msn Explorer

[mycatis]

I,m paying about �17 a month for AOL, fair enough but do I have to pay for msn Explorer & hotmail that came with my computer? and do I need AOL to use it (msn)

[stoo_pid]

no you don't. IE & hotmail are free. You need AOL running on your computer (i.e. you need to be connected to the internet) but you don't have to use it. Once connected just double-click on Explorer & you're away

[rinkytink]

The same is true for most ISP's. They usually provide you with thier own software to use but you don't have to use any of it.

[Laura-sakura]

AOL is so rubbish..Have you considered changing to a good provider?

[mycatis]

Only had my computer a couple of weeks so dont know what's best. If AOL is rubbish , what would be better Laura-sakura ?

[stoo_pid]

if this helps you at all we used to use AOL until recently (we're now on broadband). I have to agree that AOL is mainly pants but the reason we stayed with AOL as a dial-up provider was that ALL the other dial-up ISPs had a time limit to how long you could be online (usually a maximum of 2 hours at a time). The one good thing I can say about AOL having used it for a few years is that the connection is very reliable (much much better than BTOpenworld for e.g) and you can stay online for pretty much as long as you like (we're talking days here if you wish!) So if you only want to use the internet for little bits & pieces check out some of the other ISPs but if you want to download MP3s, applications etc stick to AOL

[stoo_pid]

I meant to say stay with AOL if you're planning on using it for downloads AND staying on dial-up. If you're ever thinking of going for broadband I wouldn't recommend AOL for 2 reasons - 1) as we've already said, it aint that great but 2) they don't have their own broadband network - they simply 'piggy-back' off NTL's network

[kmac12345678]

no i use msn all the time i would probs get a new provider