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Atlantic.Net joins with Google.com — Atlantic.Net has teamed up with Google.com to provide you, our subscribers, with better Internet search options. Please use the search box located on the right of this newsletter or on our home page, surf.atlantic.net, for all your searching needs!
Fall Back — Don't forget to set your clocks back ONE hour on the evening of October 30 before you go to bed for Daylight Savings. Remember the old saying, "Spring Forward ... Fall Back?"
Happy Halloween — October 31 is All Hallow's Eve. Scare up some fun with friends and family.
Surfin' Safari:
Halloween Fun and Safety
On a night of fears and frights, don't let bad things ruin a fun evening. Here are some safety tips and fun ideas for your night out Trick or Treating!
• From costumes to Jack O' Lanterns, here are some safety tips for the young ones.
• Here are some smart ideas for your kids on Halloween to make sure they don't get into any trouble.
• With Daylight Savings the night before Halloween this year, make sure you child is safe while out Trick or Treating.
• Amazon.com has the best selection of Halloween Costumes
available and in stock.
• Shop for the Cutest Halloween Costumes! at Babystyle.com.
• Learn how to carve the perfect pumpkin from pumpkingcarving101.com.
• Here are 101 Halloween ideas to make your evening fun and exciting.
• Get the best on-line ClipArt for Halloween.
• Consider spending Halloween in Las Vegas this year.
• Check out the best ideas for scary movies if you plan on spending your evening indoors.
Written by Ross Schmadebeck
Surfer Dude Answers
Your Questions
He's the PC professor, the gigabyte guru, the ruler of ROM. He's
Surfer Dude!
Q: Hi Surfer Dude! How does one begin building a Web page? I understand that with the Atlantic.Net unlimited account an individual has 15Mb to play with but I have no clue as to how and were to start? Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks! — Swamprat
A: Dude, where to begin? ... Atlantic.Net customers with the unlimited access plan can activate their 15Mb of Web space with us, and then upload their files to it.
I suppose the best place to start is to either try your hand at HTML programming, or find an easy-to-use Web site builder. Some popular programs to help you build a Web site are Macromedia Dreamweaver and Microsoft Frontpage, although you might be able to find some freeware programs that will do what you need.
This brings us to the next step, planning on how you want to use the space. Do you want pictures on your page? Animated icons? Interactive web menus? Once you find a program that can help you do this, you'll create your files. We strongly recommend you browse the Internet for basic information on how to create sites. It's these files and associated graphics that need to be uploaded to your 15Mb of Web space, and for that you'll probably want to get an FTP program.
One of our Member Service Representatives would be happy to assist you with the proper settings to upload information.
Q: I would like to know why every time I am in the middle of writing a rather long e-mail message, my system goes to "connect" mode and I have to finish my letter AFTER I close out of mail. It also happens whenever I am writing a short note but I am in the process of receiving mail. It's very frustrating. Is it my computer or just a perk of Atlantic.Net? — Kathleen
A: Dudette, it sounds like in the first instance you're describing being logged offline due to inactivity. This can happen when more than 20 minutes have elapsed and you have not tried to receive mail, browse a Web site or other Internet related activities. This is somewhat of an industry standard and is designed to prevent users from mistakenly leaving their machines connected to the Internet indefinitely.
The second instance sounds almost like an option in Outlook Express that will disconnect users from the Internet after your mail has been successfully downloaded. Here's how to find that option and turn it off if necessary:
• With Outlook Express running, click on Tools then Options.
•
Click the Connection tab and make sure "Hang Up After Sending and Receiving" is not checked.
Gotta go now. Surf's Up!
Got a Question?
If you're stumped by a technical conundrum,
just Ask
the Surfer Dude, and we'll share the answers in future issues.
Employee Profile — Mark Dobelstein
 Born in Jacksonville, Fla., Mark Dobelstein is a graduate of the University of Florida and a valued member of the Atlantic.Net team.
"I work at Atlantic.Net because they keep signing my paychecks =)," Mark said.
A billing specialist in the Atlantic.Net office in Gainesville, Fla., Mark manages the billing of all of the company's Dial-up customers.
Although he isn't married yet, Mark's heart belongs to a fellow Atlantic.Net employee, Liz Niederpruem. He has three cats, Lister, Loki and Bijou, and a bird, Pippin.
When not at the office, Mark enjoys drawing, painting, Web design, BBQ grilling, golfing and the NFL. His passion for major-league football has lead to his personal Web site, http://dobiebowl.com. The site is created with the help of his friend, Justin "Juts" Mullen; a friend, programmer and co-conspirator.
Although Mark works at a state-of-the-art Internet company, his mode of transportation is far from technologically advanced.
"[I drive] an '84 Toyota Corolla. Don't laugh, it gets like 170 miles to the gallon, uphill with the AC on," Mark said.
Mark is a valued member of the Atlantic.Net team and is essential to the billing department. Thanks Mark, from your friends and fellow employees at Atlantic.Net.
Photo provided by Mark Dobelstein.
Written by Ross Schmadebeck
The Mini Fog Machine Is Here!
 Mini Fog Machine — From simulated rock concerts to private dance parties to haunted houses on Halloween, this Mini Fog Machine can add a bit of atmosphere and fun to any occasion. Equipped with an in-line remote control switch that allows you to control the amount of fog you create, this compact machine is very easy to use and comes with everything you need to get started, including a 2/36-ounce bottle of fog liquid and an easy-to-follow Owner's manual.
Tech Tip: Digitizing Your Records
With the end of the year fast approaching, now is as good a time as any to get your financial records in order. But what about records from previous years? The IRS suggests holding onto financial documents such as W-2s, deduction receipts and income tax filings for several years. But why keep boxes of old records when you can put them all on one CD?
With the purchase of a few things, you can start destroying those old paper copies of bills and files and clean shop at the same time.
But How?
The first thing you will need is some type of paper scanner. These can be as inexpensive as $50 or as much as $300, it all depends on what you are going to do with it. For this task, a cheaper scanner will work cause you will be mostly scanning text into black-and-white files. A low resolution is fine, but keep in mind if you want to scan pictures or other high-resolution documents later, a low-resolution scanner won't make pretty photos.
Also, consider a scanner that has an auto-feeder similar to a copy machine. While not necessary, a flat-bed scanner will take longer to scan as you will have to manual change the document each time. With an auto-feeder, just set a stack of paper into the scanner and you're off!
I've Got the Scanner, Now What?
Some software, as always, is essential. Microsoft Office has Microsoft Office Scanning which allows for digital reproduction and can work in conjunction with a scanner. Other companies like Adobe and similar programs can provide the programming necessary to make portable digital documents. In some cases, your scanner may have come with software to make .PDF files; a standard file format in digital paper reproduction.
My Scanner and Software are Installed. Where do I start?
You can start wherever you feel comfortable. I recently digitized all of my statements from my credit cards and pay stubs from my job. Furthermore, I've started scanning all my old class notes to get rid of the clutter. When I was finished with each set of documents, I shredded the paper so important information like credit card and social security numbers don't fall into the wrong hands.
The project can seem tedious, but once you've scanned everything, you can destroy all those old files and make room for new ones. Then simply burn them to a CD or Zip disk and you've reduced reams of paper to a single piece of plastic.
Why Would I Want to Digitize My Documents?
The best reason is for security. If you have to leave your home in an emergency, all your files are together and in one very portable format and won't be harmed by weather. If paper gets wet, the ink can run and be ruined. If a CD gets wet, let it dry and it's just as good as new.
And don't forget about space! An entire file cabinet full of papers can be reduced in a matter of time. Plus, with proper organization of file names
(i.e. C:\Records\CreditCards\Visa\January04.pdf),
you can find the file you need with a few clicks verses thumbing through hundreds of pages.
Written by Ross Schmadebeck.
The Data Center Stands Strong
Hurricane season hit Florida hard this year leaving fallen trees, flooded streets and damaged homes in its path. As storms Charley, Frances and Jeanne surged through the state, countless companies lost power and the ability to provide services to their customers.
Atlantic.Net's Data Center, located in Orlando, was fully functional during all three storms. The building where the Data Center is located lost main power and was down for approx. 30 hrs. after Tropical Storm Frances.
"Our backup kicked in immediately following the loss of power," said Ladd Harris, web services system engineer. "Within two to three seconds, we were back in service. Everything is battery backed, so after the batteries came on the generator kicked on.”
Throughout the course of the hurricanes the center was constantly staffed by at least three people.
"We had a full staff, and we were actually more staffed than normal because some people wanted to get out of their apartments or homes because it was safer at the Data Center," Harris said.
The
center, which was designed for such emergencies, has a generator with enough fuel on site for about 100 hours of operation without needing to be refueled.
"We've never had to run it that long, but we assume it's about 100 hours," Harris said.
Although the center lost power after Frances, hurricanes Charley and Jeanne did little to interrupt service.
"The power flickered during Charley but we never lost power, even during Jeanne," Harris said.
As well as the increased staffing, Atlantic.Net received multiple inquiries about our services. About 220 customers are serviced in the Data Center and has gained at least 30 additional clients since the storms.
For more information, visit Atlantic.Net and take a virtual tour of the Data Center. If interested in shared servers or colocation at the Data Center, call (800) 521-5881 or e-mail websales@atlantic.net.
Written by Tia Albright
Mail
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Gainesville, FL 32609
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For sales, service, or support, please call:
• Toll-Free: (877) GO-ATLANTIC
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