...on how to deal with changing ISP? I have only ever had dial-up service for the past 14 years; FINALLY, a higher speed service is available where I live, via the landline phone service. After considering it from all angles, I decided to try a minimal 'bundle'(only two services in the 'bundle'), because there is no contract required.
Because the equipment I was sent was not adequate for me to 'hook it up' myself, mainly due to the layout of our house, I contacted the landline co., and after some frustration w/ the difference between their 'rosy' picture and the reality of dealing with people who didn't seem to know much about their subject...I was offered a 'no charge' visit from a certified internet set-up tech, who will come tomorrow(Hurray!)
As I understand it, I WILL be changing my ISP; from MSN, whom I'd had since day one of computer ownership, to the landline company. What tips would you have so that I will not lose my complete email contacts list, and my 'favorites' list during this process? Anything else I should know 'ahead of time'?
About 2 yrs. ago, I was having all sorts of trouble w/ MSN. Finally reached a tech who seemed to know how to 'fix'this; what he did was to connect me to an MSN 'network' so that how I accessed the internet was a different procedure. I had had Outlook Express for my email; suddenly I had 'hotmail', but still had, and have kept, the '@msn' designation on my email. Will I be able to stay w' 'hotmail', which I understand is free, and not 'tied to' MSN? My son who knows a good bit @ computers, will help us to set up a 'gmail' or the like account when he is here if I want it(I haven't been real happy w/ hotmail, but maybe that is because of the dial-up, which has seemed to get 'ever-SLOWER'? But, I will need SOMETHING until he can come down here, and could certainly continue to 'live with' hotmail until then!
Finally...what are the pros and cons of going wireless? I am ALL about 'safety'; from what I've been told/read, wireless is more vulnerable to 'intrusions' by whoever...from those who might 'only' steal bandwidth to those who might place nasty viruses/malware, etc., to those who'd like to steal your personal information. Apparently, this could be 'installed' either way...'wired'? or wireless...which would YOU recommend, and why, please?!
Thanks a bunch for all input!
Margo...who is SO looking forward to not spending 90% of my computer time WAITING!!
Because the equipment I was sent was not adequate for me to 'hook it up' myself, mainly due to the layout of our house, I contacted the landline co., and after some frustration w/ the difference between their 'rosy' picture and the reality of dealing with people who didn't seem to know much about their subject...I was offered a 'no charge' visit from a certified internet set-up tech, who will come tomorrow(Hurray!)
As I understand it, I WILL be changing my ISP; from MSN, whom I'd had since day one of computer ownership, to the landline company. What tips would you have so that I will not lose my complete email contacts list, and my 'favorites' list during this process? Anything else I should know 'ahead of time'?
About 2 yrs. ago, I was having all sorts of trouble w/ MSN. Finally reached a tech who seemed to know how to 'fix'this; what he did was to connect me to an MSN 'network' so that how I accessed the internet was a different procedure. I had had Outlook Express for my email; suddenly I had 'hotmail', but still had, and have kept, the '@msn' designation on my email. Will I be able to stay w' 'hotmail', which I understand is free, and not 'tied to' MSN? My son who knows a good bit @ computers, will help us to set up a 'gmail' or the like account when he is here if I want it(I haven't been real happy w/ hotmail, but maybe that is because of the dial-up, which has seemed to get 'ever-SLOWER'? But, I will need SOMETHING until he can come down here, and could certainly continue to 'live with' hotmail until then!
Finally...what are the pros and cons of going wireless? I am ALL about 'safety'; from what I've been told/read, wireless is more vulnerable to 'intrusions' by whoever...from those who might 'only' steal bandwidth to those who might place nasty viruses/malware, etc., to those who'd like to steal your personal information. Apparently, this could be 'installed' either way...'wired'? or wireless...which would YOU recommend, and why, please?!
Thanks a bunch for all input!
Margo...who is SO looking forward to not spending 90% of my computer time WAITING!!