John, I do not know whether this will reach you as a real live person or
maybe you are just a marketing name, but your message sure hit home. I have
not as yet gone to the web site you linked for me, but yes, I just had to
transfer to Embarq from Earthlink. While making the transfer I was offered
the “free” security package. When they told me I had to uninstall my Norton
Security Program first and I had no idea what the Embarq security program
would do, I refused to do this and stuck with Norton. Then I had no
spamblocker protection at all. However, Norton does not offer the features
of a spamblocker that Earthlink had and which I had been very satisfied with
for many years. So immediately I was deluged with spam messages because
they turned off my Earthlink Spamblocker and left me high and dry. I looked
at some commercial spamblockers on the internet but I was not satisfied with
any of them because they all promised the moon and there was no way to tell
if it would work. Most of them would require me to uninstall Norton
Security which I have paid big bucks for and have a subscription for two
years. So, I went back to Earthlink and found that they now offer their
spamblocker even if you are not using Earthlink internet. I tried several
times to download the program and install it but it would not work.

So, you pressed the right button with me. But what are you selling? And
will it work with Norton? I want to get something, but I do not want to
trial and error every spamblocker program that is available. The other
thing I cannot figure out is why Earthlink turned off my spamblocker when
technically I still have email messages coming through Earthlink?

Give me some advice please

- Randy, June 27, 2007 (name changed for privacy

Hi Randy, only I answer emails directed to John Napoletano. If I were to create a marketing name, would I need to think of something more exciting? I like the name Paul Simon, but it’s already being used by someone quite popular this week according to Google Trends.

I see now from your follow-up email that you migrated from Earthlink email to Embarq email. Most likely you’re in with the 750,000 Embarq DSL high speed internet customers who will need to adjust their Earthlink - Embarq relationship due to recent email contract changes. I believe the change started in April 2007, and judging by the October 31, 2007 forwarding deadline there’s a grace period for the migration. Embarq DSL high speed internet subscribers with email addresses ending in @eartthlink.net will be asked to migrate to @embarqmail.com.

As Embarq says on their email migration web page:

“Your Free Earthlink email will expire October 31, 2007. Not to worry! EMBARQ now offers an improved email service featuring unlimited email storage. Best of all, EMBARQ will save all of your EarthLink email, contacts, and folders and transfer them to your FREE new EMBARQ email account. Until October 31st, email sent to your old EarthLink address will be forwarded to your new EMBARQ address. Additionally, you can also choose to automatically notify everyone in your contact list of your email address change. Transfer to your FREE new EMBARQ email account by July 17, 2007 and you will be instantly entered for a chance to win $100,000!”

* Please note: you do have the option to retain your Earthlink email address for $3.95 per month. I’d call Earthlink sales or support and ask for an update on this Earthlink - Embarq email migration, prices and services may change at any time.

Randy, always remember that “Internet Access” and “Email” are two separate things. Just because you access the internet through Embarq DSL doesn’t mean you need to use their Email account services. Yes, Embarq DSL has an equally good free software package. I could give you 10 reasons why it’s good, and I could also give you 10 reasons why you should use hotmail.com, yahoo.com or gmail.com instead of either Earthlink email or Embarq email. But you have expressed that you like your Earthlink email address and spam blocker, so who am I to tell you not to use it.

Earthlink Total Access system requirements and sign up telephone number can be found on the Earthlink software download home page. I assume that once you sign up for Earthlink email, some form of email support will be given to you by Earthlink. Check the order forms or ask questions before signing up.

If you would like to stick with your Earthlink email address and Earthlink Total Access software, you still have to address your conflict between the two software packages. I don’t like to step in and override technical support for these issues. Technical support should know the ins and outs of their products better than me. I can only say that your high speed internet connection should not be dependent upon Earthlink nor Embarq’s software. In other words, you should be able to “opt out” of using Embarq’s software if that is what you wish. If you are able to do so (talk to Embarq directly, don’t take my word for it) then you simply auto forward all your Embarq emails to your Earthlink email account. You paid for Embarq email, so that account will exist as long as you have high speed internet service through them. Log into your Embarq email account on occasion to make sure the forwarding and settings are still working as expected.

Before you remove the Embarq Online Security software and undo what’s already been done, compare Earthlink Total Access to the Embarq Online Security package again. The Earthlink firewall offering is still unclear to me, so compare that to the F-Secure details on the Embarq FAQ pages.

Embarq has partnered with F-Secure who is one of the leaders in anti-virus and firewall software. The free Embarq Online Security software package now includes Virus, Spyware, Pop-Up, Spam, Content and Firewall protection. Frequently Asked Questions are available on the My Embarq website.

What’s my advice? If you like Earthlink Total Access then see if you can get back to the set up you had before the migration. If you like the Embarq Online Security software with firewall, give it a try for a while. With Embarq (and most email systems) you can control spam pretty well by increasing your sensitivity levels and by establishing filtering rules. I don’t have spam problems myself because I make adjustments as needed. Also, the service providers are getting better at moving mass produced emails to your junk box without your need to report them as junk.

I currently use Microsoft Outlook to retrieve my emails from MSN Hotmail and a dozen other email accounts I must access daily as a Webmaster. I pay $19.95 yearly to MSN, the benefit of which is that MSN Hotmail integrates well with all my Microsoft Office applications. I chat and video chat with family, friends, and business associates, and they always know when I’m online and how to reach me.

- Paul Simon (AKA John Napoletano)

After thoughts: see also my blog post for insight into wireless internet security which discusses both modem and software firewalls, two layers of high speed internet protection.

For those who didn’t know, you can check Earthlink email or Embarq email from anywhere in the world using the Embarq or Earthlink webmail log in pages.

I have Yahoo ATT DSL. I’m traveling more and need to get Yahoo ATT dial up numbers from time to time. Unlimited ATT dial up is included in my Yahoo ATT DSL internet plan. Where can I find these access numbers?

- Bill, June 18, 2007 (name changed for privacy)

Hi Bill, First you need to have the Yahoo Att Dial Up software installed on your computer. Either this was part of the Yahoo Att DSL internet installation or you can download what you need from the ATT help website.

The Yahoo Att Dial Up software helps you to select internet access numbers. Generally you save a “home” location and an “away” location. Look for instructions on how to “Edit” or change your away (or home) dial up connection settings. Browse the telephone numbers available to you and chose one in the area you are calling from.

Sign into the helpme.att.net website using the link above to learn more. Email us back if you get stuck.

-John

After thoughts: Yahoo ATT DSL specials with free unlimited dial up internet access are available here on our website. For a limited time only ATT Yahoo DSL high sped internet plans start at just $14.99 per month. Our exclusive special offer includes nationwide free dial up internet access, earn up to $50 cash back and 2 months free. SBC Yahoo DSL is now ATT Yahoo DSL internet service, the two services have merged. ATT Yahoo DSL high speed internet services are now named ATT Yahoo Basic DSL, ATT Yahoo Express DSL, ATT Yahoo Pro DSL, and ATT Yahoo Elite DSL.

Verizon internet services special online only promotion expires 7/31/07. This month Verizon says don’t overpay for your internet connection. Get all the internet connection speed you need at a price lower than most cable broadband internet services. The Verizon online DSL special is just $14.99/mo for the first year for up to 768 Kbps. Compare that to your existing 56 Kbps dial up internet service. For a limited time only get a $25 Target gift card, your first 30 days free, and a modem is included. Visit our Verizon Online DSL web page to check availability and sign up before it’s too late.

Verizon DSL Starter Plan $14.99/mo
- $25 Target gift card
- first 30 days free
- modem included
- Up to 20 times faster then dial-up (768 kbps/128 kbps)
- Fast email, photos, banking, shopping, downloads, games and more
- Verizon 30 day money back guarantee
- 9 email accounts
- Online entertainment and special discounts
- 24/7 live technical support
- Three step self-installation kit

Verizon DSL Power Plan $19.99/mo
- $25 Target gift card
- first 30 days free
- modem included
- $19.99/mo for 1st 6 months
- $29.99 for months 7-12
- Up to 50 times faster then dial-up (3.0 Mbps/768 Kbps)
- Faster email, photos, banking, shopping, downloads, games and more
- Verizon 30 day money back guarantee
- 9 email accounts
- Online entertainment and special discounts
- 24/7 live technical support
- Three step self-installation kit

Enter your home telephone number into our check availability tool to see if you qualify for Verizon Online DSL or Verizon FiOS super fast high speed internet. New Verizon Online DSL customers will receive their gift check 10 to 12 weeks after the order is placed. One gift award per household. Verizon high speed internet service and support is provided by Verizon Online, and the $14.99/mo price is available to new residential customers ordering 768 Kbps service online. For more speed, upgrade to the $19.99/mo special price available to all new customers ordering Verizon Online DSL 3.0 Mbps service. Reduced price is for the first six months only, a $29.99 monthly rate applies to months 7-12.

Verizon high speed internet service is not available in all areas or on all telephone lines and is subject to final confirmation of services by Verizon. Wireless home networking is available but requires purchase of a wireless router and may require wireless adaptors and wi-fi cards which are sold separately. A one year commitment is required. Review the Verizon Online order form for more details.

- John

Question: I have a wireless laptop. What do I need to do to use it? I would like the high speed computer hook up (I have AOL) for my home computer (Dell) and be able to use the laptop at home if needed. What should I do? Thanks John.

- Jullian, June 14, 2007 (name changed for privacy)

Answer: Hi Jullian, congrats on the new laptop! You first need to comparison shop for a high speed internet service provider. Have you tried entering your telephone number into our Check Availability tool?

Since your location determines which types of high speed internet service you can use, your options are generally limited from the start. Most people will struggle to chose between their local Cable company and Telephone company (DSL), Comcast Cable vs AT&T Yahoo DSL for example. Speed and price are what you need to consider most. Think of “wireless” as an add on, something that you can get with either one.

Verizon Online DSL high speed internet currently offers a free wireless modem to those who sign up for the Verizon Power Plan. Price starts at $19.99/mo for the 1st 6 months, $29.99 for months 7-12 and there is a one year agreement. The Verizon DSL high speed internet deal for June 2007 (on our site) includes a $25 Target gift card and the first 30 days free.

Our AT&T Yahoo DSL high speed internet deal for June 2007 doesn’t require a contract. Pricing starts at $14.99 per month for 12 months. AT&T Yahoo subscribers can earn up to $50 cash back and 2 months free. The only down side is that the wireless modem costs about $50.

Cable internet service providers tend to charge an “all or nothing” fee for high speed internet service. So while your cable internet service provider might seem more expensive, you are getting more speed out of the deal. The question you will need to ask yourself is how much speed do I need, and how much do I want to spend for wireless internet service? Those who want to download music and videos shouldn’t buy less than 1.5 mbps. Upgrading from 1.5 mbps to 3.0 mbps cuts your wait time in half for a nominal $5 more per month.

Those looking to replace their dial-up internet service will be happy to pay the same $14.95/mo for 768 kbps versus the slower 56 kbps speed of dial up.

So let’s say you decide on AT&T Yahoo DSL. Take a look at the Yahoo AT&T DSL self installation I did a while ago, some pictures included. Your final decision will be deciding weather to self install or schedule for a professional to do the installation for you. I’d say that setting up a dial up internet service connection is now at the same difficulty level as self installing DSL internet. Take a look.

Don’t forget to include the wireless modem while ordering online!

- John

Question: I recently subscribed to Qwest DSL service with MSN as my internet service provider in Pueblo, Colorado. I heard that you [Qwest] now have Webroot as part of your offering and that it is free to me since I have Qwest DSL. Is this true and where do I go to download it? Thank you.

- Jack, June 14, 2007 (name changed for privacy)

Answer: Hi Jack, if you have an active Qwest DSL internet service account you should be able to access anything available to Qwest DSL internet subscribers on their Qwest support website. There’s a web page for Qwest MSN users and also a security software download web page. If you run into trouble please contact Qwest technical support through the numbers provided.

- John

After thoughts: For those who don’t know, you can check availability and order Qwest DSL service specials right here on our website. For a limited time only, our Qwest DSL specials include a $60 Visa gift certificate, free MSN Premium software and email package and more. Visit the Qwest DSL internet page on our website and enter your telephone number into our Check Availability tool. Compare all our DSL, Cable and Satellite internet specials on the check availability results page.

What is the fastest internet services to the slowest internet services?

- Tommy, June 13, 2007 (name changed for privacy)

Hi Tommy, thank you for visiting IntenetServiceDeals.com and for taking the time to submit your question. Download speeds for the most common internet connection types are as follows.

Dial up: 28 to 56 kbps
AirCard Cellular: up to 400 to 700 kbps
Satellite: 700 to 1,500 kbps
DSL: 768 to 7,100 kbps (7.1 mbps)
Cable: 3,000 to 12,000 kbps (12.0 mbps)
Verizon FiOS: 5,000 to 30,000 kbps (30 mbps)

Please keep in mind that the internet service providers are pushing the limits this year and seem to be rolling out higher speeds every 6 months. Of course, you will pay more money for higher speed. Cable companies at the moment tend to have an “all or nothing” service offering which makes them appear higher priced.

DSL service providers tend to let you buy in at different speed levels. Take a look at AT&T’s current offering as an example:

Att Yahoo Basic DSL $14.99/mo, 768 kbps
Att Yahoo Express DSL $19.99/mo, 1.5 mbps (1,500 kbps)
Att Yahoo Pro DSL $24.99/mo, 3.0 mbps
Att Yahoo Elite DSL $34.99/mo, 6.0 mbps

Now compare Att Yahoo DSL to Comcast Cable Internet at $42.95/mo for 6.0 mbps

- John

Question: I barely get 220 Kbps when I do bandwidth tests on either of my computers. Your site says 384 to 768 Kbps. I was wondering why I can’t seem to hit over 220? When watching Movie trailers on Apple’s site I have to wait several minutes for a 2 minute trailer. Is there anything we can do? My two machines are both running windows XP. One is a brand new Dell Laptop D610, my desktop is an HP. My laptop races when I go to work, friends house or anywhere with high speed. At one they both perform the same.

- Ted, June 1, 2007 (name changed for privacy)

Hi Ted, before I direct you to the High Speed Internet speed test page, let me say a few things. Residential DSL and Cable internet systems work in a shared environment. Residential customers share internet lines with others between your home and the system hub. Businesses will often purchase leased lines, a fraction of a T1 line for example, which greatly reduces the number of shared users. In essence businesses pay more, while sharing keeps the cost way down for home users.

Going to work or another person’s house is not comparable, unless that other person’s house is subscribed to the sameAtt Yahoo high speed internet service with a rating of up to 768 kbps. What you can do is measure the “Overhead” percentage at a friend’s house and compare it to yours. For example, if your friend is rated at 1,500 kbps (1.5 mbps) and they are speed testing at 1,200 kbps, that’s an Overhead of 20% or (1,500 - 1,200) / 1,500. Comparing it to your service would be 768 x (1 - 20%) or 614 kbps. Comparing to work is not a good idea unless they are using the same residential Att Yahoo High Speed Internet service.

As you will read on the Att Yahoo High Speed Internet website link I’ve provided below, DSL has distance issues. Distance and sharing could be your issue assuming that your equipment is set up correctly.

Here’s that link to the official At&t Yahoo speed test web site. I copied and pasted the first bit of info for your convenience.

“What is throughput? Throughput is the amount of data moved successfully from one place (e.g., your computer) to another (e.g., any given website on the Internet) in a given time period.”

“What does this test measure? This test measures the throughput of the connection from your computer to our network location. The throughput of your High Speed Internet service is based on a number of factors, including the distance between your home/office and our network location, the number of “hops” from our network location to your computer, the performance of network servers and routers, the condition of any lines between these two points, environmental factors, and your computer performance. Because many factors affect throughput, your actual experience may vary. The results of this test could be affected by a number of factors inside your home or business, and in the network.”

“This test checks throughput between your computer and our network to the Internet. This test does not check sync rate (the speed or capacity of the High Speed Internet connection from the Network Interface Device at your home to the High Speed Internet Access Multiplexing or Remote Gateway equipment in our network). Only a trained technician using special equipment can test the sync rate. Throughput is not necessarily an indication of sync rate.”

After thoughts: Sometimes slow internet speed is a technical issue that can be improved. Sometimes its a distance or overhead issue and cannot be improved without upgrading. While comparing your high speed internet options remember that you are buying “speed.” A closer look at Att Yahoo DSL pricing helps to understand this, setting special offers and extras aside.

Question: All of my emails are being bounced. My account information says I am using 163% of my capacity, but I recently deleted a large percentage of my emails. I also do not understand the limitation on my in-box. That was never a problem before Road Runner.

- Angela, May 26, 2007 (name changed for privacy)

Answer: Hi Angela, I have a few things to tell you, so let me break them up.

While viewing your Road Runner email inbox, can you see a “Size” column? Very basic emails are 5KB or less, that’s text with no pictures. Deleting 20 small 5KB emails will do less than deleting 1 email with a file size of 5,000KB, for example. Take another look at the file sizes and delete the highest sized emails first. Any pictures or attached files of importance should be saved to your hard drive. In other words, get into the habit of removing things from your Road Runner email inbox, don’t store what you don’t need there. Save files to your C drive, or a folder you create under My Documents. The more you store in the Road Runner email inbox, the more you will slow down the email system and give yourself a headache.

If you are sending or receiving pictures, take a look at this slow dial up internet speed web page I created a while back. Half way down the page it talks about compressing pictures.

Know your inbox size limit. Somewhere in your Road Runner high speed internet account information there will be an email size limit number. These days premium email services will offer up to 2GB (2,000,000KB) which is a lot. A full size picture uncompressed is about 5,000KB. If you’re email account size is low, say 250,000KB (sometimes quoted as 250MB) and you need more space, contact Road Runner high speed internet and ask for an upgrade. Compare the price quote from Road Runner to that of other services like Hotmail (now called Live). You will see Hotmail email now gives 2GB free, and 4GB for only $19.95/year.

Remember that email and internet access are two separate things. Road Runner high speed internet has received high customer satisfaction ratings so the issue might by in the way you are using the system. If all else fails, you don’t need to use the Road Runner email account. Just ignore it and sign up for another service such as through Hotmail.com. Then auto forward your Road Runner email to your Hotmail.com email address, for example.

Hope this helps,

- John

Question: We ordered hi-speed Comcast with your company on March 16th. Confirmation [EDIT], Reference [EDIT]. Part of the promotion included a $125 Amazon gift card. We have not received the card yet and would like to know when we will receive the card.

- William, May 25, 2007 (name changed for privacy)

Answer: Hi William, there is usually a wait period before the Amazon gift cards are sent out. If I recall correctly, the wait period is 90 days for the Amazon gift cards. Details of the Comcast high speed internet deals are made available prior to completing an online purchase. Remember that all promotions are entered into a database by the providers, in this case Comcast Internet.

It’s important that you keep and use the contact numbers provided on your purchase receipts for technical support, billing and cancellation policies. The numbers provided are to regional support centers for Comcast high speed internet, and for the special promotion offers. Calling a local Comcast cable or internet representative, for example, will often confuses the situation. This is because most company representatives are unaware of the
high speed internet deals accessible on our website.

To help protect your privacy, InternetServiceDeals.com does not receive access to your Comcast high speed internet account information. If you would like for us to submit an inquiry on your behalf, we will need to know the following information as provided to make your purchase:

Full Name
Billing Address
Email Address
Telephone Number
Confirmation No [if available]

Please email the above information if you would like for me to submit an inquiry.

- John

After thoughts: If you’re reading this post and you already ordered internet directly through the Comcast web site, please don’t waste our time and try to get the deal after the fact. Comcast will know if you ordered through us or not. Instead, tell a friend about our Comcast specials and look for another deal, free internet fax service for example.

Question: I cancelled my SBC account and transferred my account to Yahoo with all my email etc. to [edit]@yahoo.com, but it hasn’t been transferred yet, I can not find it.

- Betty, May 25, 2007 (name changed for privacy)

Answer: Hi Betty, I’ve heard of upgrades from SBC to the new ATT Yahoo high speed internet, in which case the SBC email address doesn’t change. I’m not familiar with account transfers and would assume whatever SBC high speed internet is doing needs to be supported by them. Please give your technical support contact a call. While you’re waiting you can browse the ATT Yahoo support online help pages which is for both SBC and ATT users.

- John