| |
Thank You
for Making Your ISP #1 in Central
Florida
The Orlando Business Journal recently ranked Atlantic.Net as the
number one Internet service provider in Central Florida in its 2003
Book of Lists, a compilation of the Top 25 lists that appeared in
the newspaper throughout the prior year. The Top ISP ranking is
based on the number of central Florida Internet subscribers a provider
serves. Atlantic.Net beat its closest competitor by more than threefold.
Computer Shopping Just
Got Easier
If you're thinking of upgrading to a
new computer, but you're confused by all the options you have to
choose from, consider these points. Otherwise, you may get talked
into purchasing a Winnebago when you only need a Honda.
•
Speed, storage, simplicity. Do you need something
with a lot of memory to access all those graphic-laden games you
play, something to store vast amounts of financial information,
or something simple to create research papers for class?
• Desktop vs. notebook. Do you need a machine
primarily for home office use, or do you need to use your computer
on the go?
• Check the warranty. How much does the
warranty cost? What damage does it cover? Where will you need
to send your computer for repairs?
• Customer service. Check into the brand's
reputation for customer service. Contact the Better
Business Bureau or look for chat rooms or polling
sites to give you insight into what problems others have experienced.
Who will you need to call for help? Will the company offer you
technical assistance and how much extra will it cost you?
• Can I upgrade? Does the computer have
space to upgrade the memory, and will it be able to run software
you may want in the future? How many expansion slots does it have?
Leave yourself a little growing room if possible.
• To network or not to network. Will you
need to connect to other machines in your home or office? Will
you benefit from a wireless network?
• Tack on the shipping and such. If you're
buying online, don’t forget to ask about the shipping charges.
Also keep in mind the price of any accessories that may raise
your total price. Some computer-package prices don't include the
monitor. Don't forget to add the cost of the printer, ink cartridges,
cables, and other accessories you may need.
• Old parts, new parts, confusing parts.
What's this computer made of? Even if it's new to you, it may
contain older parts requiring driver upgrades to make them compatible
with other components. Do your homework. If someone is building
your machine for you, make sure you're getting up-to-date equipment.
You can always check online at the modem manufacturer's site to
make sure your modem model isn't outdated.
• $$$$. How much do you want to spend?
Remember, you get what you pay for. Look around until you find
the deal that fits your needs. If you don’t need the latest
and greatest, then wait a few months until the newest models come
out and get the now-older model you've been eyeing for awhile.
• Don't get duped. Savvy salesmen with
the gift of gab may try to talk you into buying options you don't
really need. Before you agree to any add-ons, make sure you know
exactly why you "need" them. Check out Amazon.com
for some brand-name computer bargains.
Written by Janet Vega
Computer Viruses: Don't Get Slammed
Worried about getting hit by "Slammer,"
the latest computer worm to attack the Internet? Governments, universities,
and businesses worldwide were affected by Slammer, which used a
flaw in database software as a point of attack.
To protect customers, Atlantic.Net's network engineers took steps
to block the incoming attack by patching up any servers that were
vulnerable to the pest and disconnecting any colocated and dedicated
servers until customers had a chance to repair their machines. Engineers
also provided customers who were potentially vulnerable with information
to help halt Slammer in its tracks.
As an individual user, you are not likely to be hit by Slammer,
but you could potentially be affected by thousands of other computer
viruses and worms. Use these steps to protect yourself from future
attacks:
• If you haven't already, install anti-virus protection on
your computer. You can buy
Norton AntiVirus 2003,
VirusScan Home Edition 7.0, and other virus protection programs
at Amazon.com.
• If you have anti-virus protection, download the latest update
to protect yourself from the newest viruses.
• Update your Windows
operating system to ensure that you have the most recent patches
for all your software.
• Use Atlantic.Net Webmail
to provide you with an extra wall of protection for all your e-mail.
• Use SpamScope,
Atlantic.Net's adjustable filtering tool to keep unwanted, and potentially
dangerous, spam from entering your inbox.
• Get virus alert updates online at Surf!
Surfin' Safari: I Can Do That
Online?
Think your Atlantic.Net account is only good
for research and e-mail? Well, think again! Nowadays, you can do
almost anything online, from adopting
a pet to getting an auto
insurance quote.
• Plan a trip. In one simple step, you can plan your
own family vacation or arrange business travel online. Sites like
cheaptickets.com
and Orbitz
allow you to purchase airline tickets, make hotel reservations,
pick out a rental car, and take care of many other travel needs.
• Buy a car. Test drive this site! Check out prices
on new and used vehicles at CarsDirect.
• Send a greeting card. You can still show that you
"care enough to send the very best," but now you can do
it without the stamp. Check out Hallmark
and American
Greetings and get your card in the cybermail today!
• Get takeout. With DeliverU.com,
you can get your favorite food from a number of restaurants in your
area without ever getting up from your easy chair.
• Find a registry. Need a gift for a wedding, shower,
or engagement party? GiftRegistry.com
has registries from a number of retailers such as Target,
Bloomingdales,
Burdines,
Pottery
Barn, Tiffany
& Co., and more. Get the lucky couple just what they want
without battling those checkout lines.
• Get your degree. Think it's too inconvenient to return
to school? Well, now you can earn an associate's or bachelor's degree
by attending college
online. Think of it, no being late for class, no time constraints
to hold you back — just you, your computer, and a bright future!
• Find high school chums. Reconnect with old friends
and old flames at Reunion.com.
Here, you can look up your old classmates, see what they're up to,
and get back in touch all over again!
• Try on clothes. OK, so you already knew you could
shop online, but how do you avoid returning all those ill-fitting
clothes? Check out sites like Lane
Bryant where you can create an online 3D model that looks like
you, and then try on tops, pants, and dresses without getting out
of your jammies!
• Buy groceries. Hate the grocery store? Can't find
the time to get there? Shop online instead at Grocer
Online or NetGrocer.
• Get movie tickets. Are you sick of finally reaching
the front of the theater ticket line only to find that the movie
you've been itching to see is sold out? Well, those days are over!
At Fandango,
you can purchase movie tickets up to a week in advance.
Written by Jordan Meffert
Give Your Valentine a Relaxing Gift
 He's
had a stressful day at the office. She's been working too many
late nights. Whatever the reason, you know your sweetheart deserves
a little relaxation, and now you can be the one to bring that
gift home with this
HoMedics Therapist Select, Swedish Wave Action Massager with Heat.
With dual gliding heads for a relaxing massage, soothing heat,
variable speed control, and an extra long cord, this gift should
have the love of your life purring for hours. For more gift ideas,
visit The
Surf Shop.
Tech Tip: Clean Up Your Computer
OK, so spring hasn't yet graced us
with her presence, but that’s no reason to put off cleaning
up the inside of your computer. Most Windows-based computers contain
two programs, Disk Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup, that will do
all the work for you. To access and run these programs:
• Exit all open programs.
• Left-click the Start Menu.
• Left-click All Programs.
• Left-click Accessories.
• Left-click System Tools.
• From here, left-click either Disk Cleanup or Disk Defragmenter.
Once the program opens, follow the directions to set it loose
and let it do your dirty work. Make sure you only run one of these
at a time.
Another place to free up some memory is in your
Internet Options. Here you can rid yourself from hidden files
you don’t even see!
For Windows 95, 98, 2000, and ME:
• Double left-click My Computer.
• Double left-click Control Panel.
• Double left-click Internet Options.
• Left-click on the General tab.
• Click on Delete Cookies.
• Click on Delete Files.
• Click on Clear History.
For Windows XP:
• Left-click the Start Menu.
• Left-click Control Panel.
• Switch to Classic View.
• Double left-click Internet Options.
• Left-click on the General tab.
• Click on Delete Cookies.
• Click on Delete Files.
• Click on Clear History.
For Mac:
• Open the browser.
• Left-click Edit.
• Left-click Preferences.
• On the left panel under Receiving Files, click Cookies.
• Click on Clear Cache.
• On the left panel under Web Browser, click Advance.
• Click on Clear History and then Empty Now.
Written by Janet
Vega
Got a question for Atlantic.Net's Technical Support team? E-mail
us at support@atlantic.net.
Business Ergonomics
101
Eyes tired at the end of the day? Neck and shoulders feel stiff
and sore while you're working? That office workstation may be
the culprit! Use these tips to make that daily grind as comfy
as possible.
• Make yourself comfortable. You spend
most of the day sitting down, so adjust your chair's backrest
position and height to fit your needs.
• Reach out. Reorganize your workstation
so you can easily reach things you'll need throughout the day
without straining your muscles.
• Check the lights. Reduce the glare on
your computer screen and the strain on your eyes by adjusting
your monitor away from the sunlight.
• Don't be a couch potato. Now that you've
made changes at work, don't forget the rest of your day. You'll
feel better if you get regular exercise, reduce stress, eat right,
and get plenty of rest.
Written by Jordan Meffert
Atlantic.Net Opens
Data Center in Orlando
This month, Atlantic.Net announced the opening of its new 25,000-square-foot
data center in Orlando, Fla. The facility, located at 440 W. Kennedy
Blvd., will serve as the hub of network operations and will be
the company’s second largest employee base in the state.
Combining sophisticated technology infrastructure with high-end
hosting services to meet your advanced online business needs,
the facility offers numerous advancements including locking colocation
cabinets, chain link cages, and roof rights for antenna systems,
as well as a state-of-the-art network operations center, a conference
room, and offices for Atlantic.Net staff.
The data center is secured 24 hours a day, seven
days a week. Biometric palm scanners and proximity card readers
control access to the facility and the colocation floor. The property
is monitored via closed circuit digital cameras with 24-hour recording
and 30-day digital video storage. Advanced monitoring devices
constantly check the facility’s critical systems, and a
VESDA air-sampling system and dry-pipe pre-action system provide
zoned fire detection and suppression.
Redundant AC/DC power and uninterruptible
power supply (UPS) systems ensure that your equipment is up and
running even in the event of an extended utility failure. In addition,
the center’s generator can run the entire site at full load
for at least 24 hours without refueling. Environmental controls
include heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
that regulate temperature and humidity throughout the facility.
Mail
Atlantic.Net, Inc.
2815 NW 13th Street, Suite 201
Gainesville, FL 32609
Phone
Member Services (352) 336-7716 or (800) 921-9328
Business Office (352) 375-2912 or (800) 422-2936
Commercial Sales (800) 521-5881
E-mail
Commercial Sales
Residential Billing
Inquiries
Commercial Billing
Inquiries
Technical Support
Web
http://www.atlantic.net
http://support.atlantic.net
http://surf.atlantic.net
Other
Contact Information
Back to Top of Page
To unsubscribe from the Surf's Up newsletter,
please
e-mail us at surf@atlantic.net.
You can still read the newsletter online at http://surf.atlantic.net.
|
|
|
| Atlantic.Net@Home
• Computer Shopping 101
• Don't Get Slammed
• Surfin' Safari: I Can Do
That Online?
• Clean
Up Your Computer
Atlantic.Net@Work
• Business Ergonomics 101
• Atlantic.Net Opens
Data Hub
Contact Us
Focus on FUNdraisers
Athletic associations, band boosters,
and other youth organizations can earn cash by selling
Atlantic.Net dial-up accounts. We provide the promotional
materials, track your group's sales, and offer 24/7
technical support to your customers.
When you team up with Atlantic.Net for your fundraiser,
there's nothing to deliver later and no cash to keep
track of — we bill the customer, and you get the
commission. Plus, when your group sells Atlantic.Net
dial-up access, you can be confident that you're offering
customers high-quality service at a competitive price.
All accounts include 10 e-mail addresses, personal Web
space, a monthly newsletter, and local access numbers
throughout the United States.
To learn
more about how your youth group can profit from selling
Atlantic.Net service, call (407) 916-8338 or e-mail
channel@atlantic.net.
|
|
|
