Free Internet Service Providers
By Laurie Neal

Pros and cons of some of the free ISPs

While there are some wonderful Internet Service Providers out there, many ISPs are reverting back to a 100 - 200 hour a month cap on their 'unlimited' usage. It can take hours to reach tech support and even longer to actually find the answers to your technical dilemmas. Why pay good money for a service you are not happy with? Until recently it was the only way to get on the internet - but not any more!

Looking for a new ISP service? Why not try one of the many free companies out there? These companies make their money from advertisers, instead of from the consumer. That means you must leave an ad banner running while you use the service, but you'll save $20 or more a month! It's worth a try, but I do not recommend firing your old ISP until you've given the free service a spin.

Here's a run down of some of the free ISP deals I found:

Altavista offers service in all 50 United States and Washington D.C. An ad banner and navigation system run while you are using the service. Comprehensive download and installation instructions are included on-site, as well as a discount on CYBERsitter software. While there is no email integration at this time, Altavista does offer free web-based accounts, as do plenty of other sites (including 20ish Parents).

Minimum System Requirements: Windows 95 or 98, Microsoft IE 4.0 or higher (you can use Netscape, but IE must be installed on your computer), and Dial Up networking 1.1 or higher. Currently, there is no Mac or Windows NT option.

Pluses: It automatically upgrades itself when a new version comes out, so there is no remembering to download new software. While the ad banner cannot be resized or minimized, it is one of the few that allows placement where ever you prefer on the screen.

Minuses: No email service included. No newsgroup access. Does not support DSL, ISDN or cable modems. Cannot be used with Macs or Windows NT.

dotNow services all 50 United States and Washington D.C. They also have services available in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. You can easily integrate Netscape or MS Internet Explorer to surf and receive mail. Users also have a choice of placing their banners at the top or bottom of the screen. While the site offers most of the information needed, I was not able to find enough support information or user guides. I was left with quite a few unanswered questions.

Minimum System Requirements: Windows 95B or 98 (or Windows 95A with MS Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher installed), properly configured modem.

Pluses: International service. Choice of email programs and browsers. Automatic notification of upgrades. Choice of ad banner on the top or bottom of the screen.

Minuses: Not as much documentation as the other services, does not answer all of my questions.

Freei is one of the most impressive free ISP services I found. They offer coverage in all 50 states and they are one of the few that support Macs! Users can use the browser and mail programs of their choice. Freei offers excellent instructions and tech support sections, including how to use AOL with their service (please note: you will still incur AOL charges, but less than the standard rate). The service also includes chat rooms (public and private) and FreeiFriends, an Instant Messaging system just for Freei users. All the software needed can be ordered on CD ROM for only the cost of shipping and handling. Users are asked, via a form, to anonymously submit interest and demographic information for ad targeting purposes. Freei also offers an affiliate program - so you can make money recommending the service to friends and family.

Minimum PC System Requirements: Windows 95/98/NT, 14.4 kps modem or better, MS Internet Explorer 5.0 installed.

Minimum Mac System Requirements: Power Macintosh, OS: 8.0 minimum, Stuffit 5.1.3 or later, 14.4 kps modem or better.

Pluses: Chat rooms and FreeiFriends IM program. Comprehensive installation and support info, including using AOL with Freei. Mac support. Software available on CD ROM. Affiliate Program.

Minuses: Ad banners.

Freewwweb offers services to the Continental United States and Canada. Installation instructions are available on-site. Tech support is available via email or phone (toll charges will apply). Netscape and MS Internet Explorer are supported. No minimum system requirements were available at the website.

Pluses: Available in Canada. Telephone tech support. Netscape and IE support.

Minuses: Not available in Alaska or Hawaii. Site did not offer a lot of information or tech support. Toll charge for the tech support phone number. Freewwweb asks for a credit card number (your card will not be charged, it is used strictly for age verification and identification purposes).

Net Zero offers access to the continental United States. The site offers a large support section and links to all kind of downloadable goodies, but the site can be difficult to navigate. Net Zero also offers their software on CD ROM for a $3.50 shipping and handling fee.

Minimum System Requirements: 486 with 16 MB RAM, 12 MB free space, Windows 95 or 98, 14.4 kps modem or better, SVGA monitor.

Pluses: Large support section. Can order the software on CD ROM.

Minuses: No Mac service. Not available in Alaska or Hawaii. Site is difficult to navigate. Can only send an email to one address per piece of mail.

Tritium Network service is limited to Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Hampshire, New York and Washington D.C. Users are free to choose any browser or email program. The site provides a link to a free version of NetNanny. Once per month users complete a survey for the purpose of targeting ads. Without the ad banner the service will automatically shut off after 2 minutes.

Minimum System Requirements: 20 MB free space, 16 MB RAM, VGA monitor or better, modem, Windows 95 or 98.

Pluses: Free NetNanny. Choice of browser and email program.

Minuses: Refreshing ad banner is distracting. Very limited service area. No newsgroup access. Monthly surveys.

World Spy currently offers access in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Download instructions and a User Guide are available on the website. World Spy does compile usage data from their users, but not on a personal level. All information that is gathered is kept confidential.

Minimum System Requirements: 486 with 16 MB RAM, Windows 95/98/NT, Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher, 14.4 kps modem or better, Microsoft Dial Up networking 1.3 or higher, Windows set to display small fonts.

Pluses: Includes email access. Can be used with DSL, ISDN and cable modems. Service available in Puerto Rico.

Minuses: Cannot be used with Macs. No newsgroup access.

Beware! There are many ISPs out there disguised as free services. Some are asking for a $179 connection fee. There is no need to pay a connection fee for free service. The ISPs listed above do not collect fees of any kind. With the exception of Freewwweb, none of the services listed here ask for credit card numbers.

Laurie Neal is the co-founder of 20ish Parents, an online community for young parents. You can find more of her writing at http://www.20ishparents.com.   E-mail: laurie@20ishparents.com

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