nCity Internet Setup

Information you will need to know:

Bear in mind that your internet setup will be unique to each user account, depending on how your Mac is setup; we'll just be dealing with one login account here, the owner's or default (admin) account. You will need to repeat the steps below for additional login accounts.

And: you will need your login password(s) and your email password(s).

For additional info regarding network setup and troubleshooting, see Apple's support document here.

Passwords?

You _MUST_ have your account and setting info:

Your account name - usually the first half of your email address (up to "@"), or your complete email address, or possibly a different name - as arranged with your ISP.
Your exact password - and it _MUST_ be exact, including upper/lower case.
ISP's POP setting for sending email. This may be "pop" or "pop3" or "mail" depending entirely on ISP's protocol. If you don't have this setting, you cannot receive email.
SMTP server setting for receiving email, as specified by your ISP, required to send email.

You may be able to collect this information from your existing email account by looking in your mail program preferences and network settings - except for your password (•••••). By the way, if you have to guess at your password, don't bother counting the bullets (•) because the number of bullets will not equal the number of characters.
: Once you've collected this info, consider writing it down on a "CheatSheet" and keeping it in a safe and secure location:

If you don't already have one, you'll need an Internet Service Provider (ISP).: If broadband is available thru your cable company, phone company or by using a satellite service (in that order), please consider buying high-speed broadband service. Many features of modern computers require broadband, not the least of which are Software Updates (all but impossible over dialup).
: If you must use dialup, pick an ISP with local dialup numbers to avoid long-distance charges. ISPs come in a wide variety, from free to exorbitant; best to avoid both extremes. The "free" ones plaster you and your emails with ads, while the most expensive ones (AOL, Earthlink) charge far too much for dismal service and may require installation of unnecessary (proprietary) software. Ask friends and neighbors to recommend a local dialup ISP.
ISP-supplied software (CDs):: Some ISPs provide you with software installers that handle configuration and may also install additional (unwanted) software. Your Mac already has everything it needs for communications, and a manual configuration (as described below) is often the best bet. We recommend avoiding installation of any third-party software supplied by your ISP; if your ISP requires the use of special software, find a different ISP (see nCity's Links page).

Open System Preferences:

Open System Preferences window from the Apple menu, or by clicking the System Prefs icon in the Dock (right).

Next, open the Network icon from within the System Preferences window (below).

Open System Prefs from Apple menu or the Dock.
Check current Network setup:: Opening the Network pane to Network Status displays all connected options and the status of each. If your modem doesn't appear, check that it is connected, working and powered on. If your Mac has an internal modem (optional in new Macs), it will appear as illustrated.


: Make sure the lock in lower-left corner is open (you will need your login password to unlock it). The "Assist me" button will walk you thru the setup process; unless you would prefer to manually setup your network connections (steps below), use this button and follow instructions.

Manual Networking Setup:: If dialup is your only network connection, set "Location" to Automatic (if it isn't there already). If you wish to create a new network setup (or location), choose "New location" from Location popup and enter a name (home, office, work, or use the default date). Set the "Show" pop-up menu to Internal Modem.

PPP tab:: With "PPP" tab selected (as above), enter required information. Enter your ISP's primary dialup number into "Telephone Number" field, and be sure to put a secondary dialup number into the "Alternate" field; if ISP's server is offline for some reason, the alternate number allows you to connect thru a different server.
: Check the "Save password" box if you wish to have your password sent automatically. If you require setup assistance, the "Assist me" button will walk you through the process. Otherwise, if all info has been entered correctly, click the "Apply Now" button. You can test your settings by clicking "Dial Now" which will allow you to go online. (Read on for email setup).

Modem Tab:: Your modem is probably setup by default, but if you encounter any problem, check the "Modem" tab and make sure the proper modem script is selected according to your type of modem. Newer machines ship with v92 internal modems, as shown below; older Macs may have a v90 modem. Checking the box marked "Show modem status in menu bar" adds modem access and status info to your Finder's menu bar - highly recommended.

: Click the "Apply Now" button to save any changes, and close System Preferences.
: NOTE: At this point, you should be able to launch Safari and go online. If you have any difficulties with the following email setup, you can always go to your ISP's web site, look for ISP's support page or FAQs, and double-check required email settings (below).

Internet Connect:: Located in your Applications folder, Internet Connect contains dialup info from the Network pane (above) and will connect to your ISP's server (without launching a web browser or email app) If you checked the "Show modem status in menu bar" option discussed above, Internet Connect will appear in the modem status menu.



: Incidentally: If you suddenly find you cannot connect for no apparent reason, and you get a message saying your username or password is invalid, don't rush to fix it. If you have been connecting successfully - and you haven't changed your settings - either wait a day or two until the ISP gets things straightened out or, better yet, try the alternate dialup number. This often erroneous error message may be generated by ISP when a server is down (and your settings are correct).

Scroll down for email and browser setup, or use links in sidebar (left).....

Broadband (DSL/cable/satellite/LAN):: Unlike dialup, broadband setup is a no-brainer. Usually, all you have to do is plug in the ethernet cable between your modem or router and the computer; your Mac will do the rest. Some systems, tho, may require you to open System Preferences -> Network and tell the machine to look for an ethernet connection.

Ethernet settings:: Open the Network pane in System Preferences. Select "Built-in Ethernet" from the "Show" pop-up menu. Click TCP/IP tab, set "Configure IPv4" to "Using DHCP." Other info - IP address, subnet mask, router (if present) - should auto-fill if modem/router is powered and properly connected.

: If you have a static IP address, select "Manual" and enter your static IP address.
: The "Assist Me" button near bottom of Network Preferences pane will walk you through the configuration process if further assistance is necessary.

See below for email and browser setup, or use links in sidebar (left).....

Wireless Networks using Airport:: Easiest of all: Turn Airport on and open your Airport menu. () Any wireless networks in the vicinity will appear in this menu (including yours); just select the one you want to connect with. If you don't see an Airport menu, open System Prefs -> Network, choose "Show Airport" and check the "Show Airport status in menu bar" option.
: The connection between computer and base station requires some configuration; use System Prefs Network pane, open Airport location, and use the "Assist Me" button to setup a network or check an existing one.

Other wireless adapters:: Using an Airport card for wireless networking is the best choice for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is ease of use. If you must use some third-party wireless dongle, be prepared for a difficult setup and mediocre results. These devices, usually USB-connected, require a software driver to replace Airport functions built into the MacOS - the first drawback. Software installation can be a pain, and third-party devices can be finicky. Check manufacturer's web site for the latest driver compatible with your Operating System version, download and install - or have someone download the driver for you and burn it to a disk. (Wireless protocols change so rapidly these days, there's a good chance the driver on CD included with your wireless device will be outdated.)

See below for email and browser setup and preferences.....

Setup email to send and receive:

It may seem redundant, but your Mail application also stores your user name and password just as the Network prefs pane does (above). Plus, it contains the all-important POP (Post Office Protocol) and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) settings which allow you to receive and send email.

Launch Mail, then open Mail Preferences (right).
Select the Accounts tab to setup Mail:: Enter a description for this email account, your email address and your name. Enter your POP setting (as specified by your ISP) next to "Incoming Mail Server," then your user name and password, exactly as entered previously in the Network System Prefs.

Setup SMTP:: "Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP)" should contain the SMTP setting obtained from your ISP. If it does not, click the "Server Settings" button to setup SMTP, and you should see the following pane.


: Type SMTP setting into "Outgoing Mail Server" field, if necessary. If ISP specified a server port number other than 25, enter the correct port, too; otherwise, leave it at 25.

If your ISP requires authentication to send email (and many do), enter your user name and password yet again, and set the "Authentication" pop-up to "Password" (common) - or set one of the other options listed, as necessary.

If you are not sure, launch your web browser (Safari, Firefox, etc.) and consult ISP's web site to find specified SMTP settings. If these settings are not exactly as the server (your ISP) expects them to be, you will be unable to send email.

NOTE: If you are unable to send email even though all SMTP settings appear to be correct, see the Macintosh Q and A section (link, left) for a possible workaround.
One last adjustment within Mail:: Your ISP stores your mail on its server until you retrieve it. You have the option of leaving a copy behind on the server, but this is not a good idea in most cases - it clogs up the server and can fill your mailbox (your ISP may demand you empty it and/or cut you off until you do). Unless mail in the following special mailboxes is properly managed, your Mail folder can become quite large.
: Under the "Special Mailboxes" tab, decide how long you wish to keep copies of outgoing (sent) messages. Junk mail and trash should be deleted as soon as possible. All three have the same options: empty on quit, after 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and (gulp!) never.

Web browser (Safari) setup and info below.....

Set browser preferences.: Default settings are fine, but customizing the way Safari (and other browsers) operate can greatly improve things. We'll deal with three of Safari's preference tabs here; settings include a minimum font size (enlarges teeny-tiny text to a legible size), handling cookies, and setting a home page, among others.
: All browsers have similar preference settings, usually found under Application or File menu, and all such settings operate in the same way as examples posted below.
General preferences:

Default web browser pop-up menu will display every browser available; browser selected here will be used by default to open all web-related files.

"New windows open with" pop-up is where you set Safari to open to a blank page, or to a home page specified in field (just below pop-up) every time Safari launches.

Downloaded files should _always_ go to the desktop, or (if you must) into a folder on your desktop. And it's a good idea to keep desktop relatively clear, so file that download or put it in the trash if download is unwanted.

Safari preferences pane, General tab selected.

Appearance preferences:

Style sheets (CSS) and web page designers set font styles and sizes, but your browser can override those settings with your own preferred font faces and sizes.

Fixed-width fonts are devoid of style and nuance, often used in terminal windows. Each letter has the exact same width; for example, the letter "w" has the same width as the letter "i" does. Select a font such as TTY, VT100, Courier or similar.

Safari prefs, Appearance tab selected.

Security preferences:

Security isn't much of an issue on the Macintosh. There really is no reason to block Java or JavaScript, except possibly to assist with slow dialup access. And why disable installed plugins? Blocking pop-up ads is a good idea, tho. We suggest turning all four of these options on.

Toss your cookies.

Safari handles cookies as well as any browser, with the best option being the selection shown (right). Other browsers (like Firefox) also allow you to accept or deny each individual cookie on the fly, but this may prove too troublesome for many people.

The "Show Cookies" button allows you to see, identify and edit cookies. Cookies from legitimate sites serve legitimate purposes; cookies you see in the list that you cannot identify are best deleted.

Safari prefs, Security tab selected.

Use Show Cookies button to delete unwanted cookies.

Also see nCity's Forum page for information about cookies, cache files, domains, and more.

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