Natco Net News

August 2001
Volume 3, Issue 8

• Natco Notes
• Dial-up: DSL offers high-speed access for businesses
• E-mail: Protect yourself from viruses
• Web pages: Digital spelling

• Thunderstorm season has arrived, which could spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E for your computer system if it's not properly protected. We can't over-emphasize the importance of a good surge protector for your computer, which can offer albeit limited protection during storms. To be absolutely safe, however, we strongly recommend unplugging both your computer and your phone line at the first signs of storms.
  
  
• Need some help? Call NATCO Tech Support at 425-7325 in Mtn. Home, 453-8822 in Flippin, or 1-800-775-6682 for Yellville, Harrison and all others for assistance.
  
  
• Thank you for referring your friends and family members to us! New customers can sign up at: NATCO, 1-800-775-6682, in Flippin; Clark Office Products, 870-741-2714, in Harrison; Brooks-Jeffrey Marketing, 870-425-8064, in Mountain Home; or The Computer Zone, 870-449-6333, in Yellville.
  
  
• Pay your bill online! NATCO customers can pay their bills online now, thanks to a secure feature available on this Web site. All you need is your NATCO account number (check your bill) and a major credit card. Your payment will show up on your next month's bill.

Dial-up: DSL offers high-speed access for businesses

NATCO Technologies offers high-speed Internet access at affordable rates for businesses in the Twin Lakes Area. DSL Internet access allows users to access the Internet at far higher access speeds than are available with a typical modem connection and does not require its own phone line or tie up an existing phone line.

Recommended for businesses in particular, DSL technology allows for many employees whose computers are networked to share a high-speed connection.
Users do not necessarily experience degradation in access speed when others are sharing the connection. And, the connection is "always on" -- no more waiting to establish a modem connection.

DSL packages start at $59.95. To find out if DSL is available in your area and inquire about service, contact NATCO at 453-8800 or toll-free at 1-800-775-6682. In Mountain Home, contact Brooks-Jeffrey Marketing at 425-8064.

E-mail: Protect yourself from viruses

A number of viruses have been circulating the Internet recently, disguised often as attachments from people you know. Viruses can cause damage to files on your hard drive and slow your machine down, as well as spreading to your friends and family unbeknownst to you.

A good rule of thumb: If you receive an e-mail with an attachment, do not immediately open the attachment. Ask the sender if they intended to send an attachment before you attempt to open it. Just looking at the name of the attachment isn't good enough; the most recent viruses are spread through attachments with unsuspicious names.

You should ensure your computer is equipped with virus protection software and that it is up-to-date with the latest virus definition files. Keeping your virus protection software updated is the first - and best - line of defense against viruses.

For more information about virus software, check out these two software vendors:

• McAfee:www.mcafee.com
• Norton: www.symantec.com/downloads

Web pages: Digital spelling

Feeling confused about how to spell Internet-related terms? Is it website, web site or Web site? Or is it E-mail or e-mail or email?

Follow these guidelines for consistency:

Internet (cap I)
Web site (two words, cap W)
e-mail (hyphen)
home page (two words, no caps)
online/offline (one word, no hyphens)
dial up = verb; dialup = adjective
log on/log off = verb; logon/logoff = noun
multimedia (no hyphen)
Net (cap N)

Additional information can be found in the Wired Style Guide, available for purchase online or at your local bookstore for about $13.

Natco Net News
Volume 3, Issue 8

Archives of Natco Net News are available online at
http://www.natcotech.com/newsletter/.

Questions? Problems? E-mail custserv@natconet.com or call 425-7325 in Mtn.
Home, 453-8822 in Flippin, or 1-800-775-6682 for Yellville, Harrison and
all others for assistance. Or check our tech support bulletin board, online 24/7!

(c) 2001, Natco Technologies, Inc.