Evaluate Free Internet Service Providers

Fred Layman · Post by **Fred Layman** » 28 Jan 2001 9:21 pm

I have replaced my computer and want to give the previous one (Dell) to my grandniece. Her parents may not want to spring for the cost of an ISP. I researched a site that rated free providers and American Express has one that was rated the highest. Are any of you using it, and what is your evaluation?Are there other good free service providers that you have been satisfied with?

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 29 Jan 2001 4:05 am

Fred, according to news reports most of the "free" internet providers have gone away and the ones left are also considering shutting down the free service. Judging from the news reports, I wouldn't count on that.

Fred Layman · Post by **Fred Layman** » 29 Jan 2001 8:02 pm

Jack, the site I pulled up reported on the number of free ISPs that have bellied up and others that have that prospect. But they seemed to think the American Express site was stable.

Tommy Mc · Post by **Tommy Mc** » 1 Feb 2001 2:55 pm

I keep a free ISP as a backup to America Off Line. I really wouldn't want to rely on them as a primary access. They keep going belly-up, so you would want to use a stable service like Yahoo for e-mail. Also there are the banner ads which make all pages load slower. I hear that the American Express ISP is good and has no ads, but you have to be a cardholder to get the service. I use this website to keep track of the free ISPs: http://www.internet4free.net/index.htm

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 1 Feb 2001 7:26 pm

I had a free Barnes & Noble ISP as a backup to AOL until today, when I tried to sign on and couldn't get on. Got a screen with a customer service # to call. Called it and... guess what...? They've shut it down, have cut a "deal" with AOL and are shunting people over to AOL instead! How's that for lousy?? So now I'm hunting for another free backup. Am open to recommendations!

------------------
www.jimcohen.com

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 2 Feb 2001 12:35 pm

Fred,

I was looking for another ISP when I saw your post about AMEX. I loaded it it this morning and it works great. I had been using Net Zero but they have a limit, so many hours per month, and a large ad banner. The Amex banner is small and you can move it out of the way in a corner. I highly recommend it. Thanks.

John Drury
NTSGA #0003

Tommy Mc · Post by **Tommy Mc** » 3 Feb 2001 10:38 am

Another drawback of free ISP's is the 'profile' questionaire that is required to register. In effect, you are trading your consumer profile for internet access. This may be a fair deal, but you should be aware that it will generate alot of advertising at whatever e-mail address you give. An alias and third party e-mail address is usefull, if you feel ethically comfortable with that.

Fred Layman · Post by **Fred Layman** » 5 Feb 2001 8:21 pm

Thanks for the feedback John. Use it for a while and report back if you would. As Tommy says, you do have to have an American Express credit card, but their basic card has no annual fee and you can apply for it on the site that you subscribe to their ISP.

Keith DeLong · Post by **Keith DeLong** » 6 Feb 2001 2:09 am

More about free ISP's--there is one in Canada run by Canada Post(post office) called 3web which I use,it seems to work well but you can't get on it during peak periods, so i have NetZero as a backup, but it jams up a lot. Anyone else had any experience with NetZero?
Keith