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This checklist may usefully printed out and filled in as you
prepare for your account setup. Or your ISP may prefer to fax you all this information on
one standard form. . |
However you get the info, you should store it away
someplace safe and secure, in case you ever need to double-check your setup or reinstall
your software. |
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Your login name |
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This is your choice. Think carefully. This will also be your e-mail name.
They may suggest that you simply use your real name, but you have to decide if you want to
be known to the world as "JSmith@acme.net". If you insist you really want to be
NakedAvenger@acme.net, they should be willing to accommodate you. |
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Your password |
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Your account must have a password, even if you would rather
not be bothered. Your ISP doesn't want anyone logging on as you,
even if you wouldn't care.
You tell your ISP what you want your password to be, usually entering
it twice to make sure your finger didn't slip the first time. When
you type a password onto a screen it usually is displayed as a row of
asterisks, like this:
Username: niceman
Password: ********
Selecting a password can be tricky. You want it to be easy for
you to remember but impossible for someone else to guess. My rule of
thumb: a password should not be composed entirely of letters (that
is, it should include some numbers or symbols as well), and the letter
portion should not be an ordinary English word.
When you type in your desired password, the ISP may reject it if they
decide it is too long, too short, to simple, or contains forbidden
symbols. The rules vary from system to system. Just try again.
Forgetting your password is frustrating, embarrassing, time-wasting and
extremely common. So please, write your password down and put it
somewhere safe. Really. Then the only challenge you may have
later is remembering where you put it.
Your ISP should also provide instructions for how to change your password
whenever you want to.
You might want to ask them what happens if you call up and
say you've forgotten it.
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Their local "point of presence"
phone numbers |
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With a standard dial-up Internet account, your computer will
connect to your ISP by dialing a phone number... so you will need to tell
your computer what number to dial
Your ISP should ideally offer you at least two different local numbers,
wherever you live, but it is up to you to verify that these numbers are
not a toll call for you.
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Your IP address |
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This may be an actual IP address like 123.45.67.89, but will probably be
simply "dynamic", meaning that you get a new address assigned to your computer
every time you connect. |
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The standard "magic numbers"
for configuring your software, including... |
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Lately
ISPs have begun to use dynamic DNS, which means you probably don't have to worry about
these settings any more. Hooray! |
The address of the Primary and/or Secondary Domain Name Server
("DNS") These will each look something vaguely like
"123.456.7.890" A valid DNS is vitally important: without it, you can connect to
the Internet, but you won't be able to browse the Web or send mail. Host, domain and
domain suffix settings (If your ISP recommends or allows you to configure your Network
TCP/IP settings for DNS, then they should provide the appropriate host, domain and domain
suffix settings, and/or detailed instructions for proper configuration. If they say not to
bother setting these up, that's OK too. |
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The address of your Incoming Mail (POP3)
Server |
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This typically looks something like "mail.acme.net" or
"pop.acme.net". |
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The address of your Outgoing Mail (SMTP)
Server |
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This typically looks something like "mail.acme.net" or
"smtp.acme.net". |
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The address of your Usenet News (NNTP)
Server |
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This typically looks something like "news.acme.net". |
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The address of your IRC Server |
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Something like "irc1.acme.net" for EFNet and
"irc2.acme.net" for Undernet would be very nice indeed. |
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The address of any other useful Servers |
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Very few ISPs offer a CU-SeeMe reflector service or NetMeeting directory
hosting for their subscribers. If yours does, great! Get the info. |
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Their technical support phone number. |
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Get all the different numbers you can: Status Report lines, billing,
administrative and sales offices as well as tech support. You don't want to sit on hold
any longer than necessary. Ask if they also do tech support via e-mail, and if so, note
the address they prefer you to use. |
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The names of any special UseNet
Newsgroups that they maintain |
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Smaller ISPs won't bother creating their own newsgroups, but if they offer
it, something like "acme.net.tech.support" would be worth subscribing to. |
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Their Web Address |
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If you didn't get this before you joined up, make sure you get it now.
Browse to it early and often to check for important announcements. |
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If you will have your own personal Web
site, you will also want to know
(a) your Web address,
(b) the name of the computer where your Web page will be stored, and
(c) the address and password you should use to upload your files to it. |
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Your address may be "http://www.acme.net/~JSmith". The machine
might be called "fred.acme.net", for example, and your files might be located on
that computer in a folder called "/data/www/users/JSmith". |
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There's lots more that it might be nice to know
about your ISP, but this should enable you to get through the Microsoft Internet
Connection Wizard to set up your new connection.. (Hint:
when in doubt, accept the default answer.) |
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I hope this is helpful. If you want more personal help in getting
connected, Ask That Nice Man! |
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