Netline News
From the Editor
The start of a new year is a good time to resolve to better manage your online activities. So we're giving you tips to help you do just that. Learn to create strong passwords to reduce your risk of identity theft. Find out how to save time by deleting multiple e-mails simultaneously, and how to identify your Web browser version. For more help with resolutions, check out our Great Sites list. You'll also get ideas for January entertainment and important travel news.

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2008 Annual Directory Photo Contest


Do you think you have an eye for photography? Send us your photos! diversiCOM is now accepting entries for our annual directory photo contest. The winning photograph will be printed on the covers of all our 2008 telephone directories, and the winner will be awarded $50 cash!

For more information, please visit our website or call 256-7471, 548-3200, 597-3333, or 764-7600.

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Your Local Help Desk
Question: Some time ago I found out how to use keys to select a number of e-mails to remove them all at once instead of one at a time. Now I don't remember how this is one. Can you remind me? I have Outlook Express 6 and use Windows XP Home Edition for my operating system.

Answer: If you want to delete groups of e-mail messages that are listed all together, click on the first message in the group of e-mail messages you want to delete to highlight it. Now hold down the "Shift" key and select the last message in the group that is to be deleted. All messages between and including the first and last messages selected will be highlighted. Then simply hit the "Delete" button on the Outlook Express toolbar. All of the highlighted messages will be deleted.

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Happy New Year! Time to change your passwords!
The start of a new year is a good time to change your passwords, making sure you create strong ones that will be less vulnerable to hackers. Why bother? Because a stolen password leads to identity theft, the fastest growing crime in the U.S. and the top complaint filed with the FTC for the past seven years. A hacker could open new accounts and max out your credit limit, change your mailing address and have items (and bills) sent to them, or take out a loan in your name.

An effective and easy way to do create a strong password is to think of a word that is at least 8 characters long like “elephant”. Then think of alternative numbers and symbols to spell out that word, so that “elephant” will then be encrypted as something like “313ph@nt”, which is much more secure.

Also follow these tips when coming up with a new, stronger password:

1. Don’t use plain dictionary words.
2. Don’t use personal information.
3. Do use numbers and symbols, and not just at the end.
4. Do use a different password on each important system.
5. Don’t give your password to anyone.

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Tech Tips and Tricks: Finding What Version Of Browser You're Using
People often refer to the version number of the Web browser they are using.
For example, some talk about Internet Explorer 7 while others mention
Firefox 2. To discover what version of Web browser you are using to surf the
Internet, follow the steps below. Note that different steps are required to
discover whether you are using Internet Explorer 6 (or older versions) or
Internet Explorer 7.

Discover Your Browser's Version Number When Using Internet Explorer 6 Or
Older With Windows XP Home Edition

1. Launch your Internet Explorer browser.

2. Go to the menu bar at you top of your screen and select "Help."

3. Click on "About Internet Explorer" from the resulting submenu. The "About Internet Explorer" window will appear listing the exact version of Internet Explorer.

Discover Your Browser's Version Number When Using Internet Explorer 7 With Windows XP Home Edition Or Windows Vista

1. Launch your Internet Explorer browser.

2. Note that Internet Explorer 7 does not have a menu bar by default. Click your cursor arrow instead on the two right-pointing arrows located to the far right of the icons on the browser's toolbar. (The arrows will be found on the very far right of your screen.)

3. Click on "Help" from the resulting menu screen and then "About Internet
Explorer" from the submenu. The "About Internet Explorer" window will appear
listing the exact version of Internet Explorer.

Discover Your Browser's Version Number When Using Firefox With Windows XP
Home Edition Or Windows Vista

1. Launch your Firefox browser.

2. Go to the menu bar at the top of your screen and select "Help."

3. Select "About Mozilla Firefox" from the resulting menu screen. A small window will appear listing the exact version of Firefox.

Discover Your Browser's Version Number When Using Safari With Macintosh OS X

1. Launch your Safari browser.

2. Click your cursor arrow on "Safari" located on the menu bar at the top of your screen.

3. Click on "About Safari" from the resulting menu screen. A small window will appear listing the exact version of Safari.

Discover Your Browser's Version Number When Using Firefox With Macintosh OS X

1. Launch your Firefox browser.

2. Click your cursor arrow on "Firefox" located on the menu bar at the top of your screen.

3. Click on "About Mozilla Firefox" from the resulting menu screen. A small window will appear listing the exact version of Firefox.

Unsubscribe Instructions
If you prefer not to receive this newsletter each month, you may be taken off the mailing list any time by following these instructions.

Do Not Reply To This Message.

Send an email to noreply@meltel.net with the following message in the subject line of your email message: unsubscribe netlinenews@meltel.net

Notes:

1. ) Make sure you send the unsubscribe email request from your email account that is subscribed to the list. (ie: If you are subscribed to the list with jdoe@meltel.com  send the request from your jdoe@meltel.com email account.)

2.) Leave the body blank for the unsubscribe email message. If you ever need to get in contact with the owner of the list, (if you have trouble unsubscribing, or have questions about the list itself) send email to design@meltel.com.

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Disclaimer
We do not have financial interest in, or endorse, any of the sites, or products offered by the sites, listed in this customer newsletter. No opinions expressed on these sites should be considered to be the opinion of diversiCOM Melrose Telephone Company or it's employees. This is a free service of diversiCOM Melrose Telephone Company to enhance your Internet surfing experience. It is our policy to not share your e-mail address with any third party for any reason.

©2007 Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc.

diversiCOM Melrose Telephone Company

In this edition:
Your Local Help Desk
Tech Tips and Tricks
Sites of the Month
Email Scam
Free Internet Classes
Privacy Information Changes



Free Internet Classes
Browsing Only
Eden Valley High School
Computer Lab Room 127
January 7, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

E-mail Only
Eden Valley High School
Computer Lab Room 127
January 8, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Browsing Only
Melrose High School
Media Center (library)
January 14, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

E-mail Only
Melrose High School
Media Center (library)
January 15, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Call to register:
256-7471
764-7600
597-3333
548-3200



Important Information About Your Account and Privacy:
Recent changes in federal law allow us to use information from your current records to market and advise you of new products and services that may satisfy your communications needs, unless you notify us otherwise.

Please visit our website for more information about these changes.




Sites of the Month
Idol Thoughts
Season seven of American Idol begins this month and television viewers are singing a happy tune. With dramas and comedies in reruns due to the writers' strike, fresh episodes of the popular competition will be music to many ears. Visit this site to see audition preview videos, get a behind-the-scenes look at the show, and sign up to receive the American Idol newsletter. You can also look back at some favorite "Idol" moments from past seasons including unforgettable comments from the judges.

Update for Travelers
All U.S. travelers returning from Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean by air have had to carry passports since January 23, 2007. Beginning January 31, 2008, adult
travelers re-entering the U.S. by land or via ferry or small boat must carry a passport or a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license) plus proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate). Children 18 and younger need only proof of citizenship. The requirements are part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative launched after 9/11. More details are available on this site so go here before you make travel plans to go out of the country.

Deal or No Deal
Here's the deal ~ if you're looking for entertainment alone, watch the game how Deal or No Deal with Howie Mandel on TV. If you'd like a chance at winning up to $100,000, play the Lucky Case Game online during Deal or No Deal broadcasts. The online promotion runs through March 31, 2008, so you still have time to try your luck at the loot.

Record-breaking Resource
Could this be your year to set a record? Find out what it takes from the experts at Guinness World Records. Click on the Break a World Record link to get information on making a claim. Or just
browse through the Video Vault for a look at the fastest, strongest, largest, and most incredible things on the planet. From the largest disco ball to the heaviest car balanced on the head, there's enough here to keep you amazed for hours. Search by category: human body, amazing feats, natural world, science tech, arts media, modern society, travel transport, and sports games.

New Year's Resolutions
This time of year, everybody is talking about New Year's resolutions ˜ even the U.S. government is ready to give you advice. This site contains tips for most of
the top resolutions including: lose weight, pay off debt, save money, get a better job, eat right, and get fit. For help with the last one, for example, you'll be directed to the website of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. But you'll still have to do the exercises yourself.