Dial Up Buying Guide Tips
Read these 23 Dial Up Buying Guide Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Dial Up tips and hundreds of other topics.
Use the Earthlink Photo Center for all of your photo needs.
Earthlink has a Photo Center for a member's every digital photo need. It is a one-stop shopping center for uploading digital photos, developing film, and ordering photo prints online. They even offer specialty items such as mugs, bags, posters, etc. that can have pictures printed on them. This service is offered by Earthlink through Snapfish. They offer the first roll of film to be developed for free and if the member uploads their digital photos to the site they will get 10 free 4x6 prints on quality Kodak paper. The service offers prints for as low as 15 cents each and film developing for as low as $2.99 per roll with a $1.99 shipping and handling charge. It has unlimited online storage capacity for photos, online editing tools, and online photo sharing. The Earthlink Photo Center is free for 30-days to all Earthlink members. If a member should choose to drop Earthlink as an internet service provider their account will be maintained by Snapfish. If the member chooses to discontinue the Earthlink Photo Center they need only to contact Earthlink to do so. It's that simple. The monthly fee is $6.95 after the trial period.
Never miss a call with Earthlink's Internet Call Waiting service.
Earthlink provides an Internet Call Waiting ISP service that is optional for members of Earthlink. The Internet Call Waiting service is $3.95 per month for the basic service and $6.95 per month for the pro service. It comes with a 30-day free trial period and if the member does not desire to keep the service they can cancel at any time. The call waiting service is a way for members to keep their dial-up service without allowing it to interfere with incoming phone calls. The members will never miss another call and callers will no longer encounter a busy signal. All the member needs is to have Busy Call Forwarding activated on their home phone line so the service can work. The basic service allows members to retrieve messages while online, screen calls, and their callers can leave up to a 1-minute message. It also comes with caller ID. The pro service offers the same as the basic but gives members the option of answering calls while online, transferring phone calls to another line, and has a 3-minute message length. This service can be ordered online or over the phone through Earthlink and is for members only. The price difference is only $3.00 and the additional charge is well worth it if the member has frequent incoming phone calls while online. Their calls will never be missed again.
Get free dial up with NetZero.
In addition to pay by month accounts, NetZero offers free internet accounts. The account offers a free email address, 2MB of email storage, online email access, junk mail filters, email virus protection, search engine, customer and technical support online, a personalized start-up page, plenty of access numbers to ensure a local connection, and compatibility with other instant messaging services such as Yahoo and MSN. The major difference between the free internet account and the paid internet accounts offered by NetZero is that the free internet account limits its user to 10 hours of online access per month. This includes all free accounts sharing the same phone line or computer. So, if the consumer requires more than 10 hours of web time per month they would be better off paying $9.95 for a Platinum account with unlimited internet access or $14.95 for high speed dial-up with unlimited internet access through NetZero.
ATT has a dial up plan available to anyone with limited access time.
ATT has a Service Plus plan available to everyone with limited internet access for $16.95 per month and the first month of service is free. It offers 150 hours of access and a charge of .99 cents per hour applies if the member goes past the 150 hours. It uses the AT&T Worldnet Accelerator to allow members to surf the net five times faster than typical dial-up accounts just as NetZero does. The service includes a pop-up blocker, anti-Spam software, anti-virus email protection, online customer support, an email switching tool, instant messaging compatible with other services, and 60MB of personal web space. A new member can sign-up online by downloading the software or by requesting a CD by mail.
Earn money with the NetZero referral program.
NetZero pays members for referrals. If the user already has an account whether it is a free internet account or a paid account, the user can refer friends to NetZero. There is a link on the NetZero "My Homepage" that allows users to refer-a-friend. They need only to enter the person's requested information and once that person sign's up for a high speed or platinum account the referring friend will receive a check in the mail approximately 45 days after the new member has kept their account paid and open for three consecutive months. If the member has a paid account they can check the status of those they have referred online. There is no limit as to how many friends can be referred by a member so the skies the limit with reward potential.
Sprint Long Distance users save money with Earthlink Internet.
Earthlink Dial-Up internet access has partnered with Sprint to help their members save money. If the member is currently using Sprint as their long distance carrier Sprint will waive the monthly service fee of $5.95 per month for the Sprint 7 cents Anytime Long Distance plan. This discount is not available with ATT, NetZero, or AOL.
Unlimited internet access with ATT.
Dial up buying guide: ATT offers dial-up internet access for just $14.95 per month and the first month is free. However, this offer applies to new members who have AT&T local or long distance service only. If the new member is not an AT&T local or long distance user then the price is $21.95 per month. The plan includes unlimited internet access, up to six email ID's, the AT&T Worldnet Accelerator, 60MB of personal web space, anti-Spam protection, anti-virus email protection, numerous access numbers, and free pop-up blocker. ATT offers customer and technical support via email, chat, and phone. They also provide a free email switching tool to help the new member transfer their old address book, calendar, forward messages if necessary, and notify friends and family of the user's new email address. The software is compatible with the most popular instant messaging tools such as Yahoo, MSN Messenger, and AOL. A new member can sign-up online by downloading the software or by requesting a CD by mail.
The AT&T Worldnet Accelerator is similar to that of NetZero where is compresses the webpage information prior to passing through the phone line to ensure quicker access to the information. This feature enhances the online experience by providing a service similar to DSL at a fraction of the cost.
For AT&T members the monthly rate is excellent but for those who do not use AT&T for their phone carrier there are other dial-up providers that offer the same or better service for less than $21.95 per month. So it comes down to a matter of preference for non-ATT phone subscribers.
Earthlink offers Norton Antivirus and Norton Personal Firewall as extras.
Dial up buying guide: Earthlink provides premium anti-virus protection at a low monthly price. The personal protection software is from Norton. For $3.95 per month the subscriber can access either Norton Antivirus Online or Norton Personal Firewall Online. The antivirus software will protect the subscribers computer from worms, viruses, etc. that can corrupt it and it is updated regularly to provide optimum protection. The firewall software will prevent hackers from accessing personal information from the subscribers computer by installing a personal firewall. For $5.95 per month the subscriber has three options available to them: Norton Internet Security Online, Norton Anti-Virus Online (2-pack), or Norton Personal Firewall Online (2-pack). The Norton Internet Security Online includes both Norton Anti-Virus and Norton Firewall for less than if each were purchased separately. The 2-pack versions offer two licenses at a lesser price than if you were to purchase them separately. That way if there are two computers in the home it can safely be loaded on each and will receive all updates that come along. The Norton Internet Security Online also comes in a 2-pack for the low price of $11.90 per month. This ensures that both computers will have the anti-virus and firewall protection. It is a special offered by Earthlink through their website and can be downloaded online or a CD-ROM can be mailed for installation. The subscriber does not need to be an Earthlink member to suscribe. It is a great deal for anyone looking to have the most updated anti-virus and firewall protection for their PC and the first month is free.
AOL offers a free software trial.
AOL always offers a free internet trial period to entice new members. They mail out CD-ROMs with special codes to give the consumer a chance to download the software and utilize it for a limited number of hours or if the software is downloaded online they offer a 50-day trial period with unlimited hours of access. AOL does not require any credit card information or any commitment from the consumer as long as the account is cancelled prior to the end of the trial period. The consumer will receive the same AOL as members do during their trial period. This includes McAfee Virus Scan and McAfee Firewall to help protect the consumer's PC from corrupt email files, viruses, worms, and hackers. It also includes AOL Messenger, AOL Chat, and AOL Mail. The consumer can create up to seven email addresses on the same account at no extra charge. At the end of the free trial period, the consumer can choose to become a member and pay the monthly fee required for the dial-up program they choose. If anything the consumer will have the opportunity to try something new with no risk.
Get free music with Earthlink.
Earthlink offers a free jukebox service for members only and can be downloaded online. The Earthlink Jukebox comes with a music player, music library to keep track of the member's music collection, music center to burn, play, record, and manage the collection, MP3 recorder, portable device manager, provides in-depth album and artist information, and a function for adjusting the volume levels for recording music. In addition to these functions the jukebox has streaming audio with access to many different channels and types of music, there is a music store for making quick purchases, and musicmatch radio which allows the member to customize their streaming audio to what they want to hear. It is an excellent free isp service for music aficionados or just a member looking to be entertained while online.
AOL offers unlimited dial up.
AOL offers unlimited dial-up internet phone link service for $23.90 per month. This includes their McAfee Virus Protection and McAfee Firewall Protection free of charge to AOL members to ensure a safe and secure web surfing environment. They use high speed technology to provide a faster connection and the connection time is unlimited. AOL bills their customers on a monthly basis without any long term commitments and the service can be discontinued at any time. AOL offers customer support by phone, email, and live chat 24-hours per day 7-days a week. The dial-up feature is great for people who travel or would like to have a back-up plan in the event their other internet service provider disconnects suddenly without warning.
Earthlink is #1 in customer service.
J. D. Power & Associates were serious when they awarded Earthlink with the best customer satisfaction from a dial-up internet service provider. One of the reasons for their excellent customer service comes from their online chat assistance with any of the numerous questions a consumer may have when deciding what ISP to go with. Help is a easy as clicking on the Chat Live link located on Earthlink's web pages. Within seconds a live representative is available to answer any question the consumer may have. In addition to this service, Earthlink also offers online technical support via a Chat Live link. Members need to log in to use this service. If the member is unable to access support online they can call Earthlink any time or day for assistance as well. It is unbelievable customer service.
Earthlink has an extensive Spam blocker and email virus protection.
Earthlink Dial-Up internet access offers an extensive protection program for their members. It includes a virus blocker that will scan email before it is opened to ensure that it is not infected. It has a scam blocker which is a bonus feature compared to other internet providers that do not offer it. The scam blocker protects the member from websites that run credit card, social security number, or identity theft scams. This is an excellent feature to have with an internet service provider. Earthlink offers the typical spam blocker that allows the member to filter junk mail from their email. Also, they have a spyware blocker that not all internet companies offer and it aids in identifying spyware on the member's computer and disabling it. In addition to all of this, Earthlink offers privacy tools that provides safe and secure web surfing by preventing other websites from tracking the member's website usage and trying to store information on their hard drive. Last but not least, the parental controls offer a safe and protected environment for children to surf the web without encountering unsafe material on the web. With all of these features, the internet access pays for itself in security features. Earthlink truly seems to have the satisfaction of their customers at heart.
Don't have a computer, no problem, Earthlink offers an Email By Phone service.
Earthlink offers an Email By Phone service to members with a 30-day free trial. This is a very innovative service for members who do not always have access to a computer while traveling or working. The Email By Phone service allows Earthlink members to access, compose, and send email from any phone anywhere at anytime. The service will play back composed messages to the member to ensure that the information is correct before sending. The functions are voice activated and the service is protected with a personal password. Earthlink gives the member a toll free number to use to access their voice mail and an FAQ section to assist the member while using the service. This internet service does not require any contract commitment and after the 30-day trial period it is only $4.95 per month. The member can cancel at any time but for the versatility of such a service who would want to?
Earthlink dial up comes standard with Earthlink Accelerator.
Dial up buying guide: Earthlink Dial-Up internet access is available for $21.95 per month. The membership is payable month-to-month or on an annual basis. If the new member chooses the annual installment it will reduce their monthly average to $19.95 per month. That will save the member $24.00 per year. For a limited time new members can join Earthlink for just $9.95 per month for the first six months. This special is available online only.
Earthlink Dial-Up access uses Earthlink Accelerator to provide a high speed internet connection at up to five times faster than regular dial-up providers. The Earthlink Accelerator utilizes the same technology as NetZero and ATT high speed dial-up by compressing the website information prior to sending it through the phone line which allows the information to travel at a faster rate.
Earthlink Dial-Up has many access numbers for members to choose from to ensure a local number connection. They were also ranked number one in customer satisfaction by J. D. Powers and Associates for 2004. This is important if the user is looking for a customer friendly company that will be there when they need them and take their concerns seriously. Their customer support is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It is very difficult to find decent customer service with some internet service providers. Earthlink provides their members with virus blocker, spyware blocker, Spam blocker, pop-up blocker, scam blocker, email switching capability, and parental controls. The service includes up to 8 email addresses with 10MB of personal web space and a personal start-up page. The service can be set-up online at www.earthlink.com or by calling 1-800-EARTHLINK.
Get ATT dial up internet access for less if you use ATT phone service.
Dial up buying guide: ATT offers their $14.95 unlimited plan to non-AT&T customers for $21.95. It includes all of the same features with 60MB of personal web space, pop-up blocker, anti-Spam software, anti-virus email protection, online customer support, instant messaging compatibility with Yahoo, AOL, and MSN, six email ID's, and an email switching tool. The service also utilizes the same AT&T Worldnet Accelerator to provide members with faster internet access without the expense of DSL or cable. It is essentially the same service as NetZero but at a reduced rate for ATT customers. Again, it is the exact same plan that is offered to AT&T local and long distance users but at a cost of $7.00 more per month.
MSN dial up has limited internet access for $14.95 per month.
MSN dial-up also offers a limited program for $14.95 per month for 20 hours of internet access. Each additional hour is $1.50 each so be cautious of usage to ensure no additional charges. This service is perfect for the internet user who does not go online very often, needs dial-up access for travel purposes, or a back-up to any DSL or broadband plan when it shuts down for various reasons. The limited program offers the same features as the unlimited program so the member will still receive McAfee Virus Scan for email, MSN Money Plus, MSN Encarta Premium, personal start-up page, personal calendar, etc. If the member desires to upgrade to the unlimited program, they can do so at any time by calling MSN directly. It is a great low cost alternative for a well-known internet service provider. The MSN limited dial-up plan is similar to ATT limited dial-up except that ATT is $2.00 more per month and provides 150 hours of access. Of course, the consumer may have a preference as to which ISP they want, hours they will spend online, and how much they are willing to pay.
NetZero offers high speed internet for less than AOL.
NetZero offers high speed internet service through the consumer's existing phone line without the added cost that DSL or cable has. Netzero uses an internet phone link to connect to the internet at up to five times faster than traditional phone line connections. There is not any additional equipment necessary to set-up NetZero's high speed internet access and an account can be created easily over the internet at www.netzero.com or by calling 1-800-560-7429. It just takes a few minutes to set-up and next thing the consumer knows they will be surfing the internet at incredible speeds.
The NetZero high speed internet access includes a NetZero Platinum membership for a low price of $14.95 per month. This includes unlimited internet access, connection reliability, and instant messaging compatibility with other providers. The consumer will receive a free pop-up blocker in addition to anti-Spam and anti-virus mail protection.
The high speed internet access is accelerated by compressing the components that make up a web page before it filters through the phone line so that it will load quicker once it reaches the destination point. Also, NetZero high speed internet is able to store frequently visited website information which allows the page to load much easier and quicker the next time it is accessed. These small changes will provide a much faster web surfing experience for the consumer.
AOL extras.
AOL has many different extras that are included with the monthly service fee for unlimited dial-up service. The AOL Computer Check-Up scans the member's PC and ensures that it is always running correctly. The AOL Search function provides easy access to numerous online content. The security features help to prevent Spam and block unnecessary pop-ups. AOL also has a VIP section for members that gives them full access to upcoming movie trailers, pre-released music not available to the general public, and online viewing of artist performances. This is an exclusive feature for AOL members. Of course, with AOL comes the AOL Instant Messenger so that members can keep in contact with friends and family. Also, AOL offers a You've Got Pictures section for uploading and downloading digital pictures for sharing, printing, etc. Last but not least, AOL has a special family section that includes homework help for students and a safe, secure environment for children to surf the net. Plus the dial-up software is compatible with any high-speed or DSL connections.
MSN 9 unlimited internet access.
MSN dial-up offers MSN 9 with unlimited internet access. It is a high speed internet phone link for just $21.95 per month. If the consumer looks online they may find offers that will allow them a free month of service. If the membership is cancelled prior to the 30-day trial ending the member will not be billed. The service is similar to AOL, NetZero, and Earthlink because it also offers a pop-up blocker, junk email filtering, and a parental controls section to ensure a safe web environment for children. The email utilizes McAfee Virus Scan to check incoming emails to ensure a virus does not pass through to the member's PC. MSN provides members with a personal calendar, ability to customize the look of their email, and an online photo album for sharing photos with family and friends. In addition to these basic services, MSN provides members access to MSN Money Plus for keeping finances in order and MSN Encarta Premium for easy reference searches. The service gives members their own customizable start-up page with easy access to email, calendar, contacts, to do lists, etc. The software can be downloaded online or requested on CD-ROM for in-home download. A consumer can sign-up online or by phone. If a free trial is not available online, the member can call MSN directly and ask their customer service department to extend to them a free trial offer and they usually will do so to accomodate the tentative new member.
Sports fans, Earthlink has you on their mind with Earthlink Premium Sports Pack.
Okay, sports fans, Earthlink has your interest at heart with Earthlink Premium Sports access to unlimited sports sites and content on the web. Again, this is a member's only extra and is available for 14-days free. It provides Earthlink members with access to MLB.com, NASCAR.com, SportingNews.com, rivals.com, and MotorTrend. Never miss another major league baseball game with online audio and video coverage. It's a fantastic extra Earthlink provides at a low cost of $9.95 per month. Again, there is no commitment and the service can be cancelled at any time.
NetZero offers basic dial up for just $9.95.
NetZero offers a Platinum email account for just $9.95 per month. It includes unlimited web surfing, a personal email address, 250MB of email storage, junk email filters, virus protection for incoming email, both offline and online email access, search engine, online customer and technical support, a personalized start-up page, and thousands of access numbers to ensure a local phone connection. If the consumer is not concerned with high speed internet access and prefers to have an internet phone link then this is a very cost effective service. Especially if the consumer does not require a large amount of email storage. Although, 250MB of email storage is quite a large amount of storage space even for frequent users. This account can easily be activated online at www.netzero.com or by calling 1-800-560-7429.
NetZero has a family pack for just $4.95 per month.
Dial up buying guide: Along with a variety of internet access packages available, NetZero has partnered with four premium websites to provide unlimited access at a family pack rate of just $4.95 per month. For this low monthly fee, the family will have unlimited access to Encyclopedia Britannica Online, GameBlast, AmericanGreetings.com, and CleverIsland.com. These sites normally provide their services at an individual subscription rate that can run into the hundreds of dollars per year per site. With the NetZero Fun Pack, the account users will be able to access these sites whenever they like without paying the hiked up individual fees.
Encyclopedia Britannica Online offers an exceptional online utility for students young and old to conduct necessary research for projects, information, or just to pass the time with. It also comes with a homework help tool for students to use.
GameBlast is available at shockwave.com and gives the user unlimited access to a variety of games online. This is for children, teenagers, and adults to use for some online gaming fun. The games can be played alone or interactively. The types of games included are puzzle and strategy, sports, action, etc. It will help to make the online experience more entertaining.
American Greetings has an online site that provides greeting cards for every occasion available at the click of a mouse. All the user needs to do is log onto the site and select a category from which to choose a card. There are hundreds of cards to choose from and all of them are available with the Fun Pack from NetZero. Whereas someone might pay a couple dollars or more per card, the user's family is given access to hundreds of cards at any time during the month without any further charges. The cards can be sent online, customized with personal photos, created from scratch, or printed out to send. It is a great benefit and a way to ensure that anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, etc. are never forgotten.
CleverIsland.com is a site that offers tutorial assistance to children with a large selection of learning games. The student and parents can keep track of progress with the online virtual report card. It is a beneficial way to incorporate the online experience with learning to provide children with a fun way to learn math and reading skills.
These sites are user friendly ad easy to access from the personal start-up page for the user's account. The user does not need to be a paying member to purchase the Fun Pack. The Fun Pack can be ordered online or by phone. It is billed monthly and the first month is free so there is nothing to lose by trying it out.
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| Joe Wallace |
