Journal of Industrial Technology • Volume 15, Number 4 • August 1999 to October 1999 • www.nait.org

Volume 15, Number 4 - August 1999 to October 1999

Internet Service Providers: A Method for Selection By Dr. John A. Marshall

KEYWORD SEARCH

Internet

Reviewed Article

The Official Electronic Publication of the National Association of Industrial Technology • www.nait.org © 1999

1 Journal of Industrial Technology • Volume 15, Number 4 • August 1999 to October 1999 • www.nait.org Internet Service Providers: A Method for Selection By Dr. John A. Marshall

Review of Literature Evaluation criteria for the comparison Several of the ISPs have an included: basic monthly fees; number interesting history. Earthlink was of hours; charge for extra hours; begun about five years ago in the Los available options; setup fees; and Dr. John A. Marshall is the Internship Coordinator Angles area. Today they have joined technical support. Notice how similar for the Department of Technology at the Univer- forces with Sprint and are consider one these ISPs appear. Other factors, such sity of Southern Maine. His areas of specializa- tion include Power and Energy Processing, Elec- of the top Internet access providers. as a local dial-up phone number in tronic Control Systems, Plant Layout/Material Han- They provide unlimited Internet access your area and specialized options such dling, and Industrial Distribution. packages, networking help, Web as newsgroups and file transfers may hosting services, e-commerce, and the be the deciding factor in selecting the Introduction latest business news (Earthlink, 1999). ISP best suited to your needs. The Internet and the World Wide Mindspring was started in 1994 by Web (WWW) can most accurately be Charles Brewer in Louisville. Frus- Significance described as a network of networks. trated by attempts to get on-line he The Internet is the world’s largest Computers worldwide are individually realized “the need for a software library. Computers connected to the connected to local area networks package that installed easily and Internet normally make some of their (LAN) within institutions. These configured itself, for a graphical front files available to the public. As a LANs are then connected by telephone end that made the software easy to use, result, the Internet is the world’s largest with each other - hence “network of for a technical support staff that was storehouse of information. It is, in networks.” Using a computer and accessible, friendly and competent, and essence, the world’s first international modem or a network terminal, a person for a reliable connection” (About Us, forum with very few restrictions on can communicate with people on any 1999, p. 1). In November, 1994, ITC who may participate. For the first time of the Internet networks by typing Holding invested in Mindspring and in in human history, masses of people can electronic messages. A person can also March 1996, Mindspring became a communicate with each other without login to a variety of computer services public company traded on the (almost) censorship across political and that reside on the Internet. NASDAQ (About Us, 1999). physical boundaries. Wealth, social In order to “surf the net”, an Prodigy began back in 1984 when standing, clothes, culture, and other individual needs to contract with a IBM and Sears signed a partnership barriers to communication become less company that will provide a “gateway” agreement. The original name, important over the Internet. Thus, it to the Internet. These companies are TRINTEX, was changed to Prodigy in may become known as the great called Internet Service Providers or June of 1988 and was launched into the equalizer of the 21st century. ISPs for short. These ISPs furnish the California markets (Prodigy, 1999). In Today, the Internet includes more Internet access and often the software 1990, Prodigy was launched nationally than 5,000 regional, state, federal, necessary to connect. and in 1993 added an “e-mail gateway, university and corporate networks. its first link of any kind to the Internet” Also included are networks in Canada, Purpose (Prodigy, 1999, p. 2). Since that time Europe, Japan, Australian, Central Selecting the best ISP involves Prodigy has been a leader in Windows- America and South America. There are understanding the specialized terminol- based software, online shopping, news more than 750,000 computers and ogy, identifying the options really coverage, unlimited access to the workstations directly connected to the needed, and avoiding unwanted hidden WWW, personal web pages, HTML Internet, with millions of users. charges. New ISPs appear and disap- programming, and a new user interface Utilization continues to increase at a pear regularly. CompuServe and the system (Prodigy, 1999). phenomenal rate. During the past three Microsoft Network, once major ISPs Table One presents a comparison years, the number of web sites has have either “faded away or morphed of the nations largest ISPs. It is increased from 10,000 to 650,000 into something different” (Willmott, important to compare their costs and (Gray, 1997). This rate of growth is 1998, p. 34). The purpose of this services to the many local ISPs that are expected to continue, with no projected article is to provide the reader with the appearing in most regions. These six end in sight. tools to competently evaluate and select ISPs are: AT&T WorldNet; MCI Individuals and organizations have the optimal ISP for their needs. Internet; EarthLink; MindSpring; created hundreds of thousands of web Prodigy Internet; and America Online. sites or “home pages”. These sites

2 Journal of Industrial Technology • Volume 15, Number 4 • August 1999 to October 1999 • www.nait.org serve a variety of functions. Some Many local ISPs, not discussed in vider. Determine the differences in focus on retail shopping, others may computer magazines, may be a better service levels. Consider the hidden promote a cause, distribute informa- choice based on the users needs. An costs of a no frill service with limited tion, or provide business services. understanding of options such as user customer service and technical support. Using WWW graphical search tools ratio, local call, and baud rate will Inquire about hidden charges such as a (called Browsers), the user can search help you make an informed decision. browser software fee or a “connection” for, and connect to, mountains of In addition, one may also wish to fee. Table Three is an Internet Service information, photos, and graphic evaluate special features such as Provider Comparison Check List that images. “Surfing the Net” has grown at guaranteed technical support, storage will enable you to compare the techni- an explosive rate and new surfers are space for personal web page, fast cal benefits of local providers to the logging on daily. modem access at no additional charge, national giants. For many individuals a and adequate e-mail addresses for all local phone number, a fast communica- Method family members. Also helpful is an tion rate, E-mail ability, dependable Most individuals must contract understanding of the specialized access, and low costs are the most with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) technical terminology that is required important considerations. The Internet who will provide the necessary soft- to evaluate the various ISP offerings. and the World Wide Web offer many ware to connect to their hardware. Table Two presents terminology and exciting and educational opportunities Communication is normally through a services one should understand and and makes them available at your dial-up telephone connection and a consider when arriving at the most finger’s touch. Careful selection when modem. One of the quickest ways to appropriate and cost effective provider. choosing an ISP will maximize your access the Internet is with America Once the subscriber has decided options while minimizing your costs. Online (AOL). You insert the CD or which options are needed, they must floppy disk and away you go. AOL, then look at what the different ISPs References however, is more than a basic ISP. It offer. As one enters this highly com- AT&T WorldNet Service. (1998, offers many “bells and whistles” that petitive market, you may feel as though August 10). The AT&T consumer may not be needed if you are an you’re being asked to choose a long- catalog [WWW document]. URL experienced surfer. If, however, these distance telephone company. In fact, http://www.catalog.att.com/cmd/ extras do appeal and have potential many long distance telephone compa- worldnet/ value, AOL may be the ISP for you. nies are starting to offer ISP abilities, EarthLink. (1998, August 10). Unlim- Giants such as AOL may have some and include the billing on your tele- ited access at a low rate [WWW drawbacks. AOL, for example, has phone bill. It is not difficult to sign up document]. URL http:// experienced service problems over the with an ISP, they usually will walk you www.earthlink.net/join/ years. There is a danger of encounter- through the process. You do need to unlimacc.html ing busy signals during prime time and compare your alternatives. “To make a Earthlink. (1999, February 23). About receiving electronic junk mail. Sub- good decision, evaluate your needs. If Earthlink [WWW document]. scribers to the large ISPs also seem to you know people who subscribe to a URL http:// www.earthlink.net/about/ be more frequent targets of Internet particular ISP ask them for an evalua- Gray, M. (1997, August 14). Web scams and frauds. In addition, it may tion. Then try to get a free trial connec- growth summary [WWW docu- be difficult to cancel an ISP if you do tion. Most reputable ISPs are glad to ment]. not find their services appropriate or give you a short free sample” (National URL http://www.mit.edu/people/ wish to move services. Therefore, a Network of Libraries of Medicine, mkgray/net/web-growth- user should be aware of several 1998, p. 4). summary.html important factors when considering the MCI Telecommunications Corporation. selection of an ISP. Conclusion (1998, August 10). How to select an Industry analysts estimate Ameri- ISP for home [WWW document]. Internet Service Provider Selection cans currently can take their pick from URL http://www.mci.com/ Criterion more than 1,400 ISPs (MCI Telecom- aboutyou/interes…ernet/connect/ In order to make an effective munications, 1998). Before settling forhome/isphome.shtlm connection to the Web, the subscriber down with an Internet provider, check MCI Telecommunications Corporation. needs to select a Service Provider that to see whether the company has (1998, August 10). MCI internet meets their overall needs. An analysis experience and a reliable track record. pricing [WWW document]. URL of offerings and costs enables one to Use the information presented in this http://www.mci2000.com/ make a confident and well thought-out article to conduct an analysis before internetpricing/ decision. “You don’t really choose an signing up with an ISP. While con- MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (1998, ISP by price (alone), because most ducting your comparison, be sure to August 10). MindSpring Enter- offer similar basic services and unlim- compare “apples to apples” - don’t prises, Inc. price list [WWW ited access for about $20 per month” compare no-frills, low speed service document]. (Willmott, 1998, p. 37). with a full-service, high-speed pro-

3 Journal of Industrial Technology • Volume 15, Number 4 • August 1999 to October 1999 • www.nait.org

URL http://www.mindspring.com/ URL http://clara.hslib.washington.edu/ Sprint Communications Company. prod-svc/Pricing.html pnr/ets/isp voc.html Prodigy (1998, August 10). Earthlink Sprint Mindspring Enterprises, Inc. (1999, Services Corporation. (1999, total access [WWW document]. February 23). The History of February 23). Our Company URL http://www.sprint.com/server Mindspring [WWW document]. [WWW document]. java/R…print.com/home/ URL http://www.mindspring.net/ URL http://www.prodigy.com/picom/ navigation&RN=SP1119 aboutms/hostory.html National our_company/our_company.html Willmott, D. (1998, Summer). Con- Network of Libraries of Medicine. Prodigy Services Corporation. (1998, necting to the net. Easy Computing. (1998, August 10). An internet August 10). Prodigy Internet 34-40. vocabulary lesson [WWW docu- [WWW document]. URL http:// ment]. www.prodigy.com/picom/our pricing/our pricing.html

Table 1. Comparison of Internet Service Providers

AT&T MCI Earth Mind Prodigy America Worldnet Internet Link Spring Internet Online

Phone Number 800-967-5363 800-550-0927 800-395-8425 800-719-4660 800-776-3449 800-827-6364

WWW Address att.com/worldnet mci.com earthlink.net mindspring.com prodigy.com aol.com

Basic Monthly Fee 19.95 19.95 19.95 19.95 19.95 21.95

Number of Hours 150 150 Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited

Extra Hour 0.99 0.99 n/a n/a n/a n/a

Options Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Setup Fee None None $25 $25 None None

Free Tech Support Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

24 Hrs/Day Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Table 2. Important Technical Vocabulary and Services

Local Access - indicates no long distance phone bills. Be sure to check if your area is covered. Flat Rate - no hidden or unexpected fees. Be sure hourly charges, E-mail expenses, and Internet access fees are all included. E-mail - allows letters and files to be sent and received around the world; often in seconds, without postage or phone charges. Telnet - allows remote computer to computer connection. FTP - (File Transfer Protocol) allows the uploading and downloading of files from remote computers. Universities, libraries, governments, and personal providers make available mountains of information, on a vast array of subjects. Internet Chat - allows instantaneous and simultaneous conversations. Chat one on one or within groups from around the world, all displayed on your screen. News Groups - allows the reading of posts from over 15,000 news groups on the Internet. Whether your interests are business or personal, there is something for everyone. WWW - (World Wide Web) allows search and access to mountains of information, photo and graphic images, has caused an explosion in the use of the WEB. Retail shopping and other business applications are becoming prevalent.

4 Journal of Industrial Technology • Volume 15, Number 4 • August 1999 to October 1999 • www.nait.org

Table 3. ISP Comparison Checklist

ISP # 1 ISP # 2 ISP # 3

Company Name

Local Phone # Is it a free call?

Max Speed 14.4 Kbps is poor, 28.8 is adequate

33.6 and 56 is much faster & more fun!

Services E-mail & Net Surfing are mimimums.

Free Technical Support?

Do they provide a Web “Browser”?

User Ratio This comparison (# of users per dial-in lines) provides insight to frustrating bottlenecks.

Wait times during peak periods?

Fee Structure Compare the various plans offered.

Many offer a free trial period.

Personal Web Page Space Included?

Discount if long distance phone carrier same as ISP?

Is there a Setup Fee?

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