Members Notes

Review Time - Please Read
Things you need to know about using your account

Time passes, and things can fade from our memories, so perhaps it's time to repeat the things that you should know about your Internet account.

First, you need to know your own username and password. Make a note of them, and keep it in a safe place.

But don't write the password in an obvious place next to the computer! If you let someone know your password, you're effectively allowing them to use your account, at your expense. It's a good idea to change your password occasionally: and especially any time you think someone else may have seen it.
You can change it on our Account Information webpage. All your account details are accessed via your account's username, so it is important to know it. You'll need it if you call us with an account enquiry. It is the first part of your email address.

It's pretty useful to know your email address: if you haven't started using your @riverland.net.au email address yet, call us for any help that you may need. It's easy to use, and email is a very convenient way to communicate.

You need your email working because all of our notices and accounts are sent by email.
If you choose to use a Hotmail or similar email address, we will be happy to divert your Riverland mail to it. Just let us know your username and what address to divert to. The easiest way is to email the details to postmaster@riverland.net.au.

It's particularly important to be checking your email if your plan is coming to an end, as the warning messages come by email. And when you get a warning message, please read the whole message, not just the first line.

Remember, if your account reverts to a casual account, those casual hours have to be paid for before a new prepaid plan can be put in place. So, if you make a payment for the plan only, part of your plan payment will be absorbed by paying for the casual hours, and we can't put you on your plan of choice.

We'll try to send a courtesy message explaining what has happened at the time, but please check that you have what you asked for. It's simpler all round if you pay for a new plan when you get your "90% used" warning message. This ensures there is no gap between your plans when you can't log on, and no casual hours to be paid for.

For those who prefer to pay at our agencies in Berri, Loxton or Waikerie: please remember that it can take about a week for the payment to reach us. If you need to get a payment in quickly, and have a credit card, use the online secure server or ring us: 85 866 425 business hours. With those payment methods, the payment reaches us the same working day.

Perhaps we should mention that you can not just email us asking to renew the plan and bill you for it! Sorry, but they really are Pre-Paid plans!

If you prefer to receive mailed statements, we can do that. It will cost you $2.00 per month for statements to be printed and mailed out: this is billed to your account. If you want that, just let us know. You can get all the same information from our Account Information webpage.

Casual users particularly need to be aware of their account status, check their email monthly, and pay their account within the 30 days. We have found it necessary to strictly enforce the 30-day payment rule. Of course, there is always the preferred payment method of the pre-paid plans which save you money.

We prefer not to engage in recovery action, but sometimes it is necessary. It is much better for you to be on top your account, and not let it get out of control. If finance is a problem, minimise your use of the net until you can catch up.

Finally, if you don't have our homepage set as your opening page, please bookmark us so that you can check the WHAT'S NEW button periodically, and keep up to date.

Try these...

We've added some Java games to the Launch Page to add some variety! Most of you will be Java enabled by now, so you should get a bit of fun with them.
We found that "Asteroids" may need a couple of taps on the "S" to start. Maybe it's taking a while to set itself up.
Let's know how you go for download times and general playability!

Tax Invoices simplified

Tax Invoices are now sent via email:

when a pre-paid plan is paid for and credited to your account,
or
at the end of the month if a payment has been made during the month into a casual account.

Homepage Additions
We have taken a lean, fast approach to our homepage this time.

Additions include info and links on making web pages, and uploading them, because we have had many enquiries. Take your time, and absorb it all!

We have also added more local links in the "About the Riverland " area,
and links concerning kids' safety on the Internet, all accessable from the front page.

Being Kicked Off?

Have you had the feeling that you had been kicked off? And maybe rung us about it?
Well, here's confirmation that we don't disconnect members......

A member returned from a holiday recently to find that their system wasn't disconnected before they went away.

A check of the log-on times showed a connection duration of
1,182,487 seconds, which is over 326 hours!

So, trust us! Some ISP's do, but we don't kick users off (or disconnect them)!

Links
We've added some more links to the links page, and we are looking for more, so if you have some useful links, email them to us so that they can shared with other members.