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Monday | December 1, 2008
 
  MobileTel Internet (ISP) - Providing Internet, Web Design, Web Hosting, DSL, and Other Services in Southeastern Louisiana
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Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

Please contact Tech Support or use the Contact Us online form if you have questions or comments.

FAQ - General

1. What are my Username, Password, and Email Address?
The username and password are needed to connect to your Mobiletel Internet account. The username is usually the word before the "@" symbol. For example, in someone@mobiletel.com, the username is someone. The password is the login password that was assigned to you when you signed up for your Mobiletel Internet account. It is usually in the format of two letters and four numbers where the two letters are your initials and the numbers are four randomly generated numbers. For example, a common Mobiletel Internet password would look for like ab1234. This password is also used as your email access password for your Mobiletel Internet email account. Email addresses with Mobiletel Internet are usually in the form of username@mobiletel.com. You can find this information on your customer agreement form or you can call any Mobiletel Internet office to find out this information.


2. What is a Browser and how do I know which one I am using?

A browser is a program that allows you to browse the Internet, hence the name "browser". Short for Web browser, a software application used to locate and display Web pages. The most popular browsers are Netscape Navigator, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Both of these are graphical browsers, which means that they can display graphics as well as text. In addition, most modern browsers can present multimedia information, including sound and video, though they require plug-ins for some formats. To find out what browser you are using, simply open up the browser and click on "Help", then "About (browser name)". This will bring a window up and you will see the version of the browser you are using.


3. What is a Homepage and how do I change my homepage?

A homepage is usually referred to as a "start page". It is the first web page that comes up when you bring up your Internet browser. Most ISPs (Internet Service Provider) have very useful information contained within their homepage. It is because of this reason that it is recommended that you use your ISP's homepage as your start page because it will have useful information about special services and possible problems that are currently affecting its customers. To change your browser's homepage, follow these simple instructions:

For Netscape:
Click on "EDIT" in the top menu section of the browser
Click on "PREFERENCES" in the menu that drops down
In the Preferences window that comes up, make sure that you are on the "NAVIGATOR" option
In the "HOMEPAGE" section of the window, look for "Location"
In the white box, enter the address of the homepage you would like to use.
After you have done this, press the "OK" button at the bottom of this window

For Internet Explorer:
Click on "TOOLS" in the top menu section of the browser
Click on "INTERNET OPTIONS" in the menu that drops down
In the Internet Option window that comes up, make sure that you are on the "GENERAL" tab
In this window you will see a "Home Page" caption and an "ADDRESS" box to the right
In the white box, enter the address of the homepage you would like to use.
After you have done this, press the "OK" button at the bottom of this window

For Mozilla Firefox:
Click on "TOOLS" in the top menu section of the browser
Click on "OPTIONS" in the menu that drops down
In the Options window that comes up, make sure that you are on the "GENERAL" tab
In this window you will see a "Home Page" caption and an "LOCATION" box to the right
In the white box, enter the address of the homepage you would like to use.
After you have done this, press the "OK" button at the bottom of this window

 


4. What are cookies and how can I benefit from using them?

A "cookie" is a small piece of information sent by a web server to store on a web browser so it can later be read back from that browser. This is useful for having the browser remember some specific information. An example is when a browser stores your passwords and user ID's. They are also used to store preferences of start pages. Microsoft, Mozilla, and Netscape use cookies to create personal start pages. Common cookies uses are for User ID's, Targeted Marketing, Web site Tracking, Online Ordering Systems, and Site Personalization just to name a few. An HTTP Cookie cannot be used to get data from your hard drive, get your email address or steal sensitive information about your person. Early implementations of Java and JavaScript could allow people to do this but for the most part these security leaks have been plugged. But HTTP Cookies can be used to track where you travel over a particular site.


5. How do I use the Internet Connection Wizard to connect to the internet and set up email?

The internet connection wizard is a quick and easy way to get your computer online and customize your email program. To access the wizard you would first click the start button in the lower left hand corner of your screen. Once the menu comes up move your cursor up to settings, A new menu will appear on the right. On this new menu you will see the CONTROL PANEL option. click once on CONTROL PANEL. A window will open up in the middle of your screen, this is your computer's control panel. Among all the icons in this window there will be one named INTERNET or INTERNET OPTIONS. Double-click on this icon.

This will bring up a new window titled internet options. On this window you will see several tabs across the top that you can click on. You want to click on the tab named CONNECTIONS. Under the connections tab you will see right at the top "use the Internet Connection Wizard to connect your computer to the internet" with a SETUP button on the side. Click on the setup button.

Now you will see the INTERNET CONNECTION WIZARD.Here You will be given three choices, you want to choose the third option "I want to set up my internet connection manually" then click next. Now it will ask you how you connect to the internet, choose the first option "connect through a phone line and modem" then click next. The next part of the setup will ask you for information about your ISP. The first thing is the ISP phone number and area code. Remember that this IS NOT YOUR HOME PHONE NUMBER. This is the mobiletel access phone number for your area. Enter the area code 985 and then which ever number is local to you:

Houma 850-9899
Thibodaux 435-5999
South Lafourche 693-8888
Leeville 396-1111
Lockport 532-4040
Grand Isle 787-9998

Make sure that the country/region name is United States of America, and that there is a check in Use area code and dialing properties. after you have entered all the information click next. The next step is entering your Username and password. Your username should be entered in the first blank and the password right below it. Remember that your username is everthing before the @ in your email address, and must always be typed in lowercase letters. Once you have filled in both blanks click next. Next you will be asked to give the connection name. You could either leave what is already typed in there, or you can change the name to mobiletel. The connection name is a display name so it is not case sensitive. After you are done typing the conncetion name click next.

The next part of the wizard deals with setting up you e-mail account. The first thing that it will ask you is "do you want to set up an e-mail account now" select yes and then click next. Since this is the first time that you are using the wizard to set up your e-mail, you will select the first option "create a new internet mail account" once you have made your choice click
next.

The next thing that you need to enter is the display name. This can either be your first and last name, or your username, all you need to keep in mind is that when you send and e-mail to someone whatever you type here will appear in the "from" line. After you enter the display name click next. Next you will be asked for your e-mail address. Type it in the blank using all lowercase letters,
then click next. The next step is entering the server type and server names. The first line on this new window should read "my incoming mail server is a POP3 server" Then in the next blank down, the one labeled INCOMING MAIL type mail.mobiletel.com in all lower case letters. Then in the blank right below that the one labeled OUTGOING MAIL SERVER type smtp.mobiletel.com in all lower case letters. After you have typed the server names in the appropriate blanks click next. Here you will be asked for you username and password again. In the blank that says "account name" type in your username using all lowercase letters. Again remember that your username is everything before the @ in you email address. In the second blank labeled "password" type in your password using all lower case letters. Right below the blank where you just typed your password you will see "remember password" with a white box in front of it. If you would like the mail program to save your password put a check in that box. Below the save password box you will see another white box that says "log on using secure password authentication" DO NOT put a check in that box. After you are done entering all this information click next. Finally this last window will tell you that "you have successfully completed the Internet Connection Wizard, click FINISH to close the wizard" At the bottom of the window, click the button labeled finish. This will close the wizard, and put all the information that you just typed in where it needs to go.


6. What are surge suppressors, and how do they work?

Power surges -- also known as transient voltage surges-- are brief spikes of power that can travel through power lines. Power surges can permanently damage computers, televisions, fax machines and other home appliances that contain microprocessors and sensitive electronic components.
Many people assume that surge suppressors can protect their home from lightning damage. Surge suppressors are not lightning protection devices - they cannot protect your home or your home's internal electrical wiring from a direct strike. Surge suppressors can, however, protect your equipment from voltage surges caused by unexpected occurrences such as a utility pole downed by a storm. Surges can also generate from inside the home. For instance, appliances such as furnaces, air conditioners and vacuum cleaners can cause power surges in your home's electrical system when turned on or off. And in some cases, remote lightning strikes cans cause surges. However, UL Listed transient voltage surge suppressors (TVSS) can reduce the risk of such damage.
The unpredictable nature of surges makes it difficult to suppress them; you never know when, how long or how powerful they will be. In some cases, a surge may have a higher energy level than the device can handle. When this happens, the surge suppressor may be damaged and lose its ability to provide protection against future surges.
Some surge suppressors look very similar to multiple-outlet power strips but obviously have additional features to suppress surges. These devices often have more than just power connectors, they can have telephone line, Ethernet, and cable connectors also. Other surge suppressors resemble common plug-in adapters. Not all power strips and adapters offer surge suppression, so make sure the product and product packaging clearly states "UL Listed Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor."
The following are frequently asked questions about surge suppression, and definitions of terminology used when specifying surge suppressors:

  • What is TVSS?
    TVSS is an abbreviation for "transient voltage surge suppressor." A TVSS is a device that attenuates (reduces in magnitude) random, high energy, short duration electrical power anomalies caused by utilities, atmospheric phenomena, or inductive loads.
    Such anomalies occur in the form of voltage and current spikes with a duration of less than half an ac cycle. These high energy power spikes can damage sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers, instrumentation, and process controllers.
  • How do surge suppressors work? Surge Suppressors are designed to divert high energy power away from a load by providing a lower impedance path to common point earth ground. Surge suppressors used most often for panelboard protection have metal oxide varistors (MOVs) connected in parallel.
  • Do I really need surge protection? Without some type of surge protection, excess voltage goes into your electronics or anything plugged in and can cause damage. You may not notice damage at the time a surge occurred; however, over time it will shorten the life of your devices.
  • Will Surge Protection Guard Against Direct Lightning Strikes? No. Direct lightning strikes have been estimated to be in excess of 250,000 volts. To date, there's no technology equipped to handle this formidable force of nature.
    What types of components make up a surge suppressor? The device most commonly used in an ac surge suppressor is an MOV comprised of solid-state zinc oxide with multiple junctions.
    MOVs provide low impedance when conducting, and are packaged for specific voltages and current handling capacities.
    Other devices (more typically found in dc applications) include single junction diodes and gas tubes that ionize at preset voltages.
  • Where are surge suppressors installed? AC surge suppressors are typically installed in these three areas: at a utility service entrance for protection of an entire facility. in distribution panelboards and switchboards for protection of sensitive downstream loads; connected to a wall outlet for individual protection of a specific piece of equipment, such as a computer or solid-state controller.
  • What is surge current capacity? Surge current capacity, as defined by NEMA standards, is the maximum level of current a surge suppressor can withstand for a single transient event. This level is used to indicate the protection capacity of a particular surge suppressor design, and when specifying a suppressor for a given application. For example, in a high exposure application with very large transients present from lightning, a higher level surge current capacity would be required.
  • What is clamping voltage? Clamping voltage-also referred to as peak let through or suppressed voltage rating-is the amount of voltage a surge suppressor permits to pass through it to the attached load during a transient event. Clamping voltage is a performance measurement of a surge suppressor's ability to attenuate a transient. This performance value is confirmed by Underwriters Laboratories during tests conducted while evaluating a surge suppressor for listing.
  • What features should be considered when selecting a surge suppressor? Two important areas to consider during the selection of an surge suppressor are performance and safety, and include the following criteria:
    Performance: 1) surge current capacity; and 2) clamping voltage.
    Safety; 1) the individual suppression circuit should be fused to clear an inoperative MOV during an extreme transient event, and 2) provide overcurrent protection for the surge suppressor during a fault condition.
    The following definitions apply specifically to surge protective devices (SPD). They are provided for further clarification of the performance specifications in the data sheets.
    • Crest Value (peak): The maximum value that a wave, surge, or impulse attains. It is generally associated with the front of a wave.
    • Clamping Voltage: The peak voltage across the surge protective device (SPD) measured under the conditions of a specified surge current and waveform. Peak voltage and peak current are not necessarily coincident in time.
    • Impulse: A wave (surge) of unidirectional polarity. In testing, the risetime and duration of the impulse are specified, e.g., an 8/20ps impulse, a 10/1000ps impulse.
    • Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (MCOV): The maximum rms value of the power frequency voltage that may be applied continuously between the terminals of the surge protective device.
    • Nominal System Voltage: A nominal value assigned to designate a system of a given voltage class, e.g., 120/240 Volt single phase. Note: see ANSI C84.1-1989
    • Operating Duty Cycle: One or more operations per unit of time as specified.
    • Pulse Life: The number of surges of a specified voltage and current amplitude and waveform that may be applied to a SPD without causing a change of more than 10 percent in the clamping voltage. The time interval between surges must be specified.
    • Maximum Single Impulse Current: The maximum amplitude of current which may be applied for a single 8/20us impulse without causing device failure.
    • Power Dissipation: The power dissipated by a protective device while connected to an AC line of the rated voltage and frequency while no overvoltage condition or surge exists. Steady state power dissipation.
    • Response Time: The time domain response of a surge protective device to the front of a voltage waveform depends on the rate-of-rise of the incident wave, the impedance of the surge source and connecting wiring, the effects of protective device reactance, and the response behavior of conducting mechanisms within active suppression elements. In other words, response to the front of a wave can be affected more by the test circuit conditions, including lead inductance, than by the response time of the active suppression element.
    • Surge: A transient wave of current, potential, or power in an electric circuit.
    • Surge Let-Through: The voltage seen by the protected load, includes the SPD clamp voltage plus the voltage drop in the connecting wires. The part of the surge impulse which passes through the protective device.
    • Surge Protective Device: A device for limiting the surge voltage on equipment by discharging or diverting surge current. A SPD should be able to repeatedly perform these functions are specified.
    • Turn-On Time: The time required for a device to make the transition from an "OFF" state to an "ON" state.
    • Turn-Off Time: The time required for a device to make the transition from an "ON" state to an "OFF" state.
    • Voltage-Current (V-I) Characteristics: The relationship between the suppressed voltage and the magnitude of the surge current which induces this voltage.
 

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