Austwick Community Broadband Association

 

NEWS and INFORMATION for MEMBERS

 

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Updated  11/11/2008 00:22

 

Other News may be viewed by scrolling down this page.

 

 

This page is  for help with Computer Problems

http://www.tbsu.co.uk

Have you ever wished for a sympathetic and helpful computer expert when you have a computer problem?

Well now you can have support within minutes wherever you live, or work, in the World!
Professional Computer Services (PCs) is pleased to announce the introduction of the Virtual Support Technician available to anyone, anywhere, with a broadband connection.
How does it work?
==============
You download a small setup file, from our web site, which enables our technicians to view your desktop and to move and use your mouse pointer.
Once the connection is established the technician can do anything required to resolve your problem. You can watch and talk with the technician until your problem is resolved.

Can your technicians see my screen at any time?
=====================================
NO, you must start the connection from your PC and you can break the connection at any time.
What does it cost?
==============
Prices are listed at: http://www.tbsu.co.uk/html/terms_conditions.html

Payment can be made using cash, cheque or credit card.

What problems is virtual support useful for?
================================
1: Installing, removing or configuring software
2: Removing viruses or spyware
3: Setting up an email program
4: Diagnosing some hardware problems
5: Resolving software problems
6: Demonstrating and explaining how to use your computer
7: Computer training
OK I have a problem, how do I get help?
=============================
1: Copy the following address
http://www.tbsu.co.uk/Customer_78.32.137.126_5500.exe
2: Paste it into your web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Firefox etc.)
3: Download the setup file and save it onto your desktop
4: Call PCs on 01729-825860 (UK) or +44-1729-825860 (Intl)
5: Follow the technician's verbal instructions
6: Any problems - just call first and we will help you

Professional Computer Services (PCs)
SHOWROOM AND SERVICE CENTRE
Conservative Chambers
18 Station Road
Settle
North Yorkshire
BD24 9AA
01729 825860 (Settle)
01524 888391 (Bentham-Ingleton)
07790 735822 (Mobile)
email: virtualsupport@pcs-settle.co.uk
web: www.tbsu.co.uk
 

 

On behalf  of the  Chairman & Officers of the Association we wish to thank Ian Smith for all the hard work put into keeping accurate and detailed records, for collecting the sums due to the association, and in paying accounts for supplies and services. Ian also keeps his eye on bandwidth usage in order to arrange extra capacity should any of the ADSL links exceed their allotted allowance.

Our grateful appreciation is also  given to Michael Slann for his work in auditing the accounts.

 

The accounts need to be approved approved at the Annual General Meeting.

The balance being held at the present time in the 'Alliance & Leicester Community Instant Reserve Account represents to a greater part the reserve held to cover the cost of the conversion to 5GHz transmission and for equipment replacement. We have been most fortunate in that the majority of our equipment continues to function quite well. However, in the last year we have noticed an increase in malfunction of SAP boxes and other equipment. The majority of our equipment is long past its guarantee period.

 

 

 

 

Virus Protection  Condition of Membership

 

  Although all ACBA systems and those of Zen carry a full range of protection against viruses, members are reminded that they are responsible for protecting their own systems and that it is a condition of Membership that all the computers  connected to the ACBA service should be protected from viruses.

You have a duty to your fellow members to keep your system protected and up to date. Please ensure that you check for updates regularly.

 

ACBA recommend that Members use the AVG anti virus  8.00 version issued  free of charge. 

Basic antivirus and antispyware protection for Windows available to download for free.

Compared to the 'paid for version' features are more limited but it gives excellent protection against viruses. Support is not supplied and it is restricted for private and non-commercial use only.

  • easy to download, install and use

  • Protects against viruses and spyware

  • Compatible for use with Windows XP and Windows Vista.

AVG Anti-Virus is only available  for home and non commercial use.

To download the protection click on the following link:

 

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0

 

then click on

 

AVG Free 8.0 download

 

 This notice is very important. Do not leave your system unprotected from attack by viruses.

The free version, does  not include anti-spam or a personal firewall but it is a very reliable anti-virus and anti-spyware product.

 

Terms and Conditions of the agreement between ACBA and Members may be found at the bottom of this Webpage.

 

 

Network Conversion from 2.5 to 5.0 GHz.

 

The installation of the new link from Norcliffe House in Austwick to  Access Points in Wharfe is a further step in the conversion of our Network changing over to operating in five Gigahertz. It is a long and intricate operation that is extremely labour intensive that is almost comparable with the process we  had when we originally set up the network. It is however more disruptive as we are not setting up but converting the system and this involves closing some of the 'Access Points' from time to time. Wherever possible, we shall try to give as much warning as we can and we would ask you all to have some consideration in that it is difficult to be exact in giving an assessment of the time involved to carry out the work. It may at times be necessary to cancel a forewarned operation because of a change in weather and could be difficult for us to let you know. 

Connection Problems.

It is VERY IMPORTANT that in the rare cases when members have a connection problem,  the correct way of logging a problem should be used. The 'Helpdesk' button on this page appearing just above this message should be used and in no circumstances should the 'contact us' connection on the Community Website be used (that connection is for the general public and word wide users of the Internet who connect with the Webmaster to ask questions related to the community area. It is also just as important that neither the Techboys or any member of the committee should be telephoned or Emailed about connection problems unless of course they are a friend whom you would normally ask for help of any nature..

If members cannot connect to the Internet then it may not be possible  to use the Internet. In this case a fellow member should be telephoned  asking them to log the problem on your behalf. Make sure that you know the telephone number of some other members so that you may contact them and ask them to log a notice on your behalf.

 

Keeping Your Money Safe Online.

 

The 'catastrophic error' on the part of the Government that led to the personal details of 25 million people were lost has served to highlight the need to protect your identity. The potential financial devastation caused by identity fraud should be reason alone for us all to keep a tighter check on the how we give out our details and the way we use our money online.
 

10 ways to keep your money safe online

1.    When you visit a bank or retailer's website enter the address manually - never follow an email link.
2.    Keep account details and passwords secret - if you surrender them yourself you may not be covered in the event of fraud.
3.    Don't judge a company or person on their website alone - look for a telephone number and address.
4.    Remember your bank will never contact you to disclose security information - ignore any emails that ask for your PIN, password or other personal details.
5.    Use up-to-date anti-virus software, a personal firewall and, if your computer uses the Microsoft Windows operating system, keep it updated from the Microsoft website.
6.    Check your bank statement regularly, and if you notice anything irregular call your bank immediately.
7.    Sign up to a secure payment method such as Verified by Visa or MasterCard Secure Code, which will verify your card information and provide an extra layer of protection. For transactions over £100, use a credit card for security against non-delivery or fraud.
8.    When buying online, check the website is secure - look for a padlock at the bottom right of the browser window. Click on the padlock to check that the seller is who they say they are and that their certificate is current and registered to the right address. The web address should also begin with 'https://'.
9.    Be wary of buying anything offered via spam or unsolicited phone calls.
10.  Don't be conned by emails that offer you the chance to make some easy money - if it looks too good to be true, it usually is.

Although banks and other organisations are stepping up their efforts against this type of fraud, the latest slip by the Government shows us that nobody is immune and the best place to begin protection is with ourselves. The more proactive and aware amongst us can follow these steps to safeguard their identity and their finances.
 

Golden rules to protect your identity

• Store personal information securely and dispose of any documents bearing your name and address by shredding or ripping them up.

• Don't let cards or card details out of your sight when making a transaction, and shield the keypad when entering your PIN in a shop or at a cashpoint.

• Never send money or supply financial details to unsolicited emails or phone calls.

• Regularly check your credit record with a credit agency, such as Experian, Equifax or Call Credit, to monitor any applications for credit.

• Prevent deceased fraud of loved ones by following the steps detailed at Cifas.org.uk.

• Before sharing personal details, ask yourself: Who is asking for them? Why they need them? Are you 100% sure they are genuine?

• Close accounts you no longer require - dormant accounts can be re-activated by fraudsters without your knowledge.

• Enrol on the electoral register of your new local authority when moving home, inform all the relevant organisations of your change in address and use the Royal Mail re-direct service for at least 12 months.

• Never use the same password twice, and don't use your mother's real maiden name - this can easily be found out.

• Keep an eye on your bills and statements and make a note of when they should arrive. If your bills or statements don't turn up, inform the organisation concerned.

 

     ©                Hannah Ricci from
              21.11.07 Moneywise article

 

 

 

 

 

phishing

a.k.a. carding or brand spoofing or hoax e-mail
(pronounced: fish-ing)

An online scam in which the perpetrator sends out a large number of legitimate looking e-mails that may appear to come from respected companies (such as Citibank, eBay, PayPal, MSN, Amazon. Yahoo, BestBuy, AOL, etc.) and may even appear to be addressed to another member rather than the recipient with the intent of "fishing" for personal and financial information from the recipient. These  are falsely claiming to be the respected company or seemingly genuine sender needing the user's information to update their files, when in fact, it is an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will later be used for nefarious purposes.

Never open Emails and attachments if you are unsure or doubtful about the sender. Never forward any dubious messages to other people.

 

Important Notice

There is a growing risk of power failures during severe weather. The stronger winds that seem to be a part of the general weather change pattern, can cause problems by moving the position of antennae . May we remind you to check with your Insurance suppliers/brokers to make sure that the ACBA antenna installed on your property is covered by your household insurance and remember that Members  are responsible for all the equipment supplied including any public liability where a dislodged antenna causes damage to a third party property [Most Insurance companies cover this risk but to be safe you should check with your insurance company or broker.

 

When there are high winds please check that your antenna is safely secured and has not moved. It is especially important to  make this check if you are having a fault and before logging a ticket on the ACBA Webpage.
 

 

Mobile Testing Rig.

A recent addition to the ACBA tools is the creation of a mobile antenna that can be used to measure signal strength. The antenna is connected to a laptop computer housed in Steve's car which has a program loaded that can measure radio activity. This is used particularly when a connection is required by a new member, but also in checking on the entire ACBA Network.

 

Power Surges

You are again reminded that when power failures occur and the power is quickly restored it does create a power surge. This surge can cause damage to computers and peripheral equipment. Protection from this is not expensive and requires a special power plug. These are available at most electric retailers, computer suppliers and DIY store.

 

For Members working from home or any member where a loss of connection would be serious

small APC units (power back up) can be installed. The units are not too expensive and are very efficient. ACBA has installed such units on its more important nodes. The power back up has proven very satisfactory.

Chain Mail

Interspersed among the junk mail and spam that fills our Internet e-mail boxes are dire warnings about devastating new viruses, Trojans that eat the heart out of your system, and malicious software that can steal the computer right off your desk. Added to that are messages about free money, children in trouble, and other items designed to grab you and get you to forward the message to everyone you know. Most all of these messages are hoaxes or chain letters. While hoaxes do not automatically infect systems like a virus or Trojan, they are still time consuming and costly to remove from all the systems where they exist. At CIAC, we find that we spend much more time de-bunking hoaxes than handling real virus and Trojan incidents. These pages describe some of the warnings, offers, and pleas for help that are filling our mailboxes, clogging our mail servers, and that generally do not have any basis in fact.

The above has been taken from information published on the Web. You may like to add the following contact to your favourites’ list. 

http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/HoaxBustersHome.html

Chain Mail letters have been received by several ACBA Members, sadly a member responded and forwarded the Chain Letter Message to addressees on their Mailing List.

Such chain letters are one of the main causes of the growing number of Spam Mail.

Please do not fall for the bait.

 

NEVER RESPOND IN ANY WAY TO SUSPECT CHAIN MAIL LETTERS. DO NOT  FORWARD MESSAGES TO THE PEOPLE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK IF YOU ARE EVER ASKED TO DO THIS.

 

Service Agreement – Terms and Conditions 1. Definition.

1.1 The "Member" means the user, "ACBA" means Austwick Community Broadband Association. "Services" means all services provided by ACBA including but not limited to Internet access, electronic mail, web space and newsgroups.

Subscribers are automatically members of ACBA, a not for profit community association.

2. Supply

2.1 ACBA agrees to provide the services to the Member to the extent described in the relevant Service Agreement, which shall be deemed and incorporated into these terms and conditions.

2.2 ACBA reserves the right to alter or withdraw any service at any time, on giving current Members prior warning.

3. Exclusion of Warranties

3.1 Save as expressly set out herein, all conditions or warranties which may be implied or incorporated into these terms and conditions by

law or otherwise are hereby expressly excluded to the extent permitted by law. In no circumstances whatsoever will ACBA be liable for economic, indirect or consequential loss.

3.2 ACBA's Services are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis and makes no warranties or representations, whether express or implied, in relation to ACBA or the Services, including but not limited to, implied warranties or conditions of completeness, accuracy, satisfactory quality, or any loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, missed deliveries, or service interruptions.

3.3 In any event the liability of ACBA to the Member in respect of an event or series of connected events arising out of or in connection with these terms and conditions whether in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise shall be limited to all sums payable in respect of the Services supplied.

3.4 Each provision of this Clause 3 excluding or limiting liability shall be construed separately, applying and surviving even if for any reason one or other of those provisions is held inapplicable or unenforceable in any circumstance they shall remain in force not withstanding the termination or expiry of these terms and conditions.

4. Price and Payment

4.1 The charges payable by the Member for the provision of the Services are decided by the committee each year in advance and the amount calculated according to the date the connection is made. If for any reason ACBA is unable to collect payment from the member as it becomes due under these terms and conditions or in the event of default on payment by the member, this will constitute a material breach of these terms and conditions by the member. ACBA shall have the right to require the Member to pay all sums due under these terms and conditions on demand.

4.2 All sums due to ACBA under these terms and conditions are quoted exclusive of Value Added Tax, as ACBA is not currently registered for VAT. Should VAT or other applicable taxes become due in accordance with the relevant regulations in force at the time of making the supply these shall be paid by the Member. As ACBA is not registered for VAT, it is unable to claim back any VAT charged by suppliers of goods or services that are registered for VAT. Such VAT paid will constitute a part of any charges made to members. Members registered for VAT will not be able to claim such VAT as in input amount.

4.3 ACBA reserves the right to terminate the services to the Member forthwith in the event of any default of payment or infringement of any of the regulations.

4.4 All subscriptions and service charges are due in advance.

5. Termination

5.1 The initial term shall commence before the Member is connected to, or starts using ACBA services. The starting date based on the estimated commencement of payment of the annual service charge for the ADSL connection will be the 3rd January. Any difference in connection date to a member will be credited to the member on a daily rate. This agreement will continue and payments will be taken according to the service subscribed to until the member requests cancellation or if ACBA decides to terminate the agreement according to the terms below.

5.2 ACBA (without prejudice to its other rights) may terminate this Agreement immediately if:

 

a) The Member breaches any clause under these Terms and Conditions.

b) ACBA is obliged to comply with an order, instruction or request of Government, an emergency services organization, or other administrative authority, to cease to provide any service provided to the Member.

c) The member breaches ACBA's Acceptable Use Policy, or

d) The provision of any service to the Member would give rise to or cause disruption to the services offered by ACBA to its members.

5.3 Without prejudice to its rights of termination at any time under Clause 5.2, ACBA shall have the right to suspend the provision of any Services without notice if ACBA has the right to terminate this Agreement.

5.4 ACBA shall be able to terminate this agreement for any reason on giving the Member a minimum of 1 month's notice at any time.

5.5 The Member may terminate this agreement having given written 30 days notice by e-mail or letter.

5.6 In the event of termination, whether initiated by the Member or ACBA no refunds will be given on subscription charges. Unused portions of any annual service fees may be refunded at the sole discretion of ACBA but only during the years following the anniversary of the initial service connection.

5.7 In the event of termination the Member shall immediately cease to make use of ACBA’s Services.

5.8 In the event of a connection to a member being a cause of disruption to the service or any part of the service, ACBA will close the connection without giving prior notification. Service will only be resumed when the fault has been corrected.

6. Improper Use

6.1 A breach of our Acceptable Use Policy will constitute a material breach of these terms and conditions and shall entitle ACBA to terminate the agreement pursuant to Clause 5.2.
 

6.2 The Member shall not (or authorise or permit any other party to) use ACBA’s Services for the transmission of any material which is in violation of any law or regulation or which is defamatory, menacing, obscene, in breach of third party intellectual property rights (including copyright) or in breach of trade secrets or is in breach of ACBA’s Equality Policy. Any breach of this Clause will be deemed to be a material breach of this agreement and shall entitle ACBA to terminate the agreement pursuant to Clause 5.2 and for this purpose it shall

be irrelevant whether the Member is aware of the content or illegality of any material so transmitted or not.

6.3 Not withstanding and in addition to Clause 5.2 ACBA may suspend the Service without notice with immediate effect if in ACBA's reasonable opinion the Member is in breach of these Terms and Conditions or acted inconsistently with the spirit of these terms and conditions.

6.4 The Member acknowledges that ACBA is unable to exercise control over the content of the information passing over the ACBA connection and/or the ACBA network and/or the Services, and ACBA hereby excludes all liability of any kind for the transmission or reception of infringing information of whatever nature.

6.5 The Member hereby agrees to indemnify and holds ACBA harmless from any claim brought by a third party resulting from the use of the ACBA connection and/or the ACBA network, Services including but not limited to infringement of any intellectual property right of any kind, legislation or regulation. The Member shall defend and pay all costs, damages, awards, fees (including reasonable legal fees) and

judgments finally awarded against ACBA arising from such claims, and shall provide ACBA with notice of such claims, full authority to defend, compromise or settle such claims and reasonable assistance necessary to defend such claims, at the Member's sole expense. Such actions will be taken in consultation with the Member.

7. Suspension of Services

7.1 ACBA may without terminating this agreement suspend provision of any Services in whole or in part until further notice with immediate effect if:

a) ACBA has reason to terminate this agreement in accordance with Clause 5; b) ACBA is obliged to comply with an order, instruction or request of Government, an emergency services organisation, or other administrative authority, or c) ACBA needs to carry out work relating to upgrading or maintenance of the ACBA network but providing that ACBA has given the Member a reasonable period of notice practicable in the circumstances.

7.2 If ACBA exercises its right of suspension in respect of an event referred to in Clause 7.1, this will not exclude its right to terminate this agreement later in respect of that or any other event, nor will it prevent ACBA from claiming damages from the Member resulting from such event if the Member is in breach of these terms and conditions.

8. Data Protection

8.1 ACBA reserves the right to put the names and other information from the registration form relating to the Members into a computerised directory for internal use only, unless specific written instructions are received from the Member to allow it to do otherwise.

8.2 ACBA reserves the right to provide information concerning your account and activities whilst using ACBA's services if we are requested to do so by the police or a regulatory or government authority in investigating illegal activities. ACBA will never provide information to any third party other than provided for as in this clause. Data held by ACBA will be available to the main officers of the association for a ‘need to know’ reason. This will be restricted to the President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.

9. Acceptable Use of Bandwidth

9.1 There shall be no utilisation of the wireless network or broadband facility, which is detrimental to the bandwidth of either or both the network and broadband connection. If access is determined as monopolising bandwidth, it shall first be brought to the notice of

the offender by an ACBA representative, and where repetition occurs, brought to the notice of the Committee or to determine further action.

The system is intended primarily for download of information and shall not be used for activities which require significant uploading, such as web-hosting, video conferencing or file sharing.

10. Security

10.1 The member is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their username(s), password(s), and other network access details and may not release them to any third party. The member is fully responsible for all activities that occur using their network

access details. Other users of the Member's network access shall be bound by these terms and conditions as if they were the Member. The member agrees to immediately notify ACBA of any unauthorised use of his/her network access or any other breach of security of which the Member becomes aware. The member will not knowingly publish, or cause to be published, any information about any part of the system, but

should refer any external enquiries to the website or to info@austwick.net. Members will not pass on any personal details of any other users of the network.

11. General

11.1 Other than in respect of the Member's obligation to make payments neither party shall be liable in respect of any breach of this contract due to any cause beyond its reasonable control including but not limited to acts of God, flood, lightning or fire, industrial action, act or omission of Government or other competent authority, riot, war

or act or omission of another party for whom that party is not responsible.

11.2 ACBA shall have the right by notice to the Member to modify these terms and conditions at any time, subject to the Constitution of the Association. It is the responsibility of Members to check these terms and conditions for changes on a regular basis.

11.3 These terms and conditions are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of England and the Member hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.

11.4 These terms and conditions represent the entire agreement between the parties.

11.5 The Member shall not assign or purport to assign or otherwise deal with any of its rights and obligations hereunder, except if expressly agreed in writing with ACBA.

11.6 ACBA shall have the right to assign, sub-contract, or otherwise deal with all or any of its rights and obligations under these terms and conditions to any third party subject to approval of a majority of the Members to be sanctioned at an Extraordinary General Meeting.

11.7 The Member, by creating an account with ACBA, hereby acknowledges that he/she has read and accepted the terms hereof.

11.8 Any notice given by ACBA to the member under these terms and conditions will be given either by email or by a message on the ACBA website.

11.9 The Member may not sub-let, share or sell-on any services provided by ACBA unless expressly agreed in writing by the Committee