Internet Access

To get on the "Net" you first need to know that you have the equipment. Which is a modem and the software for the ISP (Internet Service Provider) of your choice. Most all new PCs come with a modem installed and several ISPs software already installed. If you have an older PC and don't know if it has a modem, just look at the back to see if there is a couple of phone jacks (phone plugs). Another method is to go to, Start/Settings/Control Panel/double click Modems. If you have a modem installed, it should be listed in the small window. If all of this looks correct then you can plug a phone coard from the wall outlet into the jack on the back of the PC labled, "Line" and plug your phone into the jack labled, "Phone" or has a picture of a phone. You do not need to connect a phone if you don't want to for the system to operate.

Most newer PCs come with the software installed to connect to an ISP. The choice of ISP has to be yours, and may already be determined by the access numbers available to you in your area. Many ISPs will give you some free time to evaluate their system. However, you should be aware of the difficulty that some of them put you through to turn it off if you don't like it. I advise that you only use about half of the free time offered to make your evaluation. This will give you time to turn it off before they send out that first bill. A very important item is the availablity of their "Tech Service" (Be sure it is on either a local or toll free number)and the number of times you have to attempt to log on. While in your evaluation, be sure to contact their Tech Service for assistance and note if you have to make repeated attempts to log on, access e-mail and contact tech service. Be warry of the "toll free 800 number access lines to log on. Many of them charge exsorbent amounts to use.

My advice is to only use an ISP that has a local number available to you. If several ISPs are available to you on a local number, there is another factor you should consider. You can run the test on it yourself. Log on and go to any web site then let it sit and do not move your mouse for at least 45 min. If at 15 min. you are kicked off line (even though you are paying for "unlimited time") then you need to check other ISPs available. The reason is, that ISP has sold more time on line than they can supply. They usually give you a pop up warning, but if you are using a alternative browser, the warning may come up under the window you are in and you may not notice that your 15 min is up and it will kick you off line. These are some of the things they will not tell you up front, even if you are paying for "Unlimited time" and they just hope you will live with it.

There are several free ISPs that are avilable if you don't mind the conditions they attach. An ad banner that won't go away and you may have to visit the site of their sponser. Free e-mail without the need of internet connections is available from "JUNO". No file transfer available on this one though. However, JUNO does have a ISP available which then does have file transfer available for a fee though. At the bottom of this page I will put a link to a list of freebies and pay for items.

Web space may or may not be available from an ISP. You should not make this a major consideration when choosing an ISP. The reason is that there are hundreds of free web spaces on the net. If you find an ISP that you like but it has none or not much web space available, you should use it and just go sign up on one or more of the free sites. I will list some of them too.

If you choose a free ISP, a free e-mail and free web space, free Instant Message program and even a free voice system. You still are missing file transfer. So, you then get WS_FTP or LapLink FTP and make folders on the free web space for your friends and see that they have or get an FTP program to send and receive files form you web space folders. Most of the time file transfer is 10 or 15 times faster to and from a FTP site than e-mail. Also, some systems are balky at sending a file that is around 1 meg or larger with e-mail, where as FTP can transfer files up to the size of the unused web space. ( See the FTP page20 for how to do that ) Some free web sites will not allow any downloading, so you should check that out in advance.

Most of the people I know that get into this deeply have a convential pay for ISP or cable connection and several free e-mail accounts, one or more free web spaces and one or more free Instant message programs. As you use the Internet more, you will arive at what suites you best.

If you decide to use one of the preinstalled ISPs and you like it enough to keep it, Be sure to either get the latest ver on disk so you can reinstall it if it gets damaged. If you bought the PC new, you may have a copy on a CD but it may not be the latest version. Some of the better ISPs supply a manual with the CD. An ISP's CD should be free.

Getting connected up to an ISP for the first time is sometimes a hassel as there is some configureing to do. If you have two phone lines it is easy to just call their tech line and have them walk you threw the process. If you only have one line then you should have a pensil and paper ready and insist that they talk slow enough for you to write down each item needed. If you have already installed JUNO e-mail you can ask them to e-mail the instructions.

Pay For ISPs

Mindspring - http://www.mindspring.com - ISP with e-mail and web space

Bell South - http://www.bellsouth.net

Free ISPs

 Alta Vista - http://microav.com - Free Internet access with e-mail

Free E-mail

JUNO - http://www.juno.com - Free e-mail (Internet not needed but, no file transfer) Also has a pay for Internet access with e-mail that does have file transfer

American Express - http://amexmail.com - Free e-mail

Bigfoot - http://www.bigfoot.com - Free e-mail

Free Instant Message

ICQ - http://www.icq.com Free instant message program, Instant messages, Chat, e-mail, paging, voice messages, greeting cards and more.

AOL - http://www.aol.com/aim/download.html Free instant messages. (with aol advertising)

Free Web Space

Tripod - http://www.tripod.com - Free web space

Crosswinds - http://www.crosswinds.net - Free web space and e-mail (unlimited web space)

Geocities - http://www.geocities.yahoo.com/home/ - Free web space

Free FTP programs

WS_FTP - http://www.download.com

LapLink FTP - http://www.laplinkftp.com - Free FTP program

Free Voice Contact

Media Ring - http://www.mediaring.com

Here is the Motherload of Freebies

Hard Drive Page - http://members.tripod.com/pc_harddrive - Scroll down to "FREE stuff". You will want to visit this site for advanced PC stuff.