July 8, 1998 Time for another newsletter. We don't email everyone unless we have some fairly important words. Topics: 0) Wireless Internet Access 1) Belfast expansion 2) Summer Lightning Warning 3) More Free Time 4) Changing of DNS numbers 5) Email billing 0) Wireless Internet Access in the Rockland area. This works, and it's for real. It's here. It works. It is fast. In the Rockland area initially, you can access the internet with a small antenna, bypassing the monopoly utilities, for a constant internet connection. Doing internet without wires is a great way to reduce monthly costs for telephone and internet. The savings allows us to provide wireless internet for a fraction of the cost for the same speed connection using traditional technologies. This is an excellent medium for serious computer users or people with an office of computer that need to connect to the internet. We've been using it at our office in Rockland and with a customer test site in Owls Head for more then two months now. The technology and brand we chose works well, better than advertised; a rare find in the computer business. It has also worked very reliably, with consistent fast speed. Downloads are upto fifty times faster than a typical modem, and browsing the internet is snappier too. As we said, it's up and running right now in Rockland. We're in the process of getting it going in Damariscotta as well. We will provide this to other areas as well, please express your interest, and give us your name, number, and location. The directions that we expand this service will be based on _your_ response. For the full scoop, visit www.midcoast.com/mis/wireless/ 1) The Belfast area is now serviced by Midcoast Internet Solutions. The number is 338-9146. We have a T1 and a number of lines going into Belfast and intend to be a top-quality provider in the area. This also provides access to Northport, Morrill, Monroe, Searsport, Stockton Springs, and Brooks. People may call our office for signup and assistance, or pick up a signup packet at Softec Computer on Route 1, south of Belfast. 2) Summer Lightning Warning If lightning comes your way this summer, unplug your computer, AND unplug your modem from the phone lines. Several customers have lost modems, and it's a frustrating, preventable situation. We've also lost about 30 modems, which was definitely frustrating, but not preventable, since our lines are open 'round the clock for you. The phone company does have surge protection on the lines, but nothing stops a direct hit. 3) More Free Time We've extended the amount of free time we provide each month. In addition to the hours included in your monthly plan, time usage between midnight and 9:00 am is also free. This is two more hours each day of free internet than previously offered. Here's a recap: $20/month for 50 hours $30/month for 150 hours and two email addresses Usage between midnight and 9:00 am is not accounted for. Providing this free time adapts well to many people's schedule, more than ever now! 4) New DNS numbers As always, MIS is right in the middle of making another refinement to our network. We are hooking right into MCI-Boston and have some new IP numbers which are much faster and more reliable. The DNS configuration numbers that some people are using might have to be changed in your computer. The old 204.117.xxx.xxx numbers will be going away in about a month. After those numbers go away, old configurations won't work! Please visit www.midcoast.com/help/dns/ for specific instructions on how to change the DNS number. Don't worry, it's a real easy change. Once set with the new number it will never have to be changed again. 5) You may choose to get your bill by email instead of US Postal Service now. It is a simple change here, just drop a note to accounts@midcoast.com. The environmental benefits are quite obvious, and it is convenient for people who use email on a regular basis.