Internet Tourbus FAQ
The TOURBUS newsletter is no longer being published.
For more helpful information about computers and the Internet,
please visit Ask Bob Rankin,
which continues in the spirit of TOURBUS.
This website will remain for posterity, and you may also view the Archives.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Actually, people don't ask these questions.
But vain fellows that we are, we figured you should know all this stuff.
So just read it.
WHAT *IS* TOURBUS?
TOURBUS is a free email newsletter, read by
about 100,000 people in 130 countries around the globe.
Since 1995, Tourbus riders have been
getting the scoop on Search Engines, Spam, Viruses, Cookies, Urban
Legends, and other topics. You'll also find in-depth reviews of the
most useful, fun and interesting sites on the Net.
WHO PUBLISHES TOURBUS?
Bob Rankin, known as "Doctor Bob" in the online world, is a writer and
computer programmer who enjoys exploring the Internet and sharing the
fruit of his experience with others. Bob got a degree in Computer
Science (RPI, 1984) and worked as a programmer at IBM for about 13
years. His work has appeared in Yahoo Internet Life, Boardwatch
Magazine, ComputerWorld, NetGuide, NY Newsday, and other publications.
Bob is Geek in Charge of Technical Stuff for FlowersFast.com and
author of several computer books including "The No BS Guide to Red Hat
Linux". He also offers free technical support online at AskBobRankin.com.
Patrick Crispen, author of ROADMAP (one of the original Internet tutorials),
was a TOURBUS founder and writer from 1995-2008. He still appears as a guest
on the Steve and Johnnie show on WGN Radio (AM 720) in Chicago, and has a
website at NetSquirrel.com.
HOW DID I GET HERE?
You should really be asking your mother that question. Oh, you mean
how did you get on the Tourbus mailing list? Well that's easy... You
asked for a subscription, then you confirmed that request. That's the
ONLY way ANYONE can get this newsletter. We NEVER add anyone without
their permission. The TOURBUS is vehemently anti-spam and we
tend to get "edgy" when people suggest otherwise. So don't.
Your e-mail address will not be revealed to anyone. We hate spam as
much as you, so your e-mail address is safe with us. We don't sell or
rent our mailing list to anyone - ever - really.
HOW MUCH DOES TOURBUS COST?
TOURBUS is absolutely free. All of the costs associated with keeping
the TOURBUS on the road are paid by our sponsors. Each issue will
contain short messages from our sponsors, like the ones you see above.
So please visit our sponsors, buy lots of stuff from them, and tell
them the TOURBUS brought you. :-)
WHEN IS TOURBUS PUBLISHED?
It's kind of hard to say. TOURBUS is, for the most part, distributed
every once in a while, usually once a week,
but never more often than twice a week.
IS THERE AN ARCHIVE OF PAST TOURBUS ISSUES?
Yep! You can find about two months of TOURBUS back issues on the
TOURBUS website here:
Tourbus Website - http://www.InternetTourbus.com
HOW CAN MY FRIENDS SUBSCRIBE TO TOURBUS?
Just tell 'em to visit the TOURBUS website at
Tourbus Website - http://www.InternetTourbus.com
and fill in the subscription form for a free subscription.
HOW DO I CHANGE MY EMAIL ADDRESS, CANCEL OR SUSPEND MY SUBSCRIPTION?
Just visit the TOURBUS website, click on SUBSCRIBE, and you can do all
of those fun and exciting things.
WHAT'S WITH THE VOLUME AND ISSUE NUMBERS? THEY DON'T SEEM TO MAKE ANY SENSE.
They really don't. Once upon a time, they were meant to indicate the year of publication and
how many issues had been published in that year. But we forget to update the Volume or Issue
number so often, that it's become more or less a joke,
In 2002, I wrote that "in recognition of the fact that I spent part of my early
childhood near the Heinz factory in Pennsylvania, I am going to continue using 'Volume 7,
Number 57' until I think of another number I like better." Occasionally, I notice that the
numbers are WAY off, and update them. But don't get used to that. Until further notice,
the Volume and Issue numbers are officially For Entertainment Purposes Only.
See you on the Bus! --Bob Rankin
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