Ashland Home Net Technical Support

Ashland Fiber Network Maintenance

2010-11-11T09:16:00.000-08:00

Ashland Fiber Network sent out this notice:

We will be rebalancing the cable modems on CMTS4 on Monday, November 15
starting at 11 PM. Each modem on CMTS4 will be rebooted individually so
downtime should be less than 3 minutes. Due to the previous work we have
done on the downstream & upstream parts of the plant, there should be little
impact on the customer. However, if you do get any calls please have them
unplug the power on their cable modem for 3 minutes before submitting a
trouble ticket. All modems should be back online by 12:30 AM.

If you have any questions please let me know.

Thanks,
Chad Sobotka

How can you help the Oak Knoll Fire Victims?

2010-08-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

A fast-moving grass fire destroyed 11 homes on Oak Knoll Drive Tuesday evening. The Ashland community has responded to help those displaced by the fire. Below is a list of places where donations can be made, provided by the City of Ashland. Please refer to the City of Ashland’s website for the latest information, as they have articles and resources for those that would like to help and are in need. http://www.ashland.or.us/. Our deepest sympathy goes out to those who have lost their homes and as we move through this time together, we are grateful for our caring community, coming together to support each other.

There are several groups who have created ways for the community to donate to the people affected by the Oak Knoll Fire. Here are the ones that were available as of 9am Thursday, August 26th. This information is posted on the city's website and will continue to update that news item as more information is learned. If you know of any other groups accepting donations of any kind, please contact Diana Shiplet, City of Ashland 541-552-2100.

1. Firehouse Five Foundation will be accepting donations (cash, check, gift card - no items at this time) on behalf of the families of the Oak Knoll Fire. Donations can be dropped off at Fire Station 1, located at 455 Siskiyou Boulevard, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

2. Donations can also be made to any US Bank branch, under the name, "Ashland Fire Victim Fund." For more information please contact Marilee Stainbrook (541-890-9077) or Monica Meenaghan at 541-499-5507.

3. Gary Stamps with Windermere Van Fleet Real Estate has also created a donation account. Cash, check or gift card donations can be dropped off at Shop N Kart, Ashland Hardware, Windemere Van Fleet Real Estate Office, and the YMCA lobby. For donation of larger items contact Gary at 541-621-3059 to schedule to have them dropped off at Skinner Aviation.

4. Ashland Home Net has set up a space in our office for victims of the fire to use computers and hish speed internet for free, so they can keep in touch with friends, family, and insurance companies.

Mail server online

2010-08-20T15:15:00.000-07:00

We apologize for the inconvenience to all our email users today. The server is back online.

Mail server maintenance

2010-08-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

We will be taking the mail server down to perform some important maintenance to the file system. We expect the down time to be less than 1 hour. Our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

Mail server equipment replacement

2010-07-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

One of the hard drives in our mail server is failing. Brandon, our server administrator, is currently replacing the hard drive. The mail server will be offline for approximately ten minutes while he does that.

Download Speed Calculator

2010-07-14T13:21:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered how long it would take to transfer a file over your internet connection? Or maybe you feel something's taking too long, and you're not sure what the optimal speed for your connection is. This site http://www.t1shopper.com/tools/calculate/downloadcalculator.php has a handy calculator to tell you the fastest possible time you could transfer a file. Keep in mind, this is the absolute fastest possible time, and does not include normal background traffic or other factors that can slow a connection down.

24/7 Technical support

2010-06-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce the expansion of our technical support hours. We have partnered with BMT Solutions, a company in West Linn, Oregon to provide 24/7 technical support. During office hours (Mon - Fri 9am-5pm), you will still be able to get help from our local technicians, Michael Betzina and Robert Bigelow. After hours, technical support calls will be handled by BMT Solutions. Their call center is in Oregon, so no calls will be sent overseas. They specialize in providing support for Internet Service Providers, and they are proficient with Macs and PCs. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you'd like to tell us about your experience with them, please call us during office hours, or email us at support@ashlandhome.net.

Google background Image

2010-06-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

If you're a regular Google user, I'm sure you've noticed the new background image, that you can't seem to get rid of. Do a Google search for "remove google background", and you'll find a lot of very upset people. From what I found, it seems that Google claims it will only be up for a day, but they said that June 2, and I never saw a background image on June 2. I did see one last night, June 9, and this morning, June 10. Google doesn't give you the option to remove the image, instead letting you select one of your own. Many of the discussions online suggest setting a blank image as your background, but for me that made the Google logo appear in all white. Inspired by a tip for Firefox users, I poked around in the Internet Explorer settings, and found that if you add www.google.com to the "Restricted Sites" zone in Internet Options > Security, then Google loads with no scripts. This blocks out the background image. Hopefully Google fixes this marketing mistake, but in the meantime, I can use Google with no hassle, and no annoying background image.

Firefox users:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722/
Download this add-on to block scripts. By default, it allows scripts on Google, but click on the S in the lower right corner of the window, and you can choose to "Forbid google.com". The page will reload, and Google will be visible with out the background image.

Google Chrome users:
Click on the wrench in the upper right corner, and select Options.
Click on Under The Hood.
Under Privacy, click the button that says "Content Settings".
Click the Javascript tab, and select "Do not allow any site to run Javascript".
Click Close twice, and refresh the page.
No more background image.

Email attachment limit

2010-05-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

Due to recent problems with large email attachments choking our mail server, we are implementing a 10 MB limit on attachment sizes. This will effect both incoming and outgoing attachments. For our customers who need to share larger files, we recommend using Dropbox. Dropbox is a free service that lets you sync files between computers, share files with other Dropbox users, and access your files from any internet connected computer. Go to www.dropbox.com for more information.

Rogue Satelite May disrupt cable channels

2010-05-14T11:50:00.001-07:00

An out-of-control satellite is drifting into the orbit of another satellite that transmits cable programming to the United States. The satellite is expected to interfere with cable TV coverage for two weeks beginning May 23rd. This means some cable networks may experience problems. Updates are available at our websites http://www.ashlandhome.net/ and http://www.ashlandtv.com/.

The following channels may be effected:

Lifetime
Hallmark
Hallmark Movies
Food Network
HGTV
USA
Travel
A&E
Weather Channel
Noggin
VH1
Nickelodeon
Spike
Discovery
BBC America
Bravo
TLC

Piracy and the Digital Millenium Copyright Act

2010-04-21T11:49:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest things about the internet is the ready availability of information, movies, music, games, TV shows, etc. Unfortunately, you can also get copyrighted material without the copyright holder's permission. On October 28, 1998, the Digital Millenium Copyright Act went into effect. In a nutshell, it provides a means for copyright holders to seek action against internet users who violate their copyrights. In today's online environment, this is commonly done with BitTorrent or similar peer to peer file sharing software.

The Ashland Fiber Network and Ashland Home Net maintain strict compliance with the DMCA, and take will take steps to notify users of alleged copyright infringement on their connection. The Ashland Fiber Network will even permanently terminate a user's internet connection if they repeatedly violate the DMCA. Notification is done by interrupting all internet traffic, and redirecting the user to a page explaining the details of the infringement. The only way to restore the connection is to acknowledge receipt of the notice. No confession of guilt is made or implied, only acknowledging that the connection was allegedly used to transfer copyrighted material illegally.

The most common thing we hear from users confronted with this is that they don't share files online. Before someone jumps on the defensive, I like to ask them two simple questions:
1) Do you have an unsecured wireless network?
If your wireless network doesn't require a password to get on, then anybody in range can get on it. This can include neighbors. If a neighbor downloads a file illegally on your network, it looks like you did it, because the system can't see beyond the modem. For more information see http://ashlandhomenet.blogspot.com/2010/03/secure-your-wireless.html

2) Are you the only person who uses your connection?
If there are multiple computers in your house, or multiple users on your computer, it's certainly possible that someone other than you was sharing files. Check with the other people in your house, make sure everyone understands the problems with file-sharing.

If you see a notice about a DMCA violation on your screen, or if you have any questions, feel free to call us during office hours (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri); we'll be happy to explain it all in more detail.

Staffing changes

2010-04-09T12:02:00.000-07:00

Gary Knox has left his position as Operations Manager and Head End Technician to handle some family trouble in Arkansas. We are sad to see him go, but we were lucky enough to find a replacement for him very quickly. We now have Randy Schmelzer working in the head end, to keep all the channels operating as smoothly as possible.
Welcome Randy!

Mail outage

2010-03-30T14:51:00.001-07:00

The mail server has gone down for POP and IMAP on all Ashland Home Net mail domains. Webmail appears to be functioning.

Update (2:58 PM 3/30/10): All service has been restored.

Brief Email Outage

2010-03-26T11:01:00.001-07:00

Ashland Home Net experienced a brief mail outage at approximately 10:45 AM today. The server was restored to normal operation as of 11:12 AM. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Computer and Internet laws

2010-03-17T09:04:00.000-07:00

TechRepublic published a great article, "10 ways you might be breaking the law with your computer."

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/10things/?p=1400&tag=nl.e101

Common Computer Myths

2010-03-11T08:44:00.001-08:00

Computers today differ greatly from the computers of ten years ago. Even five years ago, people weren't doing the same things with their computers they do today. Videos and television on the internet have become the norm. Almost everybody has a wireless router in their home. As computers have evolved and become more powerful and easier to use, more people are getting computers for the first time. The ease of operation has led to certain beliefs and myths surrounding computers. I'd like to examine a few of them, and explain the truth about these superstitions.

It's a magic box that just works.
When a computer is working correctly, it can certainly seem like magic. The simple fact is, it's just a machine that was made by humans. A computer depends on certain things to keep running at peak performance. Electricity, clean air, and regular maintenance are a few examples. When a computer doesn't get the care it needs, it will very quickly stop working like magic.

I'll never be able to learn that.
Thirty-five years ago, computers had to be assembled and programmed by the users. Naturally, they were only used by hobbyists. Since then, they've evolved to the point that anybody can pull a computer out of a box, and be up and running in just a few minutes, provided they follow the instructions provided. There's a huge volume of information available to learn, and even technicians don't learn everything there is to know. Just like a car owner doesn't need to be a mechanic to drive, you don't have to be a technician to learn how to use a computer. That being said, it's in your best interest to learn some of the basics, so you know what your computer is and isn't capable of. If you keep an open mind, you'll be surprised at how quickly you'll be a pro at the things you do every day.

With as much as I paid, it should last forever.
The average computer costs $900, and lasts about five years. This is a fact that cannot be changed by wishful thinking. By comparison, a car will cost tens of thousands of dollars, and they don't even last forever. A computer is much more complex than a car, and the components are much less durable. The statement, "It was working yesterday," is like saying, "The tire wasn't flat yesterday." Nothing lasts forever, and anything beyond the average life span should be considered a bonus. Unfortunately, sometimes they break down sooner than average. This is unfortunate when it happens, but computers aren't completely disposable, and can often be repaired.

Computers just don't like me.
Computers are just machines, with no intelligence. They do exactly what they are told. Therein lies the problem with computers. They do exactly what they are told, not necessarily what you want them to do. If you accidentally click something, or push the wrong button, the computer has no way of determining it was an accident, and proceeds as if it were intentional. This could be perceived as malicious intent on the computer's part, but it's more like a young child who's just trying to follow your instructions.

I'm afraid I'll break it.
Today's computers have a lot of safety built into them, since the designers and programmers knew they'd be used by people who might make mistakes. Short of physically damaging the computer, it's very difficult to actually break it. You might change something and not know how to change it back, but it's not really broken. So feel free to experiment, just take notes of what you are doing, so you can follow your steps back to where you started. When in doubt, consult an expert, or another computer user. Of course, there are people out there who do want to harm your computer, so a little caution can help keep it safe. For more information on that topic, read my last posting. http://ashlandhomenet.blogspot.com/2010/03/protecting-you-pc-from-malware.html

Protecting your PC from malware

2010-03-08T11:19:00.000-08:00

Malware is one of the biggest threats to PC users. Malicious software, or malware, comes in many flavors. There are the traditional viruses, who's intent is to destroy your data. Rootkits take control of your computer, often using it to spread, or distribute spam. Spyware watches what you do on your computer, and reports it to an outside organization. And a relatively new type of malware is fake anti-viruses. Protecting your computer against these is a simple matter of having the right tools, and practicing a little caution on the internet.

When it comes to anti-virus and anti-malware tools, there are thousands to choose from. These are a few of my favorites:

Avast AntiVirus is a free anti-virus that provides excellent realtime protection, so you don't have to worry about remembering to manually scan your computer. They have professional products available for various costs, but the free one is more than enough. I use Avast on my personal computer, and my workstation in our office.

AVG Free Antivirus is another good free program. My only complaint about AVG is that they hide the free version on their website. So when they release a new version of the program, it can hard to find the free software.

SpyBot Search and Destroy is a very good free program that focuses more on spyware and rootkits. If you install this program, I suggest turning off the real time protection, because it can be quite annoying, and often blocks harmless programs that you might actually want running.

MalwareBytes AntiMalware is the best free tool I've found for removing an infection after it hits. It does not provide realtime protection, so if you want to use it for ongoing protection, you must manually scan your computer on a regular basis.

These tools can be used by themselves, or in any combination. Just remember, the more you have running on your computer, the slower it can get. The important thing to do for any antivirus solution is to keep it updated. Most programs will automatically update themselves.

None of these programs can stop every piece of malware, so you must exercise a little caution to keep your computer completely safe. Follow these simple rules, and you'll be safer.

1) Avoid downloading anything from a source you do not know. Especially if something wants to download, and you weren't trying to download anything. If you must download from an unfamiliar source, save it to your desktop and scan it with your antivirus before you run it.

2) Never click on ads or popups telling you you've won a prize. These are usually an attempt to get into your computer.

3) Try to avoid the use of Facebook and Myspace apps. It is very difficult to verify that the apps available for those sites are safe.

4) When in doubt, stay away. It's like what we tell little kids, "Don't talk to strangers." The same goes for the internet. Many sites are safe, and can be fun and informative. But there are also sites out there that only want to cause damage. Use your intuition, if it doesn't feel right, go to another site.

5) Don't use peer to peer file sharing. Programs like Bit Torrent or Limewire are very popular for downloading software, music, and movies. Sometimes, the files are shared legally, but often, the files are shared without the copyright holder's consent. Not only is that illegal, some of these files come with malware. The best practice is to stay away from those programs.

So remember, the internet is a wonderful tool, but like any big city, there are dangerous people, and bad neighborhoods. Don't venture out unprotected, avoid the dark alleys; and you should be just fine.

SPAM Attack

2010-03-05T09:43:00.001-08:00

Our mail servers are being targeted by a clever group of spammers in Asia. We are working to block the messages that are making it through our normal spam filters. In the meantime, if you see a message advising you of changes to your security settings, delete the message. We did not make any changes to our server, and if we did, we will never send you a file to automatically update your settings.

Secure your wireless

2010-03-04T09:33:00.000-08:00

One of the best things you can do to protect your private information, and ensure a smooth, reliable wireless connection at home, is secure your wireless network.

The procedure for this varies a little for each brand of router, so I'll give you the basic overview, and provide links to the common manufacturers, so you can get exact details for your router.

The first thing you'll need to do is open a browser window (Internet Explorer, FireFox, Safari, etc.) on one of your computers. Preferably, one that is connected by a wire to your router, but you can do it wireless, if you have to.

1) In the address bar at the top of your browser window, you'll type the address of your router. This is usually something like 192.168.1.1

2) You should be asked for a username and password to log into the router. The username is usually admin, and the password will vary, but it is often admin.

3) When you get into the router, look for the Wireless settings. You'll usually see a button for them along the top or the left side.

4) Under the wireless settings, you'll see a space to enter the name of your network. Change it to something unique to you, so you can be sure you're connecting to your network, and not a neighbors. This will be broadcast to anyone in range, so don't pick anything you'll be embarrassed by. Make sure you save.

5) Now, look for Wireless Security. Change the security type from none or disabled to WPA-Personal. It might also say WPA2-Personal, WPA Preshared Key, or some variant of those. You do not want WPA Enterprise. If you only have WEP available, it's better than nothing, but you have an antique router, and you should think about getting a new one.

6) After you've selected WPA, you should have a spot to enter the Wireless Key. It might also say Passphrase, or Pre Shared Key. This is the password you will need to put in to get your computers online. It will be remembered by your computer after the first time, but you should still keep track of what it is, in case you want to let a guest online, or something happens to your computer, and it can't remember the password. The only restriction on the password is that it must be between 8 and 64 characters, no spaces, and it is case-sensitive. Once you've selected your password, save changes.

7) You're done with the router now, so you'll just need to connect your wireless devices to your network (consult your device documentation for details), enter the Key when prompted, and enjoy your secured network.

Helpful Links:

Linksys Support Page
http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/support

Netgear Support Page
http://kb.netgear.com/app/

D-Link Support Page
http://www.dlink.com/support/

Belkin Support Page
http://en-us-support.belkin.com/

TrendNet Support Page
http://www.trendnet.com/support/

Apple Airport Support
http://www.apple.com/support/airport/

Ashland Home Net Technical Support

2010-03-04T08:59:00.001-08:00

The intention of this blog is to provide tips, ideas, and support resources to PC users. I'll share things I've learned, and information about our company. I'll also post information about changes, outages, and planned maintenance.