the Internet. The message is collected at the recipient's POP3 server located at his/her ISP until the recipient retrieves the messages to read it.

Question: I've heard the terms "Favorites" and "Bookmarks" when referring to saving links to favorite web pages onto a browser. Is there a difference between Favorites and Bookmarks?

Answer: They are basically the same thing. "Favorites" are Microsoft Internet Explorer's term for what are essentially shortcuts to websites an Internet user can "bookmark" on his or her browser. "Bookmarks" are Netscape's term for these Internet shortcuts.

They both work the same way. So when you are surfing the Internet and you come to a web page that you want to store on your browser so you may easily come back to it at a later date, click the "Favorites" or "Bookmarks" menu (depending on your browser) located at the top of your web browser. You'll find an option to add the page to your "Favorites" / "Bookmarks." Click on that option and the link to this web page will be added to the list of your favorite sites.

Question: When I get e-mail replies from friends, their messages are usually typed above my original message. Sometimes, however, the reply to my message appears at the bottom of the e-mail. Is there a correct method of replying to messages?

Answer: Proper e-mail etiquette or "netiquette" says that replies should be placed at the top of the original message. This saves the recipients from having to scroll to the bottom of e-mail messages to read each time a reply message is received. This becomes especially obvious when there is an exchange of many e-mail reply messages between two users. If replies were typed at the bottom of the reply e-mails each time, both users would have to spend time needlessly scrolling to the bottom of each e-mail to read the sender's response and then type a reply message.

Question: I try entering certain websites and all I get is an "HTTP Error 404 - File not found" warning. The web page I am trying to access will not open. How do I fix this?

Answer: An "HTTP 404 Error" occurs when you try to access a web page that does not exist. Either the web page has changed its name, its location (leaving no forwarding web address), or is literally no longer on the Internet. There is nothing you can do about the situation other than making sure you have typed the URL (web address of the site) correctly.

Question: Sometimes I get e-mail from friends that contain URLs (links to websites) within the message. Most of the time these URLs show up as clickable links. When I click on the underlined link, my Web browser opens up and I am sent off to a website. Sometimes, however, the URLs do not show up within the messages as clickable links. I have to copy the web address and paste it into the address bar of my browser. Why do the URLs not always show up as clickable links?

Answer: In most cases, this has more to do with the e-mail software you are using than the person who sent you the message. Older versions of Netscape Messenger, for instance, won't show a clickable link within a received e-mail message unless the sender types "http://" in front of the web address. Most new versions of e-mail software will show a clickable link within a received e-mail message as long as the URL looks like a valid web address, regardless of whether it has "http://" in front of it.

There are many ways for spammers to get your e-mail address. When you fill out web registration forms and surveys, don’t give your e-mail address unless necessary, and look for a box that asks permission to send more information to your e-mail address. Be sure to say no. Request that net directories remove your name and information from their databases. Don’t put your actual e-mail address in newsgroup postings. PTCI cannot filter individual e-mail accounts. We do have some anti-spam measures in place for the entire system. PTCI will not share or sell your e-mail addresses to other companies.

Question: I still use Microsoft's Windows 98 for my computer's operating software. I heard that Microsoft does not support Windows 98 any longer. Is this true?

Answer: Microsoft's support of Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition was scheduled to end on January 16, 2003. (Microsoft offers a minimum of five years of "mainstream support" from the date of a product's general availability.) However, the company has extended its support of these products through June 30, 2006. Microsoft will continue to provide information pertaining to critical issues (including security updates) that affect these operating systems.

For more information about Microsoft's announced extension of support for Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Millennium, go to: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;LifeAn1

For critical security update information for Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition, go to: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

To read about security bulletins from Microsoft that affect your operating system (Windows 98 and others) go to: http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/

To find the free online self-help area of Microsoft, go to: http://support.microsoft.com/

Q1: What is "V.90"?
ANS: "V.90" is the standard from the ITU that allows K56flex and X2 modems to interoperate. This means that if you have a K56flex or an X2 modem, you will be able to connect (theoretically) at speeds up to 56K. 40K to 50K is very achievable and more realistic. To achieve these speeds, you will need to visit your modem manufacture's website to obtain the latest "V.90" firmware. 
 
Q2: Where can I connect to "V.90" modems?
ANS: PTCI has upgraded all "V.90" capable modem banks to the "V.90" standard. This includes ALL of our service area with the exception of Balko and Bryans Corner. As of right now, Balko and Bryans Corner do not have enough customers to warrant a "V.90" modem bank. The cost of the modem banks/routers for 56K is about $14,000 per 48 lines. This does not include the telco costs for the lines themselves. We will continue to monitor the Balko and Bryans Corner to see when it is financially feasible to upgrade.

Q3: Is "V.90" a further refinement of K56flex?
ANS: Yes. K56flex "V.90" compliant modems will continue to deliver all the advantages of faster web browsing plus the ability to interoperate among various other 56K technology modems such as  the US Robotics X2 modem. If you have a K56flex modem, we recommend upgrading to the latest "V.90" modem firmware.

Q4: Will "V.90" modems interoperate with analog modems like V.34?
ANS: Yes. Since K56flex "V.90" compliant modems maintain the basis of K56flex it will interoperate with V.34, K56flex, and "V.90" compliant analog modems. If you live in Balko or Bryans Corner and have a K56flex modem, "V.90" modem, or an X2 modem you should be able to connect at speeds up to 33.6. 

Q5: Will an upgrade to "V.90" be available for previously purchased K56flex or X2 modems?
ANS: Yes. Most modem manufacturer's are currently working on developing software to enable consumers to participate in the advantages of "V.90" if they so desire. Please check with your modem manufacturer to make certain.

Q6: Will K56flex or X2 modems still work after the upgrade to "V.90”?
ANS: Yes. All of our network will still work with the K56flex or X2 modems. To obtain the best performance out of your modem, we recommend going to your modem vendor to obtain the latest "V.90" firmware code.  This is very crucial to getting the most out of your modem.

Q7: If I buy a K56flex or X2 modem today, what will it cost to upgrade it to "V.90" when it is available?
ANS: Nothing. Most modem manufacturers have announced that they will supply the "V.90" software upgrade to their customers that buy K56flex or X2 modems free of charge. Please check with the modem manufacturer before you buy it to be sure.

Q8: What kind of speed is reasonable for my "V.90" compliant modem?
ANS: In our initial tests, we have seen a US Robotics X2 33.6 modem go from a consistent 31.2K connection to a consistent 48K connection. We have had other customer reports of V.90 modems connecting at 50.6K. We have also seen K56flex modems jump from consistent 42K connections to 48K connections. We can't stress enough how important it is to upgrade to the latest V.90 modem firmware. Without this, you will be stuck at something less than 33.6.