The Pi provides the most affordable and complete Internet access in town, thanks to its "TCS Explorer" initiative and to the ingenuity of its members.
When the World Wide Web started to take form, Washington Apple Pi took bold steps to become one of the first small independent Internet service providers in the Washington, D.C. area, and the only one at that time able to meet the unique demands of novice and intermediate Macintosh users.
Since then Internet service providers have come and gone, while new and exciting broadband services have begun vying for your dollars and struggling to stay afloat. But TCS Explorer still remains the most affordable way we know to reach the Internet.
The TCS is built and maintained entirely by your fellow Pi members on a volunteer basis. When it comes to tailor-made support, no one knows your Mac and its unique issues like your fellow Pi members do.
The TCS is built and maintained entirely by your fellow Pi members on a volunteer basis. Should something run afoul in the server closet, it's up to one of the volunteers to drive in before things are repaired.
TCS Explorer is a $96/year option with Pi membership. It includes all the features of TCS Classic, and then adds dial-up Internet access.
One individual or household may use one TCS Explorer subscription. Additional e-mail mailboxes are available via additional TCS Classic subscriptions, and all e-mail mailboxes can be accessed through a single household TCS Explorer subscription.
Each TCS Explorer membership is a TCS Classic membership carrying extra privileges. That service's requirements apply the same here. One might also say that you'll need a willingness to play along, as this is the only low-cost Internet cooperative in town and as such it's a little different.
Mac OS X and TCS Explorer work together very well, once you've followed these simple instructions.
Mac OS 7.5.5 and later include software known as Open Transport, which provides a stable and efficient means of networking and accessing the Internet. These instructions help you configure it for use with TCS Explorer.
Instructions for earlier versions of Mac OS are available, as should be some tips for Windows Dial-Up Networking and other platforms, although the TCS crew makes no great claims of individualized support for any of these.
Double-check your mailbox name and password, etc. The Hotline volunteers might be able to help. The Tuesday Night Clinic is another option when you need help.