Kraus Online, Phone: 1-800-442-2253

Technical Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

< Technical FAQ

Macintosh Questions

  1. What type of Macintosh hardware and software do I need to use this service?
  2. What browsers can I use?
  3. What e-mail programs can I use?
  4. I use MacOS 9. Can I perform File Sharing using TCP/IP?
  5. What can I do to increase security and prevent hackers from accessing information on my Macintosh?
  6. I have two (or more) Macintosh computers. Can they all use the same cable modem?
  7. What is IPNetRouter and why do I have to use it?
  8. Are there any alternatives to IPNetRouter?

Macintosh Answers

1. What type of Macintosh hardware and software do I need to use this service?

You will need a minimum of a System 8.0 to 8.5, 50 megabytes of hard disk space, and 32 megabytes of RAM (although we recommend 64 megabytes of RAM). If you are using a one-way Com21 cable modem, you will need System 8.5 to 9.0 and IPNetRouter software.

This cable modem service utilizes Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to assign the IP address to your Macintosh computer. DHCP in versions of MacOS prior to System 8.0 do not work properly with our cable modem service.

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2. What browsers can I use?

All versions of Netscape and Internet Explorer work well with our cable modem service.

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3. What e-mail programs can I use?

Netscape Communicator, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Eudora are the most common e-mail programs on Macintosh and work well with our cable modem service. Other mail programs that support POP3 e-mail will work, but are not officially supported.

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4. I use MacOS 9. Can I perform File Sharing using TCP/IP?

Yes, however for security purposes, we recommend that you disable the guest access feature when you are not using it.

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5. What can I do to increase security and prevent hackers from accessing information on my Macintosh?

Although the chances of a hacker accessing information on a PC are slim, the chances of a hacker accessing information on a Macintosh are even more unlikely. Besides the fact that we have safeguards in place on our headend equipment to prevent this type of activity, most hackers try to access information on PCs simply because there are more of them. However, to increase security, you can disable the file sharing over TCP/IP feature when you are not using it and install security hardware and/or software to make your system more secure.

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6. I have two (or more) Macintosh computers. Can they all use the same cable modem?

Although it is possible to network Macintosh computers and connect a single cable modem to your existing LAN, we do not support this type of configuration.

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7. What is IPNetRouter and why do I have to use it?

IPNetRouter is a software package that you will need to install if you are using a one-way Com21 cable modem. MacOS is not able to simultaneously handle network connections from a telephone modem and the Ethernet port without the IPNetRouter software.

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8. Are there any alternatives to IPNetRouter?

VicomsoftÆs SoftRouter Plus will perform the same functions as IPNetRouter but is more expensive.

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