Questions to ask before
Signing up for an Internet account

What kind of Internet access do your offer?

Text-only access: Unix Shell command line Internet access?

Graphical access: Do you offer PPP (Point to Point Protocol) and SLIP access? Are SLIP and PPP the same price? Note: PPP is better option than SLIP.

Can I have both PPP (graphical) and Unix Shell (text-only) for one price?

Gateway access to the Internet through a proprietary online service
Am I restricted to using your e-mail software?

Setting up an account

How complicated is it? Will you supply software and/or customer services for setup? What other software if any will I have to buy?

What is the average time required for a novice user to set up an account? Will you send any printed documentation to help me get started? Do you supply all or some of the software I need to get started? How do I get the software I need?

About e-mail

What kinds of e-mail accounts do you offer?
Post Office Protocol only (where all your messages are automatically downloaded when you dial-up) or
Unix e-mail (where you can connect from any computer to read and compose your messages on the provider's host computer) or
A proprietary e-mail system (such as on some national online services)

e-mail features
Can I compose my messages offline?
Do you supply the e-mail software or do I have to purchase it or download it myself?
Can I request an e-mail address using my own name or some easy to remember word or will I have to accept some randomly generated sequence of numbers and letters?
Can I attach files to my e-mail messages?
Is there a per message fee?
How much disk space do I get for e-mail?
How long will you keep my mail on your server before you delete it?

What other Intenet services come with my account?

Are newsgroups, telnet, ftp, gopher, and other Internet services included? What about the software for these services if I am getting SLIP or PPP service?

About Customer service?

Phone support. Is it free? Is it a local telephone call? How long it the average wait? What kind of online help do you offer?

About web browsers

Graphical browsers
Am I restricted to a single browser program? (For example AOL and Prodigy required you to use it' s own Mac and PC browsers.) Will you sypply me with browser software?

Can I also access the lynx text browser via the same or a different number with my account?

Performance issues

  • How many local dial-in lines do you have?
  • How many users do you have on those lines?
  • How many total users on your system?
  • What are your busiest times?
  • Should I expect problems connecting at those times?

    Note: The speed of the connection at any one time is a function of bandwidth, usage, and server capacity, not merely how much data the fastest installed line is capable of carrying.

    About pricing

    Is it a local call?

    Is there a set-up fee?
    What does it cost and what do does the set fee include?

    Graphical access accounts (SLIP or PPP) average $25-$60 month for 20-100 hours of access time.

    Many providers offer low introductory fees.
    Be aware of the fine print? When does the introductory rate end and what will the regular price be? What is the hourly rate charged if I exceed the number of hours I've contracted for?

    Note: Beware of some free trial accounts
    Most providers require that you supply a credit card number online or over the phone before they will set up a free trial account for you. With some of the national providers who offer 5-10 free hours, the free time must be used during the month you signed on. If you sign up on October 30, your free month is over at the end of the next day and billing starts on Nov.1.

    Privacy Issues

    What's the procedure for cancelling an account or disputing a bill?

    If I cancel by e-mail what kind of confirmation will I receive?
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