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Lightning is pure plasma. A lightning strike to ground produces two destructive effects:
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Radio-Active! 
The first stage of our Microwave network was sucessfully commisioned at Christmas and is fully operational at 2Mbps! The first experimental link is between our shop in Lavington and a monitoring station up the hill at the back of Lavington. This link is carrying both Internet and Intranet information, relaying local weather information back to our main servers, updated instantaneously, and temporarilly carrying the Newsgroups feed (well we had to give it a decent workout!) So far it hasn't missed a beat even through our hot summer days and autumn storms.
Stage 2 will see a microwave backbone heading south to service significant areas of North-East Victoria. Once this pilot project has been successfully completed and proven, additional stages are planned for areas north-east, north, north-west and west of Albury. The microwave backbone is intended to provide Internet services to areas where it is uneconomical to use Telstra's infrastructure, and where, because of a lack of population base, other telephony carriers are unlikely to venture for some time.
Telstra may not have many fans, but sometimes they do have a point!
Telstra have been complaining loudly about how Internet users are clogging up exchanges. They are using this as an excuse to push for timed data calls every time they get a chance. So far they haven't succeeded, with one headline putting it "Senate Hangs up on Telstra" (Australian Financial Review, Wed. 5th March 1997). But food for thought...
Telephone exchanges work like this: nearly every home in Albury (for example) has (at least) one phone line. For every phone line installed there has to be a "pair" of wires at the exchange. Put simply, when you make a call, the exchange acts as a switch, and connects your pair to someone elses pair, and you can communicate. The number of "switches" in the exchange (and therefore the number of simultaneous calls it can handle) is only about 10% of the number of total lines (pairs). The exchange simply cannot connect every possible call.
This is why exchange congestion occurs particularly during phone-in competitions run on radio and TV and widespread power blackouts. Exchange congestion can become life threatening if someone is trying to place an emergency call.
Some phone users, including some Internet users, hog exchange lines (or try to) for 24 hours at a time. Largely this is probably selfishness borne of ignorance, but Telstra rarely bothers to explain their phone systems' limitations. Pity really ... most Australian's are fair minded and would discourage exchange abusers if they realised the problems.
How to download software
Downloading or getting software off the Internet is really very easy. But for the first-timer, it can be a little daunting.
There are two main methods used to download files - direct ftp using an ftp agent and Browser based ftp. This issue we will concentrate on Browser based downloads.
ftp simply stands for file transfer protocol. The major Browsers in use today incorporate ftp protocol for downloads that make downloading files as easy and simple as clicking on a link.
Files may be drivers, programs, games, pictures, archives of any and every sort.
There are a few simple steps you can use to make your download (and subsequent install or unarchive) as easy as possible.
- Create yourself a "temporary" folder or directory. The name doesn't matter, it could be temp, temporary, download, whatever you like - but preferably something you will remember, and in a location on your hard disk that you will remember.
- Scan your hard disk for viruses and confirm it's clean.
- Files commonly available on the net come in a variety of formats:
Windows and DOS files normally end with .zip or .exe;
Mac files - .sea, .hqx, sometimes .fat or .bin;
Unix files - .tar, .gzip
Remember to select a format suitable for your computer.- When you click on a download link your Browser should ask you what to do with the file. Select your "temporary" folder/directory and click OK (or SAVE depending on your program).
Mac users - your Browser may start the download directly to your hard disk without asking you. In this case it normally drops the file onto your hard disk, and if you have Stuffit Expander installed will automatically de-compress the files for you. To prevent cluttering up your hard disk, it is good practice to move the files (drag and drop) into your "temporary" folder.- Once the download has completed you are ready to scan for viruses again and decompress your file. If you are using a background virus scanning program it should do this automatically for you.
- Open your temporary folder/directory and double-click on the file you have just downloaded. If the file is an .exe(PC) or .sea(Mac) - it should start to extract itself. Archive files .zip(PC) and .hqx(Mac) might complain that the correct application to handle the file is missing. If this occurs, you will have to find the program you need and install it accordingly. PC users, the most common program you will need is pkunzip.exe for .zip files. It is available from our ftp site. Mac users, you will need Stuffit Expander for archived files, also available on our ftp site.
- At this stage, check to see what files you have in your temporary folder/directory. If your download file was a program, you will need to install it. Mac users, your programs might have already installed themselves - check your hard disk and desktop for any new folders or icons.
How to install software
The first step in installing any software is to first look for any instructions. With software on floppies this is frequently on the disk label, or in the associated manuals. With software from the net the instructions are usually either in a text file variously called read.me, readme.1st install etc. If you can find a file like this, read it for any special instructions.
If you are impatient, or there are no instructions, PC users look for a file usually called either install.exe or setup.exe and run that (either double-click it or file ... run, or start ... run and select the file you want).
Mac users look for the program installer icon, hopefully in your "temporary" folder, and double-click it. Follow the instructions from the screen for the installation of your program. When the installer prompts you for where to install the program, you can change the directory/folder, but if you are not sure, it is safest to accept the defaults the installer suggests.
Once the installation is complete, you should have at least one new icon for your new program. Depending on the program you may need to restart or re-boot your computer to make any changes to configuration files take effect. Normally the installer will tell you if this is necessary.
Don't forget to do a final virus scan of your computer before trying your new program.
Win95 users - if you NEED to run 32bit Internet software, you will NEED a 32bit dialler. This means either configuring the Win95 dialler (NOT a job for the faint-hearted) or purchasing and installing the 32bit version of Trumpet (about $A25. Remember - Trumpet is an Australian product - and a world class one at that!). If you can get by using 16 bit software, that is the Win3.1 versions, do so. It is a whole lot less trouble.
Practice, practice, practice ...
Now that you've had a brief overview of download and install procedures, you might like to practice by updating your Browser if you haven't already done so.
Go to http://www.albury.net.au/on-line/update-browser.htm and select the Browser you wish to install. The various versions of IE (Internet Explorer) are available from our own ftp server, so these downloads should be quite fast. Netscape does not allow general mirroring of their software so the links are to other sites, Australian where possible, and may be comparatively slow, particularly if Netscape's approved mirror sites (usually Universities) are congested.
Update recommendations
If you keep sensitive material (eg private information, credit card numbers etc) on your computer, we recommend you avoid any version of Netscape later than 1.02, and any version of IE later than V2.1. Any Browser that supports Java, Javascript, Active-X and now Shockwave are vulnerable to outside interference.
If you don't keep sensitive or private material on your computer, or can remove it (to floppies etc) then you might like to experiment with some of the latest Browsers. Some of the features they implement can be useful, exciting and/or infuriating. Both Netscape and IE have specific "competing" features, and you will find that what works on one Browser will not necessarilly work on the other.
It is also a good practice to turn off Java, Active-X etc when checking out new sites as some sites masquerading as fun exciting places are hiding nasty surprises. If you're sure a site is safe, simply turn Java/Active-X back on and re-load.
Happy Surfing!
Security Alert - Shockwave
Damn it if there aren't some people out there determined to spoil everybody's fun. Now there has been a security loophole exploited using Shockwave (and Java).
Apparently this one will seek out Browser based mail (eg Netscape's Mail) and send the contents elsewhere. It assumes the default paths for the files, so there are a number of easy steps to defeat it:
- Don't use Browser based mail;
- If you prefer Browser based mail, change the directory structure - customise it, be imaginative;
- Don't install Shockwave support, or if you already have it, remove it. (Hmmm... like Shockwave myself, so this option may not suit everyone!)
The bottom line comes back to safe computing practices:-
- DON'T KEEP anything private or senstitve on your computer; and
- DO KEEP regular back-ups.
To protect yourself from viruses ...
(As much as you can anyway...)
No matter where the virus came from (Internet, school, disk from "friend" or magazine etc) the infection occurs when you RUN that program. Remember these easy steps:
- Scan your machine first to make sure it's clean;
- Scan any new program or disk;
- Extract it (if a zip file or similar) and scan again; if still clean,
- Install it and scan again.
- Make sure your Virus Scanning program is updated regularly.
Even if you have taken all possible precautions, there are always those who get hit first by a new virus.
Practice safe computing - back-up and scan!
Yet another manifestation of the psychological email virus "Good Times" has surfaced again. This time it's called PENPAL GREETINGS! It spreads like the flu by word of mouth and has about the same effect on the recipients. Its a hoax. Read all about it at http://ciac.llnl.gov:80/ciac/CIACHoaxes.html Remember, neither Virus scanners nor firewalls will protect you from malicious Java, Active-X or Shockwave exploits.
NEWS & RECENT EVENTS
AT LAST - Basic Internet Training Courses are here!
Internet Training Courses have started at last with the Continuing Education Centre running courses at our Walk-In Centre in Lavington - the first, a full day course, held on Saturday 22nd March. Our own training courses will be running on a regular basis. Help us out by letting us know what sort of course and times would suit you - drop into http://www.albury.net.au/survey/training.htm and fill out the form. The CEC will aslo be running shorter 3 hour courses running from the 17th May to the 7th of June. Contact the CEC for details.
CHAT Net is coming ...
As a value added service to our subscribers (in particular those with a burning desire to chat on IRC) we will be bringing "CHAT Net" on-line in the near future. CHAT Net is designed to allow cheap, bandwidth limited Internet access specifically for IRC users. It is NOT intended for Web Browsing, ftp, video or audio etc. In order to set up CHAT Net to best suit your needs, we need some feedback from our IRC users as to what is going to be the best compromise in order for everyone to have a fair go. Please drop into http://www.albury.net.au/survey/chatnet.htm and tell us what YOU want! (and remember, exchange lines are limited, we all have to take turns).
By the way, did you know ...
That signing up a friend, neighbour, relative, associate etc is worth $10 per sign-up in free access to you on our New-Subscriber Incentive Plan? All you have to do to get your free time is make sure the new subscriber signs up on our standard application form that has YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS unmistakeably blazoned across the dealer space at the bottom right of the form. Forms are available from our Walk-In Centre. You may make as many copies as you wish.
Further Extended Local Call Areas ...
We've extended our local call area again in a number of directions.
Areas bounded by these towns may also have local call access as yet unconfirmed. If you live within any of these areas, call us for your local number.
- North and west of Culcairn to include Henty, Pleasant Hills, Rand, Walbundrie;
- North and west of Corowa including Yarrawonga, Mulwala, Daysdale, Coreen, Lowsdale, Hopefield, Balldale;
- West of Beechworth - El Dorado, Wangaratta, Milawa, Whorouly;
- South-west of Mount Beauty - Bright, Porepunkah, Harrietville, Falls Creek, Buffalo River and Eurobin.
Additional domains available ...
As another value added service we have aquired the following domain names: Albury-Wodonga.com AlburyWodonga.com and rural.net.au
Albury-Wodonga.com will be the commercial arm of ALI, and will concentrate on promoting our region both within and without under the banner of Prosperity for our Region is Prosperity for us all. The main purpose of Albury-Wodonga.com will be to increase the awareness of the products and services available throughout our region, and promote this to a National and International market using the Internet.
Albury-Wodonga.com and AlburyWodonga.com will be available as web addresses - (eg Albury-Wodonga.com/yourcompany) and email addresses - (eg yourname@Albury-Wodonga.com).
Contact us for further details and packages available.
rural.net.au is available for sub-domains to any reasonable/bonafide organisation or town - eg bpw.rural.net.au, or corowa.rural.net.au
Similarly, email addresses will be available for rural.net.au
- eg jsmith@corowa.rural.net.au
rural.net.au is available for sub-domains to any rural region or related organisation anywhere in Australia. Talk to us about your requirements.Mobile email addresses...
One of the intended applications of rural.net.au is to allow portability, reliability and continuity of email address regardless of your ISP or geographic location. For example, a "virtual" email address of yourname@rural.net.au could be set up to forward or accept mail to and from you and any other email address you may have from time to time. What this means is that you could be anywhere in Australia, change ISP, but keep your email address of yourname@rural.net.au
No more reprinting stationery, trying to let all your correspondents know your new email address, lost mail etc. email addresses of yourname@rural.net.au or optionally yourname@yourtown.rural.net.au are available for a nominal annual fee. Contact us for details.email offline
Did you know you do not need to be on-line to read or write your email, only to send and collect it!
HTML Authors Corner
CGIs: what is currently available
CGI's are programs that run on Internet Servers. As such, they are potentially VERY dangerous if badly written or deliberately abused. In the interests of the majority of their users many aware system administrators either restrict cgi access, or do not allow user cgi's to run at all.
We have tested and released a couple of CGI's for Subscribers to use. These include a Web Page counter, and a generic form submission. To use either of these CGI's, simply cut the code from the appropriate page (our Home Page for the counter, and our on-line application form for the generic form submission), customise it to your requirements, and request the System Administrator to initialise the appropriate data files. As setting up these files can be time consuming, subscribers are only entitled to one free counter and form. Additional counters and forms may be "purchased" on request.Using browsers off line
IE will run quite happily without an Internet connection to check your work. Netscape may need a file called winsock.dll in the Netscape directory/ folder. winsock.dll is available as mozock.dll from our ftp site. Download it into your Netscape directory and re-name it winsock.dll.
Calling the Help Desk for support:
- First and foremost - READ YOUR NEWSLETTERS - particularly our February Special Edition Troubleshooting Guide. This covers most commonly experienced problems and solutions.
- Ensure you have thoroughly documented the symptoms of your problem BEFORE calling the Help Desk - i.e. WRITE DOWN any error messages you are seeing EXACTLY as they appear. DON'T rely on your memory. A thorough description of your suspected fault will not only assist Help Desk personnel to resolve your problem, but you may find the solution yourself simply by looking more closely at the problem!
- Make sure to identify yourself & have your username & password ready.
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