What's a good ISP?

[chaska]

I need a quick reply please. I'm on a library computer.

I know nothing about this stuff. I just got an Apple i-Book laptop (thanks to you guys for recommending it) and I need an ISP.

Verizon is a possibility, but I don't really want to tie my phone into the deal (I get my phone service for free currently).

Can you guys give me a quick education on this. I won't have computer access again (unless I get mine up and running) for at least two weeks.

Thanks.

[bluerum]

1. Verizon dsl is $15 a mo in my area. You can't beat it. You do need

a phone line but you don't need to use their phone service.

As a matter of fact, once the dsl is up you can use any VOIP service that you have access to.

[central scrutinizer]

11. scab alert

Verizon is another union-buster

http://www.cwa-union.org/verizon/

[chaska]

12. Thanks, didn't know. I thought they were one of us ... more or less.

[bluerum]

22. So do I pay 4 times as much for a cable dsn line? Don't think

so.

I won't pay for FOX or CNN.

And I need Verizon's service to run a business.

[WePurrsevere]

2. Indy Link has been highly talked about here on DU... we're switching next

month.

Very progressive & dial-up is $15.00 a mo: http://www.indylink.org/

[chaska]

6. Very interesting....

Wireless????

[bluerum]

7. If you are going the dial up route - 1access.net is $8/mo unlimited.

www.1access.net

[erinlough]

23. I love my indylink

and the service has been great. I wish I could get dsl but I live in the country and nothing comes out here. Indylink is above and beyond the others I've tried.

[bananas]

3. How about wireless?

[chaska]

8. Please expand on that? That's what I need.

[chaska]

10. I'm sorry, I'm just totally ignorant about all this. Never had my own b4.

[chaska]

4. Oh, I should mention (I guess)....

that I won't have a land line. I drive a truck long haul. I live in my truck, so obviously ... hmmm, maybe a really long cord.... ;)

[bluerum]

9. Yeah, thats an important detail. Verizon wireles. nt.

[0rganism]

13. That limits your options considerably

You gotta go with a telco and/or ISP that supports mobile IP, then.

I was about to tell you to avoid Verizon and QWest like the plague (for ISP), but maybe that's not such a bad choice after all. You'll end up paying a premium for the mobility, but at least you'll have decent access over a wide area. Figure out who the major wireless carriers are in the parts of the country you service, and check out what they have to offer in the way of internet connectivity.

Good luck with it.

[chaska]

16. I ran into a techie type yesterday that was really hot for T-Mobile.

Any thoughts on that 'un?

[0rganism]

21. I don't know much about cell-phone based internet services

Looks like someone priced it for you downthread, at $50/month. That's substantial, obviously, but you're asking for a pricey commodity, that being ultra-flexible access. I'd say read the contract veeeery carefully and make sure you're getting exactly what you want from them; it's easy for phone companies to jack around with the bill, doubly so for cell-phones. Make sure you'll be getting everything you'd expect from a good ISP before you sign the first check: decent network bandwidth, unfiltered access, e-mail/DNS/usenet services, optional web page hosting and DNS registry (these'll probably cost you extra), 24/7 helpdesk & troubleshooting by telephone (web-based tech support is nothing but a sick joke when you can't get link), etcetera. Alternatively, you can see if T-Mobile will connect you with another ISP; you may discover that it's not a total pain in the ass, but the billing is almost sure to become more complicated.

[bananas]

14. There are two options I know of

one is what everybody calls "wireless" - you have to be near a hotspot to use it, but it is broadband speed. There are different companies which have different networks - Starbucks all have t-mobile, Barnes&Noble uses a different one, McDonalds uses a third one.

THe other option is through your cell phone, I think it only runs at dial-up speeds but it is over the cell phone. You don't have to be at a hotspot to use it though - I think you can use it almost anywhere your cell phone works.

[bananas]

15. Here's one

I think this uses the cell phone system rather than hotspots.

http://t-mobile.com/shop/plans/detail.aspx?tp=tb1&id=311e4582-a0d6-4dc9-956e-8bce2691c67c

Home › Plans › T-Mobile Total Internet

T-Mobile Total Internet

T-Mobile Total Internet gives you unlimited Internet access and unlimited T-Mobile HotSpot access. Use T-Mobile Internet to access your email and browse the Internet no matter where you are. Stay connected to email and the Internet…fast!

$49.99/month

[chaska]

17. Wow, that ain't cheap. That said, that is what I want.

[helderheid]

5. if Xmission is in your area, go with them. The owner, Pete Ashdown, is

running for Senate against Hatch.

www.xmission.com

[chaska]

18. THANKS, EVERYBODY. Gotta go now.

[peony]

19. Netscape and Earthlink - don't recommend. Went with local ISP.

With Netscape, technical support is off shore (like India) and waited two weeks to get the CD. As to Earthlink, they threatened to charge me anyway after I cancelled the order. Local ISP's advantage is local tech support and almost immediate access, no CD's to download.

[negativenihil]

20. Speakeasy! best.isp.ever. n/t

[peony]

24. Correction: Netzero - not Netscape - had problems with