Need some help - which internet company?

Trout,myster · 02-15-2001, 02:44 AM

I know RT had this question awhile back, but I'm getting really fed up with AOL. I get on iFish before work in the morning just to get on it. Evenings are about out of the question. Not absolutely sure it's all AOL but I notice out there in "ifish-land" that not many of you are using it and there's probably a reason for it. I'm shopping, so I'm open to what you chose and why and are you satisfied with the performance?

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Troutmyster

RichH · 02-15-2001, 03:26 AM

TM,

I would highly!!!!!!!! recommend at&t @home(cable).I spend about 20-30 minutes morning & evening online and if I wait more than 4-5 seconds(including pics) to download I start getting irritated. It is spendy($42) but I feel my time is worth more than that. When I had Prodigy with a 56k modem I would spend at least twice as much time for half as much info. Good luck

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Rich H

[This message has been edited by RichH (edited 02-15-2001).]

rainycity · 02-15-2001, 04:32 AM

Try your phone server for a service.
They will normally provide you a service
for a little cheaper if you carry thier phone service as well.
Check to see if they have DSL where you live,
it`s well worth it. I have qwest and am very happy with it. they have a couple of different packages from which to choose from,
For an example, They have a package for 19.95
and on for 29.95, the only difference being the 19.95 one disconnects you atfter 2 hrs. http://www.qwest.com/jump/dsl/
Hope this helps, Tony

Pete · 02-15-2001, 07:47 AM

If you want responsive, secure service you should look in to Hevanet.com or Pacifier.com. Both are local. Both offer the full range of dial up or DSL service. If you are looking for high speed, but low price it's hard to beat Earthlink.com. However, you need some technical savvy to get their service up and running unless you're willing to load their proprietary software on your hard drive.

Phish_on · 02-15-2001, 07:56 AM

AOL sucks. MSN sucks.

Everyone I've talked to is very pleased with cable-modem ... no choices there, it's your cable company or nada. DSL seems to come with a lot of technical difficulties getting everything set up and configured right. I'm still dialing in to Teleport (OneMain.com) but planning to dump that when my $80 credit is used up (long pointless story). Can't recommend any specific providers.

DF · 02-15-2001, 02:28 PM

I just use my local ISP A.D.O.S seems to work great here with a 56k
and yes
msn sucks
AOL REALLY sucks

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A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work

Trout,myster · 02-15-2001, 04:12 PM

Thanks for the inputs, guys. I'm lucky enough to be able to tap into AT&T for free through my work. Have to wait a month or two for it, but it's no cost to me and sounds like the choice here. Just so tired of AOL and the slow loads. Even with Bonzi Internet Boost which helped a bunch I can barely make it onto some sites, including iFish.

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Troutmyster

Mrdorkfish · 02-15-2001, 04:47 PM

I'm not so sure that Aol is your problem...I just bought a new puter which is WAY bigger and faster than my old one and i notice a HUGE difference in the loading of websites. Now i can click through the different posts back and forth with an instant response!

Check the specs of your machine man !!

Mrdorkfish

SteelieSteve · 02-15-2001, 06:57 PM

Trout myster I use peoplepc. It is just a normal isp but it is alot cheaper than aol or the other big names. runs $9.95 a month and I don't have alot of trouble accessing sites.. If you try it let me know how you like it. Note this is not a advertisement Jen just sharing info. TM you could say i refered you though.

srd999@yahoo.com

Trout,myster · 02-15-2001, 07:27 PM

MDfish: Thanks for the tip, but I'm running a high end PC at 675mhz (little slow these days actually) with 128mb ram and 56K modem. Since I work for a well known semi-conductor manufacturer, I'm pretty well up on the PC end. Reason I think it's my ISP is that certain times of the day are really good and others are really bad, like evenings. Tonight, it's flying along fairly well. Last night, I couldn't even get onto iFish. Besides, I tried at work which took me through MSN and,even though my work PC is a dog compared to this HP (200mhz and 64mb ram) I was on to iFish in a heartbeat.

Steelie- I may give that one a try if AT&T doesn't pan out. Price is so good on AT & T for me I can't resist.

Thanks for more info guys.

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Troutmyster

scooby · 02-17-2001, 08:38 AM

That depends on what is available in your area. If a cable modem is available that would be the fastest ( I connect at 3000k per second with @home). DSL line is the next fastest. There are alot of DSL options out there, but I would reccomend one of the larger providers.

If you don't have either of these available then go with MSN. I had that before I got the cable modem and rarely had connection problems. The problem with AOL is they have too many people connecting to a finite resource in most areas, and this slows it down.

Also, if you go with a cable modem you may want to get some sort of home pc firewall ( such as zone alarm). A cable modem is always connected, ie your internet connections is always on. this can present an easy target for garbage and hackers.

Navigator · 02-17-2001, 08:53 AM

I use swiftnet.com. It's local. Base fee is $10 per month plus useage. My bill runs around $11 per month since dirt cheap in evenings and weekends ($0.05 per hour). Contact Leslie at leslieb@swiftnet.com.

Forgot to add. No spam whatsoever and it is rare you have to wait (busy signal) to get on. It is not DSL or cable, but affordable.

[This message has been edited by Navigator (edited 02-17-2001).]