Surfbest Internet Services

Mac OS X Setup

We do in fact support OS X versions 10.0.0 to 10.1.5 and later! †There is no setup utility for it yet (one is in the works), but here are simple setup instructions to use the built-in software for OS X.

SurfBest Email Setup

There are two ways to use email in Mac OS X. One is to use the WebMail program from the SurfBest website at http://surfbest.net/cgi-bin/webmail/checkmail.pl. The other is to configure an email program. You can use Apple’s free email program, Mail, however you MUST upgrade to 10.1.5 for it to work correctly. (Many changes were made to Mail through this release that allows your SurfBest configuration to receive email. We cannot guarantee it will work without this update, though results may vary.) You may also use any third-party email program so long as it can accept a POP3 connection. Some examples include Entourage v.X, Eudora 5.1 for OS X or Netscape Communicator 4.78 (or earlier) through Classic.

Configuring for Mail (10.1.5 or later)

In the Internet System Preference under the Email tab:

Default Email Reader: Mail

Use iTools Account: Do not check
Email Address: your_user_name@surfbest.net (i.e. machelp@surfbest.net)
Incoming Mail Server:* pop.xxxx.net where "xxxx" is surfbest, SFB4, SFB6, etc
Account Type: POP
User Account ID: your_user_name@surfbest.net (i.e. machelp@surfbest.net)
Password: Your SurfBest password (CaSE sEnsiTiVE)
Outgoing Mail Server:* smtp.xxxx.net where "xxxx" is surfbest, SFB4, SFB6, etc

Configuring for a POP3 Email Program (other than Netscape)

Clear any settings in the Internet System Preference. They may interfere with your email program.

Email Address: your_user_name@surfbest.net (i.e. machelp@surfbest.net)
Incoming Mail Server:* pop.xxxx.net where "xxxx" is surfbest, SFB4, SFB6, etc
Account Type: POP
User Name / Account ID: your_user_name@surfbest.net (i.e. machelp@surfbest.net)
Password: Your SurfBest password (CaSE sEnsiTiVE)
Outgoing Mail Server:* smtp.xxxx.net where "xxxx" is surfbest, SFB4, SFB6, etc

Configuring for Netscape Communicator

Clear any settings in the Internet Control Panel (OS 9). They may interfere with your email program.

1) Click on Edit : Preferences and go to Mail Servers

2) Edit the Incoming Mail Server by highlighting your old server and clicking the Edit button. If this is a new identity, simply click on Add. A window labeled "Mail Server Info" will open.

Server Name:* pop.xxxx.net where “xxxx” is surfbest, SFB4, SFB6, etc

Server Type: POP

User Name:† your_user_name%surfbest.net (i.e. machelp%surfbest.net)

Remember Password: Checked

3) Close "Mail Server Info". Under the Outgoing Mail Server:

Outgoing Mail (SMTP) Server: smtp.surfbest.net

Outgoing Mail Server user name: your_user_name (i.e. machelp)

(*) Which server you use depends on the network you’re assigned. Refer to the “IMPORTANT - Your New SURFBEST Login Information is Here” email for the correct server.

(†) Yes, that is a "%" and not "@". Netscape does not allow "@" in the user name field.

SurfBest Network Setup

The setup is very straightforward. If you have multiple TCP/IP configurations for your Mac, create a new location and call it something like “SurfBest”.

In the Network System Preference under the TCP/IP tab:

Configure: Using PPP
Domain Name Servers: 209.63.0.2

207.173.86.2

Search Domain: surfbest.net

In the Network System Preference under the PPP tab:

Service Provider: SurfBest
Phone Number:** Your primary local SurfBest access number on your network
Alternate Number: Your secondary local SurfBest access number on your network (optional)
Account Name:†† Your SurfBest User Name (i.e. sfb12345@network.net)
Password: Your SurfBest password (CaSE sEnsiTiVE)
Saved Password: Checked

(**) You can search over 25,000 access numbers from our database at http://surfbest.net/access.htm.

(††) This is NOT your email address or any part thereof. This is a generated ID specific to you. Refer to the “IMPORTANT - Your New SURFBEST Login Information is Here” email for the correct Account Name.

That’s all you’ll need for OS X! Thank you for choosing SurfBest!

Billing, Member Service & PC Support
support@surfbest.net

(207) 439-5588

Macintosh Support
machelp@surfbest.net

(207) 439-5588

Was this setup helpful? Let us know how we can better serve you. †Please send comments to:
suggestions@surfbest.net