Shopping for an Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Note: To search for Internet Service Providers, go to the web site at
http://thelist.iworld.com/

Checklist
When you're setting up a Web site, there are several technical and economic considerations to keep in mind. The following is a checklist of basic requirements for a PPP (Point to Point Protocol) Internet account which will allow you to post your Web pages.

Note: When creating or editing pages with Claris Home Page, you don't need to be online or even have an Internet account. Using Claris Home Page does not necessarily cause you to incur charges from your Internet service provider (ISP).

1. Does the provider have a local access number?
You shouldn't have to pay for toll calls to access your account. Although some providers have a toll-free 800 number, there may be extra charges to use this 800 number.

2. What's the number of and speed of the modems they utilize?
Ask them how many clients they have per modem; a 10 to 1 ratio is usually sufficient. If their modem pool uses anything slower than 28.8k baud per second modems, look elsewhere.

3. Do they bill by metered time or do they offer a flat rate?
A flat rate for access is increasingly common and usually a superior value. Estimate how much time you'll be online each month before you sign up with any service. If you're planning 40 hours of Web surfing, the $8.00 plan with $1.00 hourly charges will cost you almost $50.00 at the end of the month. Most flat rate plans are below $30.00 per month.

4. Setup fees?
Some ISPs charge a one-time setup fee while others do not. Be sure to inquire before signing up.

5. How much Web server space do they offer their users?
For others to view your Web site, it must be on a Web server. This should be included in the price of the account. For a personal Web site, 5 megabytes is usually sufficient. However, the more space you get, the better. If you plan on operating a small business Web site, 20MB is a good starting point.

6. What connection software and support do they offer?
Your ISP should provide you with the basic tools necessary to connect to the Web. They should also be happy to mail this software to you on floppy disks if you have no means of downloading it. Their technical support staff should be prepared to walk you through installing and configuring your setup.

Special note to Macintosh users: ask specifically about Mac support while shopping for an ISP. Many outstanding support departments have only Windows agents. Be sure your platform is well supported before you make a commitment.

7. Do they offer access to CGI scripts?
You may want to implement forms, image maps or counters to track visits to your site. These require the use of Common Gateway Interface scripts. Rather than learning how to program CGI scripts yourself and then uploading them to your site, many providers allow you to access their preexisting scripts. If you plan to add a high level of interactivity to your site, seek a provider with plenty of scripts at your disposal. If you plan to write your own CGI scripts, be sure the provider you select will allow you to upload and use them. Some ISPs do not allow the use of outside CGIs for security reasons.

Listing of a Few National Providers
HoloNet (510) 704-0160 www.holonet.net
MindSprint (800) 719-4332 www.mindspring.com
Delphi (800) 695-4005 www.delphi.com

Netcom (800) 353-6600 www.netcom.com
Earthlink (800) 395-8425 www.earthlink.com
PSI (800) 827-7482 www.psi.com

OfficeMail: Listing of a Few National Providers which provide UUCP type of accounts
UUNet (800) 488-6383 www.uunet.com
Netcom (800) 353-6600 www.netcom.com
Supernet (303) 296-8202 www.sni.net
Teleport (503) 223-0076 www.teleport.com

Mention of these providers does not imply an endorsement by Claris. This information is provided simply for your convenience.

If you have authorized Web access from someplace else (at work or a friend's house, for example) you can look for a provider using a search service from iWorld. This service can help you locate smaller providers in your area. The small providers are usually quite competitive and it's definitely worth your while to investigate them. This service is located at:
http://thelist.iworld.com