A couple days ago, Altavista(AV) announced that Dec 10th would be their final day of free-access to the web. Shocking news considering they offered the best service. Their search-engine & website will still be there, but you won't be able to dial-up thru them.
The company which provided the access for (AV), 1st-up says that on Dec 11th (the anniversary of my 48th trip around the sun - SHEESH I used to think 28 was old) they will cease to exist. (AV) says they couldn't find anyone to replace 'em so they're calling it quits.
Now 1st-up provided service for others like Freelane & Netzero to name a few. While searching for another ISP, found that Lycos is not accepting new users. ZDnet was offering (AV) & now show same message as on (AV). I'm not sure what's gonna happen with NetZero. A friend of mine has already switched over to them & says all is well there - so far.
There's always K-Mart & their bluelight.com which was powered by Spinway, who also sponsored sites like Nettaxi & Address. But guess what? Spinway ceased this week. Further research showed that Bluelight bought out Spinway.
While searching for new ISP, address.com was highly recommended. Went there to check it out & whose logo was at bottom of page - Spinway. I was still able to register & download software, but when I tried to logon ...No good! I e-mailed them & the response I got confirmed that Spinway was the culprit. But they say that they're actively looking for new ISP partner & will notify me by e-mail when and if that happens. Too bad; one of the features available on this site was the ability to create a website right there! Can't download Bluelight software either; as it passes thru Spinway url which no longer exists.
I might've been wrong about NetZero. I assumed (and you know what that means) that since it shared local access #'s with (AV), & since displays on top of home pages are similar, that both services were provided by same company. Looks like, right now, NetZero is the only free-access provider left around. Well, it aint too bad. I guess I can get used to it if I have to.
Later, Bill Cosharek
------------------ Bill Cosharek Bill Cosharek Signs 1031 Whitehead Lane N.Huntingdon,Pa 15642 bcosharek@juno.com
Posts: 703 | From: N.Huntingdon, Pa, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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Pat..What these guys are talkin about is a free internet access for short periods of time while on the road. I used Net Zero while I was in Commerce. It is a nice, convenient way to check e-mail and stuff when you are travelling, with yer laptop.
Free net access isn't a replacement for regular access, it is an enhancement!
I still pay my regular monthly ISP charges..but dialing up to my provider from Georgia or Florida or Mexico isn't really practical..even fer me "the capitalist"!!!!
------------------ Dave Grundy shop#340 AKA "applicator" on mIRC "stickin' sticky stuff to valuable vessels and vehicles!" in Granton, Ontario, Canada 1-519-225-2634 dave.grundy@quadro.net www.quadro.net/~shirley "A PROUD $ supporter of the website"
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If you have a merchant account with American Express they offer a free access account= I have it - it works ok, the extra toolbar they add is easy to shove almost totally off the screen and you just use the Explorer browser normally. No Ads.Free Email (web based). They are pushing it for accessing there online merchant account info center, but if works on everything else too.
------------------ Bob Sheers TechniService MidAtlantic dispatch@bellatlantic.net
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Good news so far. NetZero is still working. BlueLight had to be reconfigured using my existing password & I.D. but other than that, all is ok with the two. Can't comment on the others though. Havin' Fun, Checkers
------------------ a.k.a. Brian Born Harrisburg, Pa 717.652.9073 members.home.net/sign-it/ This isn't Burger King, you can't have it your way.
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