posted on March 4, 2001 07:55:47 PM new
I want to dump AOL. I used to need it for the message boards but I know longer do. I would like to hear about other people servers and the prices? There are just so many. Thanks ahead of time
posted on March 4, 2001 08:38:17 PM new
I am currently using Earthlink and they have 24 hour tech support if you should need it -- almost any ISP would be better than AOL IMHO - I solved all my AOL problems 5 years ago by changing to another ISP -- most charge $19.95 a month for a dial up connection.
Cheers, Jim.
If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence you tried.
posted on March 4, 2001 08:38:40 PM new
My advice is to go with a local ISP in your area and avoid the huge ISPs that can't offer you customer service as a rule. Here's a good place to shop for an ISP. I love my ISP, but it is a local one that only serves one state.
posted on March 4, 2001 08:52:29 PM new
For starters make sure you notify all the people and places you get regular emails from so you can notify them of any switch.
newsletters you like to read
regular customers
pending bidders
As far as ISP's go I would probably recomend another national ISP they are all pretty much the same price $19.95-$21.95 National ISP always have 24 hour telephone customer service and plenty of dial up numbers all over the country
I personally pay for 4 (long story)
Cable modem highly recomended if it is available in your area
Prodigy pretty decent service they dont bother you or kick you off contantly $19.95 and add $2 if you want any additional email addresses up to 5 or 10 somehing like that.
MSN crap......within a day you get a welcome batch of spam kinda of like hotmail hmmm owned by the same company and spammers disrespect and abuse MSN mail servers just like hotmail. Unreliable here in VA anyways and their customer service folks don't know what the internet is or at least it feels that way if you ever call.
But hey I got $400 off a new computer even though I have the 3 year contract thingy *shrugs*
Compuserve bought by AOL so I don't know much about them since Big Brother took over
Earthlink I havent used but they get decent reviews They are a national ISP but I am not so sure just how well intrenched they are in certain areas.
AT&T national add campaign for $4.95 unlimited access??? something like that but I don't know much about their service.
AOL If you are completely new to the internet and clueless then this is the place to be. Its a nice childs playpen and they dont want to let you out into the real internet unless you know your stuff and find your own way. No matter what you can't get away from their menu and system. Famous for selling any and all info they got on you to anyone willing to pay for it.
Local ISP's you'd have to do some research on. There are so many out there now and some of them have decent rates yet so many are fly by night again ask some other locals who use them.
http://www.lovepotions.net
posted on March 4, 2001 08:53:26 PM new
I was with a small local ISP since 1996 and always quite pleased with their service and support. But late last year they sold out to a larger company, and in turn this company merged with another one.
So now I am connected via a large disorganized nightmare - might as well be AOL! I shopped around and discovered there are no local ISPs of any reputation left in my city, and this I think is the unfortunate trend.
Recently I have registered a couple of domain names, hosted with 2 different services and I am in the process of migrating all my email. At least I'll be free to move around as I see fit.
posted on March 4, 2001 09:07:33 PM new
Sounds like you are talking about ERINET kathyg. The problem with a small local isp is they tend to get bought up if they are any good at all so be ready to contend with new ownership on a regular basis and deteriorating service with each new owner.
As for a national isp, I've been with mindspring DSL service for the past 8 months and have no complaints at all. I've used their tech service three or four times, never waited more than 10 minutes for a rep and they have always solved my problem. If you have mindspring DSL service in your area I highly reccomend it. If not, you may want to look at cable modem service.
A good friend of mine just dumped AOL (America Off Line he calls it) and his hair is starting to come back in now. Be sure to shop around and remember, cheep isn't always good.
posted on March 4, 2001 09:13:10 PM new
Here is the definitive list of ISP's from Boardwatch magazine and more about how the net works than you ever wanted to know...
posted on March 4, 2001 10:21:54 PM new
I use PeoplePC. It's only $9.95 a month for unlimited access. I used Earthlink before switching to PeoplePC and the service is just as good. The even use some of the same dial-up numbers as earthlink.
posted on March 5, 2001 02:56:37 AM new
Hi Traceyg
I use AT&T. I have been using it now for two years. You can have up to 6 email accounts and with each email account you have 10mg. web space. They have something called the net fridge, which is a nice thing to use to keep in touch with family and friends. Only those people you want on it can use it. You can post pictures and notes, they have a calendar with it, so you can set up Birthdays ect...
They have software rewards, where you only pay $4.95 for the software, and it is complete, not shareware. They have alot of different ones, and you can get as many of them as you want.
The customer service is good. I haven't had any problems.
The cost is $21.95 for unlimited. The $4.95 a month is limited hours, I think 150 hrs. per month and you will have advertisements. I have heard that some people don't mind it. They have also started something new where you get your home long distance for seven cents a minute, no monthly fee and unlimited internet access for $7.00 amonth. But, again you will have advertisements with the internet.
What I did when I changed from AOL most of the ISP'S offer one month free, or so many hours a month free. Check them out one at a time. See which one you like the best, and keep that one. It all depends on what you are looking for in a ISP.
edited for spelling.
[ edited by ashadowdancer on Mar 5, 2001 03:12 AM ]
[ edited by ashadowdancer on Mar 5, 2001 06:39 AM ]
posted on March 5, 2001 03:39:32 AM new
RCN or EROLS Same Co. Excellent service 7/24 very personal serv. If you have RCN cable in your area and are cable TV customer you can get dial up ISP service as low as 16.00 a month.A cable modem is slightly higher.
posted on March 5, 2001 10:56:18 AM new
world.net for $12.50/month 10 megs of web space. They bump you offline every 5 hours but you can go right back on. No busy signals. I think you only can sign up through resellers. Check CNET for list of ISPs for $9.95 to $12.50 month.
posted on March 5, 2001 12:37:27 PM new
I have Earthlink. They are pretty good during the day and very early in the mornings on the weekends but once the kids get up and get online doing their gaming thing, stuff slows to a crawl. Some numbers won't answer - others connect at 14,400, 19,200, 24,000. I have had them on 3 different computers with 3 different modems and tried 3 different phone numbers and always the same, so I think it is the fact that they are overbooking their modems. I don't have any other choice where I live - no cable, no DSL.
posted on March 5, 2001 12:47:46 PM new
After all my problems with Juno I went back to AOL. It was that bad...
You have a black bar across your screen that you can't minimize and you have to move it around as you type because it gets in your way. I upgraded to premium to get rid of the black bar, but the thing either wouldn't ever connect or it would not stay connected. I called in and canceled my service and they kept charging my credit card anyway and my credit card just now took the charges off...several months later.
posted on March 5, 2001 02:01:32 PM new
Stay away from MSN...
I sucked for the $400 sign up deal - hey, sounded good at the time... I was unhappy with my provider and I need a new PC. Well, here it is 18 months later, I am extremely unhappy with MSN and I want a new computer but I still have 18 months to go in my 3-year sentence. I may just pay them the pro-rated difference on the $400 and dump them anyway.
There have been many times when I can't get on, sometimes I can get on but can't get (or send) my email. Right now I am online via Net Zero, my back-up.
There have been terrible email problems with MSN for the last month, the worst of which has been trying to send mail (or get mail) to or from other MSN users.
posted on March 5, 2001 04:22:42 PM new
Hey THANKS for all the great answers. I am thinking of the ATT I like the 7 for 7 plan I pay 1/3 of what I pay for Interent now and less for long distance. 6 e-mails addresses and 60 megs of space. I can't load my auction pics up there and I don't have to worry about using the web space I pay for. I don't like the idea of putting my auction pics there. Now that AW is charging and since I know how to write html I am going back to the old fashion way (boy does the world change fast), and did it myself. I have written notes and addresses from the rest of them here just in case I don't like ATT.
THANKS AGAIN. THese message her really helped me weight out all out.
posted on March 5, 2001 04:30:54 PM new
PS I also use Kmart Free service. They only give 12 hours a month now. I use it and always have used it as a back up works pretty good.
Sounds like some may want to try that. I wouldnt want them as my full time server though. About ever 90 minutes you get cut off but I can always get on. YOu can pick up the disks at Kmart for free.
Here is another free service for backup reasons. I guess since it is not competing with AW I can post the link here. No ads just have to use their search engines once a week
http://www.theisp.cc/
posted on March 5, 2001 04:52:00 PM new
tracyg...my local newspaper offers 300 hrs ISP plus the daily paper for $19.95/month. The service is better than many of the big ISP's that I tried.
Regardless of whatever ISP you hook up with, I recommend setting up your e-mail with Yahoo or Hotmail or other service where you don't have to go around and change it if you change your ISP service. It's also accessible from anywhere. I probably had about 6 different ISP's during the first 18 months I had my computer (including AOHell), but never had to worry about changing my Yahoo e-mail.
posted on March 5, 2001 09:00:15 PM new
Regardless of whatever ISP you hook up with, I recommend setting up your e-mail with Yahoo or Hotmail or other service where you don't have to go around and change it if you change your ISP service. >>
Thanks that is a good idea. I have 2 Yahoo addresses but I don't use them for the auction maybe I should. I like to store my e-mails for a year. I get a lot. I guess I need to check out how much storage space hotmail gives. Yahoo only gives 6 megs I think. It is a good idea to use one of these I thought of it before but I think you motivated me to go ahead and do it now. After all it won't be that much extra work since I am changing anyway. thanks for the suggestion and motivation : )
posted on March 5, 2001 09:06:13 PM new
A good friend of mine just dumped AOL (America Off Line he calls it) and his hair is starting to come back in now. >>
ROTFLOL, Well I didn't lose my hair but I am sure I lost part of my mind while on AOL ; )
I will give you information you can use while you are inbetween ISP's.
There are alot of companies that give you stuff to sign up with them by agreeing to 3 month contracts.
Understand, no matter where you go you will be paying for their service, so why not get something for free ?
Some companies, like ATT will even offer a 3 month trial for $15 bucks ($5.00 a month). Of course after 3 months it goes up (then you can leave to the next one, and so on and so forth.
I have gotten scanners, video cams, portable audio equipment, digital cameras, months of free service, computers, etc ....
I have sold the items I recieved from these companies on ebay ! And it more than paid for the bill I paid them for their service ! Everytime !
The whole time trying them all out for free!
You can basically call them by phone and most have 800 numbers, and although it becomes a bit of a hassle waiting to talk to the right person, you can pretty much get all kinds of incentives to sign up for as little as 3 months at some of these bigger companies (you have to be speaking with a sales rep handling new accounts).
Earthlink was good and I would recommend them for a dial up account. Prodigy, SBC, ATT, and and some of the others bigger ISP's have fair service. I do suggest staying way clear of MSN.
Even if they do not have current promotions, most will offer something and I figure if you use a seperate email account that is online, it doesn't matter to much who your ISP is if you only have to deal with them for 3 months.
I highly recommend DSL or CABLE if available in your area.
posted on March 6, 2001 04:46:36 AM new
OK, I am the stupid, slow, asleep, dumb, childish, crazy person you are all talking about. I love aol. I love the email system, I love offline processing of email, I love the auto signon and placement of new mail in my offline file, I love (and here I really am alone I guess) the almost total lack of spam. AOL 5.0 is great. I have never had any problem getting help. I'm not stupid enough, though, to call them during peak hours. Instant message is super. On the not-so-stupid side, I am bright enough to enter keywords or site addresses on the command line and press enter. Are those of you who say you can't get to the internet world too stupid to do that? I can send picture and file references easily to the anyone on aol, but get responses from non-aol-users that they can't handle them. Everytime I get an aol user buyer on ebay, I say "thank God, communication will be fast, easy, and accurate." Part of this post has been in fun. I appreciate all of the aol-haters' frustration. Too bad that people trying isp's couldn't try aol 5.0. And please don't call us stupid for staying with an isp that, for some reason, does everything we want, and does it perfectly.
