General GDN FAQ

1. Where is Gainesville Direct Net located?

2. What is "reasonable usage"?

3. When are the "peak" hours?

4. I received a "spam" e-mail. What can I do?

5. How can I get GDN to add a new newsgroup?

6. Why don't I connect over 26.4bps with my 28.8 modem?

7. Sometimes my modem will get disconnected but I haven't logged off. Why does this happen?

8. When will GDN add more phone lines?

9. What is the maximum modem speed supported by GDN?

10. What is GDN's "Modem-to-User" ratio?

 

1. Where is Gainesville Direct Net located?
GDN is located in Gainesville, Florida. We serve the Gainesville area and the surrounding cities that can call Gainesville. The address is 2606 NW 6th Street, Suite Q, and the zip is 32609.

2. What is 'reasonable usage'?
GDN offers unlimited usage to our dialup customers within reason. Basically, this means you should not stay online for extended periods of time. Try not to stay online during peak usage hours. But, when you stay on for a long time you are also taking up a phone line. Be respectful to other users.

3. When are the "peak hours"?
Peak hours are generally from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. during weekdays. During weekends traffic is during all hours of the day.

4. I received a "spam" e-mail. What can I do?
If the user is on another system, try emailing "abuse" or "postmaster" at that domain. If the message is from someone at GDN then e-mail admin@gdn.net with a copy of the "spam" e-mail attatched.

5. How can I get GDN to add a new newsgroup?
GDN offers a newsfeed but if we do not yet have a new group you can request it by emailing support@gdn.net

We cannot gurantee that it will be added but we will do our best.

6. Why don't I connect at my maximum modem speed?
There are several reasons you may not always connect at 28.8 or 33.6 (or whatever the maximum speed of your modem is).

  • The phone lines which modems connect over are copper wire. When a good amount of traffic is on these copper wires the quality of the phone transmission deminishes.
  • Line Noise is a major reason for this problem. GDN checks their lines regularly, and you should do the same with your phone lines at home if you use them a good deal for computer connections. All you need to do is contact BellSouth.

7. Sometimes my modem will get disconnected but I haven't logged off. Why does this happen?
Disconnects can occur for a variety of reasons such as line noise, another extension being picked up or a problem with the local terminal server. If the disconnects continue, please call BellSouth to have your line checked for noise. If there are no problems, call Technical Support to check your software settings.

8. When will GDN add more phone lines?
GDN adds phone lines as they become necessary. Once we see that we are at, or close to our maximum capacity we will add phone lines as necessary. GDN will notify all users when upgrades are done, or you can check the GDN Upgrade Notices section on the GDN Web Page.

9. What is the maximum modem speed supported by GDN?
All of GDN's modems are 33.6 We support 14.4, 28.8, and 33.6 modems.

10. What is GDN's "User-to-Modem" ratio?
GDN's ratio fluctuates because of new GDN users signing up everyday. We will ALWAYS maintain a ratio of 7 to 1 or below. We have made it a policy here at GDN to keep the ratio lower than any other ISP you will find. Other ISP's will have ratio's of 10 to 1 or 12 to 1. Some ISP's even CHARGE extra to subscribe to a dial-up line that has a lower ratio. With GDN's service there is no extra charge for this low ratio.