No, you can join as an Associate Member if you have worked in any educational institution. Just choose Associate membership as the type of membership you're applying for when you fill out the application form.

You need:

• a computer capable of connecting to the Internet. Any Windows machine running Windows 95 or later, or Macintosh running OS 8 or later should work. Older hardware and software may work as well. You are more likely to be limited by the hardware and software your ISP will support than what FirstClass requires.

• an account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP), such as National Capital Freenet, Educational Network of Ontario, Magma, Cyberus, Rogers, Sympatico or the like. High speed works best, but dial-up speed is just fine.

• to register on the Sign-Up page (Open an Account) to receive your UserID and Password. These will be e-mailed to you when we process your registration. Don't lose them.

• the Client Software and the Settings File (which you can access on the Software page)

There are many Internet Service Providers available. We have partnered with the National Capital Freenet, and they have dial-up services available at a very reasonable cost. Contact them by accessing http://www.ncf.ca or by phone at (613) 520-9001 for more information.

If you wish to conduct a broader search for an ISP, visit this web site which contains listings of Internet Service Providers along with customer ratings of their performance: http://www.canadianisp.com/

For high speed services, also called 'broadband', visit this site for listings of service, customer reviews and tips on using your connection http://www.dslreports.co.

This could be the result of several things. First, make sure you are connected to the Internet and can browse the web.

• The internet connection to Carleton and Freenet is down. Check to see if you can direct your web browser to http://www.ncf.ca, http://www.carleton.ca, and http://opera.ncf.ca.

• If the Freenet and Carleton don't work, our internet connection is down. Come back later.

• If Freenet and Carleton work, but http://opera.ncf.ca doesn't, the OPERA server is down. Come back later.

• If you can see all three of these web sites, the chances are that your settings file needs checking. Visit the help pages on this site and check that your settings file is the same as the screen pictures you will find there.

1. Sometimes the client installation gets messed up when you upgrade, and does not allow you to save your userid and password on the Setup page. Try leaving the blanks for these empty on the Setup page and entering them directly on the login page.

2. Sometimes typed letters and numbers are a bit ambiguous. Is that an upper case "O" (oh) or a "0" (zero). Is it a lower-case "l" (ell) or a "1" (one).

3. Did you register twice and therefore have two passwords? Check both, or e-mail Opera Help for a password reset. Please write your password down and remember where you keep it.

1. While connected to your account, go to “Connection” at the top of the screen and choose “Change Password”. Write your new password down, exactly as you typed it.

2. Log off. The next time your connect, use your NEW PASSWORD to log in.

1. Read the e-mail you were sent when you got your password.

2. Read info on this help website.

3. Call a friend who is currently online with this e-mail system.

4. E-mail Opera Help and one of our volunteers will attempt to assist you.

Your e-mail address follows this convention: firstname.lastname@opera.ncf.ca

The “firstname.lastname” will be as entered on your registration form.

If you wish to change it, send an e-mail to Opera Help.

The only thing we insist on is that it be recognizably you. If you want anonymity, Hotmail or Yahoo would be a better choice than OPERA Online.

For OCDSB, BEAM users only

You've inadvertently UPDATED your BEAM settings with the OPERA graphics and server info. Another symptom of this is being unable to connect to BEAM! Not good!! Try downloading your BEAM.FC settings file again, as well as your RETIREES.ONLINE.FC settings file. They are both available here for your convenience. Just click the name of the settings file you would like to download:

BEAM.FC
RETIREES.ONLINE.FC

Important Reminder: If you are working through your web browser, just save the settings file(s) to your FirstClass/Settings directory or folder. If you are working with FirstClass Client, you need to carefully Download the file and Save to that directory. DO NOT DOUBLE CLICK on the file, or it will update your settings, possibly with incorrect information.

OPERA Online is run by a group of volunteers, popularly referred to as 'The Gang'. All Gang members are retired. OPERA Online doesn't have any full-time or paid help to run a telephone help desk. That's why we haven't provided any phone numbers for you to call for additional assistance. However, we do maintain an e-mail based help service - (Opera Help). Messages sent to our help desk are routed to a special mailbox that Gang members can see. The first person to retrieve a help request tries to resolve the problem. Unfortunately though, this method of dealing with additional requests for help means an immediate answer may not be possible.