Frequently Asked Questions

What are my internet options in Hancock County? We have a number of different choices available to us in the Hancock County area, but some of them are limited by where you actually live.
	DSL - This method requires a physical telephone line and for your home to be within three or four miles of a physical DSL distribution point. Call Alltel (formerly Bellsouth) at 800-FAST DSL 1-800-327-8375 to request service via phone, or click here to request service online. It can take as much as three weeks to even find out if you are even eligible, so don't wait until the last minute.
	Cable - This method requires a physical Cable-TV cable connection. You can get some EXCELLENT connection speeds with top-tier service. Call Mediacom at 866-755-2225 to request service via phone, or click here to request service online. It can take as much as three weeks to even find out if you are even eligible, so don't wait until the last minute.
	DSL by Air - Call DSL by Air at *228-831-8881* to request service via phone, or click here to request service online. We do not have personal experience with DSL by Air. One of our customers has it and is very satisfied.
	Satellite - Expensive, quirky, and severely screwed up in inclement weather. But if you gotta have your webs, you gotta have your webs. Options include www.hughesnet.com and www.wildblue.com. Be forewarned, both options listed here limit the amount of bandwidth you can use in a 24 hour period. Expect to be put into timeout if you exceed your limit.
	Cellular - If you have to do Internet over cellular, I recommend Verizon in this area. The service is lousy in Alabama (but then again, what isn't, eh?) but good practically anywhere else.
	Dial-Up - Take your pick from a long list of overpriced, underwhelming Internet Service Providers. AOL is the most commonly used, and Netzero is, we believe, the least expensive.

I bought (or have) a wireless card; why can't I get internet from [location]?
	This is a question we hear all the time. Please refer to the Wireless Article for a long-winded (and more accurate) explanation. Suffice it to say that a Wireless Card will only give you network access if you are within range of a wireless broadcast point that does not have you locked out.

What is a Virus? What is Malware? What is Spyware?
	These are also questions we hear all the time. Please refer to the Virus Article for a long-winded (and more accurate) explanation of the virus, and the Spyware and Malware Article for an even longer-winded explanation of spyware and malware. Let's just say that these are like diseases you can pick up while browsing around on the internet, from downloading questionable music, video, and graphic files, or opening emails from sources you do not know (and some that you do). Let's also just say that you can avoid a lot (most) of these by avoiding sites where illegal downloads are distributed (Limewire and Bearshare to name a couple), illegal practices are promoted, or pornography (legal or illegal) is distributed, posted, or shared. Believe it or not, music can be downloaded cheaply and safely (www.itunes.com and www.walmart.com are two good sources).