This directory provides descriptive information on a wide range of electronic bulletin boards, private companies, and regional networks that offer for as little as $10 per month-dial-in access to the Internet. The book is aimed both at those with no current access but with a minumum of computer literacy, as well as those who are familiar with the Internet and who are looking for non-work access. The directory covers Internet providers worldwide. The major focus of the directory is on dial-up time-sharing accounts that offer full interactive Internet connections. At a minimum, providers offer at least a telnet connection. SLIP, PPP and dedicated line connections to the Internet are covered in less detail. Some known providers are omitted either at their own request or because their plans were to tentative to be included. Other services such as Nyx, one of the first free Internet access providers are excluded because they no longer offer the full range of Internet options. Information under each listing has been gathered primarily by questionnaire responses from the providers. Except for the most recent additions, the entry information was then verified with the organization. Information was also taken from press releases, guest accounts or other informational files on the Internet.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Internet Access Providers lists information about 96 U.S. and Canadian and 34 international commercial vendors that provide full interactive Internet access for the public. While the easiest method of gaining Internet access is still via universities or large corporations, there are many people familiar with the Internet who need access for small businesses or as individuals who want a personal link to the Internet. Their alternatives are nationwide commercial firms (like PSI or Netcom), local commercial vendors (often difficult to locate), or whatever access might be available through community Free-Nets. To aid in the selection of a service provider, Notess has compiled comparative information on start-up and connection costs, descriptions of services offered (E-mail, gopher access, newsreaders), and types of connections available (dial-up; Serial Line Internet Protocol, or SLIP; Point-to-Point Protocol, or PPP). Notess also provides a useful appendix showing the syntax needed to use E-mail gateways to the Internet from large online services like CompuServe and America Online. Recommended for computer reference and professional reading collections.
Raymond Hamel, Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Lib., Madison
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Raymond Hamel, Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Lib., Madison
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Today, for-profit and not-for-profit companies, universities, cooperatives, and telephone companies all offer Internet connections. Those in the position of choosing a provider must consider such factors as reliability, restrictions, user support, security, and cost. And, to complicate matters, many different connection levels are available, ranging from E-mail only on up to fast dedicated-line connections.
For those shopping for an access provider, this book is the first step to unraveling the many options available. Until this directory, users had three, not altogether satisfactory, means to obtain this information: hunting for relevant sections in Internet guides, searching online lists that cover dial-up connections, and requesting lists of member networks from organizations that network providers join. Thanks to Montana State University Libraries' Notess for providing a more satisfactory solution.
Internet Access Providers features dial-up accounts, but SLIP, PPP, and dedicated-line connections are included as well. Two sections, the first covering dial-up access providers in the U.S. and Canada, and the second, providers on the international scene, include more than 100 providers. Entries include contact information, type of connections, rates, services, and system information. Services noted are the availability of such features as mailers, editors, open FTP archive, menu front-end option, menu access to library catalog or other services, USENET news feed, newsreaders, outgoing and incoming finger, and compression, decompression, encryption programs. Appendixes cover dedicated-line providers and E-mail gateways to the Internet. There are geographic indexes listing providers that offer service in only one state, province, or country, as well as a phone-number index, indexes to SLIP and PPP providers, and cost indexes for local access and for nationwide access (U.S. only). One cautionary note: the author observes that providers "continue to appear at about the rate of one a week." As a result, he includes an addendum listing the newest providers, with information in abbreviated form.
Move those Internet reference resources over and make room for this important directory, which merits a front-and-center position in collections in academic and public libraries.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
There are no customer reviews yet.
|
|||
|
Video reviews
|
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
