Getting connected
Dial-up or broadband?
The Australian Communications and Media Authority provides excellent information on this topic and many issues related to internet service providers (ISPs). Their toolkit
includes a list of ISPs, questions to ask ISPs and information that will help you make the right decision about connectivity for your organisation.
Whirlpool provides independent price comparisons of the broadband options available in your area.
Another independent site with information on broadband choices: http://www.phonechoice.com.au/index.cfm?Section=broadband
The independent http://www.choice.com.au site has information various aspects of setting up broadband connections and options
Tasmanian Electronic Commerce Centre discussion on internet connections
Your ISP
Australian Communication and Media Authority's toolkit which includes a list of questions to ask an ISP before selecting their service:
A list of broadband service providers in Australia
Your internet ID: getting an address or domain name
General information on domain names: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_name
More about global domain names: http://www.icann.org
Download an Australian government brochure, Staking your claim on the web
Types of domain names
Find information on Community Geographic names at http://www.auda.org.au/domains/geographic-2LDs/
Full list of country suffixes, see http://ww.iana.org/cctld/cctld-whois.htm
For information on Australian domain name types and rules, see http://www.auda.org.au/domains/au-domains/.
For info on international domain names see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generic_top-level_domain
For information on domain names in different language scripts, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internationalized_domain_name
A list of accredited Australian registry services
The Australian Registry is available at http://www.ausregistry.com.au
Registering your own domain name
If you find a name is taken and you want to know who’s got it, look for the ‘WhoIs’ area on each registry’s website, or check Australian domain names . The WhoIs service will provide a detailed registration record and a contact email address.
Building networks
For general information about networks see the US TechSoup site for nonprofits.
Local area networks
TechSoup article Networking 101: Peer-to-Peer Networks
TechSoup article Networking 101: Client-Server Networks
Virtual private networks (VPNs)
PCWorld on building secure connections
VPN Audio Primer from NetworkWorldFusion
How to set up a VPN connection on Windows XP Professional
Virtual Private Networks for Windows Server 2003
VPN software for Macs