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May 1997 |
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This month's WebTV Tips contains answers to many frequently-asked questions about the WebTV Internet terminal and WebTV Network. It also has some answers to questions about Microsoft's acquisition of WebTV Networks! Also, don't forget the tips in the back issues of Club WebTV: be sure to see the February, March, and April issues for more tips!
1. What does it mean when my terminal asks me if I have moved to a new number? Any time the WebTV Internet terminal loses power (for example, when it is unplugged), it is designed to display the message, "If you have moved your Internet terminal to a different phone number, choose New Number." This means if you use your terminal in Washington, and then move to South Dakota, it will continue to call Washington unless you choose New Number. When you move your terminal to another city, even if you move it back to somewhere it has been before, always choose New Number. After clicking New Number you will notice that "Dialing toll free" will appear above the green bar on the bottom left of the Connecting screen. Your terminal dials this number to receive new dialing instructions. If you haven't moved, click Same Number. If you click New Number by accident, your terminal is simply sent a new set of dialing instructions to call the same number. 2. How can I change my billing information? You can now change your billing information on-line with the WebTV Network! Choose Setup from your home page, and then WebTV users. Choose the Primary User. The account information will be displayed, and you can then choose the part of your billing information that you need to change. You can change whether you pay by check or credit card, your credit card number, your phone number, and your address. 3. What kind of printer is WebTV Networks going to come out with? How much will it cost? We are currently working on printing software that allow WebTV Networks to work with Hewlett-Packard DeskJet 400 or 600 series ink-jet printers designed for PC's. You will also need an adapter and a 1284-compliant cable. Philips and Sony will sell the adapter, and will determine its price. The cables cost about $15. The software will be available to all our users with our next upgrade, and the printer adapter will go on sale at about the same time. 4. What does it mean when the WebTV Internet terminal displays a message saying, "You are about to dial (a number) which might be a toll call"? When some users first turn on their terminal, they will receive this message. If you see this message, according to our database our access numbers are long-distance from your area and you may be charged long distance fees by your phone company if you continue. If it is a toll number, it will be charged exactly as a phone call. If you are on-line for half an hour, your phone company charges you for a half hour phone call. Please check with your phone company to verify exact charges. WebTV Networks is not responsible for your phone charges (as stated in the Terms of Service). Your phone company has the last word on this issue. If they say it is not a toll call, then you will not be charged. This message will also appear if you request a dial override for any reason. An override is when we change your terminal's dialing instructions by request. This message will appear to remind you that your terminal will only dial that number. 5. Are there any shortcuts in editing an email message or keyboard commands? Yes! Here they are:
6. What about alternative keyboard characters? Thanks to our customer Jimxx, we now have a whole menu of international characters.
7. Is Microsoft taking over WebTV Networks? Not exactly. Microsoft and WebTV Networks, Inc., have announced that Microsoft will acquire WebTV Networks. WebTV Networks will run as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Microsoft and will continue to be based in Palo Alto, California. Our co-founders will continue in their same positions running WebTV Networks. Steve Perlman is WebTV Networks's president and CEO, Bruce Leak is the chief operating officer and Phil Goldman is the senior vice president of engineering. 8. How will this change my service? Will my billing change? WebTV Network subscribers will continue to be receive the same great service they have become accustomed to . You can still expect the same great support from our Customer Care organization. Phone calls and email will continue to be handled by WebTV Networks. There are no plans to change our pricing structure and the subscriber benefits from the WebTV Network. 9. Will the browser change to Microsoft Internet Explorer? WebTV Networks is proud of its unique TV-like user interface, and there are no plans to change the look and feel of the service. However, working with Microsoft will allow us to add further enhancements to our service. 10. Why is WebTV Networks being acquired by Microsoft? Microsoft has been an early investor of ours. As we worked together we found that Microsoft and WebTV Networks have many of the same goals and visions for bringing the Internet to more people. This acquisition gives us an opportunity to accelerate our plans to enhance your WebTV Network on-line experience. | |||||||||||||||||
