| Finding an ISP |
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These days, it doesn't really matter what you're doing; even standing at the
bus stop, minding your own business, you'll be bombarded by ads for ISPs
(Internet service providers). They're on buses, on billboards, on T-shirts, on
TV, in the paper. America Online even has bumper stickers ("I'd rather be
online"). It's enough to drive anyone crazy. So how do you find the right ISP
for you?
The first question you'll face in your Internet quest is whether to go the
America Online / CompuServe route or choose a smaller, more streamlined ISP.
What's the difference?
AOL and CompuServe offer tidy, all-in-one online packages that make it easy
to do some things - like reading mainstream news feeds and chatting online.
The downside to these kinds of services is that they've been plagued over
the years by outages, busy signals, spotty customer service, and annoying
little graphics that automatically download whether you want them or not.
If chatting is what you like to do, AOL in particular has pretty good chat
rooms and specified forums, such as Teen Tech, Extreme Fans, Moms Online,
and, of course, Love@AOL. AOL's email system is pretty straightforward as
well.
So AOL is easy, but you'll find out just how much your membership means to
them the first time you call to get technical support and get the maniacal
recording of "Press one for ____ ." By the time you get through
the recording, you've already forgotten what button to push.
If you want to go with a regular Internet service provider (and most
everybody does sooner or later), you first need to figure out what services
you're looking for and how much you're willing to pay. Most ISPs have a
set-up, or activation, fee and then a flat rate service, which for around 20
bucks a month gives you unlimited usage. Or you can opt for a less expensive
plan that gives you a certain amount of hours free, after which you pay by
the hour. If you don't go online very often - maybe you only check your email
- you'd probably like the cheaper "$9.95 per month" plans that give you a
limited amount of online time. But if you go over the limit, they'll start cashing
in with a charge for each additional hour.
Here are some questions you might want to ask your service provider before
you get an account:
1) Is their modem line a local call from your home?
Only accept a "yes" or you'll be strapped with needless long-distance
charges.
2) For your monthly fee, do you get unlimited usage?
3) Is there a set-up or activation fee?
Compare set-up fees with other ISPs in the area. Sometimes you can talk one
down if you threaten to go with the competition.
4) What type of connection do they have to the Internet?
If they have a T3 or a T1 line (which are very fast Internet connections),
you're in business. If they use an ISDN or modems to connect, you probably
want to keep shopping.
5) Do they provide software for your computer to make the SLIP/PPP
connection (the connection from your computer to theirs)?
If they don't, something's wrong.
6) Is free Web space provided? And if so, how much?
If you want to put your own homepage or pages on the Web, tell your
prospective ISP what you have in mind. They will tell you if you're covered in
their basic plan.
7) Is their service agreement month to month? Quarterly? Annually?
You probably want to try using a service provider for a while before you sign
up for a whole year (but signing up for a year can usually save you a chunk
of dinero).
8) How extensive is their customer service?
If you suspect you might need lots of help setting up and using your account,
be frank. Some offer almost no help as a way of cutting costs, while others
pride themselves on their helpfulness.
9) What is the user-to-modem ratio?
We don't have any magic number of users per modem that makes an ISP
good, but use this ratio as a way to compare companies you're checking out:
Remember, the fewer users per modem, the less often you'll be confounded by a busy signal when you try to dial in.
10) What are their usage policies?
One of the best methods for finding an Internet service provider is to ask
people you know which ISPs they use and whether they are happy with their
service.
Beyond that, I suggest you go to either The List or to ISP Finder. If you don't
have Internet access (and this article is being read to you by voices inside
your head), look in your local yellow pages (under "Internet Services" or
"Computers"). ISP Finder is nice because it has a referral list request form.
You can enter your email address and where you are located,
and they'll send you a personalized referral list. Each of these sites lists thousands of service
providers, so, no matter where you live, you should have several options.
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