Date: Fri 23-Jan-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

iinfo-Passwords-hotmail

Full Text:

INTERNET INFO FOR REAL PEOPLE: The Password Dilemma

By Bob Brand

More and more Net locations ask for user ID (identification) and a password.

For people who become active on the net, this could mean requests for 10 to 20

user IDs and passwords. Here are some of the places where I need them: ISPs,

Fairfield University, Four11, UCE.com, USA.NET, New York Times, Juno, Hotmail,

Boardwatch Magazine, Cybergold, Reservations, and a few more. It is getting

out of hand.

Let's go back a step. When you sign on with an ISP, the dialer (this is the

program that connects you to the Internet Service Provider) will require a

password. If you have the Save Password box checked as I do, the dialer

software automatically inserts the password every time. Everything runs

smoothly until changes are made to the computer.

For example, when I upgraded Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01 to 4.01, the

preloaded password disappeared along with the check box that allowed the

software to remember. When I entered my user ID and password, the dialer

software did not allow me to save the password. I had to enter the password

every time. This was very annoying.

Windows 95 users who have not experienced this problem yet, probably will.

Trust me.

The Fix

Here is the step-by-step repair: Shut down all programs. Click Start then

Settings on the Control Panel. Click the Network icon. On the screen will

appear a window with the header: "The following network components are

installed."

Now click the Add button. A new window appears. Double click Client. This

opens a new window with the heading Manufacturers. Now Click Microsoft. In a

small window to the right you will find "Client of Microsoft Networks." Click

on it. Click OK at the bottom of the box. Restart the computer.

Some people have saved the information they received from the ISP when they

signed up. It contains their password. For those people who lost the paper,

they must call the provider, give their account number and ask for their

password. This is embarrassing, wastes time and in some cases, there may be a

charge for the service.

Here is a tip. Purchase a small spiral bound notebook and write down all user

IDs and passwords. Keep the notebook on the desk with your computer. If there

are small children in the house, keep the notebook in a safe but convenient

place.

When visiting a site that requires a user ID and password, be sure to write it

in the notebook. It is common practice to sign on to a chatroom using a

"handle" such as madhen if your real name is Madelyn or bobcat if your real

name is Robert. Everywhere you go, use the same handle; however, it is good

practice to use different passwords at each location. If not written down, it

is almost impossible to remember them.

Hotmail

Millions of people find that receiving e-mail on the Internet at the Hotmail

website is very convenient. (Note: Hotmail was recently purchased by

Microsoft). Hotmail allows users to retrieve their e-mail at any computer

connected to the Internet.

While on vacation, stop in at a local library, get on the Internet and view

e-mail at the Hotmail website. Other websites, such as Yahoo, also offer this

service. Keep in mind, however, that each requires a separate User ID and

password. Mail cannot be exchanged between the various mailboxes unless you

personally forward each message.

My Experience

I tried a few web-based e-mail services. While they may suit the needs of some

people, I found the disadvantages outweigh the benefits I receive from JUNO.

With many local phone exchanges, I can get my mail anywhere in the United

States on my portable computer.

However, for people who travel overseas, web-based services could be handy.

You may want to try a few web-based e-mail services. They are free and

convenient.

Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) of interest:

http://www.hotmail.com/

http://www.yahoo.com/

http://www.usa.net/

http://www.uce.com/

(This is the 87th of a series of elementary articles designed for surfing the

Internet. Next, "Personal Websites" is the subject on tap. Stay tuned. Until

next week, happy travels through cyberspace.

Previous issues of Internet Info for Real People (including links to sites

mention in this article) can be found at http://www.thebee.com. Please e-mail

comments and suggestions to rbrand@JUNO.com or editor@thebee.com.)