posted on February 6, 2001 04:48:50 PM
Hi. I have MSN, and lately it's been the pits, email problems too. Does anyone have Eartlink? If so do you like it, and do they give you web space you can use for your image hosting? Thanks for any info.
Mel
[ edited by fonze on Feb 6, 2001 04:49 PM ]
posted on February 6, 2001 05:03:58 PM
You may want to check out their site, it goes over their plans:
http://www.earthlink.com/home/
The answer to your question may depend on if you are using their dialup, their cable, or their DSL.
We used to have Earthlink dial-up and about 4 months ago we upgraded to Earthlink DSL. We have been very happy with the actual service as well as the technical support and customer service. Our experience was positive with the dial-up and continues to be great with the DSL. They do provide some web space, I think it's 10 MB or so but maybe it's only 5. I have a couple of websites and just host my Ebay pics there - that's why I can't remember. Good luck!
posted on February 6, 2001 05:28:10 PM
I have been with Mindspring (now Earthlink) for over 2 years, and am very happy with them...dial-up account...I don't need the DSL, particularly now...in California...
Great, free, 24/7 800# HELP, web space (you can purchase more for little money)...Just be sure to ask them how much bandwidth they now allow: I once stored my Ebay pics there, and one morning, poof!!!! No warning...all gone which was a blessing in disguise, as it brought me here, to AW..
posted on February 6, 2001 06:17:33 PM
I've been with Earthlink for a little over a year and a half, and unless they've recently changed it, you get 6MB of webspace per screen name.
If you sign up for the Family Pack, you get 5 additional screen names, and 6MB of webspace for each name (36MB total). The Family Pack is just $2 a month more*, so it's worth it if you need extra mailboxes or webspace.
*That's what it was when I signed up, anyway.
(edited to add ...)
Oh! I got an Earthlink CD in the mail a few days ago with a coupon to get a free digital camera if you sign up (the catch is that you have to stay with them for 3 months). I didn't see the camera offered on their home page, so you might call them and ask about it ... there's a code of 400056190 on the coupon. It's just a $99-value camera, but heck, it's free! The coupon doesn't have a name on it, so it looks like anyone can use it.
[ edited by thedewey on Feb 6, 2001 06:40 PM ]
posted on February 6, 2001 07:24:50 PM
1 1/2 years with MSN has been too long. Thanks for the New promo code, I have an old cd that came in the mail last fall but that offer expired. I already have http:/www.fonze.net and have 25MB space for my eBay pics so I probably won't need the hosting. One last question, is the browser normal Internet Explorer or something else beause once I tried Liberty Bay for an ISP and you had to use this wierd Neo Planet version of Internet Explorer, it was almost as bad as AOL. Thanks for your help.
Mel
[ edited by fonze on Feb 6, 2001 07:26 PM ]
posted on February 6, 2001 09:55:50 PM
fonze,
You can configure it to use IE. My kids prefer the Earthlink browser, but not me. (We're on that great family plan) You can also choose Outlook Express, or Earthlink mail (probably Netscape, too...don't know about that). And, you can have this debited from a checking account.
Customer service & tech support have always been terrific & fast. My sister signed up, got the camera and one of her daughters dropped it (it broke). She called Earthlink to see about *buying* another one, but they replaced it no charge!
posted on February 6, 2001 11:15:46 PM
I use MSIE with Earthlink too. Their browser is okay, but I just like MSIE. It's easy enough to change it over, and you can use their e-mail program or your own. (I use Outlook Express.)
If you happen to use Sprint for your long distance, they did have a deal going where they would give you $2 off your Earthlink bill every month. Every little bit helps!
posted on February 7, 2001 05:05:27 AM
I'm an Earthlink user who was a charter Mindspring user. Since Earthlink is a real ISP (unlike AOL or some of the others who limit you as to what applications you can use on their service), you can use any browser, newsreader, or email package you prefer with Earthlink. They do provide some defaults in their installation basically to make it easy for people new to the Internet, but what you are buying from Earthlink is the connection to the Internet, you can use anything you want to run over that connection.
posted on February 7, 2001 10:32:32 AM
I use INTERNET EXPLORER and OUTLOOK EXPRESS Email Program.
If you do go with it, be sure to download the I.E. Security Patch, from the M.S Download page, which will protect your Mail Program from unpleasant situations.
If you go DSL with Earthlink, and you do not have Firewall Protection, you might consider getting some: either the free Zone Alarm or COMMAND or whatever you like. I have been using Norton Internet Security for over a year now. There were (still are) occasional glitches, but all in all, it does what it is supposed to do...Nothing is perfect...Never had a virus or anything major.
********
Gosh Shosh!
About Me
[ edited by Shoshanah on Feb 7, 2001 10:33 AM ]
posted on February 7, 2001 12:58:57 PM
Earthlink is great, but I must say that their tech support is somewhat less than stellar and their customer service is poor(I have heard this is not the case, but my experience is different). I couldn't get any tech support at all for hours on end on more than one occassion. Fortunately I managed to figure out what to do.
posted on February 7, 2001 04:58:50 PM
EARTHLINK STINKS! I live in the south and the service is terrible here. The tech support is non exsistant, the browser server goes down constantly. I have been sitting here with their dsl modem for over a month and it does not work. They are horrible jack leg shisters! STAY AWAY!
posted on February 7, 2001 05:25:18 PM
davidx -- I don't know where in the south that you live, but I'm in Georgia and Earthlink works great for me. (???) I'm using a regular modem, so maybe DSL is different. They don't have DSL in my area yet.
I've only had to call their support center a couple of times, but they were very nice and helpful, and I didn't have to wait very long to talk to someone (5-10 minutes max). Their e-mail support could use some improvement, but it's acceptable (in my experience).
posted on February 7, 2001 06:12:06 PM
I have not had to call Support for a year, so that should speak for itself...However, since they bought out Earthlink, then offered DSL, it is possible the Tech Support is suffering...
Good companies should remain a bit smaller...They work soo much better!
Bigger is NOT necessarily better.
posted on February 7, 2001 06:34:40 PM
I live in the South too and have had excellent tech support from Earthlink (I signed on with Mindspring three years ago.)
Their tech people had to walk me through some web site problems (that were due to my own lack of technical expertise) and were very patient and thorough and spent a LOT of time with me.
I just wish they'd hurry up & offer DSL in my neighborhood!
which was a blessing in disguise, as it brought me here, to AW..
The coupon doesn't have a name on it, so it looks like anyone can use it.