Mac users: what ISP and/or DSL service do you use?

[Lorien]

I made the mistake of signing on to AOhelL when I bought my first Mac three years ago. Now I'm having so many problems with it that I'm just giving up. I signed up with Earthlink DSL, but it seems pretty Mac unfriendly; I can't import my AOL email files or address book (and I must-I run a home based business and need them for legal reasons). I also can't include graphics or images in the email textbox with Earthlink-also a must, as I'm an illustrator and sometimes that's the only way a client can see attachments. Any suggestions?

[grace0418]

1. I use SBC/Yahoo DSL

But that may not be in your area. I've had a yahoo account for 8 years and it's always worked most consistently of all my accounts. I made the mistake, though, of rolling that account into my SBC Yahoo account so now when I move somewhere that doesn't have SBC I'm going to lose my old yahoo account too. That sucks. Oh well. I know better next time.

[Lorien]

2. Thanks for the input! n/t

[TreasonousBastard]

3. It shouldn't make any difference what service you use, but..

it makes a lot of difference what software you use. Mac or Windows make little difference when dealing with AOL problems.

It's difficult to import AOL email and address books into anything else, and I've tried with Eudora. Had to do it manually.
At least everything's on your hard drive, so you cn create text files and use them to move stuff.

If you're using that MSN Premium crap everyone gives out, it just makes things worse.

I have both Earthlink dialup and Verizon DSL, and do NOT use the stuff either of them gave me. I use Opera and Firefox for most browsing and Eudora for mail. Opera and Mozilla both have excellent mail capabilities built in, but there are a few small things I need that Eudora has, so I use it.

For email, you should be able to set any decent mail client, including the one that comes with the Mac, to pop.earthlink.net for incoming, and outgoing.earthlink.net for the SMPT server. Then you put in your username and password and you send and receive mail without all that other bullshit. If it doesn't work, for some reason, you call tech support and when they tell you they don't support Eudora or whatever, just tell them you want to know what the server ID is.

BTW, I kept my Mindsprind/Earthlink account because their mail servers are among the best in the business, but I have noticed that I've been getting "server busy" errors for the past couple of days. I hope that clears up soon.

[Lorien]

8. The AOL email is on my hard drive?

sorry, but I'm not very computer savvy. How do I create text files to move them?

[TreasonousBastard]

16. I don't know about recent versions, but...

back when I had AOL years ago, the mail was downloaded, and you could open the mail without even being online and there was a button somewhere for "save to file" or something like that.

Possibly easier is looking in one of the AOL folders for the huge file that contains mail and maybe other stuff, like forum logs. I don't remember what it's called, but it used to be a simple text file that could be opened with any word processor.

[ralps]

4. I'm using Roadrunner and the Safari browser.

I've e-mailed graphics using the Mac Mail program. So far I really like it. I also have a .mac account. :hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[Lorien]

9. You can drag and drop jpegs

into the text body without having to send them as attachments?

[ralps]

12. I've always sent them as attachments. In Mail you can send them as

Windows friendly attachments. I hope that helps.:shrug: :hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[AlCzervik]

5. comcast broadband and Safari browser, i was using ie for the longest

time and i finally switched over to Safari, much better now.

[faithnotgreed]

6. redjellyfish.net as my isp. they are small and support environmental

causes

im on a mac and theyll walk you through the process
its $18 a month dial up which is what i have and on their website they list the cost of other services incl dsl
i signed my mom up last month or so and they were offering first month free then though i dont know if thats current

cant really complain and the customer service has been good from the little ive used it. so glad to be away from republican supporting and jobs outsourcing earthlink



best wishes

[Lorien]

10. Do they offer DSL?

it seems that ALL the DSL service providers in my area are big GOP donors and awful outsourcers. Earthlink, AOL, Roadrunner (which I think is owned by Time Warner along with AOL), Bellsouth, etc. It's very discouraging. :-(

[faithnotgreed]

13. yes they do. it was hidden in my earlier post but they do have dsl

i just dontknow the cost

you can go to their website and enter in your zip code to see if they offer service in your area

i have no experience with dsl so i cant speak on the quality.

[NashVegas]

7. I Use a Small Local Service

In middle Tennessee.

The founder/owner is on my AIM list.

AOL, Earthlink, etc., can't beat that.

[Tom Kitten]

11. We use qwest at work

The connection is very fast, 155 kB and it beats the pants off Earthlink, whose dsl was borderline jokerdom, never faster than 15 kB.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. Time-Warner cable and Safari

Very pleased.

[NV Whino]

15. SBC Yahoo

But that's in CA. I just got a friend in VA hooked up with Comcast and it works fine with the Mac.

On edit: I finally pried her away from the dreaded AOL to do that. Had to copy and paste e-mail addresses from AOL to Mac Mail. AOL makes sure you can't export or import. Using Mac Mail you can drag and drop graphics, but they are still an attachment. You can, however see them right in the e-mail as long as they are jpegs or gifs. PDFs seem to work that way too.

[grace0418]

17. Yeah, I forgot to mention that AOL is

going to be a nightmare to get rid of no matter what, but will be worth it. Plus, if you're an illustrator, you should be aware that I've been told by more than one creative director that freelance designers and illustrators seem less professional to them if they're using AOL. Maybe that's just a stupid perception but if it causes someone to hesitate about hiring you, then it's a problem, you know?