Midcoast Internet Monthly Newsletter for February 2000 0) Busies 1) Time Machine 2) Browser based email program 3) Additional email boxes 4) Chamber of Commerce Trade Show 5) New number for the 845 exchange 6) New Office Hours 7) System Announcements 8) Welcome new employees 0) It has always been our desire to have enough modems for our customer to be able to connect to our service. Back on December 1, 1999 we placed an order with Bell Atlantic for circuits to allow us to add 115 more modem lines for the Rockland, Camden, Waldoboro and Belfast areas, (plus 72 for the Damariscotta area).. What is normally a two-week delivery time form Bell Atlantic has stretched out to now be a delivery date around February 7-8. Some of the lines were installed today and might be able to be activiated this week if things go well. We apologize for any inconvenience during this period. 1) Time Machine. We have been working for some time on valid updated software for our on-line time machine. This is what allows you as a customer to view the hours used during a specific billing period. An appropriate solution has been located and is now being perfected. We promise that this issue has not created any invalid charges for time used to any customers account. To view our new version of the time machine go to http://sip.midcoast.com/cgi-bin/tm1.cgi . This time machine does not take hours of usage between midnight-10am, but that will be corrected very soon. 2) For those customers who have a need to use an web browser based email program but have experienced trouble with MailSpinner, please try our latest program at http://sip.midcoast.com/mailman/mmstdod.cgi This program is Endymion, pronounced,"en-dem-e-in", and it looks like a great alternative to MailSpinner. 3) Beginning February 1 2000, customers will have another email address available to their account for no extra fees. $20/60-hour accounts will have 1 primary address and one additional address. $30/160-hour accounts will have 1 primary address and two additional addresses. Additional email addresses should be requested at http://www.midcoast.com/help/customerservice/freemail.html We strive to increase the benefits to our customers without raising our prices. 4) Be sure to visit us at the Rockland-Thomaston Area Chamber of Commerce "Business Showcase," on Wednesday, March 8, from 9:00am until 6:30pm. We will be highlighting our wireless Internet access, as well as our virtual domain hosting and dial-up accounts. Stop by the booth, say hello to the staff, and grab one of our new coffee mugs! Booth #30/32 5) For folks in the 845 exchange of Washington, V90 has arrived. (It does 56kflex too). The number is 845-2002 and consists of 24 lines. It will be eventually increased to 48 lines. Northland Telephone was very efficient to get it hooked up quickly, and they got 50K connects on all 24 lines, but actual connect speeds will vary depending on where you live and what you have for a modem, and other factors. If you are an 845 Washington customer, we encourage you to try this line and if it works well, to switch to this number. 6) Office Hours We have expanded our office hours to accommodate our customers better. Monday-Friday 8:00am-6:00pm Saturday 9:00am-12:00 noon Thursday evenings extended telephone tech support from 6-9 pm 7) Keep advised of current issues by visiting our System Announcements at http://www.midcoast.com/news.html 8) Since our last newsletter, we have some new faces at the office. We are very thankful for their extra help. Bill Batty joined the staff during the fall of 1999. He helps MIS with public relations matters and technical support. Bill works with many of the community organizations we interact with and helping people who visit our office or call on the phone. Bill's background is public relations for a very large retailer. Barry Spofford joined MIS during January. He is starting to help with customer service and technical support, then move into helping with wireless hookups and wireless support. Barry's brings experience with digital satellite installs and digital cable TV, and other skills in communications and electronics.