Opening an Internet Account

Consider these factors when selecting an on-line or Internet service:

The service should provide a local phone number. Telephone long distance charges can exceed the cost of the service.
It should provide the services that you need. If you just need e-mail, you can get a cheaper service than if you want access to financial databases, wire services, and the World Wide Web.
It should be comfortable for you to use. If you are a beginner, you may want a service that provides support via an 800 number or on-line.
It should be within your budget. If cost prevents you from signing on, you will not get the benefit of the service. Many services have different rates for daytime and evening usage. This article doesn't quote fees, since they change so frequently, but costs range from free (!) to $30, and some services also charge by the hour.
It should provide at least e-mail access to the Internet. That is the way you connect to others, most of whom are using a service provider different from yours.

Note: Many public libraries now have a computer connected to the Internet that you can use for free to access the World Wide Web. If your library does (or if a neighbor does), you can get a free e-mail account at the Yahoo Mail Web site (at http://mail.yahoo.com) or at the HotMail Web site (at http://www.hotmail.com). Once you've set up your free e-mail account, you can read or send e-mail from any computer that can access the Web.

There are four basic types of accounts: commercial on-line services, Internet providers, connection through your company or school, and free-nets.

Commercial On-Line Services

Commercial on-line services like America Online, CompuServe, Microsoft Network, and Prodigy provide e-mail to the Internet, some Internet services, and lots of other services available only to their own subscribers, like a news wire, discussion groups, movie reviews, and travel information. Most commercial on-line services provider access to the World Wide Web and Usenet newsgroups, too. Many have Terms of Service by which they expect subscribers to abide. You can ask for the Terms of Service from any provider with whom you are considering working. Some services censor material posted in their public discussion groups, while others do not.

Commercial on-line services are the most expensive way to connect, but they are usually also the easiest. Most services give you free software that lets you sign up for an account, dial in, and use it.

Here's information about the major commercial on-line services:

America Online: Call 800-827-6364, ext. 9223 for a free sign-up kit. AOL is available only in the U.S. -- Canada and Europe are coming soon.
CompuServe: Call 800-848-8990 for a free sign-up kit.
Delphi: Delphi has a forum called UULINK, run by Rev. Ron Mazur. You can e-mail or call Ron for information at UULINK@delphi.com or 904-677-6188.
Microsoft Network: Call 800-386-5550 for information. Windows 95 users can just double-click the MSN icon on their desktops.
Prodigy: Call 800-PRODIGY for a free sign-up kit. be sure to ask for Prodigy Internet (their newer Internet service) rather than Prodigy Classic (their outdated online service).

Internet Providers

Internet providers like AT&T WorldNet, Concentric, Pipeline, EarthLink, and MindSpring provide connection to the Internet. You can connect in one of two ways: shell accounts (text-only accounts that are hard to use and don't let you see graphics) and SLIP or PPP accounts. Some providers, like IGC, also have their own discussion groups. Some cities have freenets, which are non-profit free Internet providers.

With a PPP (or SLIP: we'll just call them PPP accounts, because they are predominant) Internet account, your PC or Macintosh actually becomes part of the Internet. You can run easy-to-use Windows or Macintosh programs to use all the Internet services, as well as other services we didn't mention. PPP accounts are considered the Cadillacs of Internet accounts.

To use a PPP account, you'll need Internet software. Windows 95 and Windows 98 come with all the software you need. A good way to get software for a PC running Windows is to buy The Internet For Dummies, 5th Edition, Starter Kit, written by UUs Margaret Levine Young and John Levine (it's ISBN number is 0-7645-0356-1). It comes with lots of free Internet software for Windows and Macs. Dummies 101: The Internet For Windows 98 also includes software, along with step-by-step instructions for how to sign up and use an AT&T WorldNet or MindSpring Internet (PPP) account.

IGC (the Institute for Global Communications) runs PeaceNet, the world's only computer communication system dedicated to environmental preservation, human rights, sustainable development, peace and social justice. IGC's networks include: PeaceNet, Indigenous Peoples Conferences, EcoNet, ConflictNet, LaborNet, Women's networking, conferences on protecting the world's children, trade conferences, a forum for African Americans, and forums for the international lesbian/gay/bisexual and transgendered community. IGC is an Internet provider, offering PPP connections, so you also get access to the Internet itself.

To see a list of Internet providers for your area code or country, see The List.

You can download lots of Internet software right from the Internet (assuming that you can connect in the first place). Try TUCOWS, The Ulitmate Collection Of Windows (and Mac) Software.

Connection through Your Company or School

If you work or go to school at an organization that has an Internet connection, you may be able to get an account through them.

Free-nets

A free-net is a free Internet provider. Two dozen towns around the U.S. and Canada have established free-nets. If there's a free-net in your town, consider joining -- the price is right! You can find a complete list of free-nets on the Community Computer Networks and Free-net Web Sites page.

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