The On-Ramp!

A. Access to the Information Super Highway is generally from one of three sources B. Source I: Service Providers 1. These are the ones familiar to most everyone 2. Examples a. American On-Line (AOL) b. CompuServe c. Prodigy d. Genie? 3. Advantages a. Very easy to install software, readily available b. Offer some services not YET available on the net c. Fairly easy to navigate d. Often better technical support 4. Disadvantages a. Usually charge by the hour b. Long distance call in some areas (like Kings County) c. Often still running at 9600 bps d. Sometimes difficult to find the highway on-ramp among all the rest of the features e. No local technical support person 5. Analogy - Big city with freeway running through it a. Lots to do without leaving town b. Freeway is there when you need it C. Source II: National Access Providers 1. These are just now appearing 2. Examples a. IDT Internet ($ 15.95/month) b. AT&T or Local Telco ($ 19.95/month) 3. Advantages a. Software somewhat easier to install than local providers b. May have backing of major company c. In the case of phone companies, dealing with 1 company instead of up to 3 4. Disadvantages a. May be long distance call b. May be 800 call, high user to modem ratio c. No local technical support d. Not always equipped to meet growing needs, not many options for business use 5. Analogy - Rural residence next to freeway a. Not much to offer except the internet b. No local repair shops D. Source III: Local Access Providers 1. Have not been around as long as service providers, but, longer than national providers 2. Examples a. Vary in each community b. In Kings County * kcsnet.com * CNEtechnet * Kings Internet 3. Advantages a. Fixed low monthly rates b. Always a local call c. Local technical support, may even provide home installation for a small fee d. Often has very current equipment & low user/modem ratio e. May offer local education classes f. Most often willing to provide what ever level of service is needed 4. Disadvantages a. Often provides mix-matched shareware type software b. Often more work to configure software c. Local tech support may not be as knowledgable d. Service only as good as character of local provider 5. Analogy - Small town by freeway a. Some local services b. Neighbors to help

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