HIGH TECH CORNER: HOW DO YOU RATE LOCAL INTERNET PROVIDERS?

The non-taxed open access Internet has helped create a flurry of new ISP entrepreneurs. These young stallions of the high tech world allow you to access to the big interconnected pipe known as the Internet. I am asked all the time, which is the best ISP? My answer to this would be that depends. ISP's can proide many types of services. AOL as an example has a very large selection of service from buying a car to its new Instant Messaging Service. "And for you anti-Microsoft folks, I admit that Microsoft has cloned each one of theses ideas." AOL is the perfect fit for the user that is just getting on line.

But changing your ISP today is as easy as changing your shoes. Just because you start with the XYZ company as your ISP is no reason to stay with it. Your e-mail and Web pages can follow you wherever you go. Simply notify your ISP that you have changed providers and would like your e-mail forwarded to your new e-mail address. This will keep you going until you notify your friends of your new e-mail address. You definitely want to tell everyone of your new e-mail address because forwarding e-mail is like forwarding your postal mail. It takes longer to get there. Your new ISP can redirect your Web page to its new site.

But if you don't want that entire interface cluttering up your high-performance access to the Internet, then there are many choices to meet various people's needs. Many of us have home pages that may contain Family Pictures to MP3 music download files. My provider LDD had an option of Web Page Statistics that I found very necessary. The system provides information like what pages were accessed and which images were viewed. All of this information is in very nice graphical format that is displayed on your Web browser. An example of the system can be seen on my Web page at (BOLD) REPORTS.LDD.NET/DIGITALLABS.COM (UNBOLD). When you check it out, click through the several Report Navigation Selections. This kind of information is strategic in finding out what pages are being viewed by your visitors.

And of course, to view all those nice home pages requires the latest in browser technology. Netscape (BOLD) WWW.NETSCAPE.COM (UNBOLD) has just released version 4.7 of its browser. If you are using an older version, you should upgrade today! This is a Real Bug Fix release includes the latest versions of AOL Instant Messenger, Shockwave, Flash and RealPlayer G2 while adding the Winamp MP3 player to boot. Netscape is still mums the word on when the 5.0 release will happen. The upcoming 5.0 release to be announced soon is a real feature added upgrade. For you IE 5.0 dedicated fans, I'll bet you will like the Netscape Feature of doing progressive painting of the images as they download. This feature that Microsoft in all its wisdom removed from 5.0 allows you to see the pages faster and make a decision on where you want to go next without having to wait on the whole page to paint.

As always, if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me at DIGITAL@LDD.NET