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What is an Internet service provider (ISP)? What Is An ISP (Internet Service Provider)? What Does It Do? Does it offer discounts if you prepay the entire year up front? Does it offer a free trial? Try-before-you-buy is always a good thing. What software does the ISP supply? What software will you need? Is there an extra charge if the ISP supplies the software? What’s available? What are the general specs and parameters that meet your needs? Are you looking for a host for your business or simply a place to put up a personal website? Will a free service be sufficient, or do you need something with more features, or even a dedicated server? How much traffic do you anticipate and how much storage space do you think you will need? What other options will you need? Are you comfortable there? Is it easy to find your way around and access the information you are looking for or is the interface clumsy, poorly designed, and too difficult to figure out what to do or where to go? How “scalable” are the various services; that is, how easy will it be for you to upgrade your package as your needs and requirements change? How much disk space do you need? Can you briefly explain the different types of Internet service providers? Do I really need a broadband ISP like cable or DSL or can I survive with a dial-up ISP? What is the difference between high speed dial-up internet service and broadband internet service like cable or DSL? What exactly is high speed dial-up internet service and how does it work? Which broadband service is better - Cable or DSL? I need a broadband connection for a business -- should I go with Cable, DSL or a T1 connection? · If I sign up for a dial-up internet service plan, how do I know that I won't incur any additional expenses, like long distance or other phone charges? What are my options if DSL and cable are not offered in my area and I need internet service? · Is unlimited internet access really unlimited? · How do I cancel my current ISP? Can you briefly explain the different types of Internet access? Do I really need a broadband ISP like cable or DSL or can I survive with a dial-up ISP? Broadband vs. Dial-Up What is the difference between high speed dial-up internet service and broadband internet service like cable or DSL? High Speed Dial-up vs. Broadband What exactly is high speed dial-up internet service and how does it work? Which broadband service is better - Cable or DSL? Cable is known to have both more consistent speeds and faster maximum speeds, but this is not always the case. Why? I need a broadband connection for a business -- should I go with Cable, DSL or a T1 connection? If I sign up for a dial-up internet service plan, how do I know that I won't incur any additional expenses, like long distance or other phone charges? What are my options if DSL and cable are not offered in my area and I need internet service? Is unlimited internet access really unlimited? How do I cancel my current ISP? What is SMTP? Is my ISP's Server enough? Is it legal to send email through my ISP, will he not consider it spam? Will the ISP terminate my account for sending so many emails? What is SMTP Relay? 15 Questions To Ask Before Picking An Internet Service Provider 1. What type of Internet access do you provide? Interactive, SLIP/PPP, UUCP, DSL, Frame Relay and/or dedicated lines? What else? 2. What is your installation fee? Is it waived or can I get a reduced rate if I'm switching from another provider? 3. What are your rates for each type of account? Ask them to provide minimum, maximum, hourly and monthly flat fees. 4. Do you have any automatic cut-off features? If I am listening to or watching an Internet Broadcast will I be cut off? 5. What modem types and modem speed connections do you support? 33.6k, 56k-Flex, 56k-X2, 56K-V.90, ISDN, T1, and DSL or other type of broadband. 6. Is there a premium rate for high speed (broadband) access? 7. Do you provide an 800 number dial-in capability? What are your local dial in numbers and calling areas (cities). 8. Do you provide SPAM filtering on your servers? If you do can I control the settings? 9. What is your downtime? What are the chances of getting a busy signal when I dial in? 10. What Internet functions do you provide? Options include e-mail, news and subscription feeds, World wide Web, telnet, file transfer, gopher, Internet relay chat, listservers, UNIX shell. 11. What are the hours for your technical support and help desk? What is you average hold time before being connected to a technical support person? 12. How much help will you give me to configure my software? 13. Do you have any preconfigured software for your customers? Is it on CD-ROM or Diskette? 14. What kind of documentation do I get with my account? How much are you willing to help me set up? 15. Do you provide a method of keeping customers up to date? All Free ISP: Help and FAQs Frequently Asked Questions 1. Are these free internet service providers really free? 2. Why would I use a discount provider if free internet access is available? 3. Does All Free ISP offer free internet access? 4. Can you help me with installing, connecting or other technical problems? 5. Will these free internet service providers always be free? 6. What if I can't find a discount / free internet service provider in my town? 7. How do I suggest a free ISP that isn't listed in All Free ISP? 8. What about telephone connection charges? 9. How do you determine the ISP ratings? 10. How do I cancel my old ISP? 11. What is the difference between POP3 and Web email? 12. Can I link to All-Free-ISP.com? |
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What is an Internet service provider (ISP)? An Internet service provider (ISP) is any organization through which you can arrange Internet access. This can be an educational institution or employer, but ISPs are typically commercial or community organizations offering broadband or dial-up access, usually along with other services such as web hosting and email. http://kb.iu.edu/data/glos.html An ISP is a company that provides access to the internet through modems, ISDN, T1s, etc. It is an organization that provides and sells physical internet access for global users. An ISP arranges access to the Internet for organizations and/or individuals. Access services provided by ISP’s may include web hosting, e-mail, VoIP (voice over IP), and support for many other applications. You may have tried one of the traditionally big online services such as AOL, MSN, Prodigy, Compuserve, or WebTV to get access to the Inernet. They apparently make every effort to assure that your first Internet experiences give you successful access to the WWW. A time may come when you will want to have your own website, with your own domain, and have it hosted with an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The big online services can connect you to the internet, so do ISP’s. The big difference between the two is the kind of content! The online services provide proprietary (company owned) content; that is, large quantities of materials that include ads and promotional presentations. Most ISP’s include very little (if any) original or promotional content; and they may do so only when it is “free” or at a very low price. You are expected to provide your own subject matter; regardless of quality. You will probably discover that an ISP can provide you with services that are just as good, or better, at the same price or less than the big online services. Not all ISP’s are created with the same characteristics. Some are very good, some are very bad, and some are both good and bad. Some Things That An Internet Service Provider Can Do: Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) equip users with access to the internet through a connection to the ISP’s computer network. ISP’s will set up a user with an account user name and password and the account holder can connect to the ISP’s computer through an internet connection (usually dial up modems). Once the connection has been achieved, the account holder is able to surf the internet and to upload pages of content to a website. ISP’s virtually always set the user up with one or more e-mail addresses; depending on which service program is chosen. ISP’s will also supply the account holder with web space for his/her website. In summary, the services that an ISP offers vary considerably and Internet users should be mindfull of the following: Charges for the service, set up, and on-going costs. Customer Service or level of support should things go wrong. The kinds of services that are provided; such as, webspace, e-mail addresses, FTP uploading, and much more. The connection speeds that are provided. The kinds of payment plans that are available. Access that is reliable. Some ISP’s suffer with constantly busy systems. This is a bad sign! Here Are Some Questions That You Should Ask of Any Potential ISP Before You Sign Up: How much does it cost? This may not be the most important factor but it’s a good place to start. Shop around for the price that is best for you. Does it offer discounts if you prepay the entire year up front? This is a good option, providing that it fits into your budget, and if you choose a good ISP. It’s a bad option if the ISP turns out to be less than desirable. Does it offer a free trial? Try-before-you-buy is always a good thing. What software does the ISP supply? What software will you need? Is there an extra charge if the ISP supplies the software? Most of the software that you need can be obtained on the internet or is included as part of your contract. How good is the customer support? Some will provide customer support “24 hours a day, 7 days a week;” with a special toll-free number. Most aren’t quite that good. Call the customer support number a few times before you decide to sign up. Take it as a bad sign if you frequently get a busy signal or if there is no answer. Does the ISP charge a “setup” fee? Some do; most don’t. If you live in a city with many ISP’s hosting services, find one that doesn’t charge you for the privilege of taking your business to them. There are ways to find Internet Service Providers in your area by searching on the Internet. You may also check your local phone book. Ask others who have websites for recommendations. The first five things you should keep in mind when you consider using an ISP Hosting Service: * As usual, care, caution, and curiosity are advised. * Do not be too quick to sign up with a web host or a potential partner! * Shop around for the one that has as many of the best qualities that you are looking for as possible; at a price you can afford, of course. * Everyone has different needs and requirements, so you must select one from among the thousands out there that meets your needs on a number of levels; be it speed, bandwidth, support and service, or, in the human realm, intelligence, humor, support, and service. Point #1: Search and Investigate * Surf the internet by taking advantage of search engines; such as, HUMANSERVICESGLOBE, GOOGLE, AOL, MSN, et al. * What’s available? What are the general specs and parameters that meet your needs? * Hosting directories may save you loads of time and frustration, because the good ones have already done most of the work for you. Point #2: Decide What You Need and Want * We all have different needs. * You should decide what yours are before contacting any web hosts. * Are you looking for a host for your business or simply a place to put up a personal website? * Will a free service be sufficient, or do you need something with more features, or even a dedicated server? * How much traffic do you anticipate and how much storage space do you think you will need? * What other options will you need? * Once you start looking around, you will quickly learn which options are available and which ones you may want. * Make a list of your requirements so you are prepared when it comes time to question potential web-host providers. Point #3: Make a List of Server Hosts * Use the web-hosting directories, search engines, and any referrals you can get from friends and colleagues to make a short list of possible web hosts that you are considering. * You can add to this list as you go along, but at least you will have something to work with as you continue your quest for your ideal web hosting partner and he/she will be more of a partner in your business than you can possibly anticipate. * You should take your time, do your homework, and be prepared before contacting a salesperson. Point #4: Try Out and Experience the Hosts * Now that you have a working short list of web hosts, go to their sites and, again, look around—more closely this time. * Get a feel for their professionalism, look at their client lists, check out their different packages and test their customer service. * See how you feel with the interface that is presented. * Are you comfortable there? * Is it easy to find your way around and access the information you are looking for or is the interface clumsy, poorly designed, and too difficult to figure out what to do or where to go? * While you are visiting these sites, read their fine print. * Use a magnifying glass if necessary so you can see what they have to say about the all-important issues of reliability and refunds. * A web host is worth nothing if it is not up virtually all the time serving your pages to prospective visitors to your site. * “Virtually” means 99% - 99.5% uptime, the actual time the host is functional and receptive to users. * The web host should provide some sort of refund—either a pro-rated refund or a discount—if it falls below its stated claim. * Find out what you must do to get that refund; specifically, what sort of documentation or proof must you provide, or will the ISP host freely admit to the downtimes and give you the appropriate credit? * Some hosts are actually very good with this; others are not. * Find out what kinds of trial periods, if any, are offered, and exactly which refunds will be given to you in the event you are not satisfied. * That is, does the ISP host refund all payments you have paid to it, or only monthly fees, but not setup fees, etc. * Take some time to read these details—you may be glad you did when things do not work out as promised. Point #5: Evaluate the Available Packages * Now, your short list should be getting even shorter. * It’s time to check out which packages are available and what it costs for the specifications you are looking for. * Examine and evaluate their different packages, and you will soon see that many are grouped according to similar criteria. * Ask yourself not only what you really need right now, but what you might need later if your business and website expands. * For example, you may not need e-commerce today, but what about in the future? * How “scalable” are the various services; that is, how easy will it be for you to upgrade your package as your needs and requirements change? * How much disk space do you need? * Most average websites actually use less than 5MB of web space, so there is no point in choosing a package that offers 200MB or 500MB, or especially “unlimited disk space;” particularly, if you have a small web site. * In fact, when you see the phrase “unlimited disk space”, cross that host off your short list because it is insulting your intelligence and preying on those who are impressed by what they perceive to be unlimited usage. * They would go out of business “tomorrow” if this offer were actually put into practice by website customers. In fact, some hosting services have gone out of business for this very reason! * Other specs and options you need to look at and compare are the number of POP3 mail accounts and aliases the ISP offers and what kind of access it will allow you, and how. * Most servers have some form of domain or “Admin Control Panel” for you to use to administer your account. * Try it out and see if you understand it and feel comfortable with it. * If you do have a problem understanding where to go and how to do it, check to see if the customer service will be patient and give you the guidance you need to successfully use the services. * Other more technical features you need to be aware of include FTP, CGI-Bin access, SSI, .htaccess, telnet, crontabs, PHP, and others. Five more things you should keep in mind when you consider using an ISP Hosting Service: Point #6: Get Recommendations from Others * Now that you have narrowed your list down to a number of contenders, it is time to see what others have to say about them; and who better to ask first than current users of their services. * Most reputable hosting services will have a partial client list of customers who use them. * If they don’t have such a list on their site, then ask the web host for them in your test e-mail. * Contact these customers and ask them if they are satisfied with the services provided. * Be sure to ask about any problems these clients may have had with each of the ISP’s you are investigating, if the host has been down much in the past, how the customer service and technical support is, and if they would recommend the web host you are checking. * While you’re at it, consider the type of clients this host has. * One important question to ask web hosts is if they are hosting any adult sites. * These sites often use up substantial server resources, and you do not want to be sharing a server with any bandwidth hogs. * In fact, if your company size and budget warrants it, you should look into getting your own dedicated server so you can avoid the big-time bandwidth users. * Most web hosts are not stupid enough to list their unhappy (former) customers in their client lists; so, it is important that you take the initiative to explore whatever dark sides these hosts may be trying to hide. * This should not be too difficult given the resources available on the web today. * Be sure to check the web hosting directories and guides, which often have forums, reviews of hosting companies, and even blacklists. * You could save yourself a world of grief by checking these out before spending your money. Point #7: Evaluate Customer Services and Technical Support * Contact them and ask the support staff a few technical questions of the type you anticipate you will be asking when you host with them. * Then determine how quickly and efficiently they respond. * This is what can make or break a web host. * This is the contact point between Us and Them. * Funny thing, then, that so many web hosts apparently pay so little attention to customer service and technical support. * It is not at all “funny” if you don’t get the customer service and/or technical support that you need. * It takes a truly professional, committed company to invest the funds necessary to establish and maintain high quality support departments. * This is why you must assess a prospective web host. * Unfortunately, there will be times, hopefully less rather than more, that you will need accessible, efficient, and personal technical, and customer support. * So add this to your list of questions for your e-mail, look around their sites for contact points, and see what their online help files look like. * You should be able to judge whether a company cares about its relationship with you, or if it is simply trying to dodge and avoid you by making any contact all but impossible. Point #8: Check Out Responses from the Host Provider with E-mails * Use the list you have made to write an e-mail to your prospective web hosts. This will be useful in several ways: First, it will help you define and articulate your needs, so that by the time you have finished the e-mail, you will have a better idea of what you are actually looking for. Second, your e-mail will be very useful in determining the different web hosts’ level of customer service. * Although their sales departments may respond more quickly than their technical support people, at least you can eliminate those hosts that do not even bother to respond to your inquiry. * It seems that all too many web hosts have more customers than they know what to do with, at least, judging by the slowness or complete absence of responses to inquiries and requests for assistance. * Be that as it may, there are those out there who do want your business, and are willing to take the time necessary to build working relationships with their clients. * Obviously, these are the ones that deserve your business, and they are well worth seeking out. * Send your test e-mail to them and see which among them actually wants and deserves your business and hard-earned money. * Finally, just because a host says that it has 24/7 customer support does not mean that it really offers that level of support. * Test each one out by sending your e-mail after hours or on a Saturday afternoon to see how long it actually takes for you to receive a response. * In addition to the speed of the responses, judge the quality, competence, and care taken in the responses to you. * Test them even further by requiring that a real person with an actual name and e-mail to administer your account be assigned to you, so that this person will be familiar with your site and any problems it may have. * This will do wonders for the web hosts’ accountability and sense of responsibility. Point #9: Decide on Payment Limits * After looking over your list of criteria, you may decide that you need all or most of the features you have written down. * The price, however, might convince you to go somewhat lower. * If the web host has scalable packages, you can always upgrade to those other features later. * Choose a host that offers you most of what you need at the most reasonable price and with options to upgrade later for additional reasonable rates. * While you are looking at prices, keep in mind these admonitions: “You get what you pay for.” and “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!” * This doesn’t mean you should choose the most expensive plan. * Generally, you should be able to find an acceptable virtual domain provider for your domain site between $10 and $25 per month, including as much server space as you need (depending on your content requirements). * Consider paying somewhat more for extra server space and better customer service. * That way, even if your website expands, you won’t have to go through the trouble of changing web hosting companies. * You will never regret going with the “host with the most” in the area of customer service, you can be sure of that. * There is nothing more frustrating than having to wait for a response from your web host for days and days while your site is down or important features are not functioning properly. * There are free sites around, but most require you to display banner advertising and offer few features, not to mention abysmal or non-existent customer service. * A site with a banner and annoying pop-ups does not highlight your commitment to having a professional site; although, for a small, personal homepage it may be fine for your purposes. * Finally, most web hosting companies offer monthly, quarterly, and yearly payment options, so be sure to ask about their minimum commitment period as well as their refund and cancellation policies. * You should also receive a discount for longer time periods paid for in advance. * Exercising due diligence in these matters pays off many times over in the long run. * After all of these points have been completed, it is finally time to make the big commitment. Point #10: Make Your Final Choice and Carpe Diem [Seize the Day] or “Just Do It!” * After having completed all the steps outlined above, you should be in a good position to make your decision. * Start by eliminating all those hosts who have not responded to your e-mail or have responded inadequately. * You should have a very short list indeed by this time, and chances are you already know who you would like to work with and who you want to be your web hosting partner. * All that is left to do then is place your order and upload your site to the Web Host using the information that will be provided. * If you’re not certain, sign up for web host that offers a money-back guarantee. * Of course you will need to inform your registrar about your new DNS information, or register a domain name, so people will be able to find you on the internet. * Now that you have a happy home for your website, you are well situated to begin the exciting work of promoting your site, letting others know about it, and establishing yourself as a real presence on the amazing World Wide Web. · Can you briefly explain the different types of Internet service providers? · Do I really need a broadband ISP like cable or DSL or can I survive with a dial-up ISP? · What is the difference between high speed dial-up internet service and broadband internet service like cable or DSL? · What exactly is high speed dial-up internet service and how does it work? · Which broadband service is better - Cable or DSL? · I need a broadband connection for a business -- should I go with Cable, DSL or a T1 connection? · If I sign up for a dial-up internet service plan, how do I know that I won't incur any additional expenses, like long distance or other phone charges? · What are my options if DSL and cable are not offered in my area and I need internet service? · Is unlimited internet access really unlimited? · How do I cancel my current ISP? Can you briefly explain the different types of Internet access? There are many different ways to connect to the Interenet, so here are brief explanations of the most common types of Internet access. Note: The terms "Internet access" and "Internet service" are interchangeable. The acronym ISP refers to Internet Service Providers. Please visit the ISP Glossary for definitions of any unknown terms. Dial-Up Internet Access: This type of Internet service utilizes your telephone line and a modem to connect to the Internet. In order to connect, you must dial-in with a modem over your telephone line. Thus, this type of Internet access is not "always on" - you must connect when you want to be online. The main downfall of dial-up Internet service is slow overall speed. Also, while you are online, the modem can tie up your phone line. In many cases, you won't be able to use the telephone and be online at the same time. DSL Internet Access: DSl stands for Digital Subscriber Line. DSL Internet access is a type of internet connection that utilizes telephone (copper) wires to transmit data at high speeds. DSL is a broadband, or high-speed, type of internet connection, and is an "always on" connection. This means that you don't have to dial in and connect like dial-up plans. Also, unlike dial-up Internet service, DSL does not usually "tie up" your phone line. You can normally be online and using the telephone at the same time. Cable Internet Access: This is a type of broadband (high-speed) Internet access that utilizes cable TV lines and cable modems and has a much higher maximum speed than traditional dial-up access. Cable Internet runs through your cable line and is not associated with your telephone service. Also, cable Internet service is an "always on" connection, meaning that you don't have to dial in and connect anywhere like dial-up plans. Overall, dial-up Internet service is generally cheaper than both DSL and cable. However, dial-up service generally has slower connection speeds and can tie up your telephone line. See other FAQs for information about DSL vs. Cable. Do I really need a broadband ISP like cable or DSL or can I survive with a dial-up ISP? Broadband vs. Dial-Up If you choose a broadband service like cable or DSL, you can expect Web pages to load at least two or three times faster than with a standard dial-up service. Depending on different factors, the page-loading speed can be five times faster or more. So, if you surf the Web a couple of hours a day, the increased page-loading speed can save you a lot of time (and frustration). Broadband internet service will also allow you to download large files much faster than a dial-up connection. However, if downloading large files faster is not much of a concern but you do want to be able to surf the Web faster, high speed dial-up internet service might be the way to go. See the next question for more information on high speed dial-up service vs. broadband service. All in all, broadband internet access like cable or DSL will give you an always-on connection and allow you to surf the Web much faster and download large files much easier. However, installation of broadband internet service is often more costly and time consuming, and broadband service overall is considerably more expensive than traditional dial-up service. If you can accept the higher cost and are online a lot (frequent emailing, downloading music, etc.), then a broadband connection might be right for you. If you are online infrequently and/or only use your ISP for occasional email, a dial-up internet access plan might be the way to go. What is the difference between high speed dial-up internet service and broadband internet service like cable or DSL? High Speed Dial-up vs. Broadband High-speed dial-up internet service can allow you to surf the Web at near-broadband speeds but will not help speed up your large file downloads. Broadband service brings the convenience of an always-on connection, while high speed dial-up plans do not. With any dial-up plan, you must tie up a phone line in order to be online. High speed dial-up service can be considerably less expensive than broadband service and the set up process for high speed dial-up is generally less expensive and takes less time. In fact, some high speed dial-up ISP's allow free trials of their service. Free trials are tough to come by with broadband providers, although some broadband providers do offer initial discounts. All in all, high speed dial-up service provides a faster and less-frustrating surfing experience than traditional dial-up service but lacks some of the perks that broadband service can provide. See the next question for more information on how high speed dial-up service works. What exactly is high speed dial-up internet service and how does it work? The technology behind high speed dial-up services varies from company to company. With that in mind, most high speed dial-up ISP's use some form of data compression to provide a faster Web surfing experience. Most high speed dial-up ISP's optimize Web pages by compressing images and other page components, which speeds up the download these pages. Most also utilize some sort of caching technology to speed things up. Caching involves the storage of commonly viewed Web pages (or parts of Web pages), which allows for faster downloads of these pages in the future. Because high speed dial-up services don't speed up your actual Internet connection, they will not help speed up your large file downloads. The benefits of a high speed dial-up service come mainly in the form of faster Web browsing, especially of commonly viewed pages - including Web-based email accounts. Which broadband service is better - Cable or DSL? Cable vs. DSL This is a tough question to answer, as the two services are very similar. The best way to answer is: Sometimes DSL and sometimes cable. One thing is certain in most cases - both cable and DSL provide a much-improved overall experience when compared to standard dial-up internet service. Cable is known to have both more consistent speeds and faster maximum speeds, but this is not always the case. Why? Because DSL speeds can depend on your physical distance from the ISP's central location. If you live closer to the central location, your speed can be faster and vice versa. DSL is known to be slightly cheaper overall, but this, too, is not always the case. The cost of broadband Internet service varies widely from location to location. Cable internet service is known to be slightly more accessible right now, but (you guessed it) this is not always the case. This, too, depends on your location. If you are choosing between a local DSL company and a local cable company, try to find out the word on the street. Ask around. Cable and DSL performance and service can vary from location to location. See what you can find out about each ISP's reliabilty and customer service -- these factors may end up being more important than anything else. I need a broadband connection for a business -- should I go with Cable, DSL or a T1 connection? A T1 connection is a dedicated line, meaning that you are connected directly to your ISP. Because it is not shared, a T1 line will provide greater and more consistent bandwidth. This means that dozens or even hundreds of employees can often be connected to the same T1 line without issue. A T1 line is private and can support many users. So, the answer to the above question depends on the number of people that need to be online and how integral a steady connection is to your business. If your business is small and/or is not dependent on the presence of a consitent internet connection, Cable or DSL might fit your needs. If your business is larger and/or is dependent on the presence of a consistent internet connection, a T1 line might be the wisest choice. If I sign up for a dial-up internet service plan, how do I know that I won't incur any additional expenses, like long distance or other phone charges? Whether or not you will incur any additional phone charges (like long distance charges) depends on the access numbers that you choose. ISP's do not benefit from additional phone charges -- your phone company does. Before signing up with an ISP, peruse their list of access numbers and hopefully you will find a couple of local numbers. The best way to avoid the probability of incurring any additional phone charges is to sign up with an ISP that owns a lot of access numbers. If you want to be extra careful, write down some of the possible numbers before signing up and contact your local phone company. They should be able to tell you if you will incur any additional charges by accessing those particular numbers. What are my options if DSL and cable are not offered in my area and I need internet service? As long as you have a phone line, you should be able to sign up for a dial-up internet access plan. However, if you live far away from any metropolitan areas, be sure to check out an ISP's access numbers before signing up. If a local access number is not available, you may incur additional phone charges, such as long distance charges, from your local phone company as a result. If you need a high speed internet connection, your only real option at this point is satellite internet service. Satellite internet access plans can be quite expensive and installation can be costly as well. Be sure to look over the terms and conditions of a specific plan before signing up. Is unlimited internet access really unlimited? Sometimes yes and sometimes no. Most broadband plans do, in fact, allow unlimited internet access. However, some dial-up companies can set limits on hourly usage in certain circumstances. Most dial-up internet service plans are not made to be used as an "always on" internet connection like DSL or cable, so most dial-up ISP's reserve the right to impose a time restriction if they feel that it is necessary. Be sure to look over the terms and conditions of a specific plan before signing up. How do I cancel my current ISP? In most cases, signing up with a new Internet Service Provider (ISP) does not automatically cancel your service with your current ISP. The best way to cancel your current ISP is to call that ISP's customer service number. You most likely received contact information, including a customer service number, when you signed up. A customer service phone number should also be easily found on that ISP's main Web site. What is SMTP? SMTP is an acronym for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. Majority of internet providers nowadays, use this protocol to send email. When using SMTP, there should be a client sending the messages and the server receiving them. Advanced Emailer utilizes this protocol and acts as SMTP client to distribute email messages to subscribers. In most cases you will configure and use your Advanced Emailer the same way you do with your regular email client like Microsoft Outlook. You will specify the SMTP server that Internet provider gave you. When the SMTP Client sends email messages, it connects to the SMTP server you have specified and communicates to it using SMTP protocol. Is my ISP's Server enough? That would depend on the amount of mail you are sending. The general answer would be: Yes. In most cases one SMTP server would be enough for your small to medium corporation needs. Only if you have a large business and you are sending tens of thousands of email messages every day, you might consider getting more than one SMTP Server. You can configure as many SMTP servers as you want in the Advanced Emailer. Is it legal to send email through my ISP, will he not consider it spam? When you have a legitimate busieness and you are sending only subscription based email messages to your customers or people who explicitly asked for it, giving them a way to unsubscribe themselves from the mailing list, it is not considered a bad practice or spam. You can refer to the What is spam and to What is not spam FAQ's in order to get a better idea about the spam problem. Will the ISP terminate my account for sending so many emails? That will depend on your agreement with your provider, and the amount of messages you are sending. When you have a small buseness and you are sending 100-200 messages a day, your ISP will probably not even notice that. If you are becoming a larger enterprice, you should consider getting into a special agreement with your ISP, or installing and using your own SMTP Servers (There are many servers available for free on the internet like Sendmail at http://www.sendmail.org). What is SMTP Relay? SMTP Relay is a service provided by most modern SMTP Servers. Whenever you send email to someone that is not on the same network as you are, somebody will need to deliver that email. This includes retrying in case the connection on the other party is slow and, in some cases, sending bounce back messages, informing you that this recepient cannot be reached. If you utilize an ISP's server, you can most likely count on the fact, that the server will be always up and running for you when you need it. 15 Questions To Ask Before Picking An Internet Service Provider 1. What type of Internet access do you provide? Interactive, SLIP/PPP, UUCP, DSL, Frame Relay and/or dedicated lines? What else? 2. What is your installation fee? Is it waived or can I get a reduced rate if I'm switching from another provider? 3. What are your rates for each type of account? Ask them to provide minimum, maximum, hourly and monthly flat fees. 4. Do you have any automatic cut-off features? If I am listening to or watching an Internet Broadcast will I be cut off? 5. What modem types and modem speed connections do you support? 33.6k, 56k-Flex, 56k-X2, 56K-V.90, ISDN, T1, and DSL or other type of broadband. 6. Is there a premium rate for high speed (broadband) access? 7. Do you provide an 800 number dial-in capability? What are your local dial in numbers and calling areas (cities). 8. Do you provide SPAM filtering on your servers? If you do can I control the settings? 9. What is your downtime? What are the chances of getting a busy signal when I dial in? 10. What Internet functions do you provide? Options include e-mail, news and subscription feeds, World wide Web, telnet, file transfer, gopher, Internet relay chat, listservers, UNIX shell. 11. What are the hours for your technical support and help desk? What is you average hold time before being connected to a technical support person? 12. How much help will you give me to configure my software? 13. Do you have any preconfigured software for your customers? Is it on CD-ROM or Diskette? 14. What kind of documentation do I get with my account? How much are you willing to help me set up? 15. Do you provide a method of keeping customers up to date? All Free ISP: Help and FAQs Frequently Asked Questions 1. Are all of these free internet service providers really free? 2. Why would I use a discount provider if free internet access is available? 3. Does All Free ISP offer free internet access? 4. Can you help me with installing, connecting, or other technical problems? 5. Will these free internet service providers always be free? 6. What if I can't find a discount / free internet service provider in my town? 7. How do I suggest a free ISP that isn't listed in All Free ISP? 8. What about telephone connection charges? 9. How do you determine the ISP ratings? 10. How do I cancel my old ISP? 11. What is the difference between POP3 and Web email? 12. Can I link to All-Free-ISP.com? 1. Are these free internet service providers really free? Some of the free ISPs listed in All Free ISP are totally free. They are generally supported by advertising shown while you are connected to the internet. However, besides for free internet service providers, we also list full-service discount internet providers that are not free. In addition, several of the free internet service providers also offer 'premium' internet access for a fee. Be sure you do not sign up for the premium service if you want free internet access. Always read and understand the terms of service and license agreements before you accept them, so there aren't any surprises. Please contact us if any of the providers listed in All Free ISP have changed their service from that described in our information. 2. Why would I use a discount provider if free internet access is available? Unfortunately, the features and quality of service available from free internet service providers has drastically declined. Many of the best free ISPs went out of business or started charging for their service. Those that still offer free internet access often have reliability problems and have established strict usage limits that only allow a minimal amount of surfing each month. For reliable, unlimited internet access, discount internet providers are the best option, which is why we began supplementing our free ISP listings with select free trial and discount internet service providers. In addition, free internet service providers have advertisements which take up screen space, slow down your surfing and can cause your computer to crash. Most discount ISPs do not have ads, so you have faster, more reliable internet access and your full screen available. Additionally, discount ISPs usually have other services that free internet service providers often lack such as Usenet news servers and free technical support. Tech support at free ISPs can be non-existent or extremely expensive (via 1-900 numbers), so discount internet services are also a better choice if you will need any assistance. 3. Does All Free ISP offer free internet access? No, we do not offer free internet service directly. We are a comprehensive database of free isp dialup access numbers and information on companies that offer free internet access. All Free ISP is the fastest way to find a free isp in your local calling area and the easiest way to compare free internet providers to find which one has the best service, features and reliability. In addition, All Free ISP also lists select high-quality ISPs with discount rates or free trials for those looking for fast, reliable, unlimited Internet access. Most of the free trial and discount ISPs we list provide All Free ISP with compensation for referrals, so our listings can be considered as advertisements for these services. 4. Can you help me with installing, connecting or other technical problems? No. We cannot provide technical support for any of these discount / free internet service providers. Please use the technical support provided by your free ISP. On the information page for each discount / free internet service provider, we provide comprehensive contact information including how to reach technical support. 5. Will these free internet service providers always be free? There are no guarantees that any of the free isps included here will continue to offer free internet access forever. Most of the free internet service providers depend on banner advertising revenue to cover the costs, and they may not earn enough to continue the service. Because of this, several free internet service providers have started charging and most of the others went out of business and shut down. Some of the remaining free ISPs such as NetZero have cut costs by limiting the hours you may use the service each month and no longer offer unlimited free internet access. 6. What if I can't find a discount / free internet service provider in my town? Consult your phone book or contact your telephone company to see if other nearby cities are in your local calling area. In many metro areas, several area codes may be within your local calling area, so you will want to try those as well. If you still can't find a local access number after trying other cities and area codes, bookmark All Free ISP and check back often, since we are always updating the database with new discount and free ISPs and new access numbers from current providers. 7. How do I suggest a free ISP that isn't listed in All Free ISP? As a comprehensive source of free isp information, we welcome suggestions of new free internet service providers. Before you contact us with your suggestion, be sure it isn't already included by browsing the complete list of free isps on the free ISP ratings page. Also note that we do not list free internet service providers until their service is actually online and operational, and we do not list all the different AffinityPath co-brands. Although we try to list all free internet service providers, we only list a select group of discount ISPs. Since there are thousands of pay ISPs, it would not be practical to list them all and keep their information up to date. The discount internet providers we include are ones we believe should offer quality internet access at a reasonable price. Most of the free trial and discount ISPs we list provide All Free ISP with compensation for referrals, which provides us with the capital necessary to earn income and continue to offer our information for free. 8. What about telephone connection charges? Although the internet access is free, you are responsible for any phone charges incurred when connecting to free internet service providers. Be sure to consult your phone book or contact your telephone company to verify that the dialup access numbers you select are within your local calling area. If you connect using a long distance or local toll access number to any free or discount ISP, you may incur substantial telephone charges that are your responsibility. 9. How do you determine the ISP ratings? ISP ratings are based on our testing and review of each ISP, along with feedback we receive from users. The most important criteria for our ratings are reliability, speed, features, limitations and customer service. The number of dialup access numbers provided and whether or not the ISP is free are not factors in the rating, since these aspects are already displayed independently in our listings. 10. How do I cancel my old ISP? Use the following links for information on canceling with some of the biggest Internet service providers: * Cancel AOL * Cancel Earthlink * Cancel Juno * Cancel MSN * Cancel NetZero * Cancel ATT 11. What is the difference between POP3 and Web email? Web mail accounts are email accounts you can access over the internet through your web browser (i.e. Netscape or Internet Explorer). Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail are examples of web based free email accounts. On the other hand, POP3 ( Post Office Protocol version 3) email accounts are accessible through email applications such as Outlook, Eudora, or Netscape Messenger. Most free internet service providers only offer one of these email options, so your preference here could be used to decide between various free isps. However, some free internet access providers and most discount ISPs offer both POP3 and web based email, so you can use either. This can be nice because POP3 may be more convenient for your home computer, but web based email is nice when you are using other computers such as at work, school or when traveling. 12. Can I link to All-Free-ISP.com? As long as your site does not contain obscene content, we welcome you to link to our site. |