Changing | Local | Inexpensive | Considerations

	ISP Service
I'll setup your Dial-Up ISP $60   for the price of a incident call! Contact me first so I know what kind of service is right for you.

	Tech Terms
See a word or phrase in the text to the right, type it in the box below... Click Get Term.  It will take you to internet.com's Webopedia with a definition.

The right ISP

Short for Internet Service Provider, an ISP is a company that offers access to the Internet for a fee. All ISPs give you a username, password and access phone number. With a modem in your computer, you can log on, surf the Internet, and send and receive e-mail. Larger ISP companies like America Online, Earthlink, or Microsoft Network supply you with a software package that automates the process of connecting to the Internet, but this help comes at a price - you must look at annoying pop-up ads and be "cookied" as a marketing guinea pig as you conduct your surfing and e-mail activities. While you can live with this, it's important to know that YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT UP WITH INTRUSIVE MARKETING! Part of the beauty of the Internet is your anonymity.

Changing ISPs

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If changing your e-mail address and loosing your address book are the biggest problems keeping you from changing ISPs, there's a new technology that make it easier - Esaya's TrueSwitch. The free application automates the process of migrating a new subscriber's address book, calendar and saved e-mail messages from AOL to MSN, AT&T, GBROnline (Great Barrier Reef), or iVillageAccess.

Many smaller ISPs give you a username, password and access phone number and that's it - no additional software to install. (You use the tools that are built into the Windows Operating System) The ISP, you, or someone like myself will set the service up for you. I also install a "pop-up stopper" (like the one Panicware offers) that allows you to surf the net pop-up free.

Local ISPs

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Personally, I feel it's important to support the local economy (when it makes sense), and I like doing business with smaller companies (if the value is there). Here's three reputable companies here in Colorado Springs area: 

1. PCI Systems $19.95 per month
2. Code:Net $17.95 per month
3. DataWest $16.95 per month

If you click on their link, it won't take you to their home page, it takes you to a findanisp.com link, a website that does a great job of comparing ISPs.

Inexpensive ISPs

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And while the companies listed above are great, there are other (non-local that have a local dial-up number) ISPs that can do it even cheaper:

1. 1ConnecToNet $9.95 per month 
2. Joi Internet $6.95 per month
3. AllVantage $5.95 per month

Still looking for a really great, FREE ISP? You're about three years too late. When the Internet stock bubble burst, the concept of a free ISP account no longer made sense. 

Things to Consider

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Before choosing an ISP, take some time to consider how you plan to use the Internet and your e-mail. Findanisp.com has a great checklist that will help you make a wise decision when choosing or changing ISPs. 
If you're fed up with your current service, feel overwhelmed with all the ISP options, and would feel more comfortable having someone else setup and configure your dial-up service, contact me and I will help you make a decision that works for you.