Suggestions on internet providers

Unfortunately dsl is a mile out of my area so I am stuck with dial up. I'm looking for an internet service that can stay on for a long time and has decent download speeds (used to have msn it stayed on 10 hours). Any help is appreciated.

 

cant really help as im on dsl

but it might help if you gave some location details as theres people here from all over the place

 

Gainesville, Florida area code 352

 

Before I got DSL (a year ago) I was on dial-up with AT&T and had no problems with them as far as disconnections. I could generally start a large file download before going to bed, and usually have if finished intact the next morning.

As far as good download speeds, beyond having a decent ISP, you need to have the local POP station that feeds you directly as close to your house as possible. Beyond a few miles, line noise and signal degradation start to slow things down.

In Chicago I consistently got 49K, living close to their site. In Memphis, I got around 46 to 48, but when I moved across the line in Mississippi, the best I could do was 28.8 to any of the 3 same Memphis POPs. I was too far away.

So first identify likely good providers, then research which ones are closest to your house.

 

Thanks robo, Connection Keeper looks pretty cool. I don't have an issue with disconnections but I downloaded it anyways.




I d/l everything that looks cool!

 

Earthlink -

Good service here in NJ, no busy signals. Includes various levels of spam blocking and virus filtering on the email server level, web hosting, lots of email addresses.

Also a '5x' web browing feature that compresses web pages before download and uncompresses on the PC, although I've only experienced 2x without loss to graphics quality.

 

The ultimate dial up connection has got to be SBC Yahoo.

here is why

Most dialup providers give you just 10MB for email space (msn)
sbc yahoo gives you 25 for the first and main account and then
they give you 9 more accounts with 10 mb each.

msn will only allow you to email I think 2 mb at a time.

with yahoo you can email 10 mb of info at one time

sbc yahoo gives you an email program that is pretty darn good. the spam blockers and the up to 500 sub email addresses

AddressGuard Create and manage disposable email addresses to defend your primary address against spam.

one more reason sbc yahoo gives you what they call a briefcase and that will allow you to save 60mb of whatever you want and then share it over the internet with whoever you want. I have put mp3's, small software, pictures and videos there. to share with my family.



I would never go with aol for the following reason

they make sure they disconnect you as soon as they think you are no longer using the connection. I hate that msn I think does the same. As soon as they think the connection is idle they will try to get rid of you.

with sbc yahoo. no kidding I start at 0800 in the moring keep it connected all day, sometimes I go home and forget to desconnect and when I get to work the next day believe it or not the connection is there. Can anyone beat that with dialup

Do not be fooled with the 5 times faster crap that aol and earthlink feeds you
because it is misleading in order for them to be able to do that they have to make your internet experience a whole lot less enjoyable. You will still only be able to download at the speed of the modem. It is not faster on downloads or uploads, A 56k modem can only work at the connection speed that you get when you connect. It will never be 56k if lucky you might get 50.6 like I do in my area. They cannot make a modem work any faster than what the speed you connect. They can only compress and take out stuff from the webpage you are trying to see. thus making that webpage of less quality


But do not take my word for it I have used quite a few dialups before I finally got cable. I am so happy with sbc yahoo that I decided to keep it just because of what they offer. plus I can have internet anywhere I go as long as they have a phone and a computer. I am connected

There are more advantages you might want to check them out.

I am in no way affiliated with sbc yahoo. This is just my personal opinion

 

Earthlink ADSL by far is the best. For one thing, SBC will seel your IP to the RIAA, for those of us who download music, that is a problem. I also dont trus global conglomerates. With earthlink, you get amazing customer service, superior email with virus scanning and spam blocking, and free dail up with DSL. I havent found a better deal out there. Plus, it comes through your normal phone line.

 

I love my ISP

Try USADatanet.net. They are not only inexpensive but they have gone far beyond my expectations in customer service.Their techs helped me with problems that DELL either could not or would not bother with. I've had no connectivity problems at all and we are online a great deal,on a 56k modem. They will set you up by phone. My service costs $10. and I have an accelerator for an additional $5. call them at 1-877-532-8265. They do provide service to Gainesville. You can call them there at 352-248-0080. Good luck.P.S. No credit card required

 

Earthlink has been working for me.
I can start a long download and walk away without worrying about it being disconnected in 10 or 15 minutes.
I had dropped it for a $10. ISP but went back soon as I could

 

I use eskimo.com One thing about them, you can actually talk to a person if you need to.
Its across the country from me , but it seems like a cool, small time operation. I like that. Nanook is the guy's name that runs it.
Anyway, when I went to hook up my linux to it, it was no problem. They give you everything you need to configure it right there on their web page.

Now to learn some HTML and finally get my web page up on their server