Note: PDF Files

Many of the documentation pieces are in PDF format. You may need to install Adobe Acrobat on your computer in order to view them. Click here to download a free version of Adobe Acrobat.

Quick Start

Dial-In and E-mail Account Quick Start

Welcome to Michigan Townships Online Dial-In Services Package!

Below are reference points that should assist you in the initial quick setup and operation of your e-mail / dial-in / web service account. This information is for experienced users only. If you have questions or need assistance with connecting to MichNet, configuring e-mail / dial-in software, or troubleshooting connectivity problems, please call the Merit Help Desk at 734-615-6110 or send e-mail to help@mi-twp.org.

User Accounts

Under the standard dial-in package, your township will be given six user accounts. One of these accounts will be the webmaster account. In addition, you can "alias" generic e-mail addresses to go to a specific account. For example, if JohnDoe@omni.mi-twp.org is the Omni Township Supervisor, you can have any e-mail addressed to supervisor@omni.mi-twp.org redirected to JohnDoe@omni.mi-twp.org.

It is recommended that all account owners use the Change Password (https://www.mi-twp.org/cgi-bin/changepass.pl) screen to change the password associated with their account to something that is more easily remembered by them. This new password becomes both the network access and mailbox access password for that userid.

Dialing-in to MichNet

When dialing-in to MichNet, your username must include your domain name as follows:

username:  your-username@your-domain-name.org 
password:  your-password

Dial-in Phone Numbers

Choose the number of the MichNet dial-in location that is a local call for you. With over 200 dial-in locations, there is a MichNet dial-in number available to over 98% of Michigan. Please refer to Dial-in Numbers.

Configuring Your E-mail Client

SMTP server:       mail.mi-twp.org
POP mail server:   mail.mi-twp.org

Web FTP Service

Page Location: https://ftp1.mi-twp.org/cgi-bin/web-ftp.cgi
Webmaster account: XXXX
Password: XXXX

Once you have entered into your web space you will need to go into a folder called "Public_html". This is where you will put your web files. Please use index.html (all lower case) as your home page, and keep in mind that filenames on the Michigan Townships Online webservers are case-sensitive. Click here for more info.

If you wish to implement forms processing or other more interactive tools that require the use of "cgi" files, those files must be placed into the "cgi-bin" folder that is lateral to "Public_html". Note that these files must be flagged as "executable." Click here for more information.

Domain Name Servers or Name Servers

The Domain Name Service (DNS) helps translate Internet URLs (such as http://www.mi-twp.org) into numeric addresses (such as 198.108.1.48) that can be used by computers to retrieve information from the Internet. Merit maintains three domain name servers that you may use to provide DNS for your computer.

Location
   IP Address    Domain Name     Subnet Mask

Ann Arbor
   207.72.1.8    dns.mi-twp.org  255.255.255.0

Ann Arbor
   198.108.1.42  dns.merit.net   255.255.255.0

Detroit
   198.109.36.3  dns2.merit.net  255.255.255.0

Kalamazoo
   198.108.130.5 dns3.merit.net  255.255.255.0

Michigan Townships Online is a joint effort between Merit Network, Inc. and The Michigan Townships Association. © 2003 Acceptable Use Policy, Privacy Policy, Copyright Infringement,
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