OT HELP! My ISP is going out of business!!

[dj2]

If I don't fix this problem soon, I'll be having to go to the public library to check the DIS boards and my e-mails every day! argh!

I suppose I should be grateful that they told us yesterday (and not tomorrow) that *Friday* would be their last day of operation! A whole three days notice--what a luxury! At least I had time to open a free e-mail account and forward all my important e-mails there (as well as print out the really important ones).

ARGH!!!!

We've been very lucky, paying a teacher's monthly rate of only $4.95 for unlimited internet access.

What service do you recommend we go with now? I was looking at NetZero for $10/mo, but their fine print says you're required to fill out periodic surveys and they will then share that info with others. argh!

Juno (same price) seemed more concerned about privacy, yet they're operated by the same company--could it really be different? Do people have trouble with these ISPs?

Do you have a low cost dial-up service that you like? Is AOL worth the money? I've heard people have problems with it.

Or is it worth the huge expense to go with a DSL or cable provider?

ARGH!!!!!! (did I say that already)


-dj

 

[Microcell]

AOL is most decidedly not worth the money! Juno has been good to me in the past. In our neighborhood we can only get 28.8 speed and it is painfully slow, so we did spend the $40.00 a month and it is lightning fast. Be aware, once you do broadband, it would be PAINFUL to go back to dial up.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I used to have AOL and I agree, it's not worth the money. I went from dial-up to cable and absolutely love it, it saves SOOO much time that to me it's worth the extra money. Personally we went with earthlink,where we live there weren't alot of options, but we've been pretty happy with them so far. It pays to shop around, too, if you don't have a preference between cable or dsl sometimes you can get a cheaper rate if you do a package deal with cable or your local phone company.

 

[Maliki2]

I used to have AOL and I agree, it's not worth the money. I went from dial-up to cable and absolutely love it, it saves SOOO much time that to me it's worth the extra money. Personally we went with earthlink,where we live there weren't alot of options, but we've been pretty happy with them so far. It pays to shop around, too, if you don't have a preference between cable or dsl sometimes you can get a cheaper rate if you do a package deal with cable or your local phone company.

Want cheap dial up, try www.peoplepc.com

$5.47 for the first 3 months, then $10.95 a month after that.
They don't require you to install their software anymore if you don't want to.

 

[flamom]

we have netzero high speed for 14.95 per month. i have never had to fill out any surveys with them. before them i had aol and msn and i like netzero the best. hope this is helpful

 

[momto4obkids]

I just switched to peoplepc.com last month and i like it alot. I started with the 30 day free trial and when i called to cancel it they offered the accelorated to me for a free month trial and after the first month of that i get it for $13.95 a month. The accelorated makes a huge difference too.

hth!
Amanda

 

[Melissa M]

Is Everyone's Internet available in your area? It's just $10 a month. No catch. I LOVE it!!! www.ev1.net

 

[Franne]

Eek, maybe I am the only AOL user?? I love AOL and the monthly fee is only $10 if you come with your own cable connection. I am also an AOL volunteer,(in the teaching area, since you are a teacher too you might be interested in this) so I don't pay for my AOL and haven't for the past 8 years. Saved us a ton of money! So that's an option too if you want to try AOL.
Franne

 

[canwegosoon]

Earthlink too!!! But the bills kill me. I can not go back to dial-up

 

[TinkerPixxie]

I also have AOL, but with DSL. I do not pay 10.00 a month. I wish. But i keep the aol because i feel very secure that with the parental controls they have, as a mother of 5, ranging in ages from 16, 11,7,4, 4. I need to be concerned with their safety online. Would love to cut the cost though.
As for the DSL.... i couldnt go back to dial-up.

 

[torismom]

TinkerPixxie

We have dsl and I also have aol. I am signed up using their byoa (bring your own access) and I pay 7.95 a month. Call them and I bet you could get it changed over.

 

[TinkerPixxie]

TinkerPixxie

We have dsl and I also have aol. I am signed up using their byoa (bring your own access) and I pay 7.95 a month. Call them and I bet you could get it changed over.

Jennifer
Thanks a bunch that would be terrific, i will give them a call tomorrow and see if thats possible. I do pay for the DSL seperately, not sure why I pay so much more than you do. Ive had problems withthem before with charges coming twice a month and also some issues with sending email notifications to my kids emails, as if they need to know my bill is due??!! But i keep it for those parental controls, wish another ISP would step up to the plate and offer a similar saftey net.

Thanks again

Tink~

 

[BethR]

Jennifer
But i keep it for those parental controls, wish another ISP would step up to the plate and offer a similar saftey net.

Oh I do think that most others offer similar products, they just are not "built in" like they are with AOL, you would need to download and run a separate program. It would not be part of the whole package.

I have Verizon, and they offer the program Cybersitter at a reduced price.

Even if the ISP that you chose would NOT offer something, you can find and download a child protection program on your own.

 

[simpilotswife]

Earthlink is a very reliable service.

 

[patsal]

Heard people pc is good and inexpensive, my parents have netzero and no problems, I had Juno for several years--no problem but as the kids are getting older it takes to long to load pages for research--have switched to verizon DSL love it. If you don't mind the wait Juno is very good. Stay away form AOL nothing but problems and paying a premium for them as well.

 

[mickeysaver]

We have Charter cable and DSL service. I would not trade the Broadband experience for dial up even if it was free. Spend the money, save some of your time, and enjoy the net. JMHO Maggie

 

[CarolA]

There is always my method to surveys! LIE! Then you could care less if they share the data. I bet you didn't know that I am a 21 year old millionaire LOL!

 

[dj2]

Want cheap dial up, try www.peoplepc.com

$5.47 for the first 3 months, then $10.95 a month after that.
They don't require you to install their software anymore if you don't want to.

i tried to sign up for peoplepc. the sales person said that you were right and i wouldn't have to load any software onto my computer. but the tech guy after him said, no, i would. they were very nice people, but since i had to clear up space for something, i decided to go ahead with the aol offer, which is currently 2 months free, then 17.95/mo. i've got until feb 9th now to figure something permanent out. a little more breathing space than 3 days!

our plans are to buy a new computer after christmas, when prices might be lower. (gotta watch those pennies so i can afford all these trips to wdw!) so when we get back from our vacation in january, i'll figure out if i want to take the plunge and pay for cable or dsl. it really is nicer---can i justify the cost???

anyway, i'm able to connect to the web using aol and then also open internet explorer, so i don't have to bother about figuring out how to move all my bookmarked/favorite sites into aol until i feel like it.

thanks again everyone for all your advice!

dj

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Want cheap dial up, try www.peoplepc.com

$5.47 for the first 3 months, then $10.95 a month after that.
They don't require you to install their software anymore if you don't want to.

Although I long ago heard the blessed calling of cable, peoplepc would be my choice if I had to go back to dial-up. I had an account with them for travel and they have great service - except for the fact that if you like to be on for more than a four hours at a time they disconnect you and you need to reconnect - to prevent "always on" dial-up connections.

If you can afford it, drop dial up - but if you can't, peoplepc is the way to go. No matter what you do, don't succumb to AOHell, the people that ruined the Internet.

N.E.D.

 

[sanibelover]

DSL all the way - you won't go back if you try it. We get ours through SBC combined with Totalphone, etc. it is just $25/month. Well worth it!!!