Frequently Asked Questions

Connecting to the Internet

MODEMS

Will my 56K(1) modem work on this network?
Yes. Our network supports any 56K modem with V.90 technology or newer. Many 56K modems that use earlier k56 or x2 technology can be easily upgraded to V.90, most requiring only a free software update. If you're in doubt as to the specifications of your modem, refer to your user's guide or contact the manufacturer.

(1) Rockwell-based V.90 (56K) modems are designed only to allow faster downloads from K56flex or V.90 compliant digital sources. Maximum achievable download transmission rates are currently unknown, may not reach 56 Kbps, and will vary with line conditions.

Why isn't my modem connecting at its maximum speed?
The speed at which your modem can operate depends partly on the quality of the phone line you use. Because your modem works by converting data into sounds, it requires a phone line that's relatively free of interference. With some old or low-quality phone lines, the modem's performance is diminished by static and other sounds. Check with your local phone company if you experience severe performance problems.

DIAL-UP NUMBERS
How do I find a local dial-up number?

If you need to change your local access number after you've walked through the initial setup, you can use The Link, L.L.C. dialer. Simply click on the dialer. When it opens, click on properties and then phone book. Select the state or the area code in which you want to locate an access number. You'll then be presented with a list of numbers in that area.

The Link, L.L.C. frequently adds to the list of local dial-up numbers. We invite you to check back often to see if there are more options in your local area.

How can I be sure I'm not being charged for the dial-up number I am using?

It's not always the case that a number in your area code is a local number. If you're in doubt, consult your phone service plan or contact your local phone service provider.

Please note that The Link, L.L.C. is not responsible for fees related to long distance usage.

Online Security

COMPUTER VIRUSES

What is a virus?
Essentially, a virus is a mini-computer program that was specifically written to harm computers. Viruses can range from a simple program that causes invalid error messages to appear to a malicious virus that destroys your hard drive – leaving your computer inoperable.

How can my computer get a virus?

In general, a virus must be executed – which means it must be opened or launched by your action. Sometimes viruses are contained in a Macro (a sub-program that exists within a program such as Microsoft® Word®) or they are a stand-alone executable. You can get a virus from an E-Mail attachment, a document that has a virus, or from active Web content such as ActiveX®* controls.

If you've installed The Link, L.L.C.'s software, your security level defaults to the medium security level. If you haven't changed the default security settings, you will automatically be warned if you selected to view a Web page with active Web content that may contain a virus.

* ActiveX® is a loosely defined set of technologies developed by Microsoft®. ActiveX® controls allow Web developers to create moving images within Web graphics and Web pages.

Can my computer catch a virus when I'm looking at a Web page?
No. Viewing images, filling out forms and so on will not place viruses on your computer. Most likely you will have no problems after downloading a program from a respectable source with a reputation to protect.

What steps can I take to protect myself from computer viruses?
· Avoid downloading E-Mail attachments from people you don't know.
· If you receive an attachment with an extension other than .jpg, .gif, .doc or any other format that you are familiar with, don't open it until you speak with the sender to verify content.
· Do not open a file ending in .exe if you do not know what it is.
· If you are opening a Word document and it asks if you wish to run Macros – select No unless you were expecting a Macro.
· Beware – someone you know may send a virus and not know they have it.
· Read any documentation you have to understand Macros.

ONLINE SECURITY
When I am online, can someone access the files on my hard drive?

Simply browsing a Web page will not allow anyone to view the contents of your hard drive. However, you should not accept ActiveX® controls not signed with a digital certificate.* You should also not run programs sent to you by people you don't know and trust. Such programs could contain viruses or let the authors view files on your computer.

*Digital Certificates are issued by a third party certification authority and basically verify the source of the material and provide accountability.

Is it safe to let my kids surf the Web?
It may be a good idea to sit down with your kids and go over what you consider acceptable material. You might even want to surf with them the first few times they get online. For more information on tools and techniques for filtering Web content, we recommend you visit www.yahooligans.com. Click on the Parent's Guide. Then click on Blocking and Filtering.

The Link, L.L.C. also offers an optional family filtered Internet service. For only $2.00 a month, The Link will provide you and your family with Server-Side Internet filtering. Server-Side Internet filtering is the safest and most effective way to protect your kids from inappropriate material online. By filtering and block objectionable Internet content at our state-of-the-art data centers, clever teenagers are unable to bypass Internet filtering software that is loaded on your personal computer. Our filtering service simply makes it impossible for your kids to look at inappropriate Web content. Amazingly, this service is all available for only an extra $2.00 a month. To sign-up for The Link’s family filtered Internet service, please call The Link, L.L.C. toll-free now at 1-888-783-LINK (1-888-783-5465).

Is it safe to enter my name and address on a Web site?
Generally, yes. Most Web forms aren't secured to prevent eavesdropping, so in rare instances someone could intercept the contents of your message. For this reason, it's important to use only secure connections when sending important information like credit card numbers.

What is the difference between a secure and non-secure connection?

A secure connection protects the information you send through a Web page. Connections are made secure with encryption, which codes information being transferred, making it nearly impossible for anyone to crack. You can tell that a connection is secure by looking at the bottom of your browser window. Secure connections will display a small, closed lock icon. You may also see an alert message that tells you when you are entering and leaving secure pages. Secure connections are nearly impossible to crack.

Is it safe to buy something with a credit card over the Web?
Just as you would use your credit card only with reputable merchants in the real world, you should only use your card with reputable online merchants. All such merchants will provide secure connections if they allow purchases through their sites.

What is a certificate?
A certificate is a digital document from a trusted third party that vouches for the identity of a person or company. Many E-commerce Web sites use certificates to assure users they are trustworthy and secure. A third party certification authority, such as VeriSign or Entrust, issues certificates. Basically, certificates verify the source of the material and provide accountability. Your Microsoft Internet Explorer® default settings are such that the browser will not accept any unsigned ActiveX® controls and will prompt you for signed ones.

TRACKING METHODS
What’s a "cookie"?
A cookie is a marker created by some Web sites and stored by your browser. By using cookies, Web site creators can keep track of your preferences on their sites, see if you are a returning user, etc. They are generally harmless and will contain only the information you provide or the history of your use of a particular site. They will not reveal personal information such as your name or E-Mail address.

Can I choose not to allow cookies?
Cookies can be disabled, although sites that rely on them may not function correctly. In Microsoft Internet Explorer® 5.5, you can disable cookies by choosing Internet Options from the Tools menu, selecting Security then moving the security level slider up to High.

Filtering

ABOUT FILTERING
What is Internet filtering?

Internet filtering is a process that prevents or blocks access to certain material on the Internet. Filtering is most commonly used to prevent children from accessing inappropriate material and to keep employees productive on the Internet.

What is server filtering?
Server-based filtering occurs on a central computer (server) at the Internet Service Provider. With server-based solutions, a site is blocked before it gets to the user's computer. It is the most efficient, reliable filtering solution.

Who decides which sites to block?

The Link, L.L.C. filtering is provided by X-Stop, a company who employs a full-time team of dedicated professionals that review each site that is entered into the company's database. X-Stop does not use keywords to determine which sites to block as this method blocks valuable information. Reviewing sites individually allows X-Stop to evaluate all material that might otherwise go unnoticed and unfiltered using a keyword method.

What makes a Web site inappropriate?

The Internet is a wonderful resource, but it also contains a vast amount of inappropriate information including pornography and other material considered by many as inappropriate. The Link, L.L.C. identifies the types of Web sites, which may be inappropriate and has developed a Filtering Philosophy that we use to make determinations on which sites will be blocked.

THE LINK, L.L.C. OPTIONAL FILTERING SET UP
Filtered or Non-Filtered access is established only during The Link, L.L.C. registration. Once you have made your selection, your ongoing Link service will be supported accordingly. If you decide to reverse your decision, you must contact The Link, L.L.C. Customer Service at 1-888-783-LINK (1-888-783-5465).

Internet filtering is a process that identifies and blocks access to objectionable materials on the Internet. The Link, L.L.C. offers the most advanced technology and filtering methods by providing powerful server-based filtering, a truly premium Internet filtering service for the whole family.

Unlike common filtering software running on individual computers, this filter works at the server level, blocking access to inappropriate content before it reaches your computer. Server-based filtering cannot be disabled by savvy teenagers, and is automatically updated each day to block the hundreds of new sites containing pornography and other objectionable material.

The filtering service is maintained by a large, trained review staff which monitors the Web to identify objectionable content, but which does not block useful material. The Link, L.L.C. subscribers may submit questionable Web sites for review and possible removal, from within their own Web browser.

The combination of advanced technology, intelligent review and subscriber feedback make The Link, L.L.C. filtering the most powerful and effective Internet filtering solution available today, and insures The Link, L.L.C. subscribers a safe and productive Internet experience.

The Link, L.L.C. Filtering service is optional when you sign-up. The proxy server is an optional tool when signing up for The Link, L.L.C. Also, if you select the proxy filter, you will not be able to modify any of the settings personally. You will have to accept all the filters that are in place on the X-Stop server. If you do try to modify the proxy settings, you will receive errors and may not be able to use your Link service at all.


How do I set up Proxy Settings on a specific dialer for Internet Explorer 5.5?

In Internet Explorer 5.5 you can set proxy settings for each dial up networking connection. If the proxy settings are not set up specifically for The Link, L.L.C. dialer, proxy settings may not work.

How to set up proxy settings for a specific dialer
Go to Internet Options by:
Right click on Internet Explorer icon.
Click on Properties, or open up Internet Explorer 5.5. Click on tools, then Internet Options.
Click on the connection tab.
Double click on The Link, L.L.C. dialer, or dial up networking connections.
Put a check mark in use proxy settings.
Under address put in: filter.theLink.net
Under port type in four numbers: 80
Click on OK.
Click on the second OK button.


Browsing Basics

BROWSING THE WEB
Now that I have Internet access, what can I do?

You can surf the Web, send and receive E-Mail, download and upload software and files, access newsgroups, chat with friends, send messages to elected officials, see and hear your favorite music, and much more.

Do I have to use a certain type of browser to access the Internet?
No, you can use any of the most recent Web browsers. Although, we recommend that you use the latest version of Internet Explorer® you are welcome to use any current Web browser you may already have.

Is it free to visit sites on the Web?
In most cases, yes, it is free to visit sites on the Web. The majority of commercial Web sites support themselves by selling advertising space on their sites (ad banners that link to advertisers' sites). Some sites require that you register with them in order to access certain sections, sometimes for a fee. Most of these sites will indicate their terms, and all will prompt you to enter your user name and password. You cannot be charged for simply looking at a site on which you have not registered and agreed to their terms.

WEB BROWSERS
What does a browser do?

In brief, a browser is your interface to the World Wide Web; it lets you view sites and navigate from one Internet site to another. Microsoft® and Netscape® produce the most popular browsers. Chances are, you're using a Web browser to read this document right now, unless you're reading a printout or a text file.

How does a Web browser work?

A Web browser works by using a special protocol called HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to request a specially encoded text document from a Web server. The text document contains special instructions written in HyperText Markup Language (HTML) that tell the browser how to display the document on the user's screen.

The instructions may include references (hyperlinks) to other Web pages, text color and position, locations for various images contained in the document and where to position them. Some Web pages may use layout instructions contained in separate documents called style sheets.

How do I get a newer browser?
The latest versions of both Microsoft® Internet Explorer® and Netscape® Communicator can be freely downloaded from the Microsoft® and Netscape® Web sites, respectively. These files are large and may take a long time to download on a modem. For this reason, both companies make their software available on CD-ROMs, usually for a nominal fee. The Link’s Internet Installation CD-ROM also includes the latest versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Communicator. To request a free copy of The Link’s CD-ROM, please call The Link, L.L.C. Customer Service toll-free at 1-888-783-LINK (1-888-783-5465) to request a copy. It will be mailed to you and you should receive it within 10-14 business days.

What is the difference between an ISP and a Web browser?
An ISP (Internet Service Provider) is basically a company that provides dial-up connectivity such that you can connect to the Internet with your modem. A Web browser is the computer application through which you view the Web (i.e., Internet Explorer®, Netscape Navigator®, Opera, etc.). Note that some companies combine the dial-up process with their Web browser such that they appear to be "one". These "all-in-one" dialer and Web browser combinations are typically slower than Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator. The Link, L.L.C. is committed to providing you with the fastest and most dependable Internet service. We think you will find our service faster and easier than any other Internet provider. When you connect into our network, you are connecting to the largest and fastest Internet network in the world. For this reason, The Link, L.L.C. provides you with a separate dialer that is not combined with the Web browser. Your connection to the Internet will be fastest you have every experience.

SEARCH ENGINES
What is a Search Engine?

A search engine is generally a Web site that you can use to search for other Web sites by topic or keyword. People who build Web sites submit their sites to these search engines to be "indexed". The search engine companies "index" the submitted Web site and categorize it appropriately in their database system. From that point forward, the site submitted will be returned in the search results of users browsing for topics.

How can I search through ALL Web sites?
Here are a few such automatic indexes you can search:

Yahoo! (www.Yahoo.com) is probably the most complete hierarchical, topical index of Web sites, and also features a sophisticated search facility.

Lycos (www.Lycos.com) is another Web-indexing robot, which includes the ability to submit the Web site address (URL) of your own documents by hand, ensuring that they are available for searching.

WebCrawler (www.WebCrawler.com) builds an impressively complete index; on the other hand, since it indexes the content of documents, it may find many links that aren't exactly what you had in mind. However, it does a good job of sorting the documents it finds according to how closely they match your search.

InfoSeek (www.InfoSeek.com) is a commercial search service that also offers a free Web search facility. You can specify phrases to locate, among other query operations, and InfoSeek's commercial service can search more than just Web pages (newsgroups, for instance). InfoSeek's commercial services charge 10 cents per query and offer a free trial to new users. (The increasing load on the free search servers makes this option sound better every day.)

WEB ADDRESSES
What is a URL?
URL is an acronym meaning Uniform Resource Locator. A URL is an acronym that refers to any address on the Web. For example, http://www.theLink.net.

What is a domain name?
A domain name is part of the URL and is used to identify a particular Web page. For example, in the URL http://www.theLink.net, the domain name is theLink.net.

Why do some URLs start with http:// and others with www? Is there a difference?
Generally, you do not need to type the "http://" when you are entering a Web address. Almost all the URLs you see are Web servers, and it's often easier just to drop the http:// portion of the URL. In fact, if you leave out http://, your Web browser will attach it automatically.

What is the difference between sites that end in .com, .org, .net and .edu?
The various suffixes in domain names are meant to designate the function of the domain. For example, .com addresses are used for both commercial and general sites; .org is used for non-profits; .net for companies that perform network-related work; and .edu for educational institutions. Other suffixes include .gov (government) and .mil (military), as well as designations for various countries (for example, .ru for Russia and .ca for Canada).

ERRORS
Why do some Web pages take longer to load than others?
The speed at which a Web page loads is a function of several factors. The connection between you and the Web server, the total size (in kilobytes) of the graphics on the page, the complexity of the page layout, the type of browser software used and the speed of the computers involved (both serving and viewing the page) can all affect load speed. You can't control all these factors when viewing Web sites, but you can help by using a current browser. If performance is unacceptably slow, you can turn off automatic image loading (see the Help section in your browser for details).

What should I do if my browser freezes?
If your browser stops responding to your clicks and remains unchanged for an unusually long period of time, it may have frozen and will need to be exited manually.
In Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, 2000, Me, and XP, press Control-Alt-Delete to open the Task Manager. Click the tab labeled Applications to view the programs running on your machine. Locate your Web browser in this list and press End Task.
On an Apple Macintosh, press Open Apple-Ctrl-Esc to open the Quit Program dialog box. Click the Quit button.

What does it mean when I get a DNS error?

DNS is an acronym that means Domain Name Server. A DNS is similar to directory assistance with the telephone company. You give the DNS a URL (i.e. words) and the DNS converts it to an Internet Protocol (IP) address (i.e. numbers). When you get an error, it can mean a number of different things. The site's server may be unavailable, the address may be typed incorrectly, or the connection may have timed out (server did not respond in a preset amount of time). You can check the spelling of the address, or if you're sure of the URL you can go back to it later. Their server may be experiencing technical difficulties.

What are Temporary Internet Files and why should I clear them?
Whenever you visit a Web site, the page and the graphics on it are stored in your "Internet cache". When this "cache" gets very full, it can cause memory problems on your computer. To clear your cache, simply select Tools from your Internet Explorer® 5.5 browser menu bar and select Internet Options. (Other versions of Internet Explorer may locate Internet Options under the View pull-down menu.) Under the section that says "Temporary Internet Files", select the Delete Files button. This should be done periodically – with frequency determined by how often you browse the Internet.

If applicable, you will be asked if you want to delete cookies or subscription content. It is generally OK to delete these files. However, if you have a membership or subscription to a Web site, they may have placed one of these files (cookie or other) on your PC for some purpose. Deleting it will remove the information stored by that Web site and perhaps disable access. For any additional information about clearing your Temporary Internet Files, please see your Internet Explorer On-Line Help.

SAVING OR PRINTING PAGES
How do I save a page I like?

If you want your browser to remember a particular location on the Web, choose "Add to Favorites" from the Favorites menu (in Microsoft® Internet Explorer®) or "Add Bookmark" in the Bookmarks menu (in Netscape® Communicator). Depending on the version of your browser, you can be notified when the sites you've bookmarked change.

To save an individual image from a Web page, click on it with your right mouse button, and then choose the appropriate command. To copy text from a page, select it with your mouse and press Ctrl-C or select Copy from the Edit pull down menu.


E-Mail

SETTING UP YOUR E-MAIL
Do I get an E-Mail address when I register for dial-up access?

Yes. You were provided with one E-Mail account when you signed up for The Link, L.L.C. Internet Service. Your E-Mail address is YourUserID@theLink.net. In addition to your primary E-mail address, you also get up to four (4) additional E-mail addresses. These extra E-mail addresses can be created or deleted at any time.

Does my E-Mail address have to be my real name?
No, it can be anything you want as long as it's not already in use. You will be told upon registration if a name is in use.

How do I set up Outlook Express to send and receive E-mail?
When you first install and register with The Link, L.L.C. your primary E-Mail address is set up for you. If you have trouble with E-Mail, please call The Link, L.L.C. Technical Support at 1-888-783-LINK (1-888-783-5465).

SENDING E-MAIL
Is there a limit to the number of E-Mail messages I can send?
There is a maximum of 80 E-Mails that can be sent in a one-hour period of time. This is in an effort to eliminate spamming. Spamming refers to sending an E-Mail message, which is (A) unsolicited, (B) commercial in nature, and (C) generally sent to a large number of people simultaneously. It is the electronic equivalent of junk mail – the unwanted mass-mailings that fill up our mailboxes every day. Should you exceed the maximum number of E-Mail messages in a one-hour period of time you will receive the following message:

"450 Quota on sending mail exceeded – please try again later".

The message count gradually tapers off throughout the hour. So if you've exceeded 80 E-Mails, and you just want to send a few more messages, you only need to wait 10 minutes or so, not an entire hour. However, if you attach 4 lists of 25 names each (a total of 4 X 25 or 100), you will receive an error message.

Are there any limits to the amount of data I can send or receive in a single E-Mail?
Yes, The Link, L.L.C. has a 10 MB maximum that can be sent or received per E-Mail. Included in that 10 MB are the actual message, the text and the attachment. Should you exceed the maximum amount of data the system is capable of accepting or sending, you will receive the following message:

"552 Message size exceeds fixed maximum message size"

Can I just type in the address of the individuals I wish to E-Mail without using a distribution list?
Absolutely. If you need to send an individual E-Mail or E-Mail messages to multiple users, simply type their E-Mail address in the To: or CC: section.

CHANGING YOUR USER NAME AND PASSWORD
Is there any way that I can change my user name and password that I registered with during The Link, L.L.C. registration process?

There is no way to change the original user name that you selected during The Link, L.L.C. registration process. That is the single unique identifier on your account. If you wish to change your user name, you would have to cancel your account and re-register for the same service. You can however, change the password that you originally registered with by contacting The Link, L.L.C. Technical Support Center toll-free at 1-888-783-LINK (1-888-783-5465). In addition to your primary E-mail address, you also get up to four (4) additional E-mail addresses. These extra E-mail addresses can be created or deleted at any time.

E-MAIL SPAM
What is Spamming and how will it affect me?

Spamming is basically unwanted or junk mail that is sent to your E-Mail address without your permission. The Link, L.L.C. strictly prohibits "spamming". Anyone caught "spamming" will be subject to cancellation of his account with The Link, L.L.C.


Web Space

YOUR PERSONAL WEB SPACE

How much Web site space do I get with my account?
Each new dial-up account gets 50 MB of personal Web site space. You can use this for anything you wish as long as it follows The Link, L.L.C. Acceptable Use Policy. Visit https://Signup.theLink.net/Terms.asp to review The Link, L.L.C. Acceptable Use Policy. Click here for more details about setting up your Personal Web Space.


Newsgroups

INTRODUCTION TO NEWSGROUPS
What are newsgroups?
Newsgroups are online bulletin boards where people can read about or discuss subjects of mutual interest. Newsgroups are free to join, anyone can participate in them and there are more than 38,000 different subjects, covering just about any topic imaginable.

How do I access newsgroups through The Link, L.L.C.?
If you have chosen filtered The Link, L.L.C. service, at this time, we cannot offer News. For this reason, News is unavailable for our filtered clients.

If you have chosen unfiltered service, you may access our News Service by opening Outlook Express and selecting The Link, L.L.C. news account. You will then be prompted: You are not subscribed to any News Groups for this account, would you like to view a list of available newsgroups now? Click Yes.

If The Link, L.L.C. news does not appear in your account list, please do the following:

1. Open Outlook Express.
2. Click the Tools Menu > select Accounts.
3. Click the Add Button and choose News.
4. Your Name / Display Name – Type in your full name (Example - John Smith).
5. Click Next.
6. Internet E-Mail Address - Enter your The Link, L.L.C. E-Mail address (Example – JohnSmith@theLink.net).
7. Internet News Server - Enter your NNTP Server Name - news.theLink.net.
8. Congratulations Screen – Click Finish.
9. Click Close on the Internet Accounts Window.
10. You will be prompted, "Would you like to download newsgroups from the news account you just added?"
11. Select Yes, and the Newsgroup choices


What is the difference between a moderated and an unmoderated newsgroup?
There are two types of newsgroups: moderated and unmoderated. In a moderated newsgroup, you cannot post directly to the newsgroup. Rather, your postings will be sent to the moderator who determines whether or not to pass the posting along to an entire group. This eliminates postings that are off the topic. An unmoderated newsgroup allows you to post directly to the newsgroup so others may read your message.

What do the prefixes associated with newsgroups mean?
Newsgroup names have several parts that are separated by periods. The more parts to a name, the more specific the newsgroup. These "words" go from general to specific and describe the newsgroup topic.

The prefixes define the general subject of the newsgroup: alt. is alternative, comp. is computers, rec. is recreation, sci. is science, soc. is society and misc. is miscellaneous, for groups that fall outside the other categories. For example, rec.arts.sf.starwars.misc drills down to recreation -> arts -> science fiction -> Star Wars -> miscellaneous discussion.

Binaries are attachments to newsgroup postings. They can be sounds, images or other files. For example, on alt.binaries.gdead, you might find a picture or sound clip from the band The Grateful Dead.

JOINING NEWSGROUPS

What should I know about newsgroups before subscribing and posting messages?
To read and post messages to a newsgroup, you need a newsreader. You will receive both Microsoft Outlook Express and Netscape Messenger with The Link, L.L.C. Internet Access CD-ROM. Both of these popular Internet software packages come with newsreaders.

Before you post a message, you should spend some time getting familiar with the newsgroup's content. Search the messages and see if there is an FAQ. Read some of the postings and follow the threads. This is called lurking. If you lurk, you might find that your message has been answered in past postings.

Newsgroups are not secure, so you should never post a social security number or post a credit card number. It's okay to use your name when you send a message to a newsgroup, but you should keep all other personal information to yourself.

Can I be spammed from posting a message to a newsgroup?
It is possible to be spammed, but there are ways to minimize your chances, based on how you post messages to the newsgroup.

Spammers are a very sneaky bunch. Many use "bots" which are special search programs that can scan the Internet and gather E-mail addresses. Newsgroups are a veritable treasure chest for spammers, since there are so many valid E-mail addresses.

When you post to a newsgroup, you can add some text to your return E-mail address to fool the bots. For example, if your E-mail address is JohnSmith@theLink.net, change your return address to JohnDoeNOSPAM@theLink.net. Then in the text of your posting, you can tell readers to reply to you personally by deleting "NOSPAM" from your E-mail address. Humans will be able to do this; the bots will not.


CHAT AND INSTANT MESSAGING*
*This applies only to non-filtered Internet Service.

TYPES OF CHAT/INSTANT MESSAGING
What's the difference between Web-based chat, Instant Relay Chat (IRC) and instant messaging?

There are many different ways to chat in real-time over the Internet. Web-based chat is the simplest method and uses a Java applet or plug-in allowing you to access the chat directly from your browser. Instant Relay Chat requires its own software and allows you to participate in chat channels, or discussion groups. Instant messaging allows you to set up a list of friends or co-workers and keep track of who's online. You can then send a message and the recipient will receive it instantly.

Do I need special software to use any of these?

You can participate in some forms of Web-based chat without installing additional programs, but most require their own software. Most of these programs are free to download and use. One popular chat/Instant Message application available free on the Web is ICQ. The download can be found at http://www.icq.com.

CHAT AND SAFETY CONCERNS
Is it safe to go into chat rooms?

Generally, they are safe, but you should not reveal any personal information, such as your address or home phone number. You should also be aware that chats are anonymous and it is nearly impossible to identify other members. You should be especially careful if you have children who wish to participate in Internet chats. It might be a good idea to sit with your kids while they are visiting chat rooms.

OTHER QUESTIONS
I sometimes see that a famous person is doing a chat on the Internet. How do I get in on that?

There are usually instructions on the Web page as to how to participate in the chat. It may be necessary to register or download software beforehand.

Can I chat using my The Link, L.L.C. account?
Yes. Your The Link, L.L.C. account does not restrict you from using chat software in any way. Please review the other chat FAQ items on this page for more information regarding participating in Internet chat.


DOWNLOADING

DOWNLOADING DEFINED
What is downloading?

Downloading is the transfer of information through the Internet from one computer to another. For example, you can save a program or image from a Web site. In doing this, you are grabbing information from one computer and sending it over the Internet to yours. In most cases when you check your E-mail, you are downloading it to your local hard drive.

DOWNLOADING SOFTWARE
Do I need special software to download?

All you need to download is a connection to the Internet and a browser. Most Web pages that offer downloads label them clearly and generally all you need to do is click on the link.
Often, large downloadable files are compressed to save space and reduce the download time. To expand these files, you will need a compression utility such as WinZip® available at http://www.WinZip.com.

DOWNLOADING PARTICULARS
How do I locate a file I just downloaded?

When you start to download, you will be prompted with a dialog box that asks you where you want to save the program. You should note the folder that you select. This is where your download will end up. By clicking on the little down arrow at the top of the dialog box just to the right of the folder name, you can see the entire path to access that folder. If you plan on downloading a lot of files or programs, it is a good idea to make a folder on your desktop and save all downloads to that location.

If you cannot remember the name of the file, you can use the "Find" function found in the Start Menu. You should note that the file name and the name of the program you were trying to download might be different. For example, the file name for the Windows version of Netscape® Communicator 4.73 is cc32e473.exe. You can also do a search by date by clicking on the Date Modified tab at the top of the search window.

If all else fails and you still cannot find the program after searching your hard drive, you can visit the download page again to get the file name.

What's the difference between shareware, freeware, demos and betas?
Shareware is software that you can download and use for free for a limited period. After that time, if you like the program, you can pay a fee (usually shareware is relatively inexpensive) to keep it forever. If you're not happy with the program or do not want to pay the fee, you must remove it from your computer. Usually shareware programs will let you know when your evaluation period is over with a screen that will pop up and encourage you to register and pay for the software.

Freeware is software that a developer offers to the public for free, no strings attached. You can use it as much as you want for as long as you want, and you can even give it to your friends. The one thing you cannot do is sell it. It is copyrighted and does belong to the developer.

Demos are free programs that give you a demonstration of what that software can do. You can test software and get a feel for a program, but there is always a caveat. Usually the program is not fully functional; the developer wants to encourage you to buy the full version. Sometimes the best features are inactive, you can't save your work or the demo is a complete version that will expire after a period of time. Demos are a good way to try out expensive software to see if a program really worth the money.

Betas are software that is still in development. You can download betas for free and test out their functionality. Developers usually release them to the public to flush out major bugs and potential program conflicts. Most companies that release beta software welcome feedback from users. You should note that betas are works in progress and can often be buggy or crash your system.

How do I install a program after I download it?
Double-click on the program icon and follow the instructions in the windows that appear.


File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

FTP DEFINED
What is FTP?

FTP or File Transfer Protocol is used to transfer files from one computer to another over the Internet. FTP is used to download from or upload to remote servers.

SPECIAL FTP SOFTWARE
Do I need special software to FTP?

Yes. You need a client-side FTP program like WSFTP available at http://www.WSFTP.com or CuteFTP available at http://www.CuteFTP.com.

ANONYMOUS FTP
What is anonymous FTP?

Anonymous FTP is a conventional way of allowing you to sign on to a computer on the Internet and copy specified public files from it. Some sites offer anonymous FTP to distribute software and various kinds of information. You use it like any FTP, but the username is "anonymous." Many systems will request that the password you choose is your E-mail address. If this fails, the generic password is usually "guest". You generally cannot upload files to anonymous FTP servers.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE LINK, L.L.C. ISP SERVICE

The Link, L.L.C. Services

ABOUT THE LINK, L.L.C. SERVICE
Why should I use The Link, L.L.C. Internet service instead of a local Internet Service Provider?
First, we use the largest and fastest network structure in the world. This insures we can deliver the fastest possible connections to 98% of the U.S. & Canadian populations. Second, we have local dial-up numbers throughout the U.S. & Canada with a 99.44% uptime rate, meaning you you'll have Internet access, just about anytime, anywhere.

What advantages do you have over large prepackaged international Internet Service Providers?

The Link, L.L.C. is great for people who travel with easy access to local networks. And because there are no annoying banner advertisements, you receive quick service and a safe way to navigate the Internet.

FILTERING
What is Internet filtering?

Internet filtering is a process that prevents or blocks access to certain material on the Internet. Filtering is most commonly used to prevent children from accessing inappropriate material and to keep employees productive on the Internet.

What is server filtering?
Server-based filtering occurs on a central computer (server) at the Internet Service Provider. With server-based solutions, a site is blocked before it gets to the user's computer. It is the most efficient, reliable filtering solution.

Who decides which sites to block?
The Link, L.L.C. filtering is provided by X-Stop, who employs a full-time team of dedicated professionals that review each site that is entered into the Company's database. X-Stop does not use keywords to determine which sites to block as this method blocks valuable information. Reviewing sites individually allows X-Stop to evaluate all material that might otherwise go unnoticed and unfiltered using a keyword method.

PRICING and BILLING
How much does The Link, L.L.C. service cost?

When pre-paid for a year in the U.S., for $17.95 a month you get unlimited access, 5 E-Mail accounts, 50 MB of server space for a personal Web site, and full newsgroup feed. In addition, you'll receive the latest news from The Link, L.L.C. every time you go online. If you prefer to pay month-to-month, unlimited access in the U.S. is only $18.95/month. Canadian rates are slightly more.

What does Unlimited Access mean?
The monthly subscriber fee includes unlimited dial-up Internet access. Unless you are specifically paying for a family filtered Internet plan, we do not filter or limit what you can access on the Internet. Some networks also include unlimited hours per month, while other networks offer up to 300, 200, or 150 hours of Internet usage per month.

How am I billed for The Link, L.L.C.'s service?
So that you don't have to worry about paying and mailing a payment each month, we automatically charge your credit card. The Link, L.L.C. accepts American Express, Diner's Club, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. We also have a convenient Bank Draft option that allows you to pay for your service with The Link simply by authorizing us to automatically debit your checking account once a month.

DOWNLOADING SOFTWARE
How do I download The Link, L.L.C. ISP service?

You can download The Link, L.L.C. software for free on our Sign-up page. Go to the Sign-up page to view system requirements, installation instructions and related policies. If you have problems with the download, please contact The Link, L.L.C. Customer Support at 1-888-783-LINK (1-888-783-5465).

REGISTERING FOR THE LINK, L.L.C. INTERNET SERVICES
1. After you install The Link, L.L.C. CD or click the Sign-up link from our Website, the Registration process begins.
2. After agreeing to the On-Line Subscriber Agreement, the screen will prompt you to select a special number to get an outside line. For example, you may need to dial "9" for outside access.
3. If an outside access number is not needed, then just click OK. The software will automatically dial out to the registration servers. The number that is dialed for this is toll-free. Remember that this is the only time it is free.
4. After connecting to the server, the actual registration process will begin. You will be required to select whether or not you want filtered Internet access.
5. The On-Line Subscriber Agreement will be presented and the subscriber must select "I Agree" to continue the registration process.
6. The next step is to complete the billing information. The Link, L.L.C. will allow payment through select credit cards. On the address screen, method of payment will need to be selected. Credit card options include American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa. Credit card validation will take place. You also have the option of paying via a bank draft (in Canada) or automatic debit from your checking account (in the U.S.).
7. Once registration is complete, a verification screen will display User Name and Password. This information should be written down and stored in a safe place.
8. The program will automatically move into the set-up of Internet Explorer 5.5 and Outlook Express 5. The subscriber will be prompted with a message box to install Internet Explorer® 5.5. If "Yes" is selected, the installation wizard will begin.


GETTING SUPPORT
What kind of technical support do you include with dial-up access?

We give you access to The Link, L.L.C. service technical support personnel via phone, 24 hours a day, 7 days-a-week. Call The Link, L.L.C. Technical Support at 1-888-783-LINK (1-888-783-5465).

The Link, L.L.C. also maintains online help through our support E-mail addresses. Technical questions may be E-mailed to Support@theLink.net and billing questions may be E-mailed to Billing@theLink.net.

The Link, L.L.C. Web site also features Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to answer some of the most common questions you may have. This list is updated frequently to include answers to all of the new questions we receive.

Finally, by visiting our Network Status page, you can see if there are any problems with the Internet lines nationally or in your area.

CONTACTING THE LINK, L.L.C.
How can I contact The Link, L.L.C.?

The Link, L.L.C. will has a state-of-the-art E-Mail tracking system in place, that allows us to quickly respond to your requests and provide you with other updates and needed information. Current E-mail addresses are Support@theLink.net for Technical Support, and Billing@theLink.net for billing questions.


Setting Up Your System

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
What are the system requirements for The Link, L.L.C. ISP service?

PC with 486 DX processor or better
Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, 2000, Me, or XP
16 MB RAM or better (32 MB for NT 4.0)
45 MB free hard drive space (up to 111MB for full install)
28,000 modem or better
CD-ROM drive
NOTE: Windows 3.X not supported


INSTALLATION & ACCOUNT SET UP

Windows Installation Notes
The installation process included in this kit works for Windows© 95, Windows© 98, Windows© NT 4.0, Windows© 2000, Windows© Me, and Windows© XP. The software will walk you through every step of the process, but we recommend reading this guide as you go. We include Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 to use as your Internet browser, as well as Netscape Communicator. It is important that you keep your system software CD handy while doing this setup. Missing system items may be required, and if so, the setup will ask for the Windows system CD.

1. Make sure your modem is connected to the phone line.
2. Insert the CD-ROM into the CD drive.
3. If CD-ROM does not Auto-Run:
· Double click My Computer icon on desktop
· Double Click on the CD Drive icon
· Double click Setup (or setup.exe) to begin
4. Follow screen instructions to get online.
5. If you have any questions or issues during this process, please feel free to contact our toll-free technical Support Center at 1-888-783-LINK (1-888-783-5465).

Can I install The Link, L.L.C. software on a PC with Microsoft Windows NT 4.0?
The Link, L.L.C. will support one Windows NT workstation per Link subscriber. The Link, L.L.C. account cannot be loaded onto a Windows NT server.

Macintosh OS 7.5.5 or better
System 7.5.5 and newer versions ship with Internet Setup Assistant and a Web browser. Internet Setup Assistant will walk you through the setup of Open Transport and a dialer. Please contact our toll free technical Support Center to activate your account at 1-888-783-LINK (1-888-783-5465).
Configuring Your Macintosh for Internet Access Using "Apple Internet Setup Assistant"
1. Double click your Hard Drive icon.
2. Double-click the Internet folder.
3. Double-click the Internet Setup Assistant alias icon.
4. Based on your operating system version, click the confirmation button listed below:
a. For OS 7.5.5 to 8.0 the button is titled Update.
b. For OS 8.5 to 9.0 the button is titled Yes.
5. Click the right arrow button (lower right corner of window) to continue.
6. Choose Add Internet Configuration button.
7. Click the right arrow button to continue.
8. In the What would you like name this configuration text box, type "The Link, L.L.C. Dial-up" (without the quotes).
9. For How will you be connecting to the Internet button, choose "Modem".
10. Click the right arrow button to continue.
11. Select your modem from the list. If you do not see your modem listed select the modem that is closest to yours.
12. Select Modem Port
13. Select Tone button.
14. Click the right arrow button to continue.
15. In the What is the phone number for this configuration text box, type the
phone number that you were given.
16. If your are in an office and need to dial a number to access a telephone line,
type it in front of the phone number followed by a comma. For example: 9, 334-555-1212
17. If you wish to disable call waiting, type *70 before the telephone number, followed by a comma. Not all areas use *70 to disable call waiting. So if *70 does not work, contact you local phone company for the correct code. Call waiting will turn back on after you disconnect from the Internet.
18. In the What name do you use with this service text box, type your Link username.
19. In the What is your password text box, type your Link password.
20. Click the right arrow button to continue.
21. Select No.
22. Click the right arrow button to continue.
23. In What is the DNS address text box, type "65.196.203.13" (without the quotes) and press the "RETURN" key on the keyboard.
24. Type "65.196.203.14" (without the quotes) and press the "RETURN" key on the keyboard.
25. In What is the Domain Name (or host name) for the configuration text box,
type "theLink.net" (without the quotes).
26. Click the right arrow button to continue.
27. In the What is the E-mail address for the configuration text box, type
"YourUserID@theLink.net" (without the quotes and using your Link username).
28. In the What is your password text box, type your Link password.
29. Click the right arrow button to continue.
30. In the What is the E-mail account for this configuration text box, type "username@pop3.theLink.net" (without the quotes and using your Link username).
31. In the What is the E-mail host for this configuration text box,
type "smtp.theLink.net" (without the quotes).
32. Click the right arrow button to continue.
33. In the What is the news group host for this configuration text box,
type "news.theLink.net" (without the quotes).
34. Click the right arrow button to continue.
35. Select Check the connection when finished box.
36. Click the Show Details button.
37. Verify that the account information is correct, click the Hide Details button.
38. Click the Go Ahead button to connect.
39. Once connected launch a Web browser, E-mail client or other Internet application.

CHANGING YOUR USER NAME AND PASSWORD
Is there any way that I can change my user name and password that I registered with during The Link, L.L.C. registration process?

There is no way to change the original user name that you selected during The Link, L.L.C. registration process. That is the single unique identifier on your account. If you wish to change your user name, you would have to cancel your account and re-register for the same service. You can however, change the password that you originally registered with by contacting The Link, L.L.C. Technical Support Center toll-free at 1-888-783-LINK (1-888-783-5465). In addition to your primary E-mail address, you also get up to four (4) additional E-mail addresses. These extra E-mail addresses can be created or deleted at any time.

SYSTEM SETTINGS
The Link, L.L.C. Internet Settings:
The following settings are the correct ones to use when setting up your E-Mail system.

Incoming or POP3 Mail Server: pop3.theLink.net.
Outgoing or SMTP Mail Server: smtp.theLink.net.

SET-UP NETSCAPE® AS YOUR WEB BROWSER INSTEAD OF INTERNET EXPLORER®
How do I set up Netscape Navigator as my The Link, L.L.C. browser?
1. From the Netscape Navigator Edit pull-down menu, select the Preferences option.
2. From the scrolling region to the left, expand the Advanced option by selecting it.
3. Next, click on the Proxies sub-option.
4. On the screen that appears, click on the Manual Proxy Configuration radio button and then click on the View button. In the Manual Proxy Configuration window, type the following:
· In the HTTP field, type filter.theLink.net
· In the Port field across from HTTP: type 80
See the illustration below for an example.

Please use the following steps to set up your E-Mail account to work with Netscape:
1. Open the Netscape Communicator browser.
2. Select Edit and then go to Preferences.
3. Click on + in front of Mail & Newsgroups from the list on the left.
4. Click on Identity.
5. In the space that says Real Name, type in your name. For example: John Smith
6. In the space that says E-Mail Address, type in your E-Mail address. For example: JohnSmith@theLink.net
7. Click on Mail Servers.
8. Incoming Mail Server. Click Add.
9. In the space that says Server Name, type in: pop3.theLink.net
10. In the space that says Outgoing Mail Server, type in smtp.theLink.net
11. Click OK.


SETTING UP THE LINK, L.L.C. ON A SECOND COMPUTER
Can I set up the same The Link, L.L.C. account on a second computer?
Yes, to install your Link Internet service on a second computer such as work and home, please follow these instructions.

FROM THE LINK, L.L.C. CD:
1. Insert The Link, L.L.C. CD-ROM into the computer that you want it installed on.
2. First, you must agree to the End User License Agreement.
3. Select Set Up Existing Account.
4. Click Next.
5. If you need to access an outside line, fill in the blank field.
6. Click OK.
7. Then you will connect to the registration server.
8. On the Registration Confirmation page, enter your User ID and Password.
9. Click Login.
10. Then you will be brought to the Successful Registration page.
11. Click Next.
12. You will be asked to install either Internet Explorer 5, Netscape Communicator or do not install a browser – select one.
13. Click Next.
14. This will then install the browser of your choice and add the desktop icon to your PC.


Using Your Personal Web Space

OVERVIEW
Now that you're on the Internet, you may be interested in building a Web page or site of your own. Believe it or not, designing a simple Web site is fairly easy.

The Web is made up of HTML, or HyperText Markup Language. What does this mean? It simply means that your browser is sent a series of tags that tell it what to show. These tags may make up text, point to an image or be a link to another page. A series of pages is a Web site.

How much Web space do I get with my account?
With The Link, L.L.C. Internet service, you receive 20MB of space on The Link, L.L.C. Web server where you can place your Web site. Our server will host your site. When people type in the correct Web address or URL (Uniform Resource Locator), they will be able to see your site instantly no matter where in the world they are located.

Creating a page for the World Wide Web consists of several steps.

1. Deciding on the content.
2. Gathering that information. This may include images, photos or links to other sites, or your E-Mail address.
3. Designing the site on your personal computer.
4. Transferring the page or site to the Web server (host) using a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) program.

Let's look at each step individually.

DECIDING ON CONTENT
You are welcome to place any subject matter on your personal site as long as it cannot be considered offensive to other users. Read the Acceptable Use Policy for more details on Web site restrictions. Remember that you can do just about anything you want with this space.

GATHERING INFORMATION
Copy the URL address of any sites you'd like your site to link to. It is courteous to ask the person if you can link to their site. If you want to create your own graphics, you will need a program such as Paint Shop Pro, Corel PHOTO-PAINT or Adobe® PhotoShop®. You may decide to use clip art instead of creating your own graphics. Or if you or someone you know has an image scanner, you can place original photos or scans on your site. Just remember that file size of the image is important. You need to get your image file sizes as low as possible. The larger the file size, the longer it will take for the image to load on the visitor's screen. Use these resources to learn more.

Andy Art – a page of free clip art resources www.andyart.com
The Clip Art Connection – www.clipartconection.com

DESIGNING YOUR SITE
As mentioned above, HTML is simply programming with tags. These tags encase the item in a container, or mark it up, giving the browser the command to handle the item in a certain way. These containers start and stop on each side of the item and must be in a particular order.

A number of automated code-writing programs are available today and are very easy to use. They are known as WYSIWYG editors (What You See Is What You Get).

The following links will show you more about HTML programming and tags and also point you to some WYSIWYG editor programs.

Adobe® PageMill® – HTML WYSIWYG Editor
Microsoft® FrontPage® – HTML WYSIWYG Editor
The Bare Bones Guide to HTML
NCSA Beginner's Guide to HTML
Netscape® HTML Tag Reference
Microsoft® Word® (basic HTML editing)
Any word-processing program or text editor that can save a file in TEXT FORMAT can also be used to author a Web page. After saving in this format, end the file name with .html (for example, family.html) and open it into your browser. You will know if your tags are correct or not by the way your page looks. The first page of your site should be named index.html.

PUTTING YOUR SITE ON THE WEB SERVER
Once your site is done, you will want to upload it to the Internet Web server, a computer dedicated to serving sites out to the World Wide Web at a high rate of speed.

You will need to get an FTP program, which will upload your Web pages from your computer to the Web server. Once it is installed, use the following information to access the server. By searching for FTP at shareware.com, you can find a number of these programs for your computer platform. Two very popular FTP programs are WSFTP available at
http://www.WSFTP.com or CuteFTP available at http://www.CuteFTP.com.

Server: members.theLink.net

User Name: Your complete Link E-mail address (i.e. YourUserID@theLink.net)
Password: Your Link account password
Follow the upload instructions that are included with the FTP program to upload the files to our server.

Once you have transferred the files, you can go to http://members.theLink.net/username and see your site!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This publication is subject to change without notice. The Link, L.L.C. shall not be liable for technical, pictorial or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. Corel PHOTO-PAINT is a registered trademark of the Corel Corporation. Adobe® PhotoShop® and Adobe® PageMill® are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems, Inc. Microsoft® FrontPage® and Microsoft® Word® are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation. NCSA Beginners Guide to HTML is a registered trademark of the University of Illinois. Netscape® HTML Tag Reference is a registered trademark of the Netscape Communications Corporation. Other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.


ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
Acceptable Use Policy: Internet, Dial Up, & Software AUP-001
Revision: May 1, 2002
This Policy represents the complete agreement and understanding between the Providers, their affiliates, owners, and suppliers (hereinafter collectively called Provider) and the account holder (hereinafter called User) and supersedes any other written or oral agreement. Upon notice published on-line at https://signup.thelink.net/terms.asp Provider may modify this Policy effective with publication to the web site.
 
If User does not agree to the terms and conditions of this Policy, please notify Provider (here) Provider such that Provider can terminate User account. Failure to notify Provider shall constitute User acceptance of this Policy.
 
1.All individuals accessing Internet through Provider represent that they are 18 years of age or older. Certain material available on the Internet through Provider may not be suitable for individuals under the age of 18.
 
2.User understands further that the Internet contains unedited materials some of which are sexually explicit or may be offensive to User. User accesses such materials at User’s own risk. Provider has no control over and accepts no responsibility whatsoever for such materials.
 
3.Information transmitted through Provider and through the Internet in general is not confidential. Therefore, Provider cannot and will not guarantee privacy or guarantee protection of User. Provider will not disclose any information about any User unless required by court order, subpoena or other legal request, or upon the advice of counsel.
 
4.Provider has no control whatsoever over the content of the information passing through Provider Services. Use of any information obtained via Provider is at User’s own risk. Neither Provider nor any of its licensers, employees, suppliers, or agents warrants that the service will be uninterrupted or error free; nor does Provider or its licensers, employees, suppliers, or agents make any warranty as to the results to be obtained from use of any product or service. The product or service is provided on an "AS IS" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied including but not limited to warranties of title or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use. Neither Provider nor anyone else involved in creating, producing or delivering the service shall be liable for any indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages arising out of the use of the product or service or inability to use such or out of any breach of any warranty. This disclaimer of liability applies to any damages or injury caused by any failure of performance, error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, computer virus, communication line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, alteration of, or use of Provider, whether for breach of contract, tortuous behavior, negligence, or under any other cause of action.
 
5.User agrees to indemnify and hold without harm Provider, its officers, employees, suppliers, agents, directors, shareholders and other Users from any and all claims, damages, expenses (including attorney's fees) and liabilities resultant from any and all use of the User's account whether authorized or not authorized.
 
6.Provider Internet connections and all other products or services provided to the User by Provider may only be used for lawful purposes. Transmission or storage of any information, data or material in violation of any U.S. or state regulation or law is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to: copyrighted, material legally judged to be threatening or obscene, or material protected by trade secret. User agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Provider from any claims resulting from User’s utilization of the service, which damages User or another party.
 
7.The right to use Provider product or service is not transferable. Accounts are for User’s utilization only! User is responsible for the confidentiality of User's passwords. Loaning User’s account to others, connecting a system used by multiple persons, group use of User logins, and consuming more than one connection simultaneously are explicitly prohibited. If the User has multiple accounts, then the User is limited to one login session per system account at any time. Violation of this Policy will be dealt with as theft of service, charges may be levied, and User may be prosecuted under civil and criminal law.
 
8.Provider's products or services should not be used to send unsolicited advertising or promotional materials to other network users. Electronic mail and appropriate USENET newsgroups may be used in the conduct of legitimate businesses. Provider DOES NOT ALLOW User to run Maillist, Listserv or any form of auto-responder from a User’s shell. Processes that run or are activated while the User is not logged in are also NOT ALLOWED. Continued harassment of other individuals on the Internet after being asked to stop by those individuals and/or Provider will not be tolerated. When Provider becomes aware of alleged violations, Provider may initiate an investigation. At the same time, in order to prevent further possible unauthorized activity, Provider may suspend access to services to the individual account in question. Confirmation of violations may result in cancellation of the individual account and/or criminal prosecution. The account suspension may be rescinded at the discretion of Provider following payment of a reconnection charge.
 
9.Use of this account to violate the security of any computer network, crack passwords or security encryption codes, transfer or store illegal material including that deemed threatening or obscene, or engage in any kind of illegal activity is expressly prohibited. User will abide by all the rules, regulations and policies of those networks and computer systems accessed via this account. If the User is unsure of those policies, it is the User's responsibility to ascertain said policies.
 
10.Financial Arrangements:
 
a. The User is responsible for any and all fixed and cumulative charges for this account which are non-refundable. The first month service fee (or other available billing period selected) is due upon account setup unless Provider has offered other arrangements. Each calendar month, the account will be charged the monthly access and any other fees for the new month plus any accumulated charges for the past month, if applicable. Failure to use this account(s) does not relieve the User of payment obligations during the Term of service.
 
b. Credit or Debit Card User agrees to allow Provider to bill such card on each successive billing cycle without obtaining the User's permission after the initial charge. Credit Card User shall notify Provider of any changes in Credit Card Number or expiration date. If the card is not honored for any reason, Provider may attempt to contact User via telephone, e-mail, and/or U.S. Postal service to prevent suspension of the account before the end of the current calendar month. If the User’s account is not current by the fifth day prior to the end of the current calendar month, the User’s account may be suspended without notice until payments including any reactivation fees have been received. Suspended accounts may be terminated and removed from Provider’s database at the sole discretion of the Provider. Re-establishment of the account will be subject to a reconnection fee of not less than $25.00. User’s ID may be unavailable for reissue.
 
c. If payment is by check or cash, payment is due monthly on or before User’s due date. Dishonored checks are subject to a collection fee of not less than $25.00 and User’s account may be suspended until the account is current. Payment conditions of 10.b above also apply to check or cash payments.
 
d. Provider dial-up prices are subject to change at any time. Provider dial-up accounts include 5MB of personal storage on Provider’s web server (unless Provider has offered other allowances to User). Any storage of information exceeding the limit is subject to audit and additional charge. Personal storage on Provider servers cannot be used for commercial purposes or any other purpose that is deemed to be unlawful or sexually explicit.
 
e. Provider has the right to instantly terminate service for any unpaid or partial paid subscriptions. Accounts in default are subject to an interest charge of 1.5% per month on the outstanding balance. Termination of service shall not relieve the User from the obligation to satisfy outstanding invoices. In the event Provider utilizes an attorney to collect such sums, the User shall be responsible for the payment of all of Provider attorneys' fees and costs in pursuing the collection of these sums. Venue and choice of law for any legal dispute shall follow the law of Ohio. Litigation rights of User may be subject to arbitration prior to litigation at the sole discretion of Provider.
 
f. Provider reserves the right to cancel service for any reason without prior notice. In case of cancellation, unused fees may be returned to the User on a pro-rata basis at the sole discretion of the Provider.
 
g. The User must notify Provider in writing, e-mail or telephone call to Provider’s Customer Service Department to cancel service subject to any specified Term. Fees for any setup and any service through the current month's service are non-refundable, unless the User is unsuccessful in using the account and speaks to Provider’s technical support department and notifies Provider within five (5) days of establishing said service. All User phone calls are logged and may be recorded.
 
h. In addition to any price for services, User shall be responsible for the gross amount of any federal, state, municipal or other government sales, use, excise, value added or other similar taxes applicable to the price, sales or delivery of any services furnished.
 
11. In the event that any portion of this Policy is held to be unenforceable, the unenforceable portion shall be construed in accordance with applicable law as nearly as possible to reflect the original intentions of the parties and the remainder of the provisions shall remain in full force and effect, and all provisions of this Policy which operate to protect the rights of Provider shall continue in full force even in the event of termination of User account. Provider's failure to insist upon or enforce strict performance of this Policy shall not be construed as a waiver of any provision or right. Neither the course of conduct between parties nor trade practice shall act to modify any provision of this Policy.
 
12.By the use of a Provider account the User accepts the terms and conditions set forth in this Policy.
 
13. Retailers, Wholesalers, Associations, ISPs, or other entities who wish to replace this Policy with additional or private branded policies must contain the following clause as the first paragraph of their policy and shall have prior approval to post said policy:
 
  “This Agreement represents Terms and Conditions that supplement AUP-001 found at https://signup.thelink.net/terms.asp. If any conflict in terms exist, AUP-001 shall take precedence over any provision otherwise specified.”
 
14. This Policy was last updated May 1, 2002.


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