Incoming Calls Break Net Connection

Solutions:
If you have Call Waiting on the phone line that you're using to access the Net, incoming calls will interrupt your Net connection. Depending on how your connection software responds to such disruption, you might have to reboot your computer as a result. If incoming calls pose a problem for you:

Temporarily disable Call Waiting on your phone line by dialing *70 (some connection software can do this for you automatically). On an office line, dial "9" first. Call Waiting will automatically be restored when you disconnect. Exact procedures may differ by region and phone company; contact your phone company for details.
Switch to a phone line that does not have Call Waiting.
Permanently cancel the Call Waiting service on your phone line.

How Does the Internet Work?

The Internet is a worldwide collection of computer networks, cooperating with each other to exchange data using a common software standard. Through telephone wires and satellite links, Internet users can share information in a variety of forms. The size, scope and design of the Internet allows users to:

connect easily through ordinary personal computers and local phone numbers;
exchange electronic mail (E-mail) with friends and colleagues with accounts on the Internet;
post information for others to access, and update it frequently;
access multimedia information that includes sound, photographic images and even video; and
access diverse perspectives from around the world.

An additional attribute of the Internet is that it lacks a central authority—in other words, there is no "Internet, Inc." that controls the Internet. Beyond the various governing boards that work to establish policies and standards, the Internet is bound by few rules and answers to no single organization.

In February 1996, President Clinton signed into law the Communications Decency Act, which provides criminal penalties for those who post or transmit "indecent" material via the Internet. This law, however, has been challenged in U.S. courts by those who feel it would unfairly prohibit many legitimate uses of the Internet, and was ruled unconstitutional in July 1996. The federal government, however, is preparing an appeal. For the latest status of the CDA, go to http://www.eff.org/ or http://www.fcc.gov/telecom.html.