Help - I Need Advice on an Internet Service Provider (ISP)

[CO Liberal]

When the lovely Mrs. CO Liberal and I bought our HP computer, we had to agree to subscribe to CompuServe for 36 months in order to get a $400 rebate. Well, the 36 months are up, and we're looking to change providers.

We have a 56K dial-up modem - we do not want to go to DSL, and we don't have cable so a cable modem is out, too.

We want a provider that will allow us to have multiple e-mail accounts. We tried PeoplePC a few months ago, but it only allowed one e-mail account. PLus it loaded a bunch of spyware on our PC, and we had to shell out $135 to clean up our PC.

I was thinking about either NetZero or Earthlink. Does anyone have any experience with them? Or is there another you can recommend (other than AOL)?

[flamingyouth]

1. I wouldn't recommend Earthlink

We have it at work as a dial-up and I hate it. I think it's very unreliable and slow, but I am probably spoiled by having cable at home. I don't know about NetZero, but other DUers use it, I know. Good luck! :hi:

[Guy Fawkes]

2. Look around your community, first.

Most small ISPs are better then the big companies. You can also do a google for "xyzcity ISPs." Also, ask your neighbors what they use. Just trust me on that last one, even though it's hard to explain.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. Find a small, local...

provider in your area, with local dialup numbers. You should be pleased.

I will say that DSL is wonderful. I highly recommend it.

[Rick Myers]

4. I agree with Guy and T_S

A local ISP is your answer. Good call!

[rabid_nerd]

5. Small and local

or me ;) (see below)

not NetZero - have to download special software.

Earthlink is OK, but it's basically the same thing I sell, only with the extra software/sites..

If you don't stay on the ISP pages often, a local small town ISP (or me) is good.

[Nomad559]

6. I've used Bluelight and MSN

Bluelight Is only 9.95 a month, but they do not allow more than one e-mail account.

You can have 10 e-mail accounts with MSN

You can try MSN for 2 months Free.

[2Design]

9. msn was horrible and expensive and non responsive..imho

[2Design]

7. I use peoplepc and no problem...

netzero and earthlink will be like people pc.

I use spybot and have Norton internet security and they work well.

I had to change once my msn contract was up after 36 months too...

could try a phone company connection....the rest are so expensive...

[BlueJazz]

8. Some of my customers seem to be happy with Netscape.

I have Broadband so I can't speak from personal experience.

https://register.isp.netscape.com/default.jsp?promo=NS_2_7_7_2004_05_349

[Rhiannon12866]

10. I have Adelphia. I recommend them highly. But I guess that this is cable

so it's not what you're looking for. But I have to say that I have seldom have any problems and the one person I know, who knows the most about computers, recommended this and this is also his ISP. My other friend, who is a computer programmer, recently switched from NetZero to Adelphia. They provide up to four e-mail accounts. I have also heard very negative things about AOL, though I know many people still on there.:shrug:

[Nile]

11. Been using AT&T from the beginning.

It has everything that you mentioned and they now have free spyware cleanup software available to members.