| ACCOUNT SETUP |
Contents
Creating a New Internet Account
Setting Up Access to An Internet Account You Already Have
What is Account Setup?
Account Setup is a tool that helps you quickly set up Communicator to access the Internet. When you first install Communicator, you can use Account Setup in one of these ways:
Once you've set up Communicator to access your Internet account, you can use Account Setup to create additional Internet accounts. To do this, first use the Communicator's Profile Manager to create a new user profile for the account.
If you share your copy of Communicator with other users, or if you have more than one Internet account, read the document entitled "Working with Multiple User Profiles" in Communicator's Reference Library. The Reference Library is accessible from the Communicator folder or program group. The "Working with Multiple User Profiles" document provides full instructions on how to create multiple user profiles and associate them with specific Internet accounts.
To use Account Setup, follow through its screens and supply the information that Account Setup requests. Account Setup uses the information you provide to automatically configure Communicator to access your account.
You can leave Account Setup at any time by clicking Exit in the Account Setup navigation bar.
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What's next? |
Creating a New Account |
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See also: |
Glossary: Internet Glossary: Internet Account Glossary: Internet Service Provider Glossary: User Profile |
Creating a New Internet Account
You can use Account Setup to quickly create a new Internet account. The process takes only a few minutes. All you need to do is follow through the Account Setup screens and enter the information that Account Setup asks you to provide.
After you've entered the information Accoaunt Setup needs, it uses your modem and phone line to temporarily connect you to a computer on the Internet called the Internet account server. The Internet account server is specially designed to provide you with easy access to information about the account plans available to you. You can use the Internet account server to "shop" for an Internet account that meets your needs and then create your new account.
When you are finished using the Internet account server to create your new Internet account, Account Setup disconnects you from the server and configures your computer and Communicator to access the account. Once you've used Account Setup to create your account, you can connect to the Internet just by launching Communicator from the Netscape Communicator folder or program group.
Before you begin using Account Setup, it's very important to make sure your modem is properly installed, connected to your computer and the phone jack, and turned on. Also, make sure that no other communications programs are using your modem when you use Account Setup. The modem must be available to Account Setup.
To use Account Setup to create a new Internet account, follow these steps:
Information You Need to Provide to Account Setup
To use Account Setup to create a new Internet account, you need to provide some or all of following information:
Also, before you can create an Internet account, your modem must be installed properly, connected, and turned on. If you haven't installed your modem yet, click Exit to leave Account Setup.
After you've installed your modem, connected it to your computer and phone line, and turned its power switch on, start Account Setup again by double-clicking its icon in the Netscape Communicator folder or program group.
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What's next? |
Arranging for Payment to your Internet Service Provider |
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See also: |
Glossary: Internet Account Glossary: Internet Service Provider Glossary: Modem |
Arranging for Payment to Your Internet Service Provider
Internet accounts that you create using Account Setup are paid for by credit card. When Account Setup connects you to your provider's Internet account server, you can arrange for payment by providing your credit card number. Then, when your account is created, your provider automatically bills you each month for your account.This mechanism enables you to create an Internet account and use it right away.
To ensure your privacy, Account Setup scrambles your credit card number before transmitting it to your provider. Your provider has a unique security key that allows it to read your credit card number. In addition, Account Setup does not store your credit card information anywhere on your computer.
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What's next? |
Selecting a Modem |
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See also: |
Glossary: Internet Account Glossary: Internet Service Provider |
Specifying What Kind of Modem You Are Using
Your modem is an important part of your Internet connection. Before you use Account Setup, you must install your modem according to the manufacturer's instructions, connect it properly to your computer and the phone jack, and turn its power switch on.
Then, when you are using Account Setup, you must specify your modem's manufacturer (for example Hayes, US Robotics, Global Village, and so on) and model (for example, Sportster 28.8, Teleport Gold, Powerport Gold, and so on). This information lets Account Setup configure your connection software properly."
To specify your modem in Account Setup, follow these steps:
If your modem is not listed in the pop-up menu, follow these steps:
On Macintosh systems, an item called "Generic" appears in the pop-up modem menu. You should select this item only if you are unable to specify your modem using Modem Setup. The "Generic" setting enables you to connect to your Internet account, but possibly not at optimal speed.
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What's next? |
Connecting to the Internet Account Server |
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See also: |
Glossary: Internet Account Glossary: Modem |
Connecting to the Internet Account Server
When you reach the last screen of Account Setup, click the Connect Now button to connect to the Internet account server, where you can learn about the account plans available and then create an account.
When you click Connect Now, Account Setup uses your modem, phone line, and connection software to establish a temporary connection with the Internet account server. For this reason, your modem must be installed, connected properly, and turned on before you connect. When the connection is established, Account Setup displays the the Internet account server screens in the Account Setup window.
Follow the instructions on the Internet account server screens to create an account.
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What's next? |
Saving Your Account Information |
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See also: |
Glossary: Internet Account Glossary: Internet Account Plan Glossary: Internet Service Provider (ISP) |
Saving Your Account Information
When are done using the Internet account server and have successfully created a new Internet account, Account Setup presents its final screen. This screen asks you whether you want to save a record of your account information--your login name, password, server addresses, and so on--to a text file.
Though it's optional, saving such a record of your account information can be very useful. If you are concerned about the privacy of this information, print the text file or copy it to a diskette, then delete it from your computer.
Setting Up Access to an Internet Account You Already Have
If you already have an Internet account, you can use Account Setup to quickly set up Communicator and its connection software to access the account. All you need to do is follow through the Account Setup screens and enter information that Account Setup asks you to provide.
Before you begin, it's very important to make sure your modem is properly installed, connected to your computer and phone jack, and turned on. Also, make sure that no other communications programs are using your modem when you run Account Setup. The modem must be available to Account Setup.
To set up access to an account you already have, follow these steps:
Once you've finished using Account Setup to configure your computer, you can access your account by launching Communicator from the Netscape Communicator folder or program group.
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What's next? |
Information You Need to Provide to Account Setup |
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See also: |
Creating a New Internet Account Glossary: Internet Account Glossary: Internet Service Provider Glossary: Modem |
Information You Need to Provide to Account Setup
To set up access to an Internet account you already have, you need to provide some or all of the following information, depending on your provider:
Your Internet service provider may have already supplied Account Setup with some or all of the above information. Account Setup asks only for the information not supplied by your provider.
You can probably find all the information that you need to provide in the forms given to you by your provider when you started your account. If you don't have the information you need, call your provider's technical support office.
If you aren't sure about what to enter into an Account Setup screen, click the Help button.
For definitions of the terms above, refer to the Glossary.
Specifying Your Modem
Your modem is an important part of your Internet connection. Before you use Account Setup, you must install your modem according to the manufacturer's instructions, connect it properly to your computer and the phone jack, and turn its power switch on.
Then, when you are using Account Setup, you must specify your modem's manufacturer (for example Hayes, US Robotics, Global Village, and so on) and model (for example, Sportster 28.8, Teleport Gold, Powerport Gold, and so on). This information lets Account Setup configure your connection software properly."
To specify your modem in Account Setup, follow these steps:
If your modem is not listed in the pop-up menu, follow these steps:
On Macintosh systems, an item called "Generic" appears in the pop-up modem menu. You should select this item only if you are unable to specify your modem using Modem Setup. The "Generic" setting enables you to connect to your Internet account, but possibly not at optimal speed.
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What's next? |
Connecting to Your Account |
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See also: |
Glossary: Internet Account Glossary: Modem |
Connecting to Your Account
When you reach the last screen of Account Setup, click the Connect Now button to complete the setup process and connect to your account.
When you click Connect Now, Account Setup opens your connection software and dials your modem to establish a connection. For this reason, your modem must be installed, connected properly, and turned on.
After you've finished using Account Setup to configure your computer, you can connect to your account by launching Communicator from the Netscape Communicator folder or program group.
Troubleshooting
If you are having trouble using Account Setup successfully, refer to the topics below for help isolating and resolving the problem.
I'm having trouble connecting to the Internet
These tips can help you resolve minor problems:
Move to the last screen of Account Setup and try connecting again.
I'm having trouble with my modem
If Account Setup tells you that there is a problem with your modem, or if your modem won't dial, the problem is probably easy to correct: perhaps the wrong type of modem was specified in the "Your Modem" screen of Account Setup; perhaps the modem was not installed or connected properly or is not turned on. Here are some general tips:
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See also: |
Using Modem Setup |
No Dial Tone Present on Telephone Line
If your connection software tells you that your phone line doesn't have a dial tone, here are some tips:
Glossary
Internet
The Internet is a worldwide network of public and private computers that cooperate to exchange information.
Many computers on the Internet are connected permanently together and function as Internet "hubs." Millions of people take advantage of Internet services either by connecting to these hubs directly--as when linked to a corporate or university network--or by connecting indirectly, using a modem and an ordinary telephone line.
The first step in taking advantage of all that the Internet offers is setting up an account with an Internet service provider.
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
An Internet service provider, sometimes called an ISP, is a type of company that specializes in providing Internet access to individual users. It does this by maintaining one or more computers with a permanent connection to the Internet, then offering its customers access to that connection for a fee.
There are a variety of Internet service providers from which to choose--some large companies, some small, some local companies, some national or even international. These providers offer their services as packages, or account plans, which vary in price and payment terms.
The first step in setting up access to the Internet is evaluating the account plans of the various Internet service providers and selecting the one that best meets your needs. Account Setup can help you do this.
Internet Account
An Internet account is your personal access point to the Internet--paid for by you and registered in your name. You obtain an Internet account from an Internet service provider, a type of company that maintains a computer with a permanent connection to the Internet and offers its customers access to that connection for a fee.
When you start an Internet account, your Internet service provider authorizes you to connect to its computer using your modem and phone line. This connection gives you access to the World Wide Web, email, newsgroups, realtime audio and conferencing, chatrooms, file transfer, and other Internet services. Your provider also creates an email identity for you, so that you can send and receive email messages over the Internet.
If you don't currently have an Internet account like the one just described, use Account Setup to start one. Account Setup will let you compare the services and rates of several top Internet service providers and choose the account plan that best meets your needs.
On the other hand, if you already have an Internet account and can currently access the World Wide Web, email, newsgroups, or other Internet services using your computer and modem, then use Account Setup to help you set up Communicator to access your existing account.
Internet Account Plan
An Internet account plan is a package of services offered by an Internet service provider. All account plans offer access to the Internet for individual users, including such popular Internet services as the World Wide Web, email, and newsgroups.
Aside from basic Internet services,all account plans are different. Some are designed for people who access the Internet infrequently, while others are designed for people who spend several hours on the Internet each day.
Account plans differ mainly in:
Modem
Your modem is a critical part of your dial-up connection. Without it, you could not connect. A modem translates computer data into a stream of sounds that travel along the phone line to your Internet service provider. Your Internet service provider has another modem at its end of the phone line that translates the stream of sounds back into computer data.
NNTP Server
Your Internet service provider gives you access to the thousands of newsgroups through its Network News Transport Protocol (NNTP) server.
DNS Server
Your Internet service provider's Domain Name System (DNS) server enables you to use the Internet. It helps the messages you send and receive find their way to their proper destinations on the Internet. Sometimes a provider has an alternate (secondary) DNS server that can be used if the primary DNS server fails or is busy.
Domain Name
A domain name is the name of a computer as it is known to other computers on the Internet. Domain names are unique and assigned according to the rules of the Domain Name System (DNS).
Email Login
Many Internet service providers let you use your Internet account login name and password to access your email. Some providers, though, give you a different login and password for email.
If you are unsure whether you need to use a special email login and password, contact your provider.
POP and SMTP Servers
Your provider has one or more servers dedicated to handling incoming and outgoing email messages. A Post Office Protocol (POP or POP3) server handles the incoming email, while a Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP) server handles the outgoing email. Sometimes POP and SMPT services are housed together on a single computer.
IMAP Server
An Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) server is a type of mail server that is offered by some Internet service providers. Like a Post Office Protocol (POP) mail server, an IMAP mail server handles messages coming to you from the Internet.
If you are using an IMAP mail server, you always store your email messages on the server, rather than downloading them all each time you get your mail. When you check your mail, the server downloads only the message headers--subject, sender, date, and so on. When you want to read the message associated with the header, Netscape Messenger retrieves that message individually from the server.
If you are using a POP mail server, you can download all of your messages--including header and content--at once. You can also choose to leave the messages on the server.
Not all Internet service providers offer IMAP mail service. Contact your provider's technical support office if you're not sure whether you can use IMAP mail. In Communicator, you can choose IMAP or POP mail in the Communicator's Mail Preferences.
The advantages and disadvantages of IMAP and POP are described below.
IMAP MailLogin Name (User Name)
For security, your provider's computer asks for proof of your identity (login name and password) before it lets you access your account. Your login name is often used as the first part of your email address as well (for example, loginname@provider.com).
Internet Address
Computers on the Internet each have a unique (one-of-a-kind) address. An address consists of numbers separated by periods (for example, 123.233.234.244). Because addresses are unique, computers on the Internet can exchange information successfully, even if on opposite sides of the Earth.
Account Access Number
Your account access number is the telephone number that your computer dials to connect to your account.
Server
In the lingo of the Internet, a server is a computer that is dedicated to performing a specific job or set of jobs. For example, a DNS server is a computer that is dedicated to the task of routing information to the proper location. "Server" can also be used to mean the computer hardware that houses the server software.
Internet Account Server
Your provider's Internet account server gives you a convenient way to get started on the Internet. It lets you read about the Internet account plans available and choose the plan that suits you best. Once you've selected an account plan, the Internet Account Server enables you to create an account with the Internet service provider that you chose.
The process of using the Internet Account Server to create a new Internet account takes only a short time and, with most providers, you can begin using your account right away.
To use the Internet account server, run Account Setup and move to the "Welcome to Account Setup" screen. Click the "I want to create a new Internet account" option. Follow through the Account Setup screens, supplying information where necessary. Then, in the "Connect to Server" screen, click Connect Now to connect to the Internet account server.
To create an account, follow the instructions on the Internet account server screens.
User Profile
Communicator lets you create different sets of bookmarks, address books, preferences, and and email identity. These sets of information are called user profiles. User profiles make it possible for several users--such as family members or coworkers--to use the same copy of Communicator on the same machine and maintain all of their personal settings separately from other users.
Communicator also allows you to associate each profile with a specific Internet account and dialing location, so that users who have more than one Internet account or who connect to their account from several locations can conveniently switch to the proper account or location when Communicator starts up.
For more information on Communicator user profiles, read the user profiles document in the Reference Library, accessible from the Netscape Communicator folder or program group.