Internet Service Provider

[apprentice]

I posted a question similar to this a while ago. Things are now getting pretty serious.

My home ISP was/is pacbell/SBC-Yahoo. They have decided to offer an "upgrade" in software. I made the mistake, after several of my questions were adequately answered, of upgrading. I have downgraded back to my original software and have had no access through my email client of choice for four days now. To date I've spoken with eight people during seven phone calls totalling about three hours now with no resolution. I've also exchanged email six times.

I can access my email over the web but I find that unacceptable even with a secure log on.

I'm using XP home edition and Netscape Navigator 7.01. SBC-Yahoo doesn't support Navigator 7.01 yet.

I'm starting to look for another ISP to use for my home account.

I'm looking for opinions. Two options are ATT and Earthlink.

I should note that I use dial-up.

I'm looking for real answers and opinions as opposed to "use lynx on Linux".

I should also note that I access the Internet from the road all over CA, sometimes OR and sometimes NV. So I would be looking for access numbers for at least three states.

Thanks much for any help in advance.

[blackwave]

quick punch:

you use your isp's software? I just throw that cd away, it is infested with crap... and just use my own apps that I need and use for secure purposes...

[converge]

I believe I've seen Skroo give the thumbs up on Earthlink for a couple occasions... that's enough review for me.. then again, it is rare I deal with dialup enough to care :)

[apprentice]

No I usually don't. It has been such a freaking long story. It started on Jan 28 with an email from my provider with the subject line of Action Required. I didn't take too kindly to that and it set off a litany of questions to my ISP. They answered my questions to my satisfaction. I've since, at their suggestion, uninstalled the software and I still can't access my email from the netscape email client.

I haven't used an ISP's software, CD or download, for probably 10 years.

I know that Dan Farmer used to work for Earthlink, he may still. But Dan Farmer doesn't a good ISP make all by himself.

Originally posted by blackwave
quick punch:

you use your isp's software? I just throw that cd away, it is infested with crap... and just use my own apps that I need and use for secure purposes...

[ch0l0man]

what error msg are you getting when trying to access your email?

[apprentice]

I'm not getting any error message. I can log onto the email server and the status line in netscape shows receiveing 1 of X but nothing is being downloaded. It times out quite consistantly at about 320 seconds.

Originally posted by ch0l0man
what error msg are you getting when trying to access your email?

[ch0l0man]

try another email client if netscape is not working.

[blackwave]

Originally posted by apprentice
I'm not getting any error message. I can log onto the email server and the status line in netscape shows receiveing 1 of X but nothing is being downloaded. It times out quite consistantly at about 320 seconds.

email problems? ... try this:
Defcon Forums > Technical Area > Got Questions? > DCFAQ: Check here first before asking!
http://forum.defcon.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=475

[apprentice]

That is pretty interesting BW. I need to look into that. Is that a way that people actually prefer getting their email or a work-a-round?

I did manage, finally, to solve my problems with SBC-Yahoo on my own. I still might go with another ISP. I have some communication to carry out with them before I make a decision. The last email I received from them seemed to indicate they were in the Twilight Zone. I would say they were IN the Twilight Zone but that would be an insult to the show.

Thanks for your suggestion BW.

Originally posted by blackwave
email problems? ... try this:
Defcon Forums > Technical Area > Got Questions? > DCFAQ: Check here first before asking!
http://forum.defcon.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=475

[ch0l0man]

Originally posted by apprentice
I did manage, finally, to solve my problems with SBC-Yahoo on my own.

well after all this, it would be nice if you shared how you fixed it.
:D

[apprentice]

At SBC's suggestion I uninstalled their software that foobared my system. At that point I still couldn't get my email. So this morning I re-installed Netscape Navigator and it works fine now.

It would appear that SBC's software corrupted the Netscape files that control email in Navigator 7.01 on M$ XP home edition.

Which bring to mind the questions of Why did the initial email from SBC have the subject line of "Action Required" and Why was I not told that Navigator would be no problem only to find that 7.01 is not supported.

Originally posted by ch0l0man
well after all this, it would be nice if you shared how you fixed it.
:D

[apprentice]

I'm on dial-up so I'm running about 52kbps

Originally posted by 0versight
I use the Same Service, SBC DSL, i get 300kbps, what do you get app?

[simple3]

Originally posted by 0versight
Oh i didnt read your previous posts slowly, I skimmed.
I am considering changing from SBC DSL to AT&T Cable.

Anyone here have cable internet? The only person that I have talked to basically told me when he switched from cable to DSL he got a *much* faster connection, about four to five times as fast, on the DSL. I would be interested to here what kind of connection rates people get on their cable internet connections. I can get about 180K/s, from a spectacular server, on my DSL here in Chico.

--simple3

[blackwave]

i've had both in a few places over OC and I liked my dsl better.

[TwinVega]

Originally posted by simple3
Anyone here have cable internet? The only person that I have talked to basically told me when he switched from cable to DSL he got a *much* faster connection, about four to five times as fast, on the DSL. I would be interested to here what kind of connection rates people get on their cable internet connections. I can get about 180K/s, from a spectacular server, on my DSL here in Chico.

--simple3

It all depends on who your neighbors are...