Gulfcoast Networking, Inc. Consumer Services

We Fix Sick Computers

727-847-2424
  • Home
  • Safe Computing
  • Remote Support
  • Computer Tuneup
  • Virus Removal
  • Online Store
  • Location
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Mailing List Signup
  • Events

Archives for May 2013

Geeknote: End of an Era – Dialup Is Dead

May 12, 2013 By Rob Marlowe

GEEKNOTE: My interest in computer communications bloomed in the mid 1985 when I got involved in the BBS (Computer Bulletin Board System) scene.  Things grew and I converted my hobby BBS into a commercial system in January of 1993, creating Marlowe & Associates as the business entity.  We used Fidonet’s store and forward system to transfer files and email between various BBS systems.  The BBS would pick up the phone and dial another system, transferring files and email at the then standard 2400bps.

A few months later, I attended a BBS conference in Colorado Springs where the presenters talked about this newly available network called “the Internet” that could be used to link computers together.  A fellow by the name of Phil Becker with a company called eSoft had a lab test version of an all-in-one device that he called an Internet Protocol Adapter or “IPAD” for short.  The IPAD would allow BBS operators to link up their systems, provide dialup Internet access to their customers and, for all practical purposes, serve as an “ISP In A Box”.

I was hooked.  I signed up for one of the first beta versions of the IPAD to leave the eSoft offices.  We ordered phone lines for a growing number of modems to handle our rapidly growing dialup customer base.  When the modem count hit about 50, we converted to Ascend Max remote access servers, each of which could handle 46 telephone lines using a pair of T1 lines.  We ultimately had four Ascend Max units running here at the house.

At dialup’s peak, we had close to 2000 dialup customers.  Those were the glory days for independent ISPs.  Some of the big boys got into the dialup business in a big way, most notably America Online, or “AOL” for short.  AOL distributed floppy disks with their access software via the mail and any other means they could think of.  I was a bit disappointed when their software expanded to the point where they started having to use CD’s because I had to start buying floppies again instead of just recycling the AOL floppies I kept getting in the mail!

GTE and then Verizon started rolling out DSL in the late 90’s.  We signed on to sell DSL service as well as dialup.  Verizon was much less ISP friendly than GTE had been, pricing retail DSL service at less than they charged wholesale to their ISP partners. Reading the handwriting on the wall, we organized Gulfcoast Networking to provide a broad range of computer services, well beyond strictly Internet access services.

Dialup had begun its slow decline.  The local cable company started offering Roadrunner service and then Verizon began rolling out FIOS, canibalizing the DSL business in the process.  We ultimately dropped DSL when a combination of economics and the rapidly increasing speeds of basic Internet connections made continuing a losing proposition.

Even America Online changed its business model from being a dialup ISP to being a web focused company with offerings like “Patch”.

We ditched the Ascend Maxes a number of years ago and went with a wholesale dialup provider that gave us both better pricing than we could get by ourselves and a nationwide dialup footprint.  We kept offering dialup service to the shrinking group of people who didn’t need anything more than dialup.  As of last month, that number had shrunk to “five”.

We got a letter last month from our wholesale dialup provider adding a new base charge to our account that essentially doubled what we were paying.   With this added charge, continuing to provide dialup service for the five customers would force us to charge each customer as much as they could get basic high speed service for from either Verizon or Brighthouse.   We sent letters to each of our dialup customers, letting them know that we were turning off dialup at the end of May.

I suppose we should marvel that Internet access via dialup modems lasted nearly 20 years.  In the fast moving world of computers and the Internet, that really is quite an accomplishment for any technology.

As I’ve written before, change is constant and this is a change I don’t mind.  I have a relatively slow 25 by 5 meg FIOS connection at the house and an even faster Roadrunner connection at the store.  Today’s Internet is graphic intensive and the thought of using dialup is simply too painful to contemplate.

We have been providing our customers with remote technical support for several years now.  Providing that support to dialup customers is impossible because there simply isn’t enough bandwidth on a dialup connection to let the remote control system work its magic.

One of the first things we did for my mom when she moved back to New Port Richey was to sign her up for a Roadrunner bundle so that she would save money and we could help her with computer problems without having to drive over to her place every time something went wrong with her computer.

Likewise, we encouraged my in-laws to sign up for high speed service for the same reasons: price and speed.  As much as we love visiting my in-laws, a six hour round trip to fix a simple computer problem just isn’t a viable solution.

The IPAD units we purchased years ago have been updated multiple times over the years and we now use them to provide email, web hosting, and similar services.  We’ve long since given away all those modems, primarily one at a time to business customers that needed an external modem for faxing.

Where will things go from here?  That would be the million dollar question.

Our transition from dialup ISP to full service computer / networking company is complete.  Our focus is now on providing network support for area businesses and individuals.  That support includes email hosting, web hosting, network monitoring, network management, hardware sales and hardware repairs.

America still has a way to go to catch up with other countries in the roll out of super high speed Internet connections, but we are moving in that direction.

I suspect the current infatuation with mobile devices being used for everything, with everything being hosted in the “cloud” (the Internet) is overrated.  I don’t see us going back to the 60’s where everyone connected to a few big computers via dumb terminals and that is the model being promoted by some of the cloud folks.  I think this is the wrong model.

Microsoft’s roll out of Windows 8 with a mobile interface for everything, including desktops, is a perfect example of this wrong thinking.  Windows 8 rolled out with a resounding “thud” and a “new” version is due out this summer.  This may well have been the worst Microsoft disaster since Windows ME, even eclipsing Vista as a marketing dud.

I believe the correct model is one of using the right tool for the right job.  A seven inch tablet or even a 10 inch tablet (I have both) will never replace my office desktop with twin 22″ monitors.  The tablets are great for mobile use, but they are NOT a desktop replacement.

On the other hand, certain cloud services, such as online backup, are well worth considering, especially when they combine both local and remote storage for your critical files.

Desktops and towers will continue to shrink.  Our popular mini-ITX systems and Intel’s NUC models are prime examples of this trend.  I wrote about the NUCs a few weeks back.

My job is to help my customers understand their options and help them make informed decisions on what are the right solutions to meet their needs.

Would I have guessed twenty years ago that I’d be doing all this?  Even my crystal ball wasn’t that clear back then.  I do know that I jump out of bed each morning excited by the prospect of what the day will bring.  Change is indeed constant and the technology gets better every day.

How long ago did you abandon dialup?  Let us know in the comments section.

As always, feel free to drop me a note or give me a call (847-2424) if you have any questions about your computer or the Internet.

Rob Marlowe, Senior Geek
Gulfcoast Networking, Inc.
http://www.gulfcoastnetworking.com

Filed Under: GEEKNOTES

May 2013 Newsletter

May 1, 2013 By Rob Marlowe

For many of us, May is topped only by December in terms of special activities and celebrations. The school year is winding down, summer fun is gearing up, and you may have Mother’s Day gatherings plus graduations, showers, and weddings to attend. Take a break from the action now to get informed about online threats and opportunities.

This May issue starts with an alert about an antivirus phone scam that’s now making the rounds. Be sure your family, especially any older members who are fairly new to computers, are aware of this scam so they don’t become victims. Speaking of family, check out the original gift ideas in the Pinterest section. And keep going to learn about hacked email accounts, enjoy amazing videos, visit cool websites, and find out how to add smileys to Facebook.

We think you’ll find the information contained in this newsletter to be a valuable tool for enhancing your Internet experience.

Here’s what’s inside our May 2013 Newsletter:

SCAM ALERT – FAKE ANTIVIRUS PHONE SCAM IS STEALING MONEY AND IDENTITIES

THIS MONTH’S FAQ – HOW CAN I TELL IF MY EMAIL ACCOUNT HAS BEEN HACKED?

SITES OF THE MONTH – GREAT SITES TO CHECK OUT IN MAY

TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

SHORT TUTORIAL – HOW TO ADD SMILEYS TO YOUR FACEBOOK COMMENTS

The Gulfcoast Networking Team

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

———————————————————————-

SCAM ALERT – FAKE ANTIVIRUS PHONE SCAM IS STEALING MONEY AND IDENTITIES

Many online scams start with an email but you also need to be cautious when the phone rings. There have been an increased number of reports recently of phone scammers claiming to be from Microsoft, or an antivirus company, or some random tech support facility. These callers will claim their systems have detected viruses and/or malware on your computer and they can help you with a lifetime of guaranteed support for just a one-time payment of $100 or so.

The process typically goes like this:

~The scammers first want you to download a remote access service and grant them access to your PC.
~Next the scammers want you to buy and install antivirus software that’s usually counterfeit or just a trial version that leaves you with non-functioning, useless protection. They may also recommend the latest Windows operating system, which is also likely to be counterfeit.
~Because the scammers were given unfettered access to your PC through the remote access service, they may install a backdoor Trojan — a malicious application that enables them to  steal your passwords, use your system and Internet connection to send spam, and more.

If you receive a call from someone saying your PC has been compromised, just hang up the phone. Reputable companies will not make unsolicited calls about the health of your computer.

Microsoft recommends these do’s and don’ts to help prevent becoming a victim:

DO

~Be suspicious of unsolicited calls related to a security problem, even if the caller claims to represent a respected company.
~Use up-to-date versions of operating system and application software.
~Make sure security updates are installed regularly.
~Use strong passwords and change them regularly.
~Make sure your firewall is turned on and that antivirus software is installed and up to date.

DON’T

~Provide personal information, such as credit card or bank details, to an unsolicited caller.
~Go to a website, type anything into a computer, install software, or follow any other instruction from someone who calls out of the blue.

———————————————————————-

NEWS FROM THE SHOP

The summer thunderstorm season is right around the corner.  If you haven’t replaced your computer’s UPS (uninterruptable power supply)
in the last couple of years, you need to do it now.  We keep UPS units in stock for your convenience.
———————————————————————-

A Flowerpot That’s Customized For Mom
http://pinterest.com/pin/291537775848411516/

Now You Can Browse  On Curved Surfaces
http://pinterest.com/pin/291537775848411644/

Ombre Colors Create Unique Photo Collage
http://pinterest.com/pin/291537775848411377/

You haven’t started pinning on Pinterest yet and you want to get
started?

To sign up, go here https://pinterest.com/join/signup/

———————————————————————-

THIS MONTH’S FAQ – HOW CAN I TELL IF MY EMAIL ACCOUNT HAS BEEN HACKED?

Question: A friend of mine recently mentioned that his email account had been hacked. How will I know if the same thing happens to me?

Answer: That’s a great question to ask since this is a common problem. Here are the signs that your email or social network account has been hacked:

~Friends, family members, or colleagues report getting a strange email from you, perhaps one that touts a shady-sounding business venture.

~There are posts you never made on your social network page. These posts often encourage your friends to click on a link or download an app.

~Your information was lost via a data breach, malware infection, or lost/stolen device.

If you believe your account has been compromised, change the password to that account and other key accounts as soon as possible. Create a unique password for each account. Your passwords should be long and use a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Should you be denied access to your account because a hacker changed the password, visit the Web service’s site immediately and follow the steps it has for recovering an account. For additional information or recommendations about online security in general, please contact us.

———————————————————————-

SITES OF THE MONTH – GREAT SITES TO CHECK OUT IN MAY

Browse Through Billionaires’ Backgrounds
http://bloomberg.com/billionaires
This fascinating interactive site gives you a look at the world’s richest people including Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and several members of the Walton family (of Wal-Mart fame). Get net  worth summaries, find out about their prized possessions, and see how the rankings change over time.

Take A Virtual Tour Of The Smithsonian
http://mnh.si.edu/panoramas
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History showcases amazing collections that give visitors a look at ancient life forms, rare gems, and a variety of other natural science specimens and artifacts. If you can’t make it to Washington, D.C., take a virtual tour and roam around at your leisure.

Learn The Latest Sunscreen Guidelines
http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen
While skin protection is an all-year issue, it becomes particularly critical during summer months when more skin is exposed. Before you shop for your next bottle of sunscreen, check out this site. It defines the acronyms (UVA, UVB, and SPF) and gives the new rules for sunscreen labels.

Don’t Settle For Ho-Hum Hamburgers
http://allrecipes.com/recipes/meat-and-poultry/beef/hamburgers
May is National Hamburger Month so it’s time to fire up the grill and celebrate. If you’re hungry for some new ideas, look through this site’s hamburger recipes that range from basic to gourmet. Be sure to watch the video on how to make a perfectly cooked hamburger.

———————————————————————-

TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2013/1305_VIDEO_A.htm
Dog Drinking Water … Very Slowly
This footage from “Secret Life of Dogs” shows an Alsatian (or German Shepherd) dog drinking water in ultra slow motion. At times, its tongue looks more like a sea creature. Who knew that such an ordinary activity could look so extraordinary?

http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2013/1305_VIDEO_B.htm
Food For Thought On 2,000 Calories
The average adult needs to consume about 2,000 calories daily to maintain his or her weight. But what does 2,000 actually look like? This video takes popular foods — including bagels, eggs, Big Macs, and pizza — and shows how much of each totals 2,000 calories.

———————————————————————-

SHORT TUTORIAL – HOW TO ADD SMILEYS TO YOUR FACEBOOK COMMENTS

Want to go a step beyond text-only emoticons such as 🙂 when you comment on a friend’s Facebook post? As long as you know the “code,” you can insert a cute and colorful smiley instead.

Simply type in the right characters, provided in the chart below, and they will change to the corresponding smiley when you post a comment. You’ll note there are sometimes several different shortcuts listed for the same smiley; just take your pick.

SEE SMILEYS HERE…

http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2013/1305_F_smiley.jpg

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It’s our way of keeping you posted on the happenings at our shop.
Thanks for your business!

Best regards,

Rob Marlowe
Gulfcoast Networking, Inc
6335 Grand Blvd
New Port Richey, FL 34652

727-847-2424

(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.)

©2013 Gulfcoast Networking, Inc
Portions ©2013 Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc., used with permission.

Filed Under: Newsletter

Support

Chat with a tech.

Schedule an appointment via facebook.

Visit our Business Solutions website for information on how we can help keep your business humming.

Quick Links

  • Contact Us
  • Product Search
  • Archives
  • Mailing List Signup

Meet the Geek

Rob Marlowe

Contact Info:

Hours: M-F 9-5
Evenings and weekends by appointment
Phone: 727-847-2424

Physical Address:
6335 Grand Blvd
New Port Richey, FL 34652

Copyright © 2023 Gulfcoast Networking, Inc. · Log in