Whats the best Internet

[RichB59]

server. I'm using AOL and am looking for something as good but cheaper. I don't really use all the services AOL offers and feel as if I'm wasting money I could spend on my truck. Any advice?????





RichB

 

[illflem]

Anything's better than AOL

I consider AOL to be a computer virus, you'll have a heck of a time getting all of it out of your computer. I use Earthlink just because it came on my first computer, has always worked excellent for me at about $20/mo unlimited. I know there are cheaper ones but have had no need to change. Just make sure that if you are on a dial-up there is a toll free number to use, that's the problem with the free or cheap ISPs in my area out in the boonies.

 

[KatDiesel]

I used Earthlink many moons ago, and kept it for a while for my laptop, it treated me well. I've had cable for a few years now..... so I finally canceled the Earthlink last year or so.



Have you checked to see if DSL or cable is in your area? My current cable is only 34. 95 a month... ...

 

[Philip]

I consider AOL to be a computer virus

My thoughts also.

 

[ladyjaine]

AOL Country

I live out in AOL country and drive by it every day on the way to the office. FWIW, the intersection there is one of the worst in the state for collisions. I use Starpower, they are OK, but billing is not real bright. I'm on dialup. My webpage is Lazywench.com and that's hosted by my sister, who own an ASP company. There's no truck information on that page. Yet.



Jean

 

[bigkid59]

I started off with Juno but they later told me that their "unlimited" definition was not the same as mine. They told me that I was using too much time and wanted to increase my price from $9. 95 a month to $29. 95 a month. This was on a dial up connection!



I have been with Earthlink for about two years and have had good service from them. They usually rank at the top in satisfaction surveys and have some good features such as a Pop Up Killer. Their connection with Sprint can get you a special deal on long distance telephone service also.



One inconvienence that affects me is that their software is not entirely compatable with Windows NT which I use. I have to use Dial Up Networking to connect, but it is a minor problem.



If you are a member of AARP ask for that discount also.



I recently bought something off of Ebay from a guy who is using gbronline.com. Their service has been advertised in the Memphis newspaper lately at $9. 95 a month. Since I am now shopping for an ISP for my girlfriend I asked this Ebay seller for his opinion of gbronline and he told me he was happy with them. So here is another choice, and at a great price.

 

[JPope]

Have to agree with what everyone has been saying about the other ISP's having had most of them.



AOL-not only a virus, but jams up snail mail with all of their offerings



Juno- Told me that there was nothing I could do about it, billing problem, and they would pursue me if I didn't pay, though they would not resolve . Guess what, they were wrong, canceled service, deleted from computer + AOL, you can get their crap off your computerOo.



Earthlink- good service, not their fault lousy phone lines, now have a 56K external US Robotics modem (at the advise of one of the help tech's now 2x as fast but relative to work connection ???, who also has sent me to other help sites which really have helped ) so far almost 2 years and good service/plus help, though the help line is sometimes slow.



Work- T1 line etc. Oo.



Hope they get the delay concerns resolved mentioned in TDR/ Admin column. Everything LSFarm is saying is the same as both my work and home, checking on TDR, seems to be happening.

Keep up the good work Steve, bombing the connection must be fun checking everywhere including beyond your control. :{

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Tried the Juno thing.



Tried the AOL thing.



I have had Earthlink for about 8 months and so far so good. Most of the time I get a faster than 28,800 connection.



I have an Internet connection through work, but is so restricted I can't even get to eBay, etc.

 

[RustyJC]

We use a local ISP - Everyone's Internet ( http://www.ev1.net ). $10/month for unlimited time, spam & virus filtering, unlimited e-mail accounts, etc. Insofar as dial-up speed is concerned, the ISP is better than the lousy phone lines in our neighborhood - I may try the US Robotics modem upgrade as well since we use them at work to collect data from some pretty remote locations.



Rusty

 

[QRTRHRS]

Our choices were limited where I live to dial up's. Come the weekend, you could not get on. Then the cable offerred the cable modem which had been super but for whatever reason, I had been losing service alot lately. Worst part was getting a call back from them. It got so bad, I started looking around for alternatives.



For me, there are not many reasonable one's yet! You can go dish network with two way communication now though but it's pricey.



http://www.nationwidesatellite.com/highspeed. asp



It's not out yet but "they" are working the bugs out of using your electric lines to provide I-net service. This one looks real promising but for now I am stuck with the cable company.

 

[jandtjil]

ATT worldnet here, avg prices and acceptable number of local numbers. International and 800 numbers, although they do have a fee associated with them.

I don't think they offer firewall, spam, or anti-virus, noted by the number attempts against my firewall.



JJ

 

[JHerrlich]

I'm on cable now, but when I have to use dialup, I prefer Earthlink. They're pretty decent and you don't HAVE to use special software. You can use what your os comes with if you don't have access to the software. Some ISPs don't let you connect without their special dialing software (I know MSN used to do this).



I agree that AOHell is a virus. It takes over your computer and replaces your TCP/IP stack (communications protocol) with its own. Sometimes it's not compatible with software that expects you to have a normal TCP/IP stack. Getting it uninstalled is a pain when it leaves that stack behind.

 

[Champane Flight]

Local

I was with a local ISP and they were bought out by Earthlink. I dropped the service before they went to Earthlink, but still recieved a bill from Earthlink for three months. I finally got that straighten out (I thought I was going to have to cancel credit card to get them to stop billing me). Went with a local ISP called

rural-com, 19. 00 a month, not to fast at 44k, but reliable, only been down once for two hours in two years. They have a high speed wireless for $48. 00, 256k , but too many trees around my place to pickup. Don't know what I will do for service when I move to the hills. Looking at satelite. Anybody have any experience with them?

 

[TPCDrafting]

I too have Earthstink. Had it coming on 5 years and it's worked pretty well for me. The customer support lines get you to someone with a pulse pretty quick. I too have had trouble getting it to work on Winders ME but it works good on my laptop which runs on '98. I too use the "dial-up Networking" rather than their software, it helps quite a bit and it's much more customizeable. I have sprint long distance and I get $2/month off for Earthstink. I would definatly recommend it over att, msn, and aol. JM02

 

[RichB59]

thanks for

the good info. Sounds like earthlink is the top dog. Cox cable offers their internet service for $29 am also considering that. Cox has been a good cable co. although I do question my own sanity at times for paying to watch the freakin commercials??????







Thanks for the input.



RichB

 

[fortunate1]

I've got cox cable, too. Any DSL or cable is going to way outperform a dial-up. Once you go cable, you'll never go back to dial-up; downloads, etc. will seem instantaneous compared to 56K. Just my opinion.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

We have Cox Internet. No complaints.



I would give up the web if I had to use a dial-up modem.