posted on May 19, 2001 07:16:18 AM new
I am thinking about using Time Warner's ISP Road Runner, switching from my current dial-up service.
However, when I'm on the road, i usually take my laptop with me so I can dialup and keep in touch with my EBAY auctions.
So, I've heard of some FREE ISPs exist and was wondering if anyone knows about any of them. Can anyone recommend? and do they have dial-up access numbers for most parts of the country? OR would I be better off just sticking with the DIAL UP service I currently have. thanks
posted on May 19, 2001 07:50:56 AM new
Free ISPs are great for short term use not really good for full time Juno and net zero are two I find juno to be the best all have monthly time restriction.
I use juno for them rare times when my ISP is down there is advertizeing at the top of the screen but its not that distracting and can still get in to check auction and launch new and stuff.
How ever as much as people dont care for them I beileve the one thing people who travel a lot wit there lap tops can have is an aol account.
Dont get me wrong I would love to have cabel modem at home this area is also servered by time warner Road Runner but there $100 Set up and $41 a month service is just not justifiable when you can get a dail up account from $14 to $19 speed isnt everything and many people find that a good computer with at least 32MB of ram and a 56k modem can load things as fast as they really need it to be and there not paying $500 yearly to be on line. http://www.Dman-N-Company.com
posted on May 19, 2001 09:02:46 AM new
dman regarding cable costs $41 per month includes isp I was paying $21 per month to AOL ...busy signals disconnects ect ect for... 41.00 a month I have super speed always on connection
With AOL or other dial ups only one user can be on at a time
We have networked our computers added a server and now for 41.00 per month my two sons my wife and I all can be on at the same time each of us doing our own thing.
so the 20.00 per month diffence dosen't look to bad
Time is money I cna click on check ebay go to excite map a adress print it out and leave in less time than it takes to dial up and go thru sign on.
Getting back to question at hand if you get high speed connection you can keep your AOL account and the price drops to something like 10.00 per month.
You can then use it for dial up acess when you are on the road.
posted on May 19, 2001 09:31:56 AM new
Users had better check with the cabel company in there area about muliple computer connection road runner in this area is the same as anyother provider they are single user accounts.
one computer one user unmetered 24/7 service two computer its just a small extra fee per month for the second so for two computer the cost would be $61 per month + the $100 setup fee there would also be extra charge if you want more then one mail box and Extra webspace.
I know these things vary area to area but in this area if you not already a cable subcriber you can double these numbers because you must pay for there cable service as well even if you dont use it.
posted on May 19, 2001 10:35:42 AM new
dman : to the outside world we are only using one connection ...with a server or a cable/dsl router you can have up to 253 user's one ip address.The access number or IP address provided by the carrier is assigned to the server.
our cable company also charges 7.00 for seprate IP adress but you don't need two address to access the net with multi user's
you are paying the cable company for IP address not for number of user's
the cable dsl router availible online is the simplest soultion price $75.00 and up. If you have some networking savay and knowldge of tcp/ip a server offers some advantages.
http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=20&grid=5
Cable compainies locally are always offering specials with free install's I was able to download a coupon from roadrunners sight for free install when my dad wanted to go to cable.
We have comcast and I beleive its 10.00 extra per month if you are not a cable subscriber.
You can also get fast connections thru DSL availible thru your phone company prices are about the same multiuser access about the same.
I do computer networking and have set up both cable and dsl networks for customers.I recently had a customer have a probles she called the cable company he came out made some changes then when in and made the changes in the cable router for her...usually they just say they don't support networks leave a note and we have to go out and make the changes
keep in mind i don't get a comission on cable sales just pointing out the advantages
posted on May 19, 2001 08:06:03 PM new
The $41 is worth it. I was paying for a dial up ISP at $19.95 plus a second phone line $14.
So for $8 more a month I have always on speed. Dropped the ISP and second phone line. It is also true you can hook as many PCs to the service as you can, but it isn't really kosher. I pay the extra $9.95 a month and have 3 IP adresses.
Another thing cable teaches you is that you don't need all the BS ads and control that AOL and MSN force on you.
All you need is access. All the crap AOL has on their "service" is free all over the Net, but you're paying for it on AOL, not to mention sh*ty dial up service.
But AOL and RoadRunner are now the same company. I sure hope AOL doesn't ruin RR.
About the time they come to me and force me to combine RR and AOL is the time I start looking at DSL or the competing cable company for Net access.
I am amazed at the number of people that think that you must have AOL to get on the NET ! All you need is an access point, whether it is a free service or a $7.95 a month service. IMs, ICQ, email address, is all out there for free without paying AOL.
