The Guide - Connection faq

It's easy to connect to the Net, you usually need to get an internet account from an ISP and install the software porvided along with the account, an Internet dialer will be automatically installed. All you need to do is click on the dialer to connect.

2. What do I do once I connect?

You can either launch your Web browser (Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer) or your email program or both. Many people actually use the email program built into their browser, so that launching your browser is all you need to do initially. Then you can use your Personal Start Page to see if you have email messages, read the latest news, get the sports scores,find out what your stocks are trading at, browse the Start Page channels, or search for something specific with your page's built-in search engine. Your options are almost limitless:

For instance, there are more than 500 GuideSites (each with its own resources, chat rooms, and newsletters) accessible from the 15 About.com channels on your Personal Start Page. And if you know the URL (Web address) of somewhere you'd like to visit, all you need to do is enter it into your browser, hit the Return or Enter key, and you're off.

3. Why do I sometimes get busy signals?

You get a busy signal if too many members are trying to connect to the Internet using the same phone number at the same time. This happens infrequently if the ISP has a good setup with sufficient phone lines to service the customer base. Tata ISP is one such good ISP with a balanced network dial-up system.More numbers mean fewer busy signals. The customer should also on their part be considerate of other members and not remain logged on longer than you need to. Rather than staying connected while you take a break from your surfing, please log off and back on again. That way, busy signals may become a thing of the past.

4. Does it matter how long I am online?

As long as you are actively using your connection (browsing the World Wide Web, sending and receiving email, engaging in chat, transferring files via FTP,gaming), you can stay online for up to 24 hours at a time. And when you signup for the basic dial-up account, you will not be charged extra, no matter how much you use the Net. Of-course in India, the Telephone connection has to paid for seperately.

5. Why does the connection break sometimes?

Noisy phone lines are a major cause for dropped connections, you could rectify this by checking your connection at the junction boxes and any loose or improper connections at your end of the phone line. You could also get the telephone company personnel to check your phone line and reduce the noise in the line.

6. How do I disconnect?

Disconnecting is very similar to connecting. You click on the Disconnect button on your dialer to disconnect, just as you clicked on the Connect button to connect.Please wait for verification that you are disconnected before you close your program.