Recommend an ISP?

[JulesB]

Just bought a pooter so I can keep up with you lot when Im not at work!

Im after a 24/7 service.....so which is the best ISP to go for?

And yes I did get a surge protector, but I think I'll go for the most 'economically viable' option just to be on the safe side and take the rigger route by unplugging it!

[bean]

Hi

My ISP is NTL you can hear loads of horror stories about them but I have never really had any major problems. At the moment you can get their always on broadband connection for about twenty quid a month, I know it sounds a lot, but its great not to have to worry about how long you spend on line or if you can connect, plus its quite a bit faster than dialup as well, about 10 times I understand

I never really turn my pc off, I just lock it up for the night and that's it when I get up or in from work unlock and if you have left you email program on all you mails are there waiting for you. I have had a pc for the last 15 years and have never had problems with surge or lightning ect. I think the protectors are just a scam.

Anyway I hope my ramblings help a little , no doubt quicker and more knowledgeable minds than mine will but you right

Lee

bootneck with a PC, its like a pongo with a soap on a rope.

[El Prez]

The only disagreement I have with Beans post is ref the surge protector. I unplugged my new box, even though the protector was connected during a storm. ALL my neighbours, without exception, had their modems fried and some had their motherboards cooked. All I had to do was reconnect and sit here smugly. Also consider what you would do if you were away at work and a Cumulus Nimbus, (thundercloud) boomed in quickly depositing muchos freeby electrics into your new plastic box.

It's a bit like safe sex, necessary but uninteresting.

[adj125]

If you look at this site and do a search for "dial up isp" there is a few options you could go for

http://www.nthellworld.com/forum/

I use to work for NTL for 5 years as a service tech and would recommend their cable modem if you want a fast service and if it is in your area But as for the rest of their products i wouldnt bother with them

[adj125]

I have had a pc for the last 15 years and have never had problems with surge or lightning ect. I think the protectors are just a scam.

i have been involved with numerous faults to customers pc due to lightning strikes/thunder storms mainly due to power surges with the electricity supply blowing internal/external modems Have lost count of the number of tv and videos that ive seen damaged as well My advice is if theres a storm unplug everything

[harry hackedoff]

It's a bit like safe sex, necessary but uninteresting.

Couldn`t you have found a better metaphor?
We used AOL in UK, service wasn`t bad. AOL gets into everything on the machine though, and is a bastard to remove.
Good luck with yer choice Jules, mwa mwa

Aye,

[El Prez]

Couldn`t you have found a better metaphor

No. Have we got red-backs in our knicks this morning oh neoprene clad chappie? What, had to do the shopping, take Jack to Kindie and buy your own beer from the grog drive thro. Must have a word with the honoured one. [/quote]

[Mike]

Hi Jules..... Like most who have posted so far, I have had a confuser for a while , my first was a Sinclair!!!!! A what did hear you say....... I have NEVER had probs with electricity supply, surge, spike or anyother..... TIL a month ago when a beastie power shut down, only for a nano second, fryed my modem..... trouble was that it did'nt fry it enough, it worked ok untill the dial up when it told me the number was engaged! this took me a while befor I realised I needed an new one.
As for ISP.... they are all much of a muchness, Ive had Freeserve, AOL, I'm now with TESCO NET "all time" £12 a month and no restrictions.... except that they do cut you off now and again, but its only a click and your back on line.
I also find HOTMAIL Email excellent and have two accounts,and my wife has another, one for purchases off the net and subscriptions etc, tht other is used for personal contacts only, I never mix usage, as with the subscription and purchases one I expect pop-ups and spam with the other I have no problems of that sort
Aye

[JulesB]

I had a good old look round t'internet at work yesterday and theres a few that Ive narrowed it down to, however, I might just go with Tesco or virgin. Theyre both pretty simleearrrr.....

And yes Mike Im young enough to have heard of, nay used a Sinclair! I particularly liked the squishy keys they had....

Next question is...Antivirus software? Worth paying for or download free stuff? Or dont bother?

[El Prez]

Worth it. If you come to Okehampton I'll lend you my disc, McAfee. (But I didn't say that!)

[barryc]

El Prez, this come to Okehampton sounds a bit like come and see my etchings, I've tried to warn sweet young things about your evil intentions before. Droite de Signeur is OUT nowadays even for exalted Prez's, thou shalt not get thy lecherous hands on the flower of English womanhood.


Barry

[harry hackedoff]

Yer right there, matey Especially as Nursey will be in attendance
For the sake of you Poms, a drive through grog shop is an off-license where you don`t get out of the vehicule. Best thing since er, the last best thing.
Got me driving license today. We were told an English license was good fer twelve months. Wrong. For the last three months, We’ve been driving illegally. Mrs H failed the theory test, but we don`t talk about that
Not bleeding many, we don`t. Har har har

[El Prez]

Droite de Signeur is OUT nowadays even for exalted Prez's, thou shalt not get thy lecherous hands on the flower of English womanhood.

You silly boy, of course it's not, don't you worry Jules, my Droigt and my Seigneur are firing on all cylinders, which is more than my knees and back are doing. Did I ever tell you about ................ what? OK Nurse coming now.......... (She did just interrupt to ask what I wanted to drink )