The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group
PC (President's Comments)
George Skarbek
 gskarbek@melbpc.org.au
 
New Internet Services for All Members 

A new Internet Agreement has been introduced with benefits to all Melb PC members. Everyone can now have access to e-mail and newsgroups. The main changes are: 

  1. Melb PC members who pay $140 to use the group's Internet services were previously referred to as Internet Subscribers. They now become Full Internet Subscribers with the added benefit of a Personal Home Page.
  2. A new category, Associate Internet Subscriber will be available free of charge to all Melb PC members, who will enjoy the following benefits. 
    (a) An e-mail account (with an 8 MB mailbox quota) that may be shared with registered family members. (b) Access to Internet newsgroups 
    (c) Intranet (local Internet) browsing ONLY to material that resides at Melb PC servers. This Intranet includes a vast range of software at http://tucows.melbpc.org.au 
    (d) Thirty minutes daily access, plus bonus time when available at off-peak periods.
I n other words every Melb PC member can now have an e-mail account, access to newsgroups, and very limited Internet access, all covered by their $55 annual membership fee. Naturally a full subscriber, being a Melb PC member, is also entitled to this second e-mail account. Full subscribers will be able to access both accounts during one session. 

How Is This achieved? 

The associate subscriber will be able to dial up through only one phone number 8626 5001 and any attempt to connect through the main Internet numbers will fail due to username non-recognition. 

The full subscriber will have access to all Internet numbers. However, any dial-up through 8626 5001 will result in access time being limited. Also, you would be occupying a line designated for associate subscribers and should avoid using that number. 

Configuring Software 

The Melb PC configuration kit will enable all subscribers to create an Internet dialler and configure mail programs and browsers for the appropriate access. However, this program configures only one dialler. If you already have software set up for an existing Melb PC account, or an outside ISP account, you will have to manually configure the dialler. 

The configuration kit and details for manual configuration are available on the new Melb PC Monthly CD or from the Web at http://www.melbpc.org.au/faq/mailbags.htm. 

How To Register 

The new Internet Agreement together and the Application Form for both full and associate subscriptions are available from the links shown. Existing full subscribers must register for their associate subscription. 

The full Internet subscription annual fee remains unchanged at $140 incl GST. New full subscribers must use the NEW application form and may tick both subscription types in the one application to cover their full and associate subscriptions simultaneously. 

Internet Update 

We have added another 60 phone lines to largely eliminate busy signals. As well as the extra phone lines we have purchased more bandwidth to further improve response, especially over peak periods. Hence we have been able to increase the daily access time from two to three hours over the peak period and to six hours for the off-peak period. For further details see the latest Internet report. 

APCUG Reports 

Melb PC sent two members to represent the group at the annual meeting of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups where 380 delegates from groups around the world gathered to exchange ideas on how to improve services to members. This year we again received much valuable information, some of which is described in more detail in my report. 

Next Monthly Meeting 

The Pharmacy College is being renovated so we are all going to university! We are moving across the road to Melbourne University's Union House. See map p63. Go to 1st Floor, Union House, Tin Alley on Wednesday 6 February at 6:00 pm. 

Corel's Gavin Watson will demonstrate WordPerfect 10, WordPerfect fans can see how much this program has improved. 

Lloyd Howlett from Universal Press will show us the wonders of the Melbourne street directory on CD-ROM, from USB. 

Have you been to the monthly meeting yet? You don't know what you're missing. There is information and fun, entertainment and hundreds, often thousands of dollars worth of prizes. The meeting will also have our Random Access session (your chance to ask the experts.) Bring your membership card to ensure you will be eligible for raffle prizes.

Reprinted from the February 2002 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia

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