🚀 go-pugleaf

I recently reviewed the 518 area code ISP directory. 

Please take the time to check the contents of the 'profiles',
found at:

   http://members.tripod.com/~floydb/isp_518.html

Please send corrections to:

   floydb@all-are-wel.com

or

   floydb1@rpi.edu

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                               Commentary

Little, suprisingly, has changed. To the best of my knowledge,
there has been no new competitors and one buy-out of a competitor.

Most everyone's rates seem to have remained stable, with one or
two lower and a couple higher.

In surveying the 'local' ISP providers (20 - 25 in all), it still
amazes me how difficult it is to find the following basic facts:

 - rates and services
 - contact information
 - dial-up information

Presumably, the latter is provided upon signup, but there is no
reason for hiding or not providing the ISP rates, mailing address,
and day-time phone number. Over half of the WWWeb sites simply
do not provide rate sheets. Less than half have 'obvious' links
to their rate sheets. Why? Using the word 'rates' or 'pricing'
in the link would be most helpful.

Last but not least, in the past year there is an obvious trend towards
all-graphics homepages, with token text-only navigational menues often
found at the end. Many home computers still have 14.4 modems. And,
unless the ISP is attempting to sell 'content' as well as 'access', 
it would seem reasonable to find clean, simple, concise and 
fast-loading ISP home pages. As a potential new customer, either
individual or business, I am most likely interested in finding
out how much it costs to dial-in to the service, read news groups,
send e-mail, and store some WWWeb pages. 

2 cents worth...