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10-DIGIT DIALING MANDATORY STARTING MAY 1
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Don't forget that 10-digit dialing becomes mandatory on May 1.  As of that
date you must use the Area Code even to dial local numbers.  This applies
to modem calls too, not just to voice calls.  Instead of telling your
modem to dial 296-5500 to connect to your BCPL Internet Account, as of May
1 you must tell it to dial 410-296-5500. We recommend that you start using
it now so you won't get caught by surprise on May 1. 

If you always dial manually, then simply type in the full 10-digit number
instead of the old 7-digit number.  If the number is saved as part of your
PPP dialer's or terminal program's configuration, be sure to change it
there.  How you do this will depend on what software you use to connect to
us.  If you have trouble figuring it out, please contact the Help Desk for
assistance.

Speaking of phone numbers:  If you are using 410-296-2771 to connect to
your account, please change to 410-296-5500.  The 2771 number was
originally set up as a temporary number while we were testing our new
modem pool last Fall.  When we switched over completely to the new modem
pool last Fall, Bell Atlantic arranged for both numbers to access the new
modems. Both numbers connect you to exactly the same modems, so there is
no magical advantage in using 2771.  It is possible that the 2771 number
will be put to other use some day, so it's best to switch to the 5500
number now. 
 
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How to contact the Help Desk:

     Phone:   410-887-3297
     FAX:     410-887-2091
     E-Mail:  oz@mail.bcpl.lib.md.us

     Help Pages:            http://www.bcpl.lib.md.us/help.html
     System News Archives:  http://www.bcpl.lib.md.us/sysnews.html