NFB: Internet Service Providers

[2Fbodcru]

I was wondering what internet service everyone was using or would recommend. I have used mostly AOL for years, but I have tried others, like:
Juno - several years ago- didn’t work -
Net Zero - several years ago- didn’t work -
Earthlink - recently - didn’t work -
WalMart Internet - worked pretty darn good, but didn’t have all of the extras, like Spyware protection, Virus protection, Pop-up blocker, etc, but for $9.95 a month, it wasn’t bad -
MSN - now - doesn’t work half the time and is sloooow -
AOL has worked better than all of these, but there is just something that I don’t like about it, so I wanted to see what else is out there. I am using a fairly powerful computer, with 1 Gig of Ram, and could go with either Dial up or Broadband, but I just want Dail up right now -- anyone have any suggestions?

[Steel2686]

I have Comcast Broadband service. I have no complaints.

[Joe 1320]

Yeah.... I would rather have a crappy computer with DSL than a fast computer with dial up. Been there with both and DSL is the hands down winner. You can do so much more in a shorter period of time. I resisted it for years and now I don't know how I ever did without it.

[DierDesire824]

comcast after many years of msn being slow and buggy

[Scott-93 TransAm]

AOL BEWARE!!

Just to give you a different opinion...had AOL years ago. They tried to rip me off. Turned out to be the most nasty, obnoxious folks I've ever dealt with. Don't get me wrong-their dial up worked really well-but their customer service was unbelievable(in your face).

Finally turned them into the Better Business Bureau. They informed me that there were THOUSANDS of complaints filed against them. For what it's worth, just be careful.

[RangerBob]

Broadband is the way to go. Where do you live?

Check out DSL Reports for coverage and reviews in your area.

It is not cheap. I use QualityNet here in Kuwait. Cost me the equivalent of $1000 a year

Yeah not a misprint.

Bob

[2Fbodcru]

Just to give you a different opinion...had AOL years ago. They tried to rip me off. Turned out to be the most nasty, obnoxious folks I've ever dealt with. Don't get me wrong-their dial up worked really well-but their customer service was unbelievable(in your face).

Finally turned them into the Better Business Bureau. They informed me that there were THOUSANDS of complaints filed against them. For what it's worth, just be careful.

I have heard some of the same stories about AOL - That is definitely something that I want to avoid -

[2Fbodcru]

Broadband is the way to go. Where do you live?

Check out DSL Reports for coverage and reviews in your area.

It is not cheap. I use QualityNet here in Kuwait. Cost me the equivalent of $1000 a year

Yeah not a misprint.

Bob

I live in an apartment complex in south Alabama - I checked, and Comcast Broadband is available to me, because we have Comcast cable in all of the apartments here. There is a deal that I believe ends today, that is $19.95 per month for 6 months, $75.00 rebate, and free cable modem. Then the monthly fee goes up to around $42.00 per month after 6 monts. I don't know how much installation fees, or any other fees would cost.

[Steel2686]

I live in an apartment complex in south Alabama - I checked, and Comcast Broadband is available to me, because we have Comcast cable in all of the apartments here. There is a deal that I believe ends today, that is $19.95 per month for 6 months, $75.00 rebate, and free cable modem. Then the monthly fee goes up to around $42.00 per month after 6 monts. I don't know how much installation fees, or any other fees would cost.

Most of those deals can be had a few days later if you say that's the only way you'll go with them.

I originally had SNET DSL, but the switching station my neighborhood was hooking up to kept failing. When it worked, it was nice. Unfortunately, DSL was just too buggy in my area. I switched to Comcast Broadband Cable after I saw they had a deal. I called, but the deal had ended a few days prior. I told them thanks, but I guess I'll just stick with DSL. They gave me the old deal if I switched. Not a problem since.

[Disifer]

It all depends on how many other users are on the cable line. A friend of mine had it in one area and at peak hours (about 6pm) he could barely get up to dial-up speeds. Another friend has cable and there's only one other person on the line and he gets better than 512mbps up and down all of the time. That's the reason I like DSL over cable. Unless the switch is down (which mine never is) I'm guaranteed a fast connection.

[Steel2686]

It all depends on how many other users are on the cable line. A friend of mine had it in one area and at peak hours (about 6pm) he could barely get up to dial-up speeds. Another friend has cable and there's only one other person on the line and he gets better than 512mbps up and down all of the time. That's the reason I like DSL over cable. Unless the switch is down (which mine never is) I'm guaranteed a fast connection.

True, but they upgraded the service in our area last year. I get speeds well over 750mbps now. My DSL never got near 500 when I had it at any moment. It differs in every area. If it's an original cable line, I would just go with DSL and not worry about it.

[braindeadracefan]

I'd go cable over DSL any day... I had both, and my cable is much faster and more reliable. I think Comcast charges like $10 for a do-it-yourself install... professional is more, but it isn't hard to do yourself.

[2Fbodcru]

Thanks for the input guys-