Online Services

Do the major Online Services make good ISPs?

For many families, especially those with younger children, the issues of access to porn and other questionable content on the Net is a concern. One of the best ways to limit your children's access to these materials is by subscribing to an online service provider such as CompuServe, MSN or AOL. These services provide methods to help shield innocent eyes from the seedier side of the net. For example, CompuServe has a forum (CO CONTROLS) where you can configure exactly which areas are accessible. Other services offer similar features.

Things have changed considerably since the early days of the Web. Since then, all the players have improved and updated their software, and prices have been adjusted. Here's how they stack up currently.

The Big Three

America Online (AOL)
Currently the largest online service, AOL has moved aggressively into Canada, currently offering 540 "free" hours (communications charges may apply; the free offer is for one month only) with version 5.0 of its "AOL Titanium" promotional signup kit. However, AOL users may encounter some compatibility snags with some home networking systems. Intel's AnyPoint home networking system, for example, requires some special workarounds to work with AOL internet accounts. This is due to AOL's proprietary web browser login system. Also, be wary of Canadian phone line surcharges in some areas. Call the company and verify that local dial-up access is available in your area.

AOL offers Parental Controls,  giving you online screening software to reduce the opportunity for your kids to encounter hard-core porn or other unsavory Net content. (AOL Keyword: Parental Controls)

Although AOL now owns CompuServe, the two services remain largely independent and, in fact, CompuServe remains our preference of the two. AOL also owns Netscape, but does not require the use of this Web browser.

CompuServe (CIS)
Worldwide access from over 700 access points around the globe. All CompuServe access worldwide has been boosted to 56K kpbs, and has been available in Canada at that speed since the first half of 1998, after the official 56K standard was ratified. Flat rate internet access for US$24.95/mo. (A minimum plan, offering a limited number of hours per month of free time, costs only US$4.95/mo) Overall, CIS has proven quite reliable in our tests. The company added support for POP3 email in 1997.

Although other ISPs and online services have comparably easy configuration procedures on Windows-based PCs, CompuServe continues to be the easiest way to connect a Mac to the Internet. POP3 email support has been in beta testing since mid-1997. Adventurous CompuServe subscribers can sign up for it at www.csi.com/mail. POP3 compatibility, in case you aren't familiar with the term, will allow you to use Netscape, Internet Explorer, Eudora, or a number of other standard Internet Email clients to access your mail. An option to automatically forward standard CIS mail is provided, too.

In addition to providing a robust and easy-to-configure set of Internet services, CompuServe provides a large number of forums where you can chat, receive technical support, or participate in forums on a large number of topics, including several Canada-specific ones.

Notable Canadian areas include: Canada Outdoors -- a forum for the Canadian outdoorsman, covering topics from Canadian whitewater sports to wilderness fishing, and from winter camping to Arctic wildlife. Hosted by Kerry Knudsen, editor of Canadian Fishing magazine, and an avid outdoorsman. To reach the Canada Outdoors Forum, GO CDNOUT.

Another feature of CompuServe Canada that will enhance your online communications is the Canada French MT Forum. This forum allows you to post an English message in the Canada Forum (CDNENG) and have it automatically machine translated and posted into the Canada French MT Forum (CDNFRA). Francophiles can post a message in Canada French MT Forum and have it appear in English in the Canada Forum. Note that this is a machine translation, and is intended only to help facilitate communications. It is not a perfect adaptation.

Microsoft Network (MSN)
Pros: Premium plan offers unlimited access for $21.95/mo flat rate, with the first month free. Recent revisions have improved support for standard Internet email.
Cons: Windows systems only. We hear of a few more technical glitches with MSN than with other systems. See More technical problems for MSN for details.

Nov. 1997: In Nov. 1997, several reports of large, apparently erroneous amounts being billed to Canadian customers' charge cards came to light. MSN's apparent unwillingness or inability to deal with them in an effective fashion resulted in a class-action lawsuit being undertaken against MSN, as reported in the Vancouver Sun on Nov. 7 of that year. Hence, we recommend that current MSN customers review their charges very carefully. We advise new users to look elsewhere for online service until the company gets its act together. Canadians wishing to participate in the class action lawsuit against MSN should contact Barnett Litigation Associates at 416-233-9999.

Sept. 2000: MSN is reportedly discontinuing support of POP3 e-mail and is instead planning to focus exclusively on a Web-based e-mail system, effective Oct.1, 2000. MSN also admitted to errors that occurred during testing of a new billing system.

We're currently checking into a report at wininformant.com that Microsoft, until September 30th, may be offering free access to WebTV for its new MSN subscribers. New MSN subscribers, says the site, can get the WebTV Plus hardware for free, along with a free wireless keyboard -- a US$250 value. However, we've been unable to verify this information at either msn.com or webtv.com. Check back soon!