Verizon DSL choice - Yahoo or MSN?

[Jadeanne]

Hi all,

Tonight I ordered Verizon DSL - my wife would like the telephone back. I've been with a local dialup ISP for a number of years.

After it arrives and I set it up, one of my options will be for either MSN or Yahoo membership.

I'm not sure which would be better for me, and I would like to ask the members for their experiences so I could make an informed choice.

Jadeanne

[Stephanie H]

Jadeanne:
With Verison DSL, you get the entire package of connection, e-mail accounts usually 10 accounts. There is no need to utilize MSN as they charge for their services. Your access to the internet is via the DSL Link. You may want to keet your Yahoo ID as there is no charge for it any you can continue to get private messagess thrrough Yahoo.
As a side comment, you may want to have Verison install a wireless modem vs and wireless NIC into your PC as this will provide you additional capabilities of having additional computers in your home that will have access to the internet. This will enable you to be on the network at the same time as you SO. This way, you will not have to "clean your tracks" as often. Also, make sure that you have your internet security package active when ever you are on line as well as you spyware package as this will protect you from being hyjacked etc.
Stephanie H

[Beauty]

Hi,

I'd also choose Yahoo over MSN.

[DonnaT]

I have Verizon, and like Stephanie says, you don't need to sign up with anyone else.

Once it is hooked up, all you need do is open your partidular Internet browser and start browsing.

My wife, being the computer help desk wiz she is, set it up at home, and right now I'm wondering about some of the other features Stephanie mentioned, that I was not aware of.

[Lydia]

Verizon makes it look like you have no choice but to use MSN. Don't. It costs extra and is a typical Microsoft tak-over product. My SO just uses the Verizon connection, and Outlook Express.

I use AOL, and they have their own DSL although it shares the wires with Verizon. Curiously, my SO has sporadic Verizon down times, while I've had no problems with AOL. McAfee comes free with it, and there are several nice perks. It is worth the price.

Willy

[Elizabeth]

Hi girls,

I also have Verizon DSL and I use no other service. I did not even use thier setup disk. You really do not need anything else.

Love always,
Elizabeth

[Lynne]

Like the other girls say, you don't need anything but Verizon for the connectin to the Internet. Just about everything else you can get verygood programs for free, or very low cost.
I also recommend the wireless router - DLink - got mine for abut $50 CD so it's less for you. That gives you multiple connections for the computers in your house ( I have 3 now) and a 'firewall'.
I also recommend you get a copy of Adaware, free, AVG antivirus has a very good free version. or, Avast which I used free for several months and now pay for its great.
You'll LOVE dsl when you've got it running!!!
Hugz.
Lynne

[Jadeanne]

Hi all,

Thank you all for your responses.

I also asked some people I work with, including several who have Verizon DSL, including one who previously was a support tech for the cable company broadband (and before that, for Verizon).

I am a PC tech (started as a programmer and mainframe system administrator) whose specialty is the older hardware and printers and computer end of life (yes, I'm the computer grim reaper and do some "repairs by intimidation" when the equipment starts working after I start touching it).

When I placed my DSL order, I chose the wireless router for $15 extra. I currently have 2 desktop computers and will initially use just these 2 connected by 3com network cards and category 5 cable. Later on, I might build another computer or 2 and really use the wireless connections for them. I might try streaming video on the downstairs home theater setup.

I don't have to cover my tracks from my loving, supporting wife and we don't have children. I have one computer for all of Jadeanne's activities, and it always mysteriously goes out of order on the rare times we have overnight visitors, so they have to use the other one. After our guests retire for the evening, I get to work on the "broken down" one and test the internet connection - it never seems to work except for me .

I plan on keeping my current Yahoo mail account for forum use. Verizon is supposed to offer 9 email addresses. That will be convenient - different ones for shopping activities for each of us, regular personal mail for each of us, etc.

When I do the setup and have to use the setup software, I will nominally go with Yahoo over MSN if i HAVE to choose one of them.

Thank you all,
Jadeanne

[Jessie]

I have Qwest MSN and did not have much a choice other than QWest took over the internet connection and MSN peovides the content. Now I belive that both Service are very simulare but I am pretty happy with my MSN content provider.

[Kyra]

I too have a Qwest DSL, but I simply choose not to use the MSN feature. I prefer my yahoo account and don't want to change anything, so I just left the software idle.

Jadeanne, you will love high speed. I could never go back to dial-up. It spoiled me right from the start.

Hugs,
Kyra

[Jadeanne]

Hi all,

Early this evening, soon after dinner, a UPS truck pulled up and now I have my installation kit, almost 3 weeks before the scheduled activation date.

I read the install instructions so it shouldn't take long for me to do the setup when Verizon tells me that it's activated.

I will post updates as things progress.

Jadeanne

[AnnaMaria]

The one thing that you have to keep in mind with the wireless connection from Verizon is that it is not very secure. I know from personal experience. When I first got Verizon dsl it came with a free wireless router which also had 5 cat 5 connections as well. I chose to use the hardwire connections since my network is all wired anyway. Then one day I tried to move a file and my pc told me that the file was in use. since I knew that I was the only one at home I knew something was going on. When I started to look at my network I found an extra computer in the list that someone had added by using the wareless connection on my router. Needless to say I freaked. Before it was all over I had removed the antenna from the router and tossed it on a shelf. If you have a waireless connection anyone within 100 ft can make a connection to your network as long as they can figure out the security for the connection. Which means that they can access your computers and everything on them if you are not careful.

sThe reason I am so careful is just simply because of the fact that I am at present a network admin for a company that maintains 3 offices in three states with servers in two locations totaling 7 and 65 plus pcs as well. I have to make sure that no one can get to my pcs so that I don't loss my job.

And just a side note. The only reason that you would need the setup disk that you got from Verizon would be if it is required for the router or the wireless setup. The actual connection can be made within windows with no problem in just5 a few seconds. Also, when you do run the cd you have a choice of not using either msn or yahoo just tell the setup to not install anything that is not absolutely necessary. But, above all make sure that you have a strong firewall and anti-virus because Verizon is bad about cleaning their servers and they tend to pass virus files if you are not paying attention. At least this is true in my area.

Good luck

huggs
anna

[Jadeanne]

Anna,

Thank you for the heads up.

I'm glad you are sharing your knowledge and experience for the benefit of us who are not as network savvy.

I'm fortunate enough to work in a place were I know several people who work as network administrators and offer guidance.

I currently run either Symantec antivirus or AVG on my 2 desktop PCs and I am downloading Zone Alarm (the free version), plus Spybot.

One net admin at work recommends turning encryption on and requiring a connect pass phrase for any wireless connection.

After I do the initial connection, he will come over with his laptop and make sure that things are properly set up.

Thanks again,

Jadeanne

[Beauty]

Hi Jadeanne,

I so hate Zone Alarm. It should be re-named Zone Annoy.

Good luck with everything!!!

[Jadeanne]

Gracie,

What do you recommend for firewall software?

I'm running Win ME, have 512 megs of Ram in each PC.

Jadeanne