Frequently Asked Questions
From Net2MAX
More Information
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1. General Help | |
Contents |
1 Background Questions
1.1 Why Net2MAX ?
Although new information technology and applications are being developed almost everyday, basic concerns of the End Users and Network Operators are not being addressed. Net2MAX is here to address those fundamental concerns, which more often than not, have been put in the "too hard" basket.
1.2 What is Net2MAX ?
Net2MAX is a platform for building and managing Information Ecosystems.
1.3 What is oztralia.com ?
"oztralia.com" was the domain name used by Release 1 of the Net2MAX Platform. Release 2 is under the domain name of "net2max.com". Please refer to sections on Net2MAX 1.0 and Net2MAX 2.0 for details.
oztralia.com will be the name for an Australian based ecosystem from year 2010. Please refer to Net2MAX Releases for details.
1.4 What is 88.io ?
"88.io" is the global redirection DNS domain name for all Net2MAX ecosystems, it allows people to give out their contact information easily (especially for non-English speaking members and for members giving out their contact information on the phone).
Please refer to the 88.io page for details.
1.5 What is "beginning of the month" ?
Beginning of the month refers to the first 5 working days of the Net2MAX Centre associated with each member.
When an activity is to take place at the beginning of the month then it could happen at any time within the first 5 working days of the local Net2MAX Centre for that month.
1.6 What are the differences between "net2max.com" and "au.net2max.com" domains ?
Net2MAX Limited releases new Net2MAX features progressively through 4 types of domains:
- Research domains (e.g. beta.net2max.com) run by Net2MAX Limited with no paying customers.
- Development domain (e.g. net2max.com) run by Net2MAX Limited for experimenting and analysis with some paying customers.
- Staging domains (e.g. au.net2max.com) run by local Net2MAX subsidiaries for testing and tuning with many paying customers.
- Production domains (e.g. oztralia.com) run by external trusted parties for stable and production operation with A LOT of paying customers.
Mavens should join the Development Domain, adventurous customers who are after the latest features should join Staging Domains while people who are after stability should join the Production Domains.
2 Pricing Questions
2.1 Are you the cheapest ?
Our focus is the BEST VALUE - ask around in the public forums about our legendary reliability and support.
Having said that, you CAN actually still get the CHEAPEST prices through us by configuring the currently cheapest provider you can find into Net2MAX. So you make use of their service through Net2MAX - now you have the stability and common interface of Net2MAX plus the cheapest prices on the market.
For example, we are the FIRST IN THE WORLD to allow configuration of external competing VoIP services into our VoIP services, so our members can take advantage of the cheapest phone call rates available worldwide.
2.2 What is the difference between a "Toll-Free Call" and a "Free-Call" ?
Both "Free-Call" and "Toll-Free Call" are receiver pay schemes. That is, the phone call is paid for mostly by the Called Party.
Toll-Free does NOT mean Totally-Free. Toll-Free only means that no toll is required for passing a call over the long distance network. There may or may not be a charge for the local service.
"Free-Call" is completely free to the caller (e.g. 1800 numbers in Australia) - that is the called party pays for everything.
"Toll-Free Call" can be free to the caller but in a lot of cases the caller has to pay a small amount that is about the same as that of a local call (e.g. 1300 numbers in Australia) - that is the called party pays for the long distance component.
3 Industry Questions
3.1 Why use the term IT instead of ICT?
The term "Information Technology (IT)" already includes Communication. In fact, it includes EVERY technology related to information e.g. creation, understanding, learning, distribution, interpretation, censoring, displaying, processing, transmissing, input, output, storage, privacy, security etc. etc.
The term "Information and Communication Technology (ICT)" was invented and used by those who have NO understanding of convergence. They still live in the dark ages where there are separations between "data and voice" and separation between "system and network".
It is easy to tell these dinosaurs by their offering of separate "voice" and "data" services or separate "system" and "network" products.
3.2 What is the difference between a Platform and an Ecosystem ?
3.3 What Information Ecosystem Manager ?
As an Information Ecosystem Manager, Net2MAX offers a management platform where Information Ecosystems can be built and operated effectively and efficiently. Net2MAX provides a cohesive framework for taking maximum advantage of existing and emerging information technologies, products and services.
3.4 What is the problem with Web 2.0?
Web 2.0 is a pure "feel good" marketing term, some guy just look at a few ALREADY emerging technologies and trends, combine them together call it Web 2.0.
The internet is constantly evolving with new technologies and trends, labels like Web 2.0 benefit only those makes money from complexity and confusion.
The term "Web 2.0" is just too broad and fuzzy, overlapping with almost every emerging web technologies, businesses who claimed that they are Web 2.0 or are servicing a Web 2.0 market probably don't know exactly what they are on about.
3.5 What is the problem with Cloud Computing?
The term "Clond Computing" is used to promote the concentration of power to a few excluding the majority from active participation - something all consumer and provider should avoid.
Cloud computing concentrate computing power (processors, storage, software, management, policies) up there in the sky - out of reach. At Net2MAX, we say let it rain - and give EVERYONE those computer power.
Information Technology, like water, requires clarity - it is too important to be locked up in the sky as some fuzzy unreachable unknown. Net2MAX is like rain bringing IT down to earth - allowing everyone to develop and use it in their OWN way.
3.6 What is the problem with APIs?
Every service is publishing application programming interfaces (APIs) for their services. Whether it is Facebook or Google, all those APIs ...
4 Privacy Questions
4.1 Why do I need to supply my phone number or credit card number to Net2MAX ?
Net2MAX's aim is to give everyone an opportunity to make the most of their abilities, in SAFETY and with DIGNITY.
It is an unfortunate fact of life that some people are going to abuse the system or set out to hurt others. We cannot effectively prevent and punish the bad behaviours if we cannot track the offenders quickly and accurately. After extensive studies, your phone number is the best compromise we have between excessive disclosure (like driver license numbers) and too little disclosure (like email addresses).
When you first joined Net2MAX, your 1CC number is made to be the same as your phone number. You can keep your phone number private by specifying an alternative number to be used as your 1CC number. Simply login to http://net2max.com go to "Security -> Central Security -> Change 1CC Number".
4.2 What is the difference between 1CC Number and Account Number ?
Net2MAX prevents direct access to the member by filtering out all the different voice, text and image communications from the public to the 1CC Number and pass the proper communications to the member's private Account Number.
Everyone is given 2 numbers, an 1CC Number (which you can change) for you to give out to the public so they can contact you AND an Account Number (which you cannot change) for you to use it to identify yourself to the Net2MAX platform.
To retain privacy, you should NOT give out your Account Number to others.
5 Technical Questions
5.1 Where do I get technical support ?
Net2MAX Members should contact the respective Net2MAX Communities that provides them with their Net2MAX Service for direct support in all cases. Members who do NOT belong to any community can contact their Net2MAX Centres.
Besides this encyclopedia, Net2MAX Limited does NOT provide any end-user support.
The Net2MAX Forum is a good place to get help from fellow Net2MAX Members and Net2MAX Centres.
5.2 Which Operating Systems do you support ?
The standard one we use to certify something before it goes out is Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, but all Net2MAX features will work well on 32-bit XPs.
Compatibility on other non-XP operating systems varies, a few members have ran Net2MAX Windows programs (like VoIP and IM clienyts) on Linux and OS X using WINE successfully.
6 Contact Numbers
6.1 Differences between my Net2MAX Number, Registered Identity, Account Number, Verified Numbers ?
Your Net2MAX Number is for the public to identify you, it is what you give to the others so they can contact you. Only one Net2MAX Number is allowed per account. ("Net2MAX Number" is known as "Contact Number", "1CC Number", "Alias" in previous versions of Net2MAX).
Your Registered Identity is for Net2MAX to identify you, it is the phone number you used to join Net2MAX. It can be public if you have made your Net2MAX Number the SAME as your Registered Identity. Or, it can be private if you have made your Net2MAX Number something else. Only one Registered Identity is required per account (although more can be provided to Net2MAX).
Your Verified Numbers are additional phone numbers of yours which you also want Net2MAX to identify you with. They may or may not be public depending on who you tell. Like Registered number you have to either call or sms into Net2MAX to show that they are yours. You can have multiple Verified Numbers per account.
6.2 Why some Net2MAX Numbers start with 898 ?
Normally, Net2MAX Numbers are real phone numbers in full international format (starting with country code) that works on ALL phone networks. For example, 61290112121 is a Net2MAX Number with a real country code (61 = Australia), it is a real phone number in Australia.
In some cases member do NOT want a real phone number as their Net2MAX Number, in those cases they will be assigned virtual phone numbers as their Net2MAX Numbers. These virtual phone numbers only works on the Net2MAX network and are given a country code of 898.
Note, a small number of customers were assigned 00 instead of 898 as their country code in their Net2MAX Numbers, those Net2MAX Numbers will still work, but those customers should change their Net2MAX Number to one that starting with 898, if possible.
6.3 Where are introductory material on Net2MAX Numbers?
Click HERE for quick discussion.
7 Operating Systems
You do NOT need a computer NOR internet connection to start using Net2MAX, although a computer and internet access you will be able to do much more.
Net2MAX 2.0 attempts to work on as many operating systems as possible, although at its early stage, some operating systems work better than others.
7.1 Which Desktop Operating System does Net2MAX prefer?
Microsoft Windows XP is preferred, although Vista and most older Win32 windows will work.
Although the current focus is Windows on the Desktop, most Net2MAX features work on Linux and Mac OS X to some extend, especially with Windows emulation like WINE loaded.
Net2MAX will be focusing on delivering the same level of features on Linux and Mac OS X as Windows Desktops, once the current set of Windows based features has become stable.
7.2 Which Smart Phone Operating System does Net2MAX prefer?
Symbian version 9.x is preferred, although most Symbian versions will work.
If you are buying mobile phone, try to get one with:
- good WEB browser rather than WAP browser
- SIP support for VoIP calls
- Wi-Fi support for cheap internet access
As of now (mid 2007), Windows Mobile based mobile phones are way behind Symbian based mobile phones, especially in terms of WEB and SIP support. Although a significant amount of Net2MAX features can be access from Windows Mobile handsets as well (for example by loading SIP software onto Windows Mobile for VoIP calls).
7.3 What version of Java does Net2MAX prefer?
The latest version of Java (that is version 1.6.0_12 as of March 2009) is always preferred, although previous versions of Java will work in most cases.
7.4 What version of Flash Player does Net2MAX prefer?
The latest version of Flash Player (that is Flash 10 as of March 2009) is always preferred, versions before Flash 9 are NOT supported.
8 Trivial Questions
8.1 Why does Net2MAX take so long to develop ?
- "When you start looking at the problem and think it's really simple, you don't understand how complex the problem really is. Once you get into the problem ... you see that's complicated, and you come up with all these convoluted solutions. That's where most people stop, and the solutions tend to work for a while. But the really great person will keep going, find the underlying problem, and come up with an elegant solution that works on every level."
- - Steve Jobs
Like Steve, we are working on "an elegant solution that works on every level" and that takes time.
8.2 Where can I find really old stuff on Net2MAX?
8.3 Where does the Net2MAX "favicons" 
come from ?
They were created by a 2 step process.
A skeleton icon 
was first created by combining the 7 characters of the word "Net2MAX" into a single symbol. You can "see" each of those 7 characters by isolating different groups of lines within the icon.
Colours are then added to this skeleton to represent a growing light source changing from minimum to the maximum - a sunrise. Reflecting our desire to maximise our customers' abilities to use their networks - Net2MAX.
- The sun coming out through the forest
- The sun coming out over the sea
Tilt your head slight to the left to see.
8.4 Do you have any tips?
Close this browser, shut down the computer, go outside, take a breath of fresh air and appreciate the tiny details in the environment around you. Smile like an idiot and focus on the future.
9 Acronyms
9.1 Ne2MAX Platform
- AN -- Account Number
- NN -- Net2MAX Number
- DN -- Display Name
- RID -- Registration Identity
9.2 Text Messaging
Commonly used in Online Chat, IM (Instant Messaging) and SMS (Short Message Service).
- afaik -- as far as I know
- afaict -- as far as I can tell
- afk -- away from keyboard
- atm -- at the moment
- bbiab -- be back in a bit
- bbiaf -- be back in a few (minutes)
- bbl -- be back later
- bbs -- be back soon
- bc -- because
- bf -- boyfriend
- bfo -- blinding flash of the obvious
- brb -- be right back
- brt -- be right there
- bsod -- blue screen of death
- btw -- by the way
- ciao -- Italian for goodbye
- ctrn -- can't talk right now
- cul8r -- see you later
- cya -- see ya
- dftt -- don't feed the troll
- dhtb -- don't have the bandwidth
- f2f -- face to face
- ftl -- for the lose
- ftw -- for the win
- fwiw -- for what it's worth
- fyi -- for your information
- gmta -- great minds think alike
- iam -- in a meeting
- ianal -- I am not a lawyer
- ihmb -- I hate my boss
- iirc -- if I recall correctly
- im -- instant message
- imho -- in my humble opinion
- imo -- in my opinion
- iow -- in other words
- irl -- in real life
- istm -- it seems to me
- *g* -- grin
- gf -- girlfriend
- gmta -- great minds think alike
- gtg -- got to go
- jid -- jabber identifier
- j/k -- just kidding
- k -- okay
- lmao -- laughing my ass off
- lol -- laughing out loud
- l8r -- later
- msg -- message
- nm -- never mind
- np -- no problem
- nsfw -- not safe for work
- oAo -- over and out!
- oic -- oh, I see
- omg -- oh my god
- oob -- out of band
- otoh -- on the other hand
- oww -- oops, wrong window!
- otp -- on the phone
- otw -- on the way
- pebkac -- problem exists between keyboard and chair
- pita -- pain in the ass
- pov -- point of view
- ppl -- people
- pw -- password
- rotfl -- rolling on the floor laughing
- rsn -- real soon now
- rtfm -- read the friendly manual
- slap -- sounds like a plan
- sms -- short message service
- tbh -- to be honest
- thx -- thanks
- tia -- thanks in advance
- tla -- three-letter arconym
- tldr -- too long, didn't read
- tq -- thank you
- ttfn -- ta ta for now
- ttyl -- talk to you later
- wb -- welcome back
- wfm -- works for me
- wtg -- way to go!
- xfer -- transfer
- ymmv -- your mileage may vary
- yw -- you're welcome
