FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - ISP SERVICES

What does ISP mean?
ISP is an acronym for Internet Service Provider. An ISP provides the connection to access emails and the internet.

Where do those POP UP ads come from and how can I get rid of them?
There are three sources of POP UP ads. First, they can be generated by a program on your computer (such as Gator). This is probably the least common source. Second, they are generated by the web site that you are visiting. Third, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) is generating them.

There are many anti-popup software products such as STOPzilla, PopUp Eliminator and Popup Protect available from retailers like CompUSA and ComputerLand. You can do an Internet search using the keywords "anti-popup
software" and find many more that you can download for free. We recommend the Google Toolbar, which you can download for free at http://toolbar.google.com. We also suggest doing the appropriate research to find one that will work best for you.

Can I use Instant Messaging with any ISP?
Absolutely. There are many 'brands' of Instant Messaging, or IM, and it is no longer a proprietary technology within a particular ISP. This means that regardless of which ISP you use, you will be able to use any of the IM
brands. For example, someone who uses AOL as their ISP can still IM with someone else who uses another ISP but has AOL IM. However, someone who uses AOL IM still cannot communicate with someone else using MSN IM, for example. There are IM products such as JsuperChat and IM+, that offer compatibility across multiple Instant Messaging programs.

What's the best way to implement parental controls on my children's computer(s)?
We believe that there is no substitute for active parental involvement in monitoring what your children are exposed to on the Internet. Parental controls can mean policies that you as a parent put in place, such as they can only get on the Internet while you are in the room, in the house, etc., or they can only go to certain sites that you bookmark for them. There are also software programs available that either prevents users from visiting particular web sites or that block email that contains offensive language. You can even purchase 'spy-ware’ that records every keystroke on the computer for your viewing later. Whatever parental controls you implement, most experts recommend that you balance protection with trust and appropriate levels of privacy.

Do I need to make any changes to my Email after ordering Broadband?
If you change your ISP when you go to Broadband, you may have to change your email address. Some ISPs do allow users to continue accessing their email services (for which you may have to pay a charge). Contact your dial-up ISP to see if they will allow you to continue accessing your existing email account. If they do, you shouldn't need to make any changes to your Outlook or Outlook Express settings. If they don't, you will need to change the SMTP and POP3 settings on your email program. Your Broadband ISP will provide the new settings information.

What is the difference between POP3 and Web email?
Web mail accounts are email accounts you can access over the Internet through your web browser (i.e. Netscape or Internet Explorer). Hotmail and Yahoo Mail are examples of web based free email accounts. On the other hand, POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) email accounts are accessible through email applications such as Outlook, Eudora, or Netscape Messenger. However, some free Internet access providers and most all ISPs offer both POP3 and web based email, so you can use either. This can be nice because POP3 may be more convenient for your home computer, but web based email is nice when you are using other computers such as at work, school or when traveling.

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