InBox

By DON McALLISTER

Welcome to InBox, where we attempt to answer your internet questions.

Q. Troubles can occur with implementing "unnecessary" software, warn Jan's friends. "What should I install and is there any advantage to using custom install options?" she asks.

A. If you "must have" something, Jan, investigate it using a search engine such as Dog Pile. Search for the program name and include one or more of the words "Error", "Bug", or "Problem". You'll receive links to gripes by present and past users of that program. Second, use the automatic install option. Custom install requires a full understanding of how installations work. If things go wrong, you can always use the uninstall option in Control Panel.

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Q. "Don't do an Antivirus update more than once a year" was some bad advice Brian received.

A. Goodness, Brian, that puts both you and your internet contacts at risk. Update your virus list at least weekly. With an ever-growing number of viruses out there, some of us update every day. It doesn't take long - and can be set to run automatically. In most cases it also comes free with the software for a year. What your adviser probably intended is for you to update the actual antivirus program once a year to the latest version. For a well-proven free antivirus program, try AVG anti-virus.

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Q. Since Peter Griffin's December story in the Herald "Xtra shows little Xmas spirit in blocking email", InBox readers are venting frustration at a policy that forces them to use an Xtra dialup to collect their email. It leaves users having to use a web browser-based email page to see their mail - very clunky compared with a dedicated program such as Outlook and horrible if you're receiving email on a mobile phone. The block also occurs if you're trying to access over Vodafone's mobile network.

A. In the past, receiving email from any internet connection was a free, unencumbered right. It was only sending mail that had to be done through the dialup provider - to stop bogus e-mails and spam via open mail servers. Now Xtra and Clearnet have applied the same principle to receiving email. It's a ploy to keep their hooks into any customer that wants to keep his or her existing email address valid, yet connect through a competing provider. If you find your internet provider refuses to allow you to collect your email from other connections, such as from work or an alternative dialup provider, change. Run two accounts for a month to give time for your contacts to get used to your new address.


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