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The WURD Online Services FAQ
This page contains answers to common questions asked in the AT&T Worldnet Help newsgroups for using some popular online service providers and games with AT&T Worldnet Service. We've also included some tips and tricks that we have found useful and have presented here as questions.
Does AT&T Worldnet Service provide...
- Does AT&T Worldnet Service provide an easy way to access other online services through my AT&T Worldnet connection?
- Does AT&T Worldnet Service provide unlimited access to AOL, CompuServe, and MSN?
- Does AT&T Worldnet Service provide support or technical assistance for my AOL, CompuServe, or MSN questions?
What is (are)...
- What is an Online Service and how does it differ from AT&T Worldnet Service?
- What is the "Bring Your Own Access" plan at AOL?
- What are AOL's "Parental Controls" and will they work if my child is only on AT&T Worldnet Service?
Where can I...
- Where can I review pricing plans, download the necessary software, and sign up for AOL, CompuServe, or MSN?
- Where can I find tips on using AOL?
Can I...
- Can I link my AOL Web pages to my AT&T Worldnet Web pages?
- Can I surf the Internet and use my Online Service Account simultaneously?
- Can I forward my AT&T Worldnet e-mail to my AOL, CompuServe, or MSN account or vise-versa?
- Can I use Instant Messenger to talk to my non-AOL friends?
How do I...
- How do I launch AOL, CompuServe, or MSN through the AT&T Worldnet Service?
- How do I launch AOL 4.0 through the AT&T Worldnet Service?
- How do I cancel my other Online Service account(s)?
What's going on?
- I keep getting an error message when sending e-mail to my AOL friends.
- Why do I get a message telling me that I will be surcharged $2.50 per hour, whenever I dial into AOL directly?
- Why do I get a separate billing from AOL, CompuServe, or MSN every month on my credit card? Isn't there a way to combine this billing?
Does AT&T Worldnet Service have an easy way to access other online services through my AT&T Worldnet account?
Yes, you can access a variety of other online services through your AT&T Worldnet account. After installing and registering for the service, you can quickly change a few settings in your software and then start connecting to the online service through a TCP/IP Internet connection, instead of dialing into the online services access line.
Does AT&T Worldnet Service provide unlimited access to AOL, CompuServe, and MSN?
Yes, you can access AOL, CompuServe, and/or MSN through a TCP/IP Internet connection, using AT&T Worldnet's access lines. However, it is important to remember that while connected to these online services through your AT&T Worldnet access line, you are still on the AT&T Worldnet 150 hour clock.
Does AT&T Worldnet Service provide support or technical assistance for my AOL, CompuServe, or MSN questions?
Support for Online Services are handled directly by the Online Service Providers. However, the WURD maintains configuration pages for AOL, CompuServe, and MSN for your convenience.
What is an Online Service and how does it differ from AT&T Worldnet Service?
Online Services are Internet Service Providers (ISP's) that also offer extensive member-only content and features exclusive to their Service. You can find out more information about 3 of the most popular Online Services by jumping to their Web sites:
What is the "Bring Your Own Access" plan at AOL?
The Bring Your Own Access plan at AOL is a pricing plan where AOL customers agree to connect to AOL through an Internet TCP/IP connection, instead of via AOL's regular access lines. The rate for this plan is significantly lower than AOL's regular rate. Please note, when subscribed to the AOL Bring your own Access pricing plan, anytime you connect with AOL through an AOL access line, there is a $2.50 per hour access surcharge.
What are AOL's "Parental Controls" and will they work if my child is only on AT&T Worldnet Service?
AOL's Parental Controls allow the primary account holder for AOL to set limits on the accessibility of AOL features to their children's ID names. Parental controls help parents set boundaries and limits on the content of their child's Internet experience, but is not a replacement for close parental supervision. These controls are only available within the AOL software, so anyone using AOL and AT&T Worldnet Services simultaneously can easily circumvent many aspects of these parental controls.
Where can I review pricing plans, download necessary software, and sign up for AOL, CompuServe, or MSN?
To sign up for AOL and speak with an AOL Representative about their pricing plans, call 1-888-265-8001.
To sign up for CompuServe and speak with a CompuServe Representative about their pricing plans, call 1-800-848-8990.
To sign up for MSN and speak with an MSN Representative about their pricing plans, call 1-800-386-5550.
Can I link my AOL Web pages to my AT&T Worldnet Web pages?
Yes, you can link the two together through a simple html coded link, however, your AOL and PWP sites are governed by two different terms of service. AOL's Terms of Service are available to AOL customers at keyword TOS. The AT&T Worldnet Service Agreement governs your use of the AT&T Worldnet Service Personal Web Pages (PWP).
Can I surf the Internet with my AT&T Worldnet account and use my Online Service simultaneously?
Yes, by opening your AT&T browser and Online Service software simultaneously, you can be using both services at the same time. Remember, closing your Online Service software, while your AT&T Worldnet Co-branded browser is still active will not disconnect you from AT&T Worldnet Service.
Can I forward my AT&T Worldnet Service e-mail to my AOL, CompuServe, or MSN e-mail box, and vise-versa?
You may forward your AT&T Worldnet e-mail to your Online Service e-mail box following the instructions on the AT&T Worldnet E-Mail Forwarding FAQ. To use the e-mail forwarding feature, your AT&T Worldnet account must be active.
Forwarding your Online Service e-mail is a function of the Online Service's features and constraints. You will need to check with the Online Service provider about how to forward your Online Service e-mail to your AT&T Worldnet e-mail box.
Can I use Instant Messenger to talk to my non-AOL friends?
Yes, AOL allows non-AOL Internet Users to download and use America Online's Instant Messenger (AIM) software by simply registering and agreeing to AIM's Terms of Service. You don't have to have an AOL account.
How do I launch AOL, CompuServe, or MSN through the AT&T Worldnet Service?
While you're dialed into AT&T Worldnet Service, click the online service icon on your desktop.
How do I launch AOL 4.0 through AT&T Worldnet Service?
AOL 4.0 puts a nifty little AOL icon right in your tray and also at the bottom of your screen near the Start button. Log on to AT&T Worldnet Service and then boot up AOL 4.0. Go into setup on the AOL opening screen and make sure you have TCP/IP Lan selected as your network (as opposed to AOLNet or SprintNet). You don't need a phone number. Then save the settings and log on to AOL as usual. Voila! You're on.
How do I cancel my other Online Service accounts?
You must contact your other Online Service directly to cancel their service. You do not need to notify AT&T Worldnet Service of your cancellation.
To cancel your AOL account, call 1-888-265-8008.
To cancel your CompuServe account, call 1-800-394-1481
To cancel your MSN account, call 1-800-386-5550.
AT&T Worldnet's billing department is not connected with any other Online Service's billing department. If you wish to cancel your AT&T Worldnet account, you must contact AT&T Worldnet Customer service at 1-800-400-1447.
I keep getting an error message when sending e-mail to my AOL friends.
The most common reason AOL rejects mail is because AOL filters mail if the address of the sender does not match that of the actual server sending it. Thus, if you use @hotmail as your address and send through AT&T Worldnet Service, AOL will not deliver it. The same applies to munged addresses where the munging takes place after the "@" sign. In order to ensure AOL does not reject your e-mail, you should make sure you use an e-mail address of @att.net when sending through the AT&T Worldnet mail server.
Why do I get a message telling me that I will be surcharged $2.50 per hour, whenever I dial into AOL directly?
Apparently you are signed up for the AOL Bring your own Access plan, where you have agreed to access AOL through a TCP/IP Internet connection, instead of through one of AOL's access phone numbers. While on this plan, whenever you access AOL through one of AOL's access lines, you are billed a $2.50 per hour surcharge.
Why do I get separate billing from AOL, CompuServe, or MSN every month on my credit card? Isn't there a way to combine this billing?
Unfortunately, each Online Service Provider is a separate company, so combined billing is not possible.
Where can I find tips on using AOL?
ZDNet has some tips and tricks for you.